| The Gift of Giving Life

Sacred Paths, Sacred Fruit

Recently, I started reading Windows to the Womb by David Chamberlain. As I read his beautiful description of the conception process, I couldn’t help but recognize some familiar archetypes and symbols within that life-giving process. I found it so beautiful that, once again, the words of the family proclamation rang true: “We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed.” The journey that brings the seed of a man and the seed of a woman together as one flesh is sacred and symbolic of the divine missions of men and women on this earth.

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Trial of Faith

Lani A.

Trial of Faith By Shaylee Ann My heart ached. My head pounded. My faith was tried. I was in agony. My womb was empty of the life that once grew there. I knew before we lost her that I would miscarry. I was cramping. I was bleeding. I was calm. The compassion I felt for

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My Favorite Birth Photos

3 Comments / Lani A.

I’m so glad I had my friend Cassie and my sister-in-law Brooke there as my doulas/photographers. I created a slideshow with my birth photos that you can view on my Birth Faith blog. But I realized yesterday that I’ve never shared the photos themselves online. Here are some of my favorites, taken by Cassie (and Brooke) at the end of my pregnancy, during labor, and afterward…

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Receiving Michael

Lani A.

Shari shares the healing journey she experienced as she brought her special son, Michael, to Earth. It gives us much to ponder, particularly those struggling with pregnancy depression and those who have had cesareans.

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VBT #16: Wonderfully Made Bellies and Babies

Lani A.

Today’s Virtual Book Tour post comes from Nicole at Wonderfully Made Bellies and Babies. She describes herself this way: I am a wife, a mother, a doula, an apprentice midwife, childbirth educator, a sister, a daughter, a Christian, and a true feminist. Here’s an excerpt from Nicole’s post…

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VBT #10: Still Parenting- Rediscovering the Magic of Birth

Lani A.

Today’s Virtual Book Tour post comes from Arianne at Still Parenting. Arianne’s post made my day. Not only is it beautifully written, she made it even more beautiful with her stunning photos….

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VBT #9: CJane on TGOGL

Lani A.

Today’s Virtual Book Tour post comes from the lovely C Jane (and her sister Lucy). Here’s an excerpt: Five years ago I wrote an essay called “The Hour Glass Theory” for Segullah. It’s a piece about miscarriage, death, time and birth–the heavy things we feel…

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VBT #8: Newborn Photographer interviews Lani Axman

Lani A.

I was honored to be interviewed for today’s Virtual Book Tour post by the phenomenal newborn photographer, Amber Fife, of Fife Photography in Oklahoma. Amber also happens to be one of my dearest friends. We met as roommates during our first year of college at BYU in 1999, and I’ve adored her ever since. (Click over to read the full post…)

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VBT #7: Modern Pioneer Mom’s Book Review

Lani A.

Today’s Virtual Book Tour stop is by Jennifer at Modern Pioneer Mom. Here’s an excerpt:

Honestly, I was saddened as I’ve looked back on photos of me in the hospital holding my babies, because there were very few of me genuinely smiling. In a couple of them, I was actually frowning. It made me sad to look at them, because I loved my babies SO much & was so very excited to have them in my arms, but the photos didn’t show it, because I was miserable from everything that happened. (Click over to read the full post!)

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In Good Hands

2 Comments / Lani A.

Today’s Women’s History Month stories come from our Latter-day Saint birthing history. I fantasize about having a book containing all the recorded birth accounts of our early Mormon mothers and midwives. What an amazing book that would be! I have a feeling that those account would do for us modern mothers what the following two accounts have done for me. They would show us over and over and over that God cares deeply about each birth and that we are given divine aid and protection as we participate in the sacred work of giving life to His children.

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