Tender Mercy

I just have to express my gratitude for my Father in Heaven, and thinking about how much He loves me makes me choke up even as I write this post. On Thursday evening I jumped on my bed doing a belly flop. Before I jumped it didn't even occur to me that it would be a bad idea, but as soon as I landed I knew it had been a mistake. My abdomen hurt and I immediately began to worry about my baby. Had I hurt it? Did I knock something loose? Do belly flops at 17 weeks do damage? I was so scared that night and into the next day. Up until this point I had felt the little tyke moving a couple of times however not consistently so I shouldn't have been concerned that I didn't feel anything over the next few days, but I was. Yesterday (Sunday) my lower belly felt tighter, which was new because normally it's squishy these days, and I had heard somewhere that as you have contractions your belly gets tight. Also, I had some sharp pains down there. I wasn't freaking out, but I was so scared. I told my dad and he said that the womb is a pretty insulated place, but I wasn't completely comforted. In my prayers I expressed my fear to Heavenly Father and asked that the baby please be protected. When I got in bed I put my hand on my stomach hoping that I would feel something, so when I actually did I almost started to cry. Not only could I feel my baby moving, but it was moving a lot. I felt it through my stomach as it kicked my hand and beyond that, Jake was able to feel a little kick too. I couldn't believe that it was happening and I immediately gave a prayer of gratitude to the Man who loves me enough to comfort my mothering fears and give me the biggest tender mercy I could have ever asked for. I am so grateful for the Plan of Salvation and the emphasis it places on families. I am grateful that I am not left alone in this world to try and raise my family well and I find the greatest comfort in knowing that God has a plan too. He listens to our prayers and He answers them. I am so glad for this experience and I couldn't not share it.