Christian ladies TTC, we can encourage one another.

[Godsjewel]

We went to my husband's Aunts memorial service this weekend and gathered with family members rejoicing since she was a mighty woman of God while she was here on earth. It's nice to know she is no longer in pain and in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior.

There where many family members that came from all over to celebrate her life. After the service we had some of the family that we don't see often, since they live far away, come over to our house to fellowship for a bit. It was myself, sis-in-law, Hubby's Aunt and 2 of hubby's girl cousins sitting in the living room chatting about my house and the remodel we have done, then it turned into baby talk. They all have 2 children each and we're going on about how their deliveries were, if they breastfed or not and if they want to have more. I was sitting there in my own home feeling very uncomfortable because I couldn't participate in the conversation, I walked away and went to my bathroom and sobbed. My hubby noticed I left and came in to check on me and to see what was wrong. I told him I couldn't take sitting there listening to all that. I wiped my tears, fixed my makeup and headed back out to the living room where they were all gathered. Mind you I just started my period and my emotions were already crazy. As I came closer to where they were sitting, I could hear them talking about baby names and if they found out what they were having. The tears began to fill my eyes again, I walked by hubby and told him I couldn't take it anymore and went back to my room to sob some more.

This time my sis-in-law came in to check on me and asked if I was ok, I told her how I felt and she said she was very sorry and will make an effort to be conscious of what she discusses in front of me. It's hard and I just wish I could fast forward this journey. It was such a horrible feeling sitting there, unable to contribute to the conversation and the sad thing is they all know that we’ve been struggling to have a child. If only they showed a little compassion or asked how I was doing and take me by the hand and pray for me. They are all Christian women and it was a very sad situation, but definitely opened my eyes to be compassionate to everyone in all circumstances.

Praying you all will have a week full of blessings.

 

[uwa_amanda]

I know how you feel. I had another meltdown this past weekend myself. My husband thinks I have slipped back into being depressed again. I don't know anymore what I want and that was what brought me down a little.

 

[BRK06]

Suffering is something we all want to avoid. None of us invite pain. We tend to seek comfort and pleasure; it’s the way we are. We rebel against discomfort. We have innate defenses against that which hurts us or can bring harm. We buy things to eliminate pain. We invent things, we construct things, we work for things, we purchase things to bring us more comfort, more ease, more time to spend at ease. So when we face a season of suffering, our first reaction is to fix the situation–not accept it. We question why? Quite often, if we sit awhile and consider our discomfort–we can see our suffering is far, far less in comparison to another’s.

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

We have conditioned ourselves to believe we should not suffer, be inconvenienced, or deal with pain. Yet, the Apostle Peter tells us to look beyond the temporary “grief in all kinds of trials”. They come to prove the ”genuineness” of our faith. Anyone can suffer and whine. It takes a person full of faith, and a hope beyond the temporary difficulties of life, to bring glory and honor to God. Such is our joy. Our endurance through the suffering, our steadfast faith in God amid the trials–these bring refinement which results in praise and honor and glory.

Does this mean we should keep our suffering to ourselves–stay silent when heartache, discouragements, and grief press upon us? I don’t think so. I think when we suffer we have a great opportunity to show the grace of God. We may hurt. We may mourn. But we show the greatest honor to God as we stand firm in our faith in the midst of our suffering. It’s not easy. It’s not easy to smile…to laugh, or sing. Our Lord knows that. He suffered the cross to bring glory to the Father. He suffered alone. He does not want us to suffer alone. He left His Spirit to comfort us. He gives us one another to help carry our load. Knowing this, may we each find our voice to sing praises to Him for the victory He has set before us.

LORD, give us voices to raise in praise to You in times we find most unbearable. Keep us ever close to You as we go through trials meant to strengthen our faith, and bring light of Your goodness to a lost world. We can all praise You on the brighter days, LORD. Give us Your Light to shine on those days which seem darkest before the dawn.
Amen

 

[BRK06]

Congrats NoDoubt!! I pray you have a happy and healthy 9 months!

 

[fletch_W]

brko6 thank you for posting thats really helped me this evening.

Gods jewel big hugs sweetie! we decided that after my chemical last week, we are removing everything to do with ttc from our house and focusing on right now. i also just joined the gym and have decided that we are having a break until jan 1st so that we can just enjoy one another and start to enjoy sex as love making and not as a way to just make babies. and for this last week i have never felt more in love with my husband in the whole 2 years we have been married.

i really pray that God brings us all babies soon but i also pray that ttc doesnt take over our minds and our lives. they stress it causes us is so unhealthy and doesnt create the best environment our bodies can be for growing a baby.

Godsjewel i hope you find peace with ttc and the pain its causing you to see and hear other women talk about babies and that one day you can be a light shining on someone in your situation when you are amongst the group sharing.

God knows and he is preparing us for that perfect moment when you look down on that little sweet bundle in your arms, and at the moment you will thank God so much for bringing it in His timing

 

[HisGrace]

Sarah. I think people just don't know what to say so they just ignore us. God sees us and He knows our pain. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Please know that I am here if you ever need to talk. You remain in my prayers. Your day is coming and what a joy it will be.

 

[stevens2010]

Congratulations No Doubt! I pray you'll have a wonderful pregnancy!

I have finally ovulated (got my positives cd18 and 19) and I am feeling excited! I'm holding on to the possibility that this round could be the one where we finally get to announce we're pregnant. I just cannot imagine the sheer joy of saying those words!

I've already figured out how I'm going to break the news to both my husband and my parents and although I am pinching myself and telling myself not to jump the gun, I can't help but feel excited and I am sure hoping it's because my BFP is coming.

Have a blessed day everyone!

 

[Godsjewel]

I know how you feel. I had another meltdown this past weekend myself. My husband thinks I have slipped back into being depressed again. I don't know anymore what I want and that was what brought me down a little.

I'm sorry you are feeling down. I pray that God sends an extra dose of peace your way and that you will be uplifted from this depression. Have faith that God is in control and wants nothing more that the best for you and sometimes we have to remember that His best comes whenever He sees fit.

 

[Godsjewel]

Sarah. I think people just don't know what to say so they just ignore us. God sees us and He knows our pain. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Please know that I am here if you ever need to talk. You remain in my prayers. Your day is coming and what a joy it will be.

Thank you hun! It's funny because it usually doesn't bother me to hear people talk about babies or pregnancies, I guess it just intensified since all of them kept going on and on about it and made me feel insecure about myself. Plus being on my period didn't help the situation

Thank you for your prayers, I greatly appreciate them

 

[Godsjewel]

Congratulations No Doubt! I pray you'll have a wonderful pregnancy!

I have finally ovulated (got my positives cd18 and 19) and I am feeling excited! I'm holding on to the possibility that this round could be the one where we finally get to announce we're pregnant. I just cannot imagine the sheer joy of saying those words!

I've already figured out how I'm going to break the news to both my husband and my parents and although I am pinching myself and telling myself not to jump the gun, I can't help but feel excited and I am sure hoping it's because my BFP is coming.

Have a blessed day everyone!

I really hope this is it for you

Hahaha! I think we have all figured out how we are going to break the news.

 

[Godsjewel]

But God...
Part 1

Think of the most impossible situation in your life. Does infertility rank at the top of your list? Imagine if you were to write it down, start to finish. Pen every detail of your infertility that has caused you anguish. Disease? Finances? Relationships? What is the mountain that looms so high above you standing between you and your dream? When you have finished writing down the impossibilities you face, I want you to write down two more words:

BUT GOD...

When God intervenes in your story, everything changes. Infertility may seem like an impossible end to the story of your family. Some days may be better than others, but if today is a particularly hard day, you may feel as if you’ll never hold a child of your own. You may have resigned yourself to the belief that you will never be more than a sad, unfulfilled family of two because of the forever unmet desire of a child. But God... When God moves in your life things are never the same again!

Think of Noah. If you think the world is a wicked place to live now, we have nothing on the world Noah inhabited. Genesis 6:5-6 says “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” God was going to destroy the world and everything in it because of the continual evil in the hearts of man. Every animal--destroyed. Every man, woman and child--destroyed. The entirety of all creation--destroyed. The sinless Creator grieving over the corrupted sinfulness of His created, living without a Savior. All headed for destruction. But God...

Enter Noah. The first thing we read about Noah other than the record of his birth may very well be the most significant thing about him: But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. God searched and found a man who would trust him in scary, difficult times. A man who would believe in Him when no one else would. A man who would take a chance on taking an unseen God at His word. A man who would risk his future and his family on a God who was asking him to take a huge leap of faith. But Noah...But God.

God asked big things of Noah, just as He asks big things of you. He asked Noah to build an ark for the floods that were coming. He asks you to build your faith for the times when tears flood your eyes and you don’t understand His plan. He asked Noah to trust Him when no one stood with him. He asks you to trust Him when you still don’t have a baby to hold. God promised Noah He would bless Him and keep His promises to him and his family. God promises you the same.

Genesis 8:1 says But God remembered Noah... Every single person on earth perished except for Noah and his family. Every single animal on earth died except for those gathered on the ark. God set a rainbow in the clouds to remind Noah that He kept the promises he made to Noah and did exactly what He said He would do. Every time you ever see a rainbow grace the heavens, you are reminded of the same. God keeps His promises! Destruction was coming. Noah and his family would surely have died along with the rest of the human race and humanity would have been wiped off the face of the earth, but God intervened and Noah and his family were spared. Everything changed because God stepped in.

Go back to the story of your infertility. Did you write But God... at the end of your list of impossibilities? Perhaps you’ve already seen some of the ways God has begun to intervene. This moment--right now--He’s already working and moving in the story of your life!

Tomorrow we’ll look at another perfect example of how a life was irrevocably changed by the same two little words:

But God...

-Beth Forbus

 

[beckysprayer]

Congrats NoDoubt! Praying for a happy and healthy nine months!

Sarah and Amanda - I'm praying your little ones are coming soon and that until that moment, God holds you in His arms and brings you nothing but peace and comfort. Waiting for the deepest desires of your heart can be so hard sometimes.

Stevens - I love your optimism! I'm praying for you and am anxiously waiting the good news that you got your BFP!

Fletch - I love that God is using this time to strengthen the love in your marriage! Sometimes it is good to take a break from the stress of TTC.

 

[Godsjewel]

But God...
Part-2

Yesterday we looked at the life of Noah and how the history of mankind was changed because God intervened in his life. Today we will look at how another life was changed because God refused to leave His child alone. The focus of our attention today is the golden boy of the Old Testament, Joseph.

Joseph was the favorite son of Jacob, great-grandson of Abraham. (He came from a long line of infertile couples! Don’t you just love that God uses the child of barren wombs to do marvelous things?) Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons and made no effort to hide his favoritism. You can imagine the sibling rivalry this birthed, and with 12 sons in the family there must have been plenty of ill will to go around. Although Joseph had done no wrong to his brothers, his siblings took revenge of their father’s love and sold Joseph into slavery and into a very hard life. From the love and pampering of an over protective father to the muddy pits and prison cells of Egyptian slaves, Joseph’s life took some unexpected turns. But God...

Even when Joseph faced what must have seemed like impossible situations in his life, God was with him. When infertility seems impossible to you, remember that God is with you. Never forget that He is always working and moving on your behalf and He never leaves you alone to fight this battle. Even when Joseph was sold to the Midianites as their slave, God’s hand was present. You see, the Midianites who bought Joseph eventually sold him to Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, who liked Joseph and placed him in a position of honor and authority. Scripture tells us the LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. (Genesis 39:2) God was guiding his footsteps, bringing people into his life and ordering his way so that he could find his place in the Pharaoh’s palace and be successful.

Believe that God is with you. Just as He led and guided Joseph through slavery, He can lead and guide you through the hardships of infertility. You may feel that you’ve been thrown into a prison of despair with your most recent failed procedure or that you’ve been taken prisoner to sadness by a miscarriage. God is still with you and still orchestrating the events of your life to lead you to success. Even when Joseph was wrongly accused and went to prison, God didn’t abandon him. Genesis 39:21 says But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindess to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer. Joseph was placed in a position of authority even while in prison. God will not abandon you in this season of your life. Don’t let Satan convince you that trials in your life are proof that God has left you alone. Never! God didn’t abandon Joseph in the pit! God didn’t abandon Joseph in the prison! God hasn’t abandoned you in your infertility!

Travel with me to the end of Joseph’s story. He started as a 17 year old boy in a field with 11 jealous brothers. He’s gone through pits and prisons, and now he stands as second in command of Egypt with those same brothers trembling in fear in front of him. They’ve been caught. They know that he knows what they’ve done. They thought their dirty deeds from years gone by were as dead and buried as he was, but now they find that God had favored him and raised him to a position of power and all they can do is grovel at his feet begging for mercy. What does Joseph say?

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good...”

Infertility feels like something horrible in your life. You want a baby more than you want your next breath. It feels like evil against you, but God can turn it for good. He’ll move through infertility’s impossibilities in your life like He did in the impossibilities in Noah’s life. He’ll ask for your trust and He’ll keep His promises. He’ll stay with you in the pits and prisons just like He did for Joseph. He’ll show you favor and orchestrate events to bring you success just like He did for Joseph. Life is full of impossibilities, but God! Infertility seems impossible to tolerate but God! Satan may try to convince you that your marriage won’t survive or that you’ll never get through this, but God is with you and has a plan!

But God...!

But God...!

But God...!

-Beth Forbus

 

[fletch_W]

I need thee - chelsea moon

just wanted to share this hymn. i havent stopped listening to it all morning.

i never really listened to the words but today they really hit me xx

 

[Godsjewel]

When I Am Afraid

1 Be gracious to me, O God, for man has trampled upon me;
Fighting all day long he oppresses me.
2 My foes have trampled upon me all day long,
For they are many who fight proudly against me.
3 When I am afraid,
I will put my trust in You.
4 In God, whose word I praise,
In God I have put my trust;
I shall not be afraid
What can mere man do to me?
5 All day long they distort my words;
All their thoughts are against me for evil.
6 They attack, they lurk,
They watch my steps,
As they have waited to take my life.
7 Because of wickedness, cast them forth,
In anger put down the peoples, O God!
8 You have taken account of my wanderings;
Put my tears in Your bottle
Are they not in Your book?
9 Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call;
This I know, that God is for me.
10 In God, whose word I praise,
In the LORD, whose word I praise,
11 In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
12 Your vows are binding upon me, O God;
I will render thank offerings to You.
13 For You have delivered my soul from death,
Indeed my feet from stumbling,
So that I may walk before God
In the light of the living.
Psalm 56

What about infertility frightens you the most? Is it the fear that you may never conceive, or that if you do you may miscarry? Perhaps you are afraid that your marriage can’t take the strain that infertility causes. Maybe the terror that keeps you awake at night is the fear of those awful needles you must use to inject your meds each day--or the fact that your husband has to inject them!

Whatever aspect of infertility causes you to fear, you have a place to turn. Psalm 56 is a handbook of reminders of where to turn when fear grips your heart. When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. No matter the fear you feel, you can trust God to be with you and work things for your good.

You’re familiar with the routine. You lie in bed at night after a hectic day of work and doctor’s appointments and for the first time all day your world has finally fallen silent. The worries and the pressure of infertility begin to creep into your mind, and fear begins to settle in its usual place in your heart. Tears start to sting your eyes as you lie in the dark and all those worries and fears start to parade through your mind. “What if I never get pregnant? What if I lose a baby? What if he doesn’t want to try anymore? What if we can’t ever agree on adoption? God, where are You?

Do yourself a favor. Memorize Psalm 56--every single verse! In those moments when fear grips your heart and you don’t know how you’re going to make it through one more day of fighting infertility, you’ll have the powerful Word of God deep within you whether you have your Bible with you or not. You can remind yourself that when you are afraid, you can trust in God. Rather than ruminating on test results that were not as good as you had hoped, you can fill your mind with encouragement that God knows your frustrations and tears, and has taken account of every one: “You have... Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?”

Finally, take verse 9 and personalize it. Make it your own. Then my enemies...Who are your enemies? Infertility? Endometriosis? Polycystic ovarian syndrome? Unexplained infertility? Recurrent Miscarriage? Replace the word “enemy” with the name of the enemy you face, and memorize that verse:
Then my enemies--endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome will turn back in the day when I call; This I know, that God is for me!
What do we truly have to fear? Infertility is no match for the God who created us, and this we know, that God is for us! When you are afraid, trust in God who is for you!

-Beth Forbus

 

[Godsjewel]

I need thee - chelsea moon

just wanted to share this hymn. i havent stopped listening to it all morning.

i never really listened to the words but today they really hit me xx

Thank you for sharing this, I've never heard of her before. Great song!

 

[fletch_W]

she was at creation fest this year. im in love with blue grass now haha!

 

[BRK06]

I need thee - chelsea moon

just wanted to share this hymn. i havent stopped listening to it all morning.

i never really listened to the words but today they really hit me xx

Amazing song!! Thanks for the reminder!

 

[BRK06]

When I Am Afraid

1 Be gracious to me, O God, for man has trampled upon me;
Fighting all day long he oppresses me.
2 My foes have trampled upon me all day long,
For they are many who fight proudly against me.
3 When I am afraid,
I will put my trust in You.
4 In God, whose word I praise,
In God I have put my trust;
I shall not be afraid
What can mere man do to me?
5 All day long they distort my words;
All their thoughts are against me for evil.
6 They attack, they lurk,
They watch my steps,
As they have waited to take my life.
7 Because of wickedness, cast them forth,
In anger put down the peoples, O God!
8 You have taken account of my wanderings;
Put my tears in Your bottle
Are they not in Your book?
9 Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call;
This I know, that God is for me.
10 In God, whose word I praise,
In the LORD, whose word I praise,
11 In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
12 Your vows are binding upon me, O God;
I will render thank offerings to You.
13 For You have delivered my soul from death,
Indeed my feet from stumbling,
So that I may walk before God
In the light of the living.
Psalm 56

What about infertility frightens you the most? Is it the fear that you may never conceive, or that if you do you may miscarry? Perhaps you are afraid that your marriage can’t take the strain that infertility causes. Maybe the terror that keeps you awake at night is the fear of those awful needles you must use to inject your meds each day--or the fact that your husband has to inject them!

Whatever aspect of infertility causes you to fear, you have a place to turn. Psalm 56 is a handbook of reminders of where to turn when fear grips your heart. When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. No matter the fear you feel, you can trust God to be with you and work things for your good.

You’re familiar with the routine. You lie in bed at night after a hectic day of work and doctor’s appointments and for the first time all day your world has finally fallen silent. The worries and the pressure of infertility begin to creep into your mind, and fear begins to settle in its usual place in your heart. Tears start to sting your eyes as you lie in the dark and all those worries and fears start to parade through your mind. “What if I never get pregnant? What if I lose a baby? What if he doesn’t want to try anymore? What if we can’t ever agree on adoption? God, where are You?

Do yourself a favor. Memorize Psalm 56--every single verse! In those moments when fear grips your heart and you don’t know how you’re going to make it through one more day of fighting infertility, you’ll have the powerful Word of God deep within you whether you have your Bible with you or not. You can remind yourself that when you are afraid, you can trust in God. Rather than ruminating on test results that were not as good as you had hoped, you can fill your mind with encouragement that God knows your frustrations and tears, and has taken account of every one: “You have... Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?”

Finally, take verse 9 and personalize it. Make it your own. Then my enemies...Who are your enemies? Infertility? Endometriosis? Polycystic ovarian syndrome? Unexplained infertility? Recurrent Miscarriage? Replace the word “enemy” with the name of the enemy you face, and memorize that verse:
Then my enemies--endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome will turn back in the day when I call; This I know, that God is for me!
What do we truly have to fear? Infertility is no match for the God who created us, and this we know, that God is for us! When you are afraid, trust in God who is for you!

-Beth Forbus

Amen Sis!!! Thank you for this today

 

[BRK06]

Good Morning! (Or, Good Day depending on where you are )

This is a good song to wake up to... Or to give you a lighter step later in your day! It's stuck in my head

Good Morning- Mandisa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?nomobile=1&v=AnmWwudeqfM


Have a blessed day!!