Hard Day, Better Now

    So, last Monday I had a really bad day. I was given a priesthood blessing the day before telling me that I would be able to "meet and know" my baby. Well, I immediately heard the work "meet", and my heart sank. I understand the word "meet" to mean a short encounter.  I figured the Lord was telling me that my baby was going to die soon after birth.  I started thinking about where I would bury my baby.  I am a planner, which leads me to be pessimistic sometimes.  I didn't know whether to start getting the baby stuff ready (clothes, crib, etc.) or to start looking into funerals. Well, my optimistic husband said to me "don't you understand, you should be relieved - you were just promised that your baby would be alive when you deliver him."  He said " weren't you just mentioning that you were worried that he hasn't been moving very much lately."  He also said "you don't know whether it's going to be a short encounter, or if he will live a long life, but at least you get to meet him."  True, but I still felt hopeless.  I had let Satan put fear and hopelessness into my heart.
    Luckily, I had some family members and friends looking out for me and following the prompting they were given by Heavenly Father.  I am so grateful that they followed those prompting to talk to me, and were guided in what to tell me.  They told me it is good to be prepared in all things, but keep your hope and faith alive.  My brother in law told me that I better get my baby things out and ready - I need to show faith and hope that things will be okay.  He also shared a few stories with me about his life.  I also realized that if my baby came tomorrow, I wouldn't be all ready or prepared, whether he was normal or if he has problems.  I would have to figured things out as I went.
    So, today I am optimistic.  I again have hope and peace, and I know that whatever happens is what the Lord wants to happen and he knows I and my husband can handle it.  I am going to prepare as best as I can, gain knowledge about all aspects of what can happen, but also keep the hope alive that everything will be okay.  At least at this point I know that I will get to meet my baby and know him, and that now is a huge comfort to me.  -- the mom