differences, roles, and compassion

Ive really enjoyed this week in our discussions on gender differences, our roles and responsibilites within the family and same gender-attraction. WHen it comes to gender differences I found it very interesting to learn that although we may think that there are many differences between men and woman there are actually more similarities than differences. Men have the ability to feel as woman do, they have the same needs as woman do and they desire and long for many of the same things woman do. I feel like really the big differences is how we respond and express our feelings, needs, etc. I have also always wondered why things to me seem to be so much harder for woman emotionally and I was able to learn more about how our brains our wired differently, the woman has the ability to think and link about several things simutainously where as men have the ability to focus at one things at a time. It almost seems unfair :) but Heavenly Father always has his reasons and purposes. It was interesting to then relate those differences to the roles and responsibilites we are given as men and woman and regonzie how those differences actually help us to fulfill those roles and responsiblities. I loved that! Its amazing to be able to reconginze and see more of Heavenly Fathers hand in His plan for us to help us grow and function in our families. Woman are naturally more caring, intuitive, tender, loving and service oriented and have the ability to do a number of things at a time which helps them to be able to be a nurturer and to be able to care for a raise children in the home and serve as we have the responsiblities in the church and in the world to do. Men are naturally more firm, leading, providing, physically strong and more inclined to protect, they are able to focus on one thing at a time which helps them in the working world and in leadership roles they are called to fill within the family, world and in the church.  I also loved our talk about same gender attraction. I feel like i gained such a greater level of compassion for those who struggle with it. It helped me to understand them better as well and gave me a greater insight to possibly reach out to those I may come intact with in the future who are struggling to figure this out. I have always heard and thought that people are born with same-gender attraction and htat it is a biological or genetic issue. I learned that a number of studies actually have evidence to refute this idea. It isnt genetic at all and people are not born this way. It really is a choice. But that choice is often based according to studies from confusion, a lack of understanding of who they are or hteir experiences. I found it very interesting but also sad that studies also show that a large number of those who have issues with same-gender attraction were at one point molested in their lives. All people need is understanding, anyone who struggles needs help to understand themselves better and their feelings. I hope that more of this light will come to those who are struggling or living with same-gender attraction and also the world so that we can help one another and know the real causes of it. Understanding this has really made me want to find for the preservation of traditional marriage . It is truly central to our happiness and plan in life. We need to be more aware and loving towards those who may not completely understand this or are struggling with confusion about how they feel about how marriage should be. A light the shines in the darkness cannot be hid.