Power of Manifestation and Our Gender Reveal

Last month I attended a breakfast where a motivational speaker taught us about the Power of Manifestation. For anyone who may be wondering what in the world that is, here’s the Google Def. : is being able to harness your true destinies and desires in life-subconsciously put into vision, and then into reality. Everything you want of the universe is already yours-the clearer your thoughts and thinking on the matter, the more timely and precise the delivery will come.

My whole adult life, when I was asked by someone how many kids I wanted, the answer was always four kids - two girls and two boys. I’ve always said it confidently and believing it will happen. So when I was reminded about the power of manifestation concept last month, I realized I can put it to the test when I find out the gender of this fourth baby I’m carrying (already having two girls and one boy, I was still on track to be manifesting my desires).

Well, yesterday we found out the gender, and lo and behold, we’re having a GIRL. I was mostly surprised that the power of manifestation has failed me and I couldn’t understand how that was possible since I know I had done it how it’s described, by the book (without even realizing or being educated on the matter).

So I am open now to the belief that this power may either be garbage (what my dear husband has often times said to me), or that there are some things set in stone, maybe even before the world was made, that no matter how hard you try to manifest one way, it will still happen the way God has intended it.

I’ve also learned that there are some things in life, such as your kids gender, that is better left up to chance rather that become too committed to a certain outcome.

Either way, I’ve gotten more excited to having another little girl by the minute, and I am curious to see how different she will be from her sisters. (Adaline has wanted a girl from the get go, and Emilia is still in shock we’re having a girl and not a boy – this is due to me brainwashing her, we’d never discuss any girls names, but would quickly switch to boys only.) And Ellis is oblivious, probably glad he won’t be dethroned.

The Circle of Life

When my grandpa passed away I started thinking of how generations are passing on while new ones are forming. And maybe it was in response to my mourning and in a way coping with his passing that I started thinking of my future children and that our family will carry on.

Well, I am happy to report that a new little person will be joining our family, prospectively on May 14^th of 2014.

So I knew that parenthood is synonym to sacrifice, but I had no idea how early on that can start. Also, I’m not sure if I live in a land of brave women who never complain about their physical difficulties even when facing great challenges, or normal women don’t get to go through this much, but so far this BABY has been kicking my trash.

Starting with week 6 (I am a little over 13 weeks right now), I started feeling the nausea, it was bad, smells any smells felt strong and I felt like I was gonna throw up every step I took. Starting with week…9 or 10 I did start throwing up, sometimes more than once a day.

At first I was really worried about gaining too much weight, as I know it has been done before in my family. But judging on my food aversions, and the fact that even water sets me off, now I’m worried I won’t put on enough weight. And this is another thing, I’ve already started with the worrying, even if I promised myself I won’t be one of those overprotective freako moms…

So yeah, I’ll admit it, it’s been tough feeling really excited when my whole life and personality have changed. I haven't felt like doing much besides sleeping and resting, even talking tires me off. 

But that all changed yesterday, when we got our first ultrasound. The baby was at first in a sitting position and it was tough to get the needed measurements, but shortly after it started twisting and turning and doing all these movements, as if trying to impress us or something. We don’t know what it is yet, but I think it looked like a boy. We wanted a girl to begin with but it got us really excited for either or.

Our first Sonogram at 13 weeks
They never meant much before, until it was Ours. 

A few weeks ago I had to pack up all the clothes I won’t be able to wear for a while. That means I am left with maybe 30% of my wardrobe.  It’s terrible; I’ve never had such limited outfit selection. And I’m not even up to part to going shopping for more maternity clothes.

There are some good parts about pregnancy, when I can tolerate food I get to eat and enjoy it freely, with no guilt. The husband is super understanding and does most of the housework now days. Family from far away is checking in and is super excited for us. I can skip (and I do it a lot) putting on makeup and taking care of myself (especially when feeling so crappy).  Sitting down in the front seats on the metro reserved for old or needy persons, even though it’s still hard to see I’m prego, but I’m having a clear conscience knowing I don’t have to yield the seat.  

In one word, this is a whole NEW experience. I was ready for it, I had no idea it would be this hard, but it had to be done and I feel blessed to be entrusted with a special spirit to bring on this earth and to care for. Also, if my husband is still in love with me after all the puking and being so run-down, now that’s the true love I was banking on. 

How would God teach humanity how to become like the Deity?

Parenthood. I find it the best way to have us become more like Him.

And why do parents love their children so much?

One day this year I was driving to see Ethan and I felt really at peace and loved by the Lord in a profound and complete way. My next thought was to wonder why exactly the Lord loved me so much. And I came up with two answers. 

One, He loves me because I am a part of Him, that there is a tiny bit in my make up that is divine and a part of Him. And two, He loves me because he sees my full potential, He sees me for who I really am, and knows how far and how high I can reach.

Realizing these two things has not justified or made me fully deserving of His love in such a complete and unconditional manner, it did, however, put it into perspective about understanding where it comes from.

For the same two reasons I believe parents love their children.

If God wanted He could have had us come into this world through some other way, but He chose to have us give birth and have our children be literally a part of us…and how would you not love that being when you understand whom they can become and how they may emulate your example.

Of course with this experience comes great responsibility and in helping our children most I think the first step is understanding who we are in this mortal existence and what we need to be doing with our lives in order to reach complete and perpetual happiness. And then passing that knowledge on, of both their divine identity and the pathway to the highest level of happiness is probably the greatest gift we can offer our children.

And of course these are all conclusions reached without having had yet that extraordinary experience of becoming a parent.

my thoughts on Parenting (A religion paper i wrote)

    Although parenting is one of the most important things in the society, many parents are doing a poor job at raising their children. In talking about creating successful homes, Elder James E. Faust mentioned a few ways that parents may achieve this, parents must set the example, disciplining children, teaching children to work, helping children internalize values, and a most important one, a thousand threads of love.
Based on the mentioned ways to achieve a successful home, it is not difficult for one to see the lack of most these ways in today's society. I like the mentioning of work as a main way to create a successful home. I can personally attest to the importance of it. Growing up I didn't do a lot of work around the house, my mother would ask me help her cook sometimes, but that was usually only around the holydays. Also, in Romania teenagers don't have jobs, so I didn't start working until I moved to the U.S. when I was 18. I started to experience more independence as I had a job, but even more importantly it gave the confidence and trust that I could accomplish things on my own.
The parental example is the most important tool in teaching children. I doubt that most parents understand this great responsibility. In the reading, it was mentioned the importance of not being hypocritical when it comes to teaching children, because they can see through it and it would only turn them off towards applying the rule in their own life. Through obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ we can easily avoid this. Just as Christ has never taught anything he hasn't lived, we can follow the example.
One of my personal theories that aids in creating a successful home is the attitude parents have toward their children. Many parents have their own set of baggage and agenda, and not being completely satisfied with themselves and who they've become, they take it upon their children. Too many parents are abusing their authority and even stewardship in demanding their children's obedience more for the sake of exercising poser over them, than out of true concern for their welfare. Many times adults underestimate the power and mental capacity children have, even in their early stages of life. Respecting them from early on would build their self-esteem and strengthen their desire to do what's right. Even in later stages of development parents may cross boundaries. I think in order to overcome this challenge parents must learn how to let their children be their own individuals, even if it means they will make mistakes along the way. I consider this capacity of allowing children be and develop as they need one of the greatest acts of love. It takes complete altruism as well as exercising faith in the Lord.
Applying the above-mentioned concept to our relationship with God, the way He expresses His love is by letting us become whom we choose to become. Ironically enough many today go as far as to stop believing in a higher power claiming that have we had a creator/father in heaven, none of the harmful things would happen to the good people in the world.
Just having a child does not qualify one as a good parent. Living the gospel fully will allow one to be a better parent.