Christian ladies TTC, we can encourage one another.

[Shellvz]

Appreciate your prayers this morning ladies as I have surgery on both ears. My frequent flying has damaged my inner ear and causes pressure pain and vertigo.

Today I will hopefully have it repaired!

 

[xxx_faithful]

How are we feeling ladies? Thinking of you all xx

 

[Godsjewel]

I received mail from my mother-in-law in the today. It was in one of those large manila mailing envelopes, and I opened it up to find a children's book called The Tale of Three Trees. I read the book and the note my mother-in-law wrote in the back, and I wanted to share both with you lovely ladies in case you haven't heard this story before. I shared it with a friend of mine, and she said "Perfect message for you! Said to you in many different ways by many different people, just this time wrapped in a whole lot of love."

It's true. The message was one I've heard before, but it's never affected me in this way before. I feel at peace now with this journey.

The Tale of Three Trees
Retold by Angela Elwell Hunt

Once upon a mountaintop, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up.

The first little tree looked at the stars twinkling like diamonds above him. "I want to hold treasure," he said. "I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I will be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!"

The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. "I want to be a strong sailing ship," he said. "I want to travel to mighty waters and carry powerful kings. I will be the strongest ship in the world!"

The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and busy women worked in a busy town. "I don't want to leave this mountaintop at all," she said. "I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me they will raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I want to be the tallest tree in the world!"

Years passed. The rains came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall.

One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain.

The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell.

"Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest," thought the first tree. "I shall hold wonderful treasure."

The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is strong. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the second tree fell.

"Now I shall sail mighty waters," thought the second tree. "I shall be a strong ship fit for kings!"

The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven.

But the woodcutter never even looked up. "Any kind of tree will do for me," he muttered. With a swoop of his shining axe, the third tree fell.

The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought him to a carpenter's shop, but the busy carpenter was not thinking about treasure chests. Instead his work-worn hands fashioned the tree into a feed box for animals.

The once-beautiful tree was not covered with gold or filled with treasure. He was coated with sawdust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals.

The second tree smiled when the woodcutter took him to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ships were being made that day. Instead the once-strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat.

Too small and too weak to sail an ocean or even a river, he was taken to a little lake. Every day he brought in loads of dead, smelly fish.

The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard.

"What happened?" the once-tall tree wondered. "All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountaintop and point to God."

Many, many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams.

But one night golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feed box.

"I wish I could make a cradle for him," her husband whispered.

The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and sturdy wood. "This manger is beautiful." she said.

And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.

One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake.

Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. He knew he did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through the wind and rain.

The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun.

And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the King of heaven and earth.

One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry, jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hands to her.

She felt ugly and harsh and cruel.

But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything.

It had made the first tree beautiful.

It had made the second tree strong.

And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God.

And that was better than being the tallest tree in the world.


To Reilly and David:

Moral of the story: When things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you.

If you place your trust in Him, God will give you great gifts.

Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they imagined.

We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are best.

Love you,
Mom

Hugs to you all.

That was BEAUTIFUL!!! gave me chills

 

[Godsjewel]

Appreciate your prayers this morning ladies as I have surgery on both ears. My frequent flying has damaged my inner ear and causes pressure pain and vertigo.

Today I will hopefully have it repaired!

Praying that all goes well and that you have a quick recovery.

 

[Godsjewel]

How are we feeling ladies? Thinking of you all xx

I'm alive and well!!! AF came yesterday and I'm doing great God is doing a work in me, even when I see that dreaded AF make her appearance...I start to thank the Lord that my body is working the way He intended it to and thankful that I do get a period every month and ovulate. I'm thankful I don't have to be on medication to bring on a period or to make myself ovulate. I’m at the point in my journey where I don’t see the point in fussing over this, it’s out of my control. Don’t get me wrong, I still feel hurt, sadness and mourn at times, but not nearly as often as I did in the past. I trust God and His plan for me, He has never let me down before, why would He now?

For me, I’m doing my best to take it one day at a time, since we are not promised tomorrow. I’m enjoying my life with my hubby and Tay and doing my best not to take for granted of what’s in front of me.

Thank you Lord for letting me wake up the morning, thank you for the ladies that have come to this thread. You are worthy of all the honor and praise. This morning I come to praise you for all that I have, not to ask for anything, but to bask in your glorious, radiant light.

Today, forget about all the things you are going through, financially, physically, emotionally and mentally and focus on the one who gave His life for you. Let today be a day of praise and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father who has shown us such love and mercy. He deserves it.

Love you all and pray God touches you in a very special way.

 

[xxx_faithful]

How are we feeling ladies? Thinking of you all xx

I'm alive and well!!! AF came yesterday and I'm doing great God is doing a work in me, even when I see that dreaded AF make her appearance...I start to thank the Lord that my body is working the way He intended it to and thankful that I do get a period every month and ovulate. I'm thankful I don't have to be on medication to bring on a period or to make myself ovulate. I’m at the point in my journey where I don’t see the point in fussing over this, it’s out of my control. Don’t get me wrong, I still feel hurt, sadness and mourn at times, but not nearly as often as I did in the past. I trust God and His plan for me, He has never let me down before, why would He now?

For me, I’m doing my best to take it one day at a time, since we are not promised tomorrow. I’m enjoying my life with my hubby and Tay and doing my best not to take for granted of what’s in front of me.

Thank you Lord for letting me wake up the morning, thank you for the ladies that have come to this thread. You are worthy of all the honor and praise. This morning I come to praise you for all that I have, not to ask for anything, but to bask in your glorious, radiant light.

Today, forget about all the things you are going through, financially, physically, emotionally and mentally and focus on the one who gave His life for you. Let today be a day of praise and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father who has shown us such love and mercy. He deserves it.

Love you all and pray God touches you in a very special way.

Man - you surprise me you amazing ray of sunshine! I can relate to what your saying but in awe of your attitude. And yes God IS doing works in you, i feel it in your words and see it in your actions.

You are spot on about being thankful for being able to even ovulate and menstruate without assisted medication. It's great to be thankful for modern medications (i know i am) but it's more powerful to sit back and be thankful for things we take for granted.

I always remember, if we are not thankful for the small things, how can God bless us with the big things?

Luv luv Sar

 

[me222]

Hi girls! How's everyone going?
I'm really enjoying not stressing much about ttc anymore. Praise God! Having lots to do at work and lots to plan for the future is helping (wanting to serve in another country) so passports, etc. is keeping us busy. We were finally able to get a sperm test done today and so will prob. get results back end of next week. We hope it's the only one we will have to do. I need to to an ultrasound. Others here who have done fertility tests...is the ultrasound internal? Did you have a male or female doing the scan? I don't feel comfortable with a male and so want my dh to be there with me.

What's everyone been learning lately? I'm continuing to learn to trust God even when things don't go the way I want. He cares and has a plan.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

 

[Godsjewel]

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”

Matthew 6:8

Whoever thought infertility was solely a physical condition? We can endure the medical testing so much easier than we can the emotional trials we face. There are times when we struggle to find the words to describe the war raging in our hearts when a period starts or another friend joyfully announces her pregnancy and passes around her sonogram pictures. We want to be happy for her, but we can’t seem to get past the broken pieces of our own shattered hearts to find a way to congratulate her. Throughout your entire life, you’ve learned to bring your joys and your sorrows to God, and you long to pour your heart out to Him now, but you don’t know how to describe the upheaval and conflicting emotions infertility has birthed inside you. How can you approach God with your hurt when you can’t even put words to the intensity of what you’re feeling?

Do you realize just how much Jesus loves humanity? When you think about how much He gave up when He left the realms of Heaven to clothe Himself in flesh to live among His created, flawed human beings and become one of us, it is truly mind boggling! The love of the Creator for the created! We’ll never truly understand. We’ll just forever be loved.

Nevertheless, Jesus knew we needed Him desperately then as we need Him today. He knew we needed to be taught and He was such a magnificent teacher. He was teaching one day when He sat down on the side of a mountain and began talking to crowds of people as it is recorded in the book of Matthew. He was teaching people how to pray. He was telling them that they didn’t have to keep repeating themselves over and over and over again just for the sake of repeating themselves. There was no need for empty, vain repetitions and meaningless phrases just so people could hear them pray. Imagine the relief when Jesus said to them, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” No need to come up with just the right phrase. No need for eloquent speech, or the proper description. No need to worry about explaining things clearly enough to make God fully understand. He told them God already knew their need. God knew.

Do you realize that the same Jesus who sat on the mountain side 2,000 years ago and spoke to the people He loved that day, sits beside you as you read from your computer, loves you just the same, and also says to you, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” He knows how much you need someone to understand how frustrating it is when your period starts. He knows how much you need wisdom to know the next step to take in treatment. He knows before you ask Him. He knew you’d need encouragement before you knew. Before you knew you would have a problem with your fertility, He knew you would need encouragement in that area of your life and included the stories of Hannah, Sarah and Elizabeth in His word! He knows what you have need of and He knows the answers to your problem! He walks before you and prepares the way! God knows!

Infertility is a difficult battle, no doubt. There are days when it seems you don’t even know what to pray for. On those days, remember that your Heavenly Father knows what you have need of before you can even ask Him. He has known your need long before you even knew you had a need. He is fully capable of meeting your need, and passionately in love with you enough to work all things for your good.


-Beth Forbus

 

[HisGrace]

Me222, with my u/s they did both external and internal. I always pick female doctors because of a bad experience with a male dr when I was a teenager. I told them ahead of time I only wanted a female u/s technician. They obliged with no fuss. Just request it. I'm sure they get requests like that all the time. I pray all is well from your testing.

 

[BRK06]

Hi ladies,

I am back on BnB after a 2 month break from all things TTC. I'm going to try to read back through the past few months of this thread and see what is going on with everyone.

I finally ended up going to a fertility clinic in September and was diagnosed with PCOS through an internal ultrasound, but all of my blood work (all 20 vials!) came back completely normal. I am now taking Metformin. I also found out I'm a carrier for cystic fibrosis, so waiting back to see if my husband is also. Please pray with me that he isn't, as my cousin has a daughter with CF and it isn't good at all! After I get AF this month I will be starting IUI in November with Clomid, Hcg trigger, and vaginal inserts.

I've been praying for you all even though I haven't been around here. Hugs.

I will keep you all in prayer! It's amazing how far we've come that having PCOS isn't the "end of all" as it once was... My cousin has it and just gave birth to her second healthy baby boy a couple of weeks ago! Of course, all credit goes to the Great Physician, since without Him, it wouldn't be possible anyway! I'm glad to hear everything else came back normal. I pray things go well with your treatments!!

 

[BRK06]

Appreciate your prayers this morning ladies as I have surgery on both ears. My frequent flying has damaged my inner ear and causes pressure pain and vertigo.

Today I will hopefully have it repaired!

Wondering how you are doing? I hope the surgery went well and I'll be praying for a fast recovery!

 

[BRK06]

How are we feeling ladies? Thinking of you all xx

I'm alive and well!!! AF came yesterday and I'm doing great God is doing a work in me, even when I see that dreaded AF make her appearance...I start to thank the Lord that my body is working the way He intended it to and thankful that I do get a period every month and ovulate. I'm thankful I don't have to be on medication to bring on a period or to make myself ovulate. I’m at the point in my journey where I don’t see the point in fussing over this, it’s out of my control. Don’t get me wrong, I still feel hurt, sadness and mourn at times, but not nearly as often as I did in the past. I trust God and His plan for me, He has never let me down before, why would He now?

For me, I’m doing my best to take it one day at a time, since we are not promised tomorrow. I’m enjoying my life with my hubby and Tay and doing my best not to take for granted of what’s in front of me.

Thank you Lord for letting me wake up the morning, thank you for the ladies that have come to this thread. You are worthy of all the honor and praise. This morning I come to praise you for all that I have, not to ask for anything, but to bask in your glorious, radiant light.

Today, forget about all the things you are going through, financially, physically, emotionally and mentally and focus on the one who gave His life for you. Let today be a day of praise and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father who has shown us such love and mercy. He deserves it.

Love you all and pray God touches you in a very special way.

Man - you surprise me you amazing ray of sunshine! I can relate to what your saying but in awe of your attitude. And yes God IS doing works in you, i feel it in your words and see it in your actions.

You are spot on about being thankful for being able to even ovulate and menstruate without assisted medication. It's great to be thankful for modern medications (i know i am) but it's more powerful to sit back and be thankful for things we take for granted.

I always remember, if we are not thankful for the small things, how can God bless us with the big things?

Luv luv Sar

I agree! It's so encouraging to know such wonderful people that choose to have a positive attitude and give glory to God!! You ladies are such a blessing!

 

[BRK06]

Hi girls! How's everyone going?
I'm really enjoying not stressing much about ttc anymore. Praise God! Having lots to do at work and lots to plan for the future is helping (wanting to serve in another country) so passports, etc. is keeping us busy. We were finally able to get a sperm test done today and so will prob. get results back end of next week. We hope it's the only one we will have to do. I need to to an ultrasound. Others here who have done fertility tests...is the ultrasound internal? Did you have a male or female doing the scan? I don't feel comfortable with a male and so want my dh to be there with me.

What's everyone been learning lately? I'm continuing to learn to trust God even when things don't go the way I want. He cares and has a plan.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

When I went for mine, they did both internal & external u/s with a female tech. I'll be praying your results come back great!

 

[wristwatch24]

Hi everyone,

I got a phone call from the fertility center last night that my husband is NOT a carrier for cystic fibrosis, so we are not in any danger of having a child with CF. Praise God!!! Thanks so much for your prayers. Continued prayers go to you all from me as well.

 

[Shellvz]

Appreciate your prayers this morning ladies as I have surgery on both ears. My frequent flying has damaged my inner ear and causes pressure pain and vertigo.

Today I will hopefully have it repaired!

Wondering how you are doing? I hope the surgery went well and I'll be praying for a fast recovery!

Thanks

Surgery went well. Recovering and back to work in the morning. Adjusting to having grommets in my ears but so far no dizziness or vertigo Praise God!

 

[BRK06]

Hi everyone,

I got a phone call from the fertility center last night that my husband is NOT a carrier for cystic fibrosis, so we are not in any danger of having a child with CF. Praise God!!! Thanks so much for your prayers. Continued prayers go to you all from me as well.

Praise God!! That is awesome news! Keeping you in prayer Hon!

 

[BRK06]

Appreciate your prayers this morning ladies as I have surgery on both ears. My frequent flying has damaged my inner ear and causes pressure pain and vertigo.

Today I will hopefully have it repaired!

Wondering how you are doing? I hope the surgery went well and I'll be praying for a fast recovery!

Thanks

Surgery went well. Recovering and back to work in the morning. Adjusting to having grommets in my ears but so far no dizziness or vertigo Praise God!

I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you Lord!! I'll continue praying for your recovery

 

[No Doubt]

Shellz glad to hear tour surgery went well. Praying for a speedy recovery.

Wristwatch, that's wonderful news! So glad you don't have to worry about that!

As for me ladies I have my first scan tomorrow and I just want to ask for prayers that everything is ok. I'm just so worried, over nothing I know. I think it's just cause it took us a while and now we're here it still feels surreal. I know that God doesn't make mistakes and everything is in his perfect timing, just my nerves getting to me. Thanks ladies!

 

[Godsjewel]

Shellz glad to hear tour surgery went well. Praying for a speedy recovery.

Wristwatch, that's wonderful news! So glad you don't have to worry about that!

As for me ladies I have my first scan tomorrow and I just want to ask for prayers that everything is ok. I'm just so worried, over nothing I know. I think it's just cause it took us a while and now we're here it still feels surreal. I know that God doesn't make mistakes and everything is in his perfect timing, just my nerves getting to me. Thanks ladies!

I pray that all is well with baby and that this can be a time of rejoicing instead of worrying

 

[Godsjewel]

"He said: 'Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is the Lord says to you: "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's."'" 2 Chronicles 20:15 (NIV)

When some exercise-loving friends suggested we join them for a moderate family hike while we were all vacationing in the Adirondack Mountains, we thought that was a great idea.

Turns out their definition of moderate came from an entirely different dictionary than mine. Actually, an entirely different planet, if I'm being completely honest. Honey ... this was no moderate hike.

I had pictured a path with a gently winding, upward slope. But what we actually experienced was more like scaling a cliff face made entirely of rocks and roots.

Not kidding.

And we were at an altitude so high my lungs felt like they were stuck together and incapable of holding more than a thimbleful of breath. Lovely. And forget about conversation. All I could do was mutter a few moans between gasps for air.

Up, up, up we went. And when another group of hikers passed us on their way down and cheerfully quipped, "You're almost halfway there!" I wanted to quit. Halfway? How could we be only halfway?!

I pushed. I pulled. I strained. I huffed and puffed. And I might have even spent a few minutes pouting. But eventually, we reached the top. I bent over, holding my sides and wondering how a girl who runs four miles almost every day could feel so stinkin' out of shape!

Climbing up the mountain against the force of gravity was hard. Really, really hard. But coming down was a completely different experience. I navigated the same rocks and roots without feeling nearly as stressed. I enjoyed the journey. I noticed more of the beautiful surroundings and had enough breath to actually talk.

About halfway down the trail, it occurred to me how similar my experience of this hike was to my Christian walk. Starting at the top of the mountain and working with the force of gravity was much easier than starting at the bottom of the mountain and working against it. Although I had to navigate the exact same path both directions, being in the flow of gravity made the journey so much better.

It's just like when I face a hard issue in life. Operating in the flow of God's power is better than working against the flow of God's power. Seeking to obey God in the midst of whatever circumstance I'm facing is what positions me to work in the flow of God's power.

I still have to navigate the realities of my situation, but I won't be doing it in my own strength. My job is to be obedient to God, to apply His Word, and to walk according to His ways—not according to the world's suggestions. God, in His way and timing, works it all out.

That's what happened with King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. Jehoshaphat was in an overwhelming situation. Three countries had banded together, forming a massive army to attack his much smaller country of Judah. If ever there were a time for a king to feel unglued, this would have been it. But Jehoshaphat didn't fall apart.

He stayed in the flow of obeying God in his actions and reactions. I'm sure if he had tried to figure out how to win this battle based on his limited strength and numbers alone, he would have surely given up. Judah was outnumbered. No question. But instead of counting themselves out, the king and his army counted God in and determined to do exactly as He instructed.

I want to participate in God's divine nature rather than wallow in discouragement and fear. Then I won't have to huff and puff and pout while trying to figure everything out on my own.

I stay in the flow.

Dear Lord, help me to trust that You've got it all figured out and to remember that I don't. Help me to say yes to You even when it's hard. Help me to say no to anything that doesn't align with Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

-Lysa TerKeurst