By Patti Royster, Canyon View Ward
David and I were living in California and had three small boys. They were high-energy and a little crazy, and we were pretty tired trying to keep up with them. We honestly weren’t sure how we would have the energy for baby number four.
But for about two years, both of us felt very strongly that we were supposed to have another child. The feeling would not go away. It was persistent, powerful, and unmistakable for both of us. At times, it felt as though someone were thumping on my chest until I finally said uncle. Through those two years, the feeling never became lighter or less intense.
Finally, we both admitted what we already knew in our hearts — we were supposed to have another child. And so we did. After three boys, our fourth child arrived: a beautiful, bright little bundle of pink joy.
She has been one of the greatest blessings in my life and my bedtime friend. We named her Lauren Elizabeth, and she is an amazing daughter of God. We cannot imagine our lives without her, and we are so grateful she came to our family.
We both knew she was meant to come to our family. My dad even said that since we thought we were done, Heavenly Father sent us an extra, extra, extra special daughter — and that has proven true over and over again.
Lauren is a light to everyone around her. Someone once said about her that there are no strangers in her life. She has a gift for loving and including people, and we have seen her bless the lives of so many.
We are deeply grateful that we listened to, and followed, the Spirit’s whisperings. This experience strengthened our testimonies that Heavenly Father knows us personally, guides us, and has a plan for our families. We are so grateful to have Lauren in our family.