Christian ladies TTC, we can encourage one another.

[Praying4bump]

Good morning Ladies!

I'm sorry about the struggles that we are all facing, some a lot worst then others. We had a guest speaker at our church a couple weeks ago and the message was so encouraging.

The pastor spoke about how both he and his wife received a vision from God when they were newly married and active Praise and Worship Leaders in their Church. The vision revealed that they were going to have a son and that he would be named Samuel. A few days later, he shared his vision with his wife and she told him she had the same vision. The waited a few days because they thought the other would think they were crazy . A few months later they found out that she was pregnant around the same time her father passed away of a sudden heart attack. They were pregnant with twins and they thought surely they were pregnant with the son God promised them. Unfortunately, she miscarried one of the babies and of course, they became even more certain that the surviving baby was their promised son. Unfortunately, they also miscarried that second baby a few months later. A couple years later, they got pregnant again, and of course they thought that this was their promised son. A few months into the pregnancy, they lost that baby also. They were devastated because they had always been active in the Church as Worship leaders, they tried to live their lives pleasing to the Father and tried to put their desires last.

He said that they were struggling and he was baffled because he and both his wife had separate visions years before of this Son that God was going to give them. He said in the midst of praying and asking God “Why”, God revealed to him that he needed to Worship him. He said that it wasn’t until that moment that he understood what God really meant by the many verses in the bible about worshipping him. He realized that to truly Worship the Lord, he had to do it through the good and the struggles. He realized that he was being taught what it truly means to Worship God. Though he didn’t understand the path, they knew they had to keep worshipping God.

A few years later, his wife got pregnant again, and of course they were a little bit worried but they focused on worshipping God. When they had a sonogram during this pregnancy, they were told that their son had Down Syndrome. They were afraid but they said that if God wanted them to have a son named Samuel with down syndrome, then that is what they would do. When their son was born, he didn’t have down syndrome. The Dr’s couldn’t explain it. They had continued to Worship God the entire pregnancy and they believed that God’s power was at work. Their son, Samuel is about 6 or 7 and he is a happy healthy little boy. The pastor said that he realized that God allowed their struggles so that they could use it to Glorify him.

As hard as it is to deal with sometimes, we are here to Glorify God, and that is our purpose…everything else in life is secondary to that. If God sees fit to use my life’s experiences to glorify him and encourage others of his loving mercy, then who am I to argue? I DON”T always feel lucky to have this TTC struggle but I realize that God has chosen this path for me to glorify him…instead of thinking of it as a curse or punishment, I’ve realized that I am blessed. After all, look what his own son had to go through.

 

[pvsmith12]

Dynamic... The advice I was given before I went in for my HSG is to take 2 extra strength tylenol/advil about 15 mins before. I cramped super bad during it, but after everything was done it was all fine. Cramping doesn't happen with every one either, the nurse I had told me I was actually the first one she's had cramp... lucky me.

 

[Godsjewel]

Was at th doc yesterday. It turns out I only have one functioning ovary so only ovulate every second cycle. I only have 6 chances a year to get pregnant... The left ovary show STRONG ovulation. But due to many cysts being removed from the right ovary it is covered in to much scar tissue to be able to ovulate. Doc wants hubby to go for sperm count and me to go check that tubes aren't blocked. Medical insurance doesn't cover any of this Hubby and I chatted and we've decided to go for the tests this month (scratch the money together) cause we don't wanna waste any time. I googled the HSG tube test and it seems really scary! Gosh! Keeping the faith and trusting God will carry us through on every level!

Oh sweetie, there is nothing to worry about. I felt nothing at all and hopefully you have the same experience. The only thing was, the lady that was trying to put the tube in had a hard time doing it and I was lying there for awhile, she had to call in another doctor to do it.

Just wanted to give you some hope, I have a friend that only has one functioning ovary and she already has a one year old and the doctor told her she wouldn't need to go on birth control because she probably wouldn't get pregnant...what do doctors know??? She is due with her second child in a couple of months

God is good and this is part of your life testimony you will be able to share with others and help encourage them along the way.

 

[Godsjewel]

Good morning Ladies!

I'm sorry about the struggles that we are all facing, some a lot worst then others. We had a guest speaker at our church a couple weeks ago and the message was so encouraging.

The pastor spoke about how both he and his wife received a vision from God when they were newly married and active Praise and Worship Leaders in their Church. The vision revealed that they were going to have a son and that he would be named Samuel. A few days later, he shared his vision with his wife and she told him she had the same vision. The waited a few days because they thought the other would think they were crazy . A few months later they found out that she was pregnant around the same time her father passed away of a sudden heart attack. They were pregnant with twins and they thought surely they were pregnant with the son God promised them. Unfortunately, she miscarried one of the babies and of course, they became even more certain that the surviving baby was their promised son. Unfortunately, they also miscarried that second baby a few months later. A couple years later, they got pregnant again, and of course they thought that this was their promised son. A few months into the pregnancy, they lost that baby also. They were devastated because they had always been active in the Church as Worship leaders, they tried to live their lives pleasing to the Father and tried to put their desires last.

He said that they were struggling and he was baffled because he and both his wife had separate visions years before of this Son that God was going to give them. He said in the midst of praying and asking God “Why”, God revealed to him that he needed to Worship him. He said that it wasn’t until that moment that he understood what God really meant by the many verses in the bible about worshipping him. He realized that to truly Worship the Lord, he had to do it through the good and the struggles. He realized that he was being taught what it truly means to Worship God. Though he didn’t understand the path, they knew they had to keep worshipping God.

A few years later, his wife got pregnant again, and of course they were a little bit worried but they focused on worshipping God. When they had a sonogram during this pregnancy, they were told that their son had Down Syndrome. They were afraid but they said that if God wanted them to have a son named Samuel with down syndrome, then that is what they would do. When their son was born, he didn’t have down syndrome. The Dr’s couldn’t explain it. They had continued to Worship God the entire pregnancy and they believed that God’s power was at work. Their son, Samuel is about 6 or 7 and he is a happy healthy little boy. The pastor said that he realized that God allowed their struggles so that they could use it to Glorify him.

As hard as it is to deal with sometimes, we are here to Glorify God, and that is our purpose…everything else in life is secondary to that. If God sees fit to use my life’s experiences to glorify him and encourage others of his loving mercy, then who am I to argue? I DON”T always feel lucky to have this TTC struggle but I realize that God has chosen this path for me to glorify him…instead of thinking of it as a curse or punishment, I’ve realized that I am blessed. After all, look what his own son had to go through.

Amen sis!!! thanks so much for sharing this..I got chills

 

[Godsjewel]

I’m Dreaming of a “Why” Christmas​

I recently heard a little girl sweetly singing a Christmas carol to the top of her lungs. She had her angelic face tilted just perfectly, her eyes closed, and with all the gusto her 9 year old heart could muster, she belted out “I’m dreaming of a ‘why’ Christmas!” Not quite the Bing Crosby version most of us have grown up with, but perhaps the more appropriate one for those who face the holiday season with infertility.

There are so many, many “whys” during the holidays. The strong emphasis placed on family relationships during this time of year spotlights the whys your heart carries. Why can some people have babies so easily yet I am facing another year childless? Why did my baby not survive yet another chose to abort? Why does God choose to grant a healthy pregnancy to someone who calls her baby an “accident” when I have done any and every thing I can do to conceive and nothing has worked? Why? Why? Why?

Are you struggling with a “Why Christmas” this year? If so, then I encourage you to consider “Why Christmas?” Why did God give us Christmas? Imagine if you will, that an amazing miracle would occur today, and your doctor would call you and say that according to your latest test results you are perfectly pregnant. All your hormone levels are exactly as they should be and the next nine months are blissfully filled with your bulging belly and growing baby. You give birth to a perfect child and all is right with the world. You cannot believe the love your heart hold for this miracle in the flesh who has your eyes and your husband’s chin.

However, in the greatest act of love imaginable, you hand this much desired baby over to someone else. The love you hold for your baby is incomprehensible, but you know the other person will perish if you do not give them your child, and you cannot bear the thought, so with more compassion that you ever dreamed possible, you give them the gift of the baby you have desired so long. This person doesn’t even know your name, doesn’t love your baby, and really doesn’t even care that this child exists. You give your child to someone else because you know they need your baby to survive, and they don’t even realize it. They look at you as if you’ve lost your mind, and they tell you they don’t want your baby and walk away.

Can you imagine loving another person so much that you’d give your baby to them? God can.

God loves you so much, He gave His Baby to you on Christmas. He gave you His Baby because He knew you needed Him to survive. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) He knew your heart would be filled with so many “whys” this Christmas and you needed God Emmanuel, God with you. That’s why God gave Christmas.

If your heart is filled with all the whys of infertility, and you’re dreaming of a “why Christmas”, remind yourself of why God gave us Christmas. He loves us. He gave us His Baby. God Emmanuel. God with us. God with us through the good time. God with us in the bad times. God with us at the doctor’s offices. God with us when the periods starts and the pregnancy tests are negative. God with us through the tearful nights. God with us in good times. God with us when family celebrations are too hard. He is God with us because God gave us His Son that first Christmas night. God with us to make a way for sins to be forgiven so we can be with Him for eternity.

That is why God gave us Christmas.

 

[BRK06]

Was at th doc yesterday. It turns out I only have one functioning ovary so only ovulate every second cycle. I only have 6 chances a year to get pregnant... The left ovary show STRONG ovulation. But due to many cysts being removed from the right ovary it is covered in to much scar tissue to be able to ovulate. Doc wants hubby to go for sperm count and me to go check that tubes aren't blocked. Medical insurance doesn't cover any of this Hubby and I chatted and we've decided to go for the tests this month (scratch the money together) cause we don't wanna waste any time. I googled the HSG tube test and it seems really scary! Gosh! Keeping the faith and trusting God will carry us through on every level!

I'm sorry to hear about your ovary. Thanks to God for the other one being a champ, though!

The HSG sounds worse than it is. I had one a couple years ago, and it was more uncomfortable than painful... I recommend taking some ibuprofen before you go if you cramp easily like I do. It's sort of like an IUI, they take a small tube and put it through your cervix then flush your tubes with contrast dye while taking X-rays. The whole process took like, 30 mins or so. Just make sure you drink plenty of water after... That contrast is rough on the kidneys!

I'll be praying for you!!

 

[BRK06]

Hi everyone.

Ok, so this really has nothing to do with baby making, but I am so excited that I just had to share! I have been searching and praying for another job - yes, the one I have is full time, but it's horrible and I really don't enjoy being here. Most of the people I work with are obsessed with having the whole office immersed in drama... constantly, the office used to be an old horse barn, so it's not the most pleasant place to work, and (since it's a family run business) myself and the other 2 newest ladies get treated horribly.

Anyway, I have been searching for months for a new job, as well as praying for guidance from God, but there has just been nothing. Earlier in the year I applied for a program where they would train you to be a Continuing Care Assistant, but was wait-listed because I had a full time job. I was super upset about it, since I would love to be a CCA but can't afford to go back to school. Well, today one of the ladies from the program called and asked if I was still interested! They are starting a new class in February and I already qualified and everything last year. Right now I am waiting for a call back, but I am praying that this is really going to happen for me.

Anything we can praise God for (even if not baby related) is welcome here! That is wonderful news!! I pray it works out for you!

 

[BRK06]

Hi ladies! In need of prayers please!! I took test yesterday with a faint positive but then again this morning and nothing so I am trying so hard not to lose faith that the Lord has blessed us but I just dont know??

Praying for you Sweetie! Remember, keep your faith in The Lord, not the preggo test... Those things fail us more often than not (former poas addict here ), but He never does! I pray that you get your little bean!

 

[BRK06]

AFM, I'm having a low day. AF came and since we started TTC last December, that makes one full year of it. Not a milestone I wanted to reach... No more storms please, I'm ready for my rainbow

I'm sorry sweetie That is a hard milestone to hit. I'm praying for you! I hope your rainbow baby comes soon

 

[me222]

So I think my sis in law is pregnant...This is hard. I'm happy for them, but sad for me. I don't want to talk to my bro about it. I don't want to hear him announce the news and give me advice.
My dh has had one sperm test and was due for another one this month. But, we read that you shouldn't have intercourse and withdraw and release into the specimen jar. This is pretty much what we did last time. But, it can give inacurrate results - from what the slip states that my dh was given from the patholoigy. So, his last results where the dr said my dh's count was low- may actually be fine.

Anyway, we are wondering- where to from here? We are over the whole invasion of privacy thing. We could have a postcoital test, I suppose. But, we are praying about what to do.

When does one stop the tests? I mean, we could do heaps of tests for ages. But, there comes a time when you got to just stop. Anyone had experience with this? Any advice?

We don't want to just follow what the dr says. We believe masturbation is wrong and my dh does not feel right doing it- even if it is for a test. What's the point doing another sperm test if the results are going to be inaccurate anyway - if we use the withdrawal method? Sorry if tm...

Praying for comfort and guidance for each of you struggling.

 

[No Doubt]

Me, I think everyone struggles with the decision of stopping. What I found is that I kept trying to stop, but truly couldn't more so cause it was hard to break the repetitive cycle of everything. I prayed about it and felt God said let go. So I talk to my hubbs about it and he said he had been feeling the same way so there was my confirmation. It was still hard to break the habit, and even though I backed off I didn't really let go. I then started hearing songs and people say certain things to the gist of letting go and I knew I had to do just that. So if you're questioning when to stop, pray about and allow yourself to be open to hear what God says.

As for the test I myself don't really see that as masturbation ad it is for a medical purpose. He's not doing it for pleasure. If you two feel that strongly about it are you opposed to helping him along so to speak? I went with my hubbs when we did an iui once and shed some clothes and did it for him. The only thing I will say about that is that because I didn't know the exact moment it was coming, I couldn't catch the specimen as well as he could. So if you test again, it may be worth him doing it.

I hope you two make a decision that's comfortable for the both of you hun. I'll be in prayer!

 

[Godsjewel]

So I think my sis in law is pregnant...This is hard. I'm happy for them, but sad for me. I don't want to talk to my bro about it. I don't want to hear him announce the news and give me advice.
My dh has had one sperm test and was due for another one this month. But, we read that you shouldn't have intercourse and withdraw and release into the specimen jar. This is pretty much what we did last time. But, it can give inacurrate results - from what the slip states that my dh was given from the patholoigy. So, his last results where the dr said my dh's count was low- may actually be fine.

Anyway, we are wondering- where to from here? We are over the whole invasion of privacy thing. We could have a postcoital test, I suppose. But, we are praying about what to do.

When does one stop the tests? I mean, we could do heaps of tests for ages. But, there comes a time when you got to just stop. Anyone had experience with this? Any advice?

We don't want to just follow what the dr says. We believe masturbation is wrong and my dh does not feel right doing it- even if it is for a test. What's the point doing another sperm test if the results are going to be inaccurate anyway - if we use the withdrawal method? Sorry if tm...

Praying for comfort and guidance for each of you struggling.

I'm in agreement with No Doubt...If you can help him out, I wouldn't think there would be a problem with that.

The time I felt to let go of it all is when I knew I couldn't do anything in my own strength, I couldn't make it happen. Almost 5 1/2yrs of doing everything possible to ttc and nothing. Sad it took that long, but I know God has a great plan and I know I'm here for a reason.

Trust in Him and know that His timing beats out ours any day.

 

[Godsjewel]

Do Not Be Afraid​

In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.


And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.
Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him.
But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.
You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.”
Luke 1:5-7, 11-14


Throughout the course of the next week, many people will take Bibles off the shelf and with family gathered ‘round, read the timeless Christmas story. They’ll share how a frightened virgin teenager carried the hope of the world in her womb and the love of her good man, Joseph, in her heart. Once again, they’ll hear the songs of angels and imagine the awe of the shepherd and envision the gifts of the Wise Men. I wonder if they’ll miss the infertility story stuck right in the middle of it all?

After the angel appeared to Mary and told her she would carry God’s Son, she journeyed to see Elizabeth, her aunt. She and her husband were described by God as righteous and blameless, yet there were no children in their home because Elizabeth was infertile. Zacharias was a priest and was busy going about the business of the Lord when an angel appeared to him. Realize that angels of Scripture are nothing like the pretty, sweet-faced cherubs we see in gift shops! Zacharias was terrified of this holy, angelic being making an appearance to him this day! Fear gripped this old man’s heart and he probably thought he would die!

We know that Elizabeth & Zacharias’ life was one marked by prayer for a baby because of what the angel said to him that day: "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.” Can you imagine the look on this old man’s face? Not only does an angel appear to him, but the angel not only tells him not to be afraid, but also tells him he’s about to be a father? “You don’t have to be afraid, Zacharias. Your petition has been heard!” “What petition has been heard?” “Your petition to have a child has been heard!” All the prayers he had prayed all those years begging God for a baby really had been heard by God! They hadn’t bounced off the heavens and floated off into space! God heard them and the answer was given! A baby was on the way!

Perhaps the angel would say the same to you this Christmas:

You don’t have to be afraid. Your petition has been heard.

You don’t have to be afraid that God really isn’t who He said He would be. Your petition has been heard!

You don’t have to be afraid that God doesn’t care about your desire for a baby. Your petition has been heard!

You don’t have to be afraid of the uncertainty of your future. Your petition has been heard!

You just don’t have to be afraid. Even if it seems that you have waited forever, your every petition has been heard by heaven!

Elizabeth and Zacharias were old. They had prayed many prayers for many years and probably wondered many times why God didn’t grant them children in their youth. But God had a greater plan. He knew their child had a special and magnificent call on his life. He would be the forerunner to the Messiah. God knew there was a specific time that John needed to be conceived. God heard every prayer Elizabeth prayed for a baby. And He answered in perfection. God heard every single time Zacharias cried out to Heaven for his wife to conceive. He hears you as well.

So don’t be afraid this Christmas. Don’t fear for your future. Don’t fear your fertility. Your petitions have been heard, so there is no need for fear.

-Beth Forbus

 

[Dynamicmae]

Dynamic the hsg is not bad. I had to have one last November and was a bit freaked before hand. There is some slight cramping when they are putting the balloon in, just like if it were af. Other than that you don't feel anything. Plus you get to see it while its happening, at least I did. And they will often tell you there what they see, but them say wait for the official from your doc. Nothing for you to be worried about. I'm sure you will be fine!

Thank you so much!! Im wishing AF would start now that I could just book and get it over with!! DH must go for sperm analysis also. He's so afraid!!

Dynamic... The advice I was given before I went in for my HSG is to take 2 extra strength tylenol/advil about 15 mins before. I cramped super bad during it, but after everything was done it was all fine. Cramping doesn't happen with every one either, the nurse I had told me I was actually the first one she's had cramp... lucky me.

They normally "struggle" to find my cervix so that makes me a little nervous. Will pop some painkillers.


[/QUOTE]Oh sweetie, there is nothing to worry about. I felt nothing at all and hopefully you have the same experience. The only thing was, the lady that was trying to put the tube in had a hard time doing it and I was lying there for awhile, she had to call in another doctor to do it.

Just wanted to give you some hope, I have a friend that only has one functioning ovary and she already has a one year old and the doctor told her she wouldn't need to go on birth control because she probably wouldn't get pregnant...what do doctors know??? She is due with her second child in a couple of months

God is good and this is part of your life testimony you will be able to share with others and help encourage them along the way.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for always being so positive!! You are truly and inspiration!!!

 

[Ltruns33]

Do Not Be Afraid​

In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.


And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.
Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him.
But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.
You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.”
Luke 1:5-7, 11-14


Throughout the course of the next week, many people will take Bibles off the shelf and with family gathered ‘round, read the timeless Christmas story. They’ll share how a frightened virgin teenager carried the hope of the world in her womb and the love of her good man, Joseph, in her heart. Once again, they’ll hear the songs of angels and imagine the awe of the shepherd and envision the gifts of the Wise Men. I wonder if they’ll miss the infertility story stuck right in the middle of it all?

After the angel appeared to Mary and told her she would carry God’s Son, she journeyed to see Elizabeth, her aunt. She and her husband were described by God as righteous and blameless, yet there were no children in their home because Elizabeth was infertile. Zacharias was a priest and was busy going about the business of the Lord when an angel appeared to him. Realize that angels of Scripture are nothing like the pretty, sweet-faced cherubs we see in gift shops! Zacharias was terrified of this holy, angelic being making an appearance to him this day! Fear gripped this old man’s heart and he probably thought he would die!

We know that Elizabeth & Zacharias’ life was one marked by prayer for a baby because of what the angel said to him that day: "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.” Can you imagine the look on this old man’s face? Not only does an angel appear to him, but the angel not only tells him not to be afraid, but also tells him he’s about to be a father? “You don’t have to be afraid, Zacharias. Your petition has been heard!” “What petition has been heard?” “Your petition to have a child has been heard!” All the prayers he had prayed all those years begging God for a baby really had been heard by God! They hadn’t bounced off the heavens and floated off into space! God heard them and the answer was given! A baby was on the way!

Perhaps the angel would say the same to you this Christmas:

You don’t have to be afraid. Your petition has been heard.

You don’t have to be afraid that God really isn’t who He said He would be. Your petition has been heard!

You don’t have to be afraid that God doesn’t care about your desire for a baby. Your petition has been heard!

You don’t have to be afraid of the uncertainty of your future. Your petition has been heard!

You just don’t have to be afraid. Even if it seems that you have waited forever, your every petition has been heard by heaven!

Elizabeth and Zacharias were old. They had prayed many prayers for many years and probably wondered many times why God didn’t grant them children in their youth. But God had a greater plan. He knew their child had a special and magnificent call on his life. He would be the forerunner to the Messiah. God knew there was a specific time that John needed to be conceived. God heard every prayer Elizabeth prayed for a baby. And He answered in perfection. God heard every single time Zacharias cried out to Heaven for his wife to conceive. He hears you as well.

So don’t be afraid this Christmas. Don’t fear for your future. Don’t fear your fertility. Your petitions have been heard, so there is no need for fear.

-Beth Forbus

Thanks that's beautiful!

 

[Godsjewel]

The angel said to her, " Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.”
Luke 1:30

But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, " Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 1:20

Do not be afraid. We hear it again in the Christmas story. We heard it spoken to aged Zacharias as a promise that God had heard every single time he prayed for a baby. From the first excited prayer he must have uttered as a naive young man looking with anticipation toward his future, to the prayers he prayed through the night as he listened to his grieving wife weeping for another month lost to her menstrual cycle, God heard every single prayer. There was no room for fear.

Perhaps the most astonishing declaration for the absence of fear was also the most unbelievable. How do you tell a virgin teenager that she will not only carry a baby in her untouched womb, but that this baby will be God robed in flesh, and then tell her not to fear? How do you tell her that she will be responsible for raising the Messiah and then tell her not to worry about it? How do you expect a teenager to lay aside fear and take on a responsibility no one else in all of time and eternity has ever or will ever carry?

And poor Joseph! The young love of his life expects him to believe that she has remained faithful, yet her bulging belly screams another story. Customs of the day said he had every right to have her stoned, but his heart wouldn’t let him. Would he stay with a girl whose faithfulness he questioned, or would he face a future without her? Suddenly, Joseph’s fitful sleep was interrupted by a holy visitor with the same message given to Mary and later to Zacharias: Do not be afraid. Joseph was told he didn’t have to fear taking Mary as his wife. God’s hand was on her life, and not the hand of any man. If God had chosen Mary for this task, He had certainly chosen Joseph as well, so he didn’t have to fear his future either.

The players in the nativity faced daunting tasks and they had reason to tremble. God saw their trepidation and sent holy messengers to assure them that there was no reason for fear. In the earthly realm, there was a lot to fear, but when God is with you, fear dissipates. Mary could face a virgin pregnancy because the Lord was with her. There are times you are afraid as well. Like Mary, you may ponder things in your heart and wonder how in the world things have come about the way they have. As you consider the situations that cause you anxiety--Will this pregnancy result in a living baby, or will I lose this one too? Will the adoption fall through? Can our marriage survive this struggle?--remember that Christmas is all about Jesus Christ taking the robe of human flesh to be God Emmanuel, God With Us, so that we don’t have to be afraid of our future. The same God who sustained Mary through the calling He gave her walks with you and will sustain you as well.

Like Joseph, your future may not be coming together as you planned. He thought he’d marry his sweetheart and live happily ever after. Instead, he married a pregnant virgin and became stepfather to the Son of God. Don’t you imagine there were times he simply didn’t think he was up to the task? Don’t you think he was afraid he couldn’t do what God was asking him to do? Do not be afraid. If God assigns you a task, He’ll give you the capabilities to complete the task, whether the task is falling in love with an adopted child, pouring your love into a foster child, or surviving a time of infertility when you’d much, much rather have a “regular” life of 2.5 kids and a white picket fence. God knew the task He assigned to Joseph and instructed him to marry Mary without fear. As you face the task of living with a season of infertility, He tells you the same: Do not be afraid.

Isn’t it amazing that our indescribable, uncontainable God cares enough about our emotions to speak to us and comfort us? Do not be afraid!

If your heart carries fear or unrest in this Christmas season, it is our prayer that you will sense the presence of God Emmanuel so very near to you today, and that you will not be afraid.

-Beth Forbus

 

[Godsjewel]

AF has officially arrived, but praise God anyhow

Thank you Lord for being so faithful to me and giving me all that I need in my current circumstance.

Thank you for my BnB sisters, I ask that you touch each and every one of them...you know all their needs. In your mighty name I pray...AMEN!!!

 

[kelkel82]

AF has officially arrived, but praise God anyhow

Thank you Lord for being so faithful to me and giving me all that I need in my current circumstance.

Thank you for my BnB sisters, I ask that you touch each and every one of them...you know all their needs. In your mighty name I pray...AMEN!!!

Hi Sarah,
For my own emotional health, I haven't been on this thread for about 6 months, but I get the weekly updates emailed to me. I pray for you and the other precious women on this thread and I was so thrilled for you when I read your insurance would help with IVF! PTL! I sincerely hope you're blessed with a pregnancy soon!
I wish I could report back after such a long absence with good news, but just more of the same. Almost 2 years of TTC with no luck. Tomorrow I start my first round of clomid/IUI. Even though ours is a male factor problem, our doc will still have me do clomid to improve our odds of success. I wish we could JUST do IUI, but no.
I spent yesterday sobbing. I never thought I would be in this position. I always thought God would intervene in a different way, and I feel crushed by disappointment.
I wish I could say I'm excited to begin treatment but I'm dreading it.
I don't want to be a downer, but just to check in and update you. Thanks for continuing to be positive and encouraging during your process.
I hope you don't have to wait much longer for you BFP! I know you'll fill us in along the way.
XO

 

[Praying4bump]

AF has officially arrived, but praise God anyhow

Thank you Lord for being so faithful to me and giving me all that I need in my current circumstance.

Thank you for my BnB sisters, I ask that you touch each and every one of them...you know all their needs. In your mighty name I pray...AMEN!!!

I'm sorry your AF has arrived...mine just wrapped up.

Thank you for your faith. It is truely encouraging. Even though it's hard, you seem to remain faithful to God and that brings so much joy to the LORD and so much frustration to the enemy. I really am thankful for you Sarah, the other BnB ladies, and this thread...

 

[Godsjewel]

AF has officially arrived, but praise God anyhow

Thank you Lord for being so faithful to me and giving me all that I need in my current circumstance.

Thank you for my BnB sisters, I ask that you touch each and every one of them...you know all their needs. In your mighty name I pray...AMEN!!!

Hi Sarah,
For my own emotional health, I haven't been on this thread for about 6 months, but I get the weekly updates emailed to me. I pray for you and the other precious women on this thread and I was so thrilled for you when I read your insurance would help with IVF! PTL! I sincerely hope you're blessed with a pregnancy soon!
I wish I could report back after such a long absence with good news, but just more of the same. Almost 2 years of TTC with no luck. Tomorrow I start my first round of clomid/IUI. Even though ours is a male factor problem, our doc will still have me do clomid to improve our odds of success. I wish we could JUST do IUI, but no.
I spent yesterday sobbing. I never thought I would be in this position. I always thought God would intervene in a different way, and I feel crushed by disappointment.
I wish I could say I'm excited to begin treatment but I'm dreading it.
I don't want to be a downer, but just to check in and update you. Thanks for continuing to be positive and encouraging during your process.
I hope you don't have to wait much longer for you BFP! I know you'll fill us in along the way.
XO

Hi Sweetie!!!

It’s so good to hear from you.

God has completely opened the doors for my family with the opportunity for IVF. The doctors kept telling me this was my only option and at that time there was no was we were going to pay so much for it. Never in my life did I think I was going to get this opportunity and am completely thankful for it.

I know exactly how you feel, I went 2-3 years before I did any meds or IUI’s…I just believed that it would happen and didn’t want medical intervention. But I’ve come to realize that God’s gifts come in all sorts of packages and you may be on your particular journey to help others that will soon be in the same scenario. I thank God He has blessed so many people with brilliant minds to help in the ttc process, including medical intervention. I’m blessed to have medical coverage and especially coverage that will now cover IVF. God’s ways are not ours and He is wanting so much for us to leave it in His hands and trust Him.

I pray that you will be at peace whatever you and your husband decide to do.