But I’ve also got even more things to be grateful and joyful about!

I see this dichotomy going on inside myself:

So grateful for this chance to bring a third baby into the world when so many who long for this never get the opportunity.

Excited to have a little girl join our family who I know will add more dimension and joy.

Happy that my body has been able to stay fairly healthy thus far and that I’m still able to handle the bare necessities of my other responsibilities.

And then contrast all those feelings with…

Utter exhaustion. Having a shorter amount of patience with my two kids. Frustration that I’m not able to do everything I want to do. Pain. So much physical pain right now. Panic that I have so much to do before she comes. Fear that I’m not going to be able to handle three kids once she does come.

Just the other day, I sat down, exhausted, with my kids climbing all over me. One was asking for snacks, the other was crying for some reason I couldn’t figure out, they both ended up fighting over a toy, and then someone stubbed their toe and became inconsolable.

“Why?!” I pleaded in my mind, not specifically aimed at God, but I guess aimed at God.

“Why can’t you just give me a break? I need it so desperately! You know that!”

I had a cool answer come to my mind that made me laugh and not take the situation so seriously— it was EXACTLY what I needed to reframe my situation.

But I don’t think I’m alone in these two general feelings.

Sometimes, I’m like Joseph of Egypt, who could clearly see his trials for what they were:

“God meant it unto good”. (Genesis 50:20)

And other days, I’m more like Joseph’s brothers who blamed God for every poor circumstance they found themselves in:

“What is this that God hath done unto us?” (Genesis 42:28)

I think I’m going to give myself grace for the days that I feel like Joseph’s brothers.

I’m gonna pray a lot more, because boy, does God like to answer prayers in exactly the way I need them answered.

And I hope I can get better at sticking with Joseph of Egypt’s humble mindset.

It’s all for my good!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post All for my good first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Women who are named and who do things and work to draw closer to the Lord.

The Old Testament is a unique book of scriptures because we do actually get quite a few beautiful, powerful examples of righteous women.

And side note: If you want to dive into this topic even more, listen the interview we did with Amy Fisher called “Women in the Old Testament”. It was episode 614 of the One Minute Scripture Study podcast.

I have loved studying Rebekah this week.

She gives me so many attributes to look up to, and one that I want to mention is found in Genesis 25:22.

Rebekah was finally pregnant, after years of dealing with infertility.

But she was pregnant with twins, and she could feel the struggle of these two babies within her womb as she carried them.

And so what did she do?

“She went to inquire of the Lord”. (Genesis 25:22)

I love this powerful yet simple reminder from Rebekah that when we have questions, we can take them straight to the Lord.

And I especially relate to her as a very pregnant woman myself right now, who has questions about the future.

We can ask, and then we can receive answers.

Have you inquired of the Lord recently?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Inquisitive Rebekah first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Someone took a full body picture of me this week and when I looked at it, I thought, woah, I’m starting to really look different.

Bodies are so interesting from an earthly perspective, because there is so much pressure, especially for women, to constantly be losing weight, “getting your body back”, or fitting into old jeans or dresses.

But from an eternal perspective, bodies take on a whole new meaning.

We agreed to come to earth, to deal with the terrible trials and heartaches we knew we would face, all to get a body (and everything that accompanies obtaining a body).

And those spirits who chose Lucifer’s plan instead?

Their PUNISHMENT was to never receive a body.

Your skin, your heart, your bones, your muscles, your blood…

Your body is one of the biggest blessings and gifts you’ve been given.

And when we have to leave this life and are separated from our bodies again?

I think we’ll miss them.

Until:

“Their sleeping dust was to be restored unto its perfect frame, bone to his bone, and the sinews and the flesh upon them, the spirit and the body to be united never again to be divided, that they might receive a fulness of joy.” D&C 138:17

Being reunited with our beautiful bodies will allow us to receive a fullness of joy.

Sure, bodies aren’t always totally awesome.

Mine actually is causing me a lot of grief, pain, and issues right now, while I simultaneously feel gratitude for sustaining new life.

And our bodies will be “perfected” when we are reunited with them again.

But what our bodies look like or what size we wear is so far from the point in the eternal scheme of things.

What our bodies do, what our bodies allow us to experience, from emotions, to service, to fun, to breathing, to learning, to worship, and everything between…

Getting the opportunity to do these things in a body, created by God, allows us to experience joy here on earth, and obtain a fullness of joy in the world to come.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Bodies, baby bumps, and blessings first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Everyone’s experiences are vastly different, and they even vary greatly from pregnancy to pregnancy.

I’m halfway through my third pregnancy right now, and carrying a baby sure does a number on my body and my mind.

It’s a lot of work to bring a baby into this world.

I also recognize that there are so many who long for this experience and have not had this opportunity yet. My heart is with you.

There’s an entire baby that is completely dependent on you for everything from nutrition to hydration to comfort.

They just take everything that they need from your body, often at your own expense.

It’s pure sacrifice for another human’s sake.

And out of that is borne a great and pure love.

Righteous sacrifice can’t help but produce love.

“In his love, and in his pity, he redeemed them, and bore them, and carried them all the days of old;” D&C 133:53

He has redeemed us, He bears our burdens, and He carries us each day.

His constant sacrifice on our behalf produces the most pure love toward us.

It’s a simple formula, really.

Sacrifice = love.

Have you wanted to grow more love toward someone or a group of people recently?

Maybe you’ve even wanted to feel more love for God?

Sacrifice for that person.

Sacrifice your time talking to them more often.

Sacrifice your resources learning more about them.

Sacrifice to serve.

Willing sacrifice, performed with good intentions, will always produce greater love.

Christ loves us. Our Heavenly Parents love us.

Mothers and fathers love their children.

And we can grow our love toward others when we endure the cost of willing sacrifice.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Sacrifice, pregnancy, and love first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.