Lesson 9!

A video we watched this week to prepare for class included a little talk by President Eyring talking about how the brethren in the church have councils.  There is an order in which each meeting goes, and it makes it so everyone knows what to expect and also so that it's organized.  They suggested we use that same system to have councils with our spouses and families. 
We also talked about how when we ever have problems or disagreements, we should talk about it as soon as we can to avoid conflict.
Conflict can bring contention, and when there is contention the spirit is not around and we are always striving to have the spirit with us.  If we are ever in a place where we and our spouse have an issue, work on trying to agree or finding a solution that will benefit you both as a system. 
I believe that if we choose to address our conflicts immediately it will bring us closer as spouses, and it will only get easier to confront each other.  It might even make it so conflict happens less.  I have seen it in my own life, when I am upfront about something to someone, it only makes it easier to deal with than if I were to ignore it and let it build.

Lesson 8!

In this week's lesson we talked about family stress and crisis.
In my family we have never really had to go through any large amount of stress or crisis.
However, I would like to think that if we did go through something big like that, it would only make us stronger. When a family has a lot to deal with, and there is a lot of stress because of a traumatic event, they are going to have to focus on their strengths to be able to get through it.  I believe if a family is focusing on their strengths in a critical situation like that, they are forced to come together, and work together to be able to get through it as a family.
I have a testimony of families and that if we work together as a whole, focusing on our strengths, it will only make us stronger, and unite us to the fullest.  

Lesson 7!

This week in all of my classes our lessons revolved around one subject, and that was sexual intimacy.  We talked about it a lot more in this class than my others, however. 
I know because of what I have been taught throughout my life and what has been reinforced in this class that sexual intimacy is something that needs to be kept until after marriage, and after marriage only.  It is a spiritual thing that should only be shared between spouses.  I am thankful for that knowledge I have, because I know that it helps me make better choices.  We read a few articles this week where studies showed that saving sexual intimacy until after marriage will strengthen marriages, and there is also a better chance that the marriage will last.
Also, by waiting until after marriage I am reducing the risk of becoming pregnant and not being able to be the best parent I can be.

I know that these rules and guidelines are here for our safety and happiness and I am thankful to attend a university that teaches us these principles so that we can stay on track!

Lesson 6!

This week we talked about the transitions in marriage, and mainly focusing on how having children affects the marriage (in a good and bad way).  In a power point we saw made by our teacher he showed us how frequently when a couple gets married they are satisfied, and after each child they have their marital satisfaction decreases.  A big reason why that happens, I think, is because of miscommunication.  Maybe the dad doesn't feel like he is that important because the mom is the one who gets to grow the baby and be close to it.  Or maybe after the baby is born the parents are focusing so much on the baby that they aren't caring about each other and their needs.  I think that is miscommunication because a lot of these problems can be talked about before the baby is born, so that after it's born there aren't as many problems.  As women a way we can help our husbands feel involved with our pregnancies is to involve them in doctors appointments during pregnancy, talking to them about how we feel, and letting them make decisions on baby's name or maybe decorations for the room.  Basically always doing things together so he knows he is important in the whole process because of course he is!  Babies are also definitely a good thing, because they are growing our families, and bringing us closer to our Savior.  He sent those little spirits down because He trusts us to take care of them and give them all the love we possibly can.  They can and should also grow us closer as married couples, and to do that we need to make sure we are always on the same page and making decisions together.

I am so looking forward to being able to start a family with my future husband.  I am excited to share those experiences with him, and to be able to grow closer to him because of that sweet little spirit.  I am thankful that Heavenly Father trusts us with that responsibility and privilege!
I hope that as you read this you can take in to consideration how to become closer to your spouse during pregnancy and raising children so that it is a bonding experience rather than the opposite!