Dear Baby Monibidor...

Today I watched my belly as you kicked and punched me from the inside. This is the first time I've really seen my stomach move because of you hitting me. Daddy just started school and now I'm in less of a hurry to get home from work, because I know he won't be home when I get there. So I sat staring at my belly move for a long time and loving you and wondering what the future holds for our little family.

You at 20 weeks

The world you're coming in to is a rapidly changing one. Not only is it changing because of advancements in technology, but also in moral standards. One thing I see on a daily basis is young peoples' dislike for learning. I'm a middle school and high school teacher, so I try daily to inspire 13-15 year old people to love reading, and English, and discovering. Some of them do, but others flat out refuse to learn. They are lazy and crave to satisfy this laziness by drinking alcohol, getting high, and playing mindless video games. Many leave no time or effort for reading and thinking.

I think of the place where you just came from and wonder what it must be like: in the very presence of our Heavenly Father and the excitement of this life's purpose strong and fresh in your heart. I feel that you are special and I imagine that you were very excited to come to earth. Probably excited to take on the challenges of earth life, and continue to battle for your agency here as you have done there.

Part of that battle of agency must include learning. Christ declares in Doctrine and Covenants 88:79-80 that we are to learn of things both in heaven and in earth "that [we] may be prepared in all things when [He] shall send [us] again to magnify the calling whereunto [He] has called [us] and the mission with which [He has] commissioned [us]." The more we learn about God and this earth, the more able we are to serve Him. It's like a warrior who has trained long and hard for battle--he will fare better than the warrior who procrastinated his training.

I hope you love to learn, my dear. I hope you enjoy the reading of good books that make you think and consider your complex human experience. I hope you delight in the scriptures to discover your true identity as a daughter of God. I hope you are able to think and to reason and to work hard and think of others' needs as you think of your own. I hope you feel free to exercise your god-given creativity, that you can express yourself and find joy in expanding your unique talents.

I will do all that I can to teach you these things and to create an environment where you can flourish. Daddy and I are so excited to meet you and so grateful that our Heavenly Father is letting us care for one of His precious daughters. The world is changing rapidly, but we have the ability to resist this change. Through God's grace we can maintain purity, intellect, character, and spiritual sensitivity. One day you will understand all this, but more importantly, I hope you know more than anything that Daddy and I love you! We are working hard to create a home where you will feel God's love and where you will find peace and purpose!

We aren't perfect, and neither will you be! But we have each other. And we will love each other in spite of, and even because of, our imperfections.

Until later, sweet baby girl :)
Love, Momma