“The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” Psalm 145:9

Months ago, I received the joyful news that my oldest daughter and her husband would welcome a new little one to their family in May 2020. It was a long way off, and I had no idea, at the time, all that would transpire before baby actually arrived, but I was happy and excited for all of us. I was also scared. I didn’t experience the same fear, so many years ago, when my own babies were ready to come into the world, but now, I worry much more about new babies and the dangers in selflessly bringing a new spirit to this crazy world. I feel admiration for the strength and faith of my daughter, who welcomes children to her family, at great physical and emotional cost to herself. Her pregnancies are complicated, and physical difficulties make recovery slow, but she’s willing to make the sacrifice. Oh, how sweet is the reward!

As I stumbled through the holidays in 2019, with my Mom’s shocking terminal cancer diagnosis, struggling to take care of her and grasp the sudden change in all our plans, I had this beautiful and sweet blessing to anticipate. Often, I found myself pondering the circle of life—how Mom would return to Heaven just before this little spirit came down to earth. I thought of my grandpa’s death before my son was born, Dad’s passing, not long after his grandson, who shares his middle name, joined our family. The older ones completing their journey, and the babies beginning theirs. I feel the connections. We are still family. Our sealing, in the temple of God, binds us together eternally. I could feel my mom watching over my precious daughter, as I prayed all night while she was in labor. I felt the joy of family, gone before, celebrating the start of a little one’s journey here below. Amid my worry and fear, I felt the comfort and joy of knowing there’s a plan, a Master Planner, and angels to help us carry out those plans.

“The simpleness, the sweetness, and the constancy of the tender mercies of the Lord will do much to fortify and protect us in the troubled times in which we do now and will yet live.” David A. Bednar

During the last trimester of my daughter’s pregnancy, our world was tossed into further turmoil by a world pandemic. I don’t know any expectant mothers, or grandmothers who were waiting to go help take care of them, who didn’t feel immense concern about the conditions in which their precious little ones would be born. Everyone was steering clear of hospitals and doctors’ offices, attempting to avoid contact with any who might be infected with, or carrying, COVID-19. However, we all know, babies don’t concern themselves with any of that, and they don’t wait.  They come when it’s time. I had to make a conscious effort, many times a day, to turn it all over to God, trust His goodness and His plan, and let Him carry it for me.

“Throughout time, even and especially during difficult times, prophets have encouraged us to remember the greatness of God and to consider what He has done for us as individuals, as families, and as a people…

“By considering Their kindness, our perspective and understanding are enlarged. By reflecting on Their compassion, we become more humble, prayerful, and steadfast.” Dale G. Renlund

My daughter, who has three other children, and has experienced a variety of birthing situations, from homebirth to hospital, was planning to have her baby at a birthing center, which was in the process of being built and halted during lockdowns. The alternate plan was a birthing center farther away. She needed help, during the birth, with her three young children. They don’t have family close by, and with everyone asked to avoid other people, gatherings, leaving their homes, etc., it was stressful to plan for the delivery. My youngest daughter and I, who’ve been healthy and careful, were on call and ready to come, quarantine or no quarantine, but we are a 9-hour drive away. I prayed about this for months, along with fasting, pleading for help for my daughter and her family, hoping we would be able to be there in time to help, we’d be well enough to safely go to them, and the timing and location would all work for the blessing of this faithful, precious family.

Though the pandemic caused fear and complications, many blessings came from the adjustments which had to be made. My daughter’s husband worked from home during the last months of the pregnancy, allowing her to be off her feet a little more, as she threatened early labor a few times. Though being confined in the house, with two active boys and a toddler, pushed the limits of patience and resources, it allowed her to slow down and get through the entire pregnancy. When she scheduled her midwife appointment, close to her due date, after having contractions off and on for weeks, we decided to come that day and stay until she delivered.

We left early in the morning, arrived by afternoon, and had great fun with the kids as she and her hubby went off to the appointment—with bags packed and hopes high that all those contractions were producing results. We received the good news that she was, indeed, in labor, making progress, and would stay the night to have the baby! I was humbled and filled with gratitude for the miracles—answers to our prayers—in this amazing timing. The children felt safe with us, slept in their own beds, and would see their new baby the following day.

Though labor took longer than we expected, much longer than her other labors, at 6:40am the next morning, I cried with joy when the text finally came, “We have a baby girl!” Those five little words brought months of worry and anticipation to an end; another child of God had joined our family! It’s almost too much sweetness to bear.