I KNOW THREE DARLING LITTLE GIRLS BORN WITHIN DAYS OF EACH OTHER....

BABY ANNIE

Born to a family, who when she was less than two weeks old, her dad was called to be the Stake President. Both of her parents are active in the church, as are most of her extended family. She will be taught the gospel daily and will learn the songs for primary and be immersed in a loving home environment. She will watch as her Father serves the Lord and her Mother faithfully supports him in righteousness. She will watch as her brother goes on a mission, her older sisters become righteous women and she will gain a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ through daily scripture study, Family Home Evenings and other gospel centered activities. By being born under the covenant, she will claim blessings promised to her and her parents for living the gospel.

BABY MADDIE

As a first child, she has been anticipated for months by her Grandmothers and Grandfathers and even a Great-Grandma. She too will be taught the gospel by her parents. She will be loved and cared for in every aspect of her life. Her life will be full of primary songs and stories of Jesus. Her parents will share their testimonies with her and teach her how to return to her Heavenly Father. She will learn talents from her Mother and responsibility from her Father. As other siblings are born into this little family, she will know that they are all a part of Heavenly Fathers great plan. Because of her parents, she will be able to achieve great things in life and have many wonderful opportunities afforded her.

BABY PAITYN

This little one came to earth to a mother, still a child herself. Due to life's circumstances, her mother has decided not to continue living the gospel of Jesus Christ. She will be loved, but it will not be without heartache, as her father and mother struggle with their own love for each other. Her knowledge of the gospel will be limited, as all of her family, except one aunt, have decided to leave the church. She will most likely not grow up listening to primary songs and, if she is lucky, she may have a story of Jesus told to her. Her life will most likely mirror her mothers, one of struggle and heartache. A life of always trying to just make it to the next paycheck. A life where alcohol, drugs and smoking will be prevalent. She will have to be strong. Very strong.

These three little girls knew each other in heaven. I am sure of it. I personally have been anticipating their births for months. Praying for their safety and their family's safety. Our family has been waiting and wondering what day the phone call will come letting us know they have arrived in the world, safe and sound. I have thought many times about how they were in Heaven just waiting to come down to earth. Their beautiful, strong spirits united in the anticipation of fulfilling their part of Heavenly Father's great plan of happiness.

As I have heard of their arrivals and seen their first pictures, my heart has been full. They are beautiful. I long to hold them in my arms and smell their new baby smell. I long to give a hug to their mother and congratulate their father. But, instead, I send well wishes from afar, as each one was born in a state far away from where I live.

And I send special prayers to heaven for each of them.

As I heard of the news of little Paityn's arrival, the last of the three to be born, I couldn't help but wonder what these three talked about as they were preparing to come to earth.

I imagine them promising to try and find each other on earth. I imagine them giving the one last hug as Annie's turn arrives to leave.

I know we don't know what really happens before we come, but I can't help but think it is similar to our arrivals and departures here on earth. The excited and tearful good-byes, the promises to keep in touch, the final hug that tries to display how much you really love that person. I really believe that it isn't that unfamiliar.

And as I thought about this, I thought about their loving Heavenly Father's last words to them. In their last quiet moments with Him, I am sure he told them how much he loved them, how proud he was of them. I know he told Annie and Maddie that they were going to wonderful families. I am sure he told them they would progress and do well on earth and make great mothers and leaders. I am sure He told them that He would be there for them when they needed them and that when they received the Holy Ghost that it would be their comforter and guide them to make right decisions. I am sure he told them to do everything they could to return and live with Him someday.

And then, in his quiet moments with sweet little Paityn, he also told her how much he loved her. I'm sure her excitement of receiving a body was acknowledged and he probably spent just a few extra minutes letting her know that He would be there, watching over her every step of the way, to be strong and to do her best to find her way back to live with Him.

As I pondered on this, my heart ached for my Heavenly Father as he allowed this sweet little spirit to come to earth to a situation where she would have to struggle on a daily basis, where the gospel would not be taught in the home, where the strains of "I am a Child of God" would not be heard.

My heart is full for these three little girls. They are truly blessings in their family's life and my life. Their birth has made me reflect on how my loving Father in Heaven is there for me and how much he loves me. I have thought so much about how the choices we make affect our lives. I have thought a lot about this last year and how we had to make hard decisions for Garrett and the other children regarding their schooling. And then just weeks ago when we almost lost everything, only to almost lose Savannah a week later, followed by an earthquake, a hurricane and flooding.

The experiences we have had are preparing and shaping my family. To make me stronger, but only if I choose the make myself stronger.

I do not have the luxury to sit back and hope that my children learn the gospel.

I need to be in the trenches, doing the hard thing. The daily application of gospel principles in their lives and mine.

My prayers will continue to be said for these three precious little girls and I anticipate with excitement watching them grow, meeting them for the first time and growing to love them individually.

I am grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who has blessed my with four beautiful children, my own blessings from Heaven. I am also grateful for a husband who makes my life complete.

And I am grateful that in my own quiet moments, I can almost remember my Heavenly Father's voice in our last moments together, telling me that He will always love me, no matter what.