family and crises

This past week we have been discussing families and crises; how they define them, cope with them, and ultimately how they let them be effected by them.

After all of our discussions and all the reading, I feel like I have personally come to understand how the Atonement also heals.  It can bring that true healing that can come only through the Spirit.  The Savior had to endure those pains and afflictions so that He would know how to succor His people (Alma 7:12). 

I believe that to be healed we have to choose.  We have to choose to look at things differently and have full faith and trust that through the Atonement we can be healed.  It may not come all at once or quickly, but with faith and patience, it will come.

Talking about all of this made me think of others who suffer without the knowledge of the healing ability the Atonement provides.  What about them?  How do they cope and manage and hopefully, grow?

We read several accounts, talked about different experiences that we ourselves have had, as well as read about statistics regarding family crises.  It really made me aware of how many people do not cope with crises well or positively.  This thought really hit me hard thinking of all the sadness those people must endure because of their lack of knowledge and resources on how to manage the stress from the event well. 

Once again, for me, this reaffirmed that the family is central to the Lord's plan - it is for our happiness.  We need families, we need traditions, we need closeness to each other, we need communication, we need respect, we need each other.  I know that life comes with difficult times and trials, but with family, we can overcome these times and feel grateful for them, even, if we allow ourselves to use the Atonement and make sure that we are constantly striving to bring our families closer by doing all that we can in our power to conduct our families in the ways that the Lord has revealed.  By doing so, I know that we will not only be brought closer to one another, but the Heavenly Father and His Son.

the talk...ya, that one.

This week in class we have been discussing sexual intimacy.  I actually really quite enjoy having these types of discussions here at BYU-Idaho because it is always done witht the Spirit, and therefore with reverency, sacredness and respect. 
One thing that always gets me thinking is when we talk about children learning and understanding sexual intimacy and relations.  Our teacher had us write down what we would like our children to know specifically at certain ages throughout their lifetime regarding this topic.  It was a bit difficult, I have to admit, to think of what exactly I would teach a 4 year old, 7 year old, 10, 13, 16, and 19 year old, but all in all, I think it was a really great idea to have us do this and I actually want to really come up with a more solid idea over the next little while.
My teacher brought up to the class the different issues being raised in other states about informing and teaching children about sex and topics within that - some (er...most  ) that I find to be completely outrageous and unnecessary.  This definitely made me stop and think about homeschooling my own children that I will have one day.  I have thought about this before, but the more and more I learn about what people are trying to pass to be taught in school (hmm, I don't believe 'taught' is the right word...to me teaching implies edifying and uplifting...not degrading and disrespecting not only others, but oneself...), the more I learn towards homeschooling my children for part of their lives.
Why is it that these things are being passed by, let alone being brought up?  I get that the world is slowing degrading and demoralizing itself, but at this rate...
All of this and more truly makes me realize even to a greater extent that the family truly is an important factor in life.  It is a unit that is needed, desired, yet being wasted, if not already forgotten.  I always feel more of an intensifying desire and fire inside me to make sure I'm steadily and surely grounded in a strong foundation when discussing and researching statistics in the world at this time. 

My wrap-up-thoughts:

Just because children can  be taught certain things and  seem  to understand them does not mean that they should be.  This can be directed towards peers, leaders, teachers and parents, alike.