Women have a divine calling to nurture. “To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow. Therefore, mothers should create a climate for spiritual and temporal growth in their homes. Another word for nurturing is homemaking. Homemaking includes cooking, washing clothes and dishes, and keeping an orderly home. Home is where women have the most power and influence.” –Julie B. Beck
As part of Guardians of the Family, I have decided to include a personal photography project that I’m calling Project Women Nurture. As part of the project I will be photographing women and showing ways they nurture their families and those around them. I will also be interviewing them about their roles as women.
I’m so excited to introduce you to Naomi, and her adorable baby Landon. (You may have seen a couple of these pictures of her on our Instagram page.) Naomi was in the first book club that Amy and I ever did, and it has been so fun to watch her grown up, see her get married and now become a mother. Naomi is so sweet and nice and is a good example to me in so many ways. It was such a treat to photograph her and baby Landon. I’m so excited to share their pictures and Naomi’ s beautiful words with you.
What does being a mother mean to you now that you have your own child, or how have your views about motherhood changed since you had your son?
I never realized just how big of a responsibility being a mother was until I became one myself. When I was growing up I was so excited to be a mom one day. I always pictured myself just holding a tiny baby; I never thought about things like teaching my children how to read and write or teaching them right from wrong. After I got pregnant, I felt nervous because it all became so real. I started noticing all the things in the world I wanted to protect my baby from. I realized that I would have to care for and raise another human being. It really sunk in that how I raised him would determine the kind of person he would become, which would have an impact on the world. I don’t really know what I’m doing, but since I’ve become a mother, I realize that motherhood is truly a calling from our Heavenly Father, and I am going to try my hardest to do the best I can. Motherhood is a huge sacrifice, but it is helping me become more like Christ in the way that I love and the way that I serve.
2. How has your relationship with your husband changed since you found out you guys were having a baby?
Ever since we found out I was pregnant, the biggest change in our relationship had been how we make our decisions. We have more of an eternal perspective, because we know that our choices now will affect our son’s future.
3. Describe your feelings the first time you held your son.
I felt joy. The baby I carried for 9 months and hoped and prayed for even before that was finally here, and it felt like I already knew him. He was lying on my chest with his eyes wide open, just looking around calmly. I looked into his eyes and it just felt right. I knew I was meant to be his mom! I immediately just wanted to protect him and shelter him from the world, because I realize how innocent he was. This little boy had just come from heaven and Heavenly Father had trusted me to be his mother. I just felt so much love, peace, and happiness.
4. Who do you look to as an example of the kind of mom you want to be and why?
I want to be like my mom. She is the most Christlike, loving person I know. She taught me a lot of important things growing up, and I still look back on the advice she’s given me. My mom taught me a lot, most of which she simply taught by example. I hope I can be as loving, thoughtful, and accepting as she is.
5. What do you most look forward to as a mother?
I think I’m most looking forward to just making memories together. I’m excited for all of the adventures–big and small–that we’ll have together as a family.
Naomi is a beautiful writer and you can read more from her on her blog here.
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