Christian ladies TTC, we can encourage one another.

[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!!!

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...

Praise God! Sis, I honestly don't know what I'd do if I didn't have Jesus in my life. Everyday He shows His love for me and in that I completely trust His plans for my life.

It took many years to get me where I am today and honestly, I wouldn't change it for anything. I know deep down inside that God had this all planned out before I was born and knew this day would come where I would be able to help encourage others and by doing it, in return I am blessed.

 

[Godsjewel]

“Be It Unto Me...”


“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee...

To a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph...

The virgin’s name was Mary.

And having come in, the angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you;

blessed are you among women!’

‘...you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest...’

Then Mary said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be unto me according to your word.’”

Luke 1:26-28, 31-32, 38


What was it like planning your wedding day? Were you pouring over “Bride” magazines trying to find the “perfect” dress, or planning an exotic getaway for your honeymoon? Did you ever consider that you may be infertile? Of course not! I doubt that an “illegitimate” pregnancy was part of Mary’s plans either!


According to Jewish tradition, most girls were married off once they began menstruating. In our day, Mary would have been about 12 or 13 years old. I’m sure her wedding preparations were similar to our own. She may have been excited about wearing her wedding garments, or fantasized about her life with Joseph: “Where will we live?”; “How many sons will I have?” In the midst of all this, God threw a kink in her plans.


The angel was sent to deliver the good news that she was to be the mother of the Messiah. She would carry Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of the world! Sounds wonderful, right? What a blessing! Right? Well, let’s consider the consequences of this “blessing”.


Mary was betrothed. According to Jewish law and tradition, she was as good as married already. The fact that she was pregnant was a terrible disgrace to her fiancé, her family, and herself. According to the law, Joseph not only had the right to cancel the wedding, but have her taken outside the city and stoned to death.


Mary was given a very difficult set of circumstances to bear at the tender young of age of 12. Yet look at the faith of this precious girl. I doubt if the Lord had sent an angel to me and said “Jamie, thou will be infertile, and will experience great difficulty in conceiving,” that I would have been able to say, “Well, praise God! Let it be so! Whoo Hoo!!”


However, I am at a point in my life, after nearly 10 years, where I can say that infertility has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. No, I’m not drunk or on drugs! But, walking with God during my struggle with infertility has brought new levels of intimacy with Him. Infertility has driven me to my knees on more occasions than I can count. Infertility has taught me about giving up complete control of my life to God alone. Through my infertility, I’ve learned things about God and His character that I would not have learned otherwise. I’ve learned how to really trust and have a true faith that sustains me no matter how many times I start my period. These same lessons carry over to all of my trials, not just the issue of infertility.


How could Mary’s “illegitimate” Child possibly be a blessing? She had enough faith and confidence in God to embrace her circumstances, and although difficult, knew that God would work it out for her good and His glory. As a result of her faith and obedience, her own salvation, as well as yours and mine was to be paid for by the very baby that she would be carrying.


What “kinks” has God thrown into your life’s plan? Infertility? Miscarriage? Can you believe that God is able to use these difficult circumstances for good, even if you don’t know the “why?” What would it take for you to say “Lord, be it unto me according to Your will”?

--Jamie Hymel

 

[Godsjewel]

Nothing Is Too Hard​

Is anything too difficult for the Lord?
Genesis 18:14

For nothing will be impossible with God!
Luke 1:37


In the stories of the births of Isaac and Jesus Himself we see some similarities. Astonished parents. Surprise. A promised child. But I want to point out to you a couple of very similar and wonderful statements undoubtedly proclaimed with a twinkle in the eye of the holy messenger who was honored to share it. Go back with me to Sarah’s tent as the angel of the Lord told her at the tender young age of 89 that within one year she would finally bear the child she had craved her entire life. What was that blessed question to the dazed octogenarian? Is anything too difficult for the Lord? (Genesis 18:14) I know she laughed but I can’t help but think that the angel had to at least snicker at her expression!


Now jump ahead to the central event of mankind--the birth of Christ. Look with me as a scared young girl stares an angel in the face as he tells her she is carrying the Lamb of God in her virgin womb. What was his message to this confused young girl? For nothing will be impossible with God! (Luke 1:37)


See any similarities? Both of these statements were uttered to reassure the mothers of children who otherwise could not have been born! It took a miracle to breathe life into the womb of a 90-year-old woman and even more miracle working power to bring the Son of God into the human body of a virgin teenager! I absolutely love that God placed those two Scriptures boldly screaming out through time and eternity that nothing is too difficult for God right smack dab in the middle of the accounts of these children! Both statements were uttered in response to the conception of children! That really speaks to me as a woman who has felt the sting of childlessness myself!


Let me tattoo on your heart right now--Nothing is too hard for God! Nothing! Hallelujah! Endometriosis? It’s nothing to the Great Physician! Unexplained infertility? Not to an all-knowing God! Miscarriages? Stillbirths? God understands--remember He knows the sting of losing a Child. His child died, too. Adoption? He is the original adoptive parent!


Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing is too difficult for God and He’s fighting this battle right along with you! Disease? He can heal! Financially strapped? His very Name--Jehovah Jireh--proclaims to you that He is your Provider! Confused? He can lead you to the right doctors or support groups! Tired? He can give you rest! Barren? He can open your womb! We serve such a wonderful God. I’m so glad He loves me and cares about my hurt!


-Beth Forbus

 

[pvsmith12]

GodsJewel, Thank you for your beautiful posts. They are just what I need to read to help me through the pain and hardship of infertility.

 

[Praying4bump]

AMEN! Thats what I needed. Thank you!

 

[BRK06]

Hallelujah! Amen!! I always marvel at the stories of Mary and Elizabeth and just how enormously significant the role God had for their lives. After all their hardships, God blessed them with something truly amazing! I believe He has the same plans for all of us, even if not to that magnitude...

Sarah, thank you for sharing the messages with us every day! Your "Auntie" only has a few more free stays

I'm praying for all of you ladies... Have a blessed day

 

[me222]

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!

Hi NoDoubt,

Thank you for your support, prayers and advice! We still don't think the sperm test is the way we want to go anymore. Well, for now, anyway. I think we're just giving testing a break.
I'm fine with that at the moment. If God wants us to get pregnant, He'll make it happen. Of course - we got to use what He provides. But, I think there's always tests we could do and never stop with them. So, for now its a break from testing..not a break from ttc though.

How's everyone going? What are you all planning for Christmas?

 

[me222]

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 Godsjewel,

You know what? You are a jewel - you are so so precious to God!!! I'm sorry you got AF- that is never, never fun. I'm due for AF end of next week. Hope it won't come on Christmas Day like it did last year..ugh! Do you get pain from yours?
Praying for comfort, strength and guidance for you. Thank you for how faithful you are on this thread, Sarah!

 

[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 Godsjewel,

You know what? You are a jewel - you are so so precious to God!!! I'm sorry you got AF- that is never, never fun. I'm due for AF end of next week. Hope it won't come on Christmas Day like it did last year..ugh! Do you get pain from yours?
Praying for comfort, strength and guidance for you. Thank you for how faithful you are on this thread, Sarah!

You are very kind, thank you

Yes, I usually get bad cramps the first 2 days, but thankfully it's not so bad where I need to stay home from work. Oh no!!! Hopefully it doesn't come at all

Being on this thread and chatting with others makes me feel a lot better. I know God already had this all planned out

 

[Godsjewel]

Christmas Treasures​

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him

gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

Matthew 2:10-12


Do you have just a moment to spend with me today? May I have just a few minutes of your precious time? I know you’re busy! You may be reading this on a blackberry at the mall as you try to find those last minute gifts, or you may be taking a break from wrapping up those treasures for those you love. May I ask a question? What gifts do you bring this Christmas? Even though your heart carries the added weight of infertility, you still stress over what to purchase each family member and friend, because there’s still room in your heart for them. We want to buy something we know they would like and hope we don’t go broke in the process! But what gift can you bring to Christ this Christmas? Let’s take our cue from the Wise Men from long ago.


What did the Magi bring with them on their journey to see the Christ Child? They had no Wal-Mart on the way to Bethlehem! No Macy’s! No Saks 5th Avenue! What royal treasure would suffice for a new king? We can all recite the gift list from all the retellings of all the Christmas stories we’ve heard all our lives: The Wise Men brought with them gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. But what is the significance of these gifts? What can we learn from them?


They brought Jesus the gift of gold. Gold has always been precious. It signifies the best one has to offer. What is the best you can offer Christ this year? Infertility takes a toll on your heart, but you can still offer Christ the gift of loving Him best, desiring Him most. Oh, that can be so hard to do when you want a baby more than you want your next breath! But worship Christ this Christmas by giving Him the gift of loving Him best and desiring Him most.


Frankincense was considered one of the world’s most treasured commodities, and in fact, rivaled gold in it’s value. It’s resin had such a sweet, sweet fragrance. The trees which produce this resin grow in such unforgiving environments that they seem to grow out of solid rock. Perhaps this sweet fragrance represents those things in life that you love most, that you hold dearest to your heart. The family you cherish, the dreams you have. Will you worship the Christ Child with your dreams? Will you honor Him by trusting Him with your most precious dreams, even the dream for a baby? Will you worship with your family? Will you gather with family and friends and worship this Christ Child this year? What a gift to lay at the manger!


Myrrh is a resin that comes from a tree, often referred to as a “weeping tree”. It is bitter in taste, yet has a sweet fragrance. It has been used in embalming and anointing of the dead, thus it represents suffering and sorrow. However, myrrh was one of the most valuable treasures of the day, so this gift was given to the baby King! If your heart hurts from the burden of infertility or from the grief of losing a baby, you can worship through your tears and sorrow. He understands the hurts of a heavy heart. Bring Him the gift of worship through tears.


When we bring the Christ Child the gift of our worship, our circumstances become smaller and smaller and God becomes bigger and bigger. As we begin to open our treasures before Him--giving Him the best we have to offer Him (represented by gold), worshipping by trusting Him with our dreams and worshipping with family and friends (represented by frankincense) and worshipping through suffering and sorrow (represented by myrrh)--He accepts our worship and will deals with us as we lay these treasures at His feet. What amazing and costly treasures!


There is a hidden gem in the passage of Scripture you may not have paid much attention to in the past. It’s the verse that says “the magi left for their own country by another way.” (Matthew 2:12) When you truly experience Christ at Christmas like the Wise Men did, when you fall down in true heart-felt worship and lay your treasures at His feet, you too, will leave a different way. You will not stay the same. When you allow yourself to become vulnerable in the presence of an Almighty God wrapped in the robe of human flesh, you will not--you cannot--stay the same. Even infertility is not enough to keep you the same. When you fall at the manger in honest worship, you will leave another way. God becomes bigger, your problems--even infertility--will become smaller.

So take a cue from the Wise Men this year. See the star of Bethlehem. Worship the newborn King. Rejoice! Exceedingly! Bring your treasures and lay them in worship at His manger and then leave another way.

No wonder they called them Wise Men!

-Beth Forbus

 

[xxx_faithful]

Hi lovely ladies

I was actually going through old posts i had written back almost a year ago! and for some reason felt the need to repost this message on health and nutrition.

Hoping you all are well and keeping snug or keeping cool wherever you may be during this festive season!!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I studied Nutritional Medicine so superfoods and natural remedies are my secret treasures too 
Depends how far you want to take your health, everyone take their health to various heights. Some have a relaxed view while others take it very seriously lol.
I on the other hand choose to eat the way I do not by intolerance or sensitivities (though I do have a slight sensitivity to some foods) but that I feel a remarkable different to my everyday life (and have lost more weight eating this way then ever before)

Here is a list of Superfoods I take (I don’t take all of these every day but I definitely take them consistently)

• Bee pollen - antioxidants
• Goji berries - antioxidants
• Chia seeds – essential fatty acids
• Maca powder/maca root –hormone balance/ sex drive
• Chaste tree/vitex – hormone balance/regulates cycles (ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND)
• Spirulina -energy
• Pyssilum husk – digestion (ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND daily)
• Apple cider vinegar – forms good bacteria in stomach, balances stomach acidity
• Olive leaf extract – strengthens immune
• Licorice root tea – rids ovarian cysts

*Please note: maca powder, chaste tree and pyssilum helps balance hormones for pregnancy but not recommended when you become pregnant


I also …
• Eliminate caffeine
• Eliminate alcohol
• Bath body in magnesium salts/ epsom salts – helps relax nerves and calm central nervous system (helps relax mind)
• Eat a gluten free/ unprocessed diet (nothing from packets or canned, all raw & live foods
• Watch comedies, hang around friends who make you LAUGH, UNDERSTAND your fertility
• Don’t speak to people who wouldn’t understand, don’t tell in-laws (lol)
• Planting ideas for your nursery & scrapbooking (this is just as important as anything as you self-loathing your mind eliminating self doubt, fear and worry. We have to proclaim what we believe will be)
• Make playtime exciting! teehee
• Acupuncture specialising in fertility!! - has been scientifically proven to relax and lower cortisol levels responsible for being a hindrance on conceiving by not allowing the cells to stick, come together and duplicate.

That is it for now hehehe. Hope it helps! xx

 

[Godsjewel]

He Missed The Whole Thing!​

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:7

He missed the whole thing! It happened right around him and next to him and behind him and in front of him but he still missed the whole thing. Amazing! Maybe he was too worried about the money he thought he should have been making. Maybe he was wiped out from too many people asking too many questions. Maybe he was distracted from the fight he had with his wife earlier that night. Whatever the reason--he missed the whole thing!

The innkeeper who allowed Mary & Joseph to stay in his stable the night Jesus was born was probably within a few feet of witnessing the central event of mankind, yet he missed the whole thing! He knew they were there--he allowed them to stay there. She was a scared, teenage girl wracked with the pain of labor--probably without her mother or a midwife; he was a nervous young man, wringing helpless hands and weeping as he heard the anguished, pain-filled cries of his bride as she labored to give the savior of the world birth. How could they go unnoticed to this innkeeper?

Surely he must’ve seen the wide-eyed shepherds as they flocked to his small shed. Men cannot experience a sky full of angels and come quietly! Dirty, wonder-struck shepherds falling in reverence before a tiny, hours-old infant and His exhausted teen mother had to cause quite a commotion! Imagine the bleating sheep crowding out the animals in the stable! So much for a silent night! Did the innkeeper cover his ears and turn over in his bed and wish they’d all just hush so he could sleep? He missed the whole thing.

A sky full of angels. A star above the little stable he loaned out as a labor and delivery room. The birth of the Savior who would offer him redemption from his sins. He missed it all. Never in Scripture do we read of the innkeeper falling to his knees in worship with the Magi or running through the streets to proclaim the birth of the Messiah. We see no reference of his gazing into the night sky and shielding his eyes from the amazing brightness of the star shining over his humble home. We don’t even see where he snuck around the corner and peeked in to the gathering of worshipers to see what all the ruckus was all about. The innkeeper apparently got so distracted by other happenings in his life that he missed the event that literally split time into. He missed the whole thing. What distraction cause him to miss this once in an eternity event?

Has infertility distracted you from the true meaning of Christmas? There is no doubt that infertility hurts. A lot. When you want a baby so badly, it seems that everything reminds you that everyone around you has children, yet your womb and your nursery remain silent. The sting of infertility can distract you from other important things. Don’t let infertility cause you to miss the true gift of Christmas like the innkeeper did.

No matter how beautiful the gifts are that are wrapped in brightly colored paper and ribbons and laid under your tree tonight, don’t let infertility distract from the knowledge that the most precious gift ever given to you was once wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. As you enjoy the beautifully decorated ornaments that are hung on your Christmas tree in your home tonight, don’t let infertility cause you to forget that God’s greatest gift to you once hung on another tree and died in your place. Infertility can rob you of many things, but it cannot steal the true meaning of the greatest gift of Christmas from your heart.

-Beth Forbus

 

[beckysprayer]

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 Godsjewel,

You know what? You are a jewel - you are so so precious to God!!! I'm sorry you got AF- that is never, never fun. I'm due for AF end of next week. Hope it won't come on Christmas Day like it did last year..ugh! Do you get pain from yours?
Praying for comfort, strength and guidance for you. Thank you for how faithful you are on this thread, Sarah!

Oh I pray you don't get AF on Christmas, but instead a lovely BFP instead! I am due for AF on Christmas now too, so hopefully we both get a lovely gift this year.


AFM, would you believe I had a positive OPK this morning?? It is only CD10! I have been using the same digital OPKs for the past year and always get one on CD14 or 15. I usually start testing at CD10 just because, but never expected to see that smiley face so early! I wonder why I am ovulating so early this cycle?

I hope all of you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas this year!

 

[BRK06]

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 Godsjewel,

You know what? You are a jewel - you are so so precious to God!!! I'm sorry you got AF- that is never, never fun. I'm due for AF end of next week. Hope it won't come on Christmas Day like it did last year..ugh! Do you get pain from yours?
Praying for comfort, strength and guidance for you. Thank you for how faithful you are on this thread, Sarah!

Oh I pray you don't get AF on Christmas, but instead a lovely BFP instead! I am due for AF on Christmas now too, so hopefully we both get a lovely gift this year.


AFM, would you believe I had a positive OPK this morning?? It is only CD10! I have been using the same digital OPKs for the past year and always get one on CD14 or 15. I usually start testing at CD10 just because, but never expected to see that smiley face so early! I wonder why I am ovulating so early this cycle?

I hope all of you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas this year!

Praying we have several Christmas BFPs this year! My AF is NOT coming on the 27! Yay for your OPK Becky, even if a few days early! I hope this means something good!

 

[beckysprayer]

I hope you get a lovely Christmas gift and not an unwanted visitor!

I have no idea what I was thinking this morning when I said I was due for AF on Christmas! I must be in need of sleep or something because I'm not due until the 4th!

 

[Yukki2011]

Hey Ladies! I was just catching up on all that I have missed. It will be too crazy for me to get one here soon to keep up will be busy with family stuff. But I just wanted to wish you all a Merry CHRISTmas. And hope we get more BFPs! Stay positive and have faith.

 

[wristwatch24]

Hi ladies,

Just wanted to pop in and say hello and let you all know that I pray for you all the time. I hope you all have a blessed Christmas and that 2013 will be the year you all get your BFPs!

 

[Praying4bump]

Hi ladies,

Just wanted to pop in and say hello and let you all know that I pray for you all the time. I hope you all have a blessed Christmas and that 2013 will be the year you all get your BFPs!

Thank you! Congrats on your BFP!! I am so happy to see that you have a bun in your oven. God is good!

 

[BRK06]

I hope you get a lovely Christmas gift and not an unwanted visitor!

I have no idea what I was thinking this morning when I said I was due for AF on Christmas! I must be in need of sleep or something because I'm not due until the 4th!

Me too!! Thanks!!

It's ok...your AF is NOT going to show up for your New Year's gift!!!

 

[Jumik]

Hi ladies just coming out of stalking to give a quick update.

J'lenn Nevaeh was born on Wednesday 19th December at 1:08 p.m. via emergency c-setion. She weighed 5lbs 15.9oz and was 53 cm long.

I had my clinic day on my due date (18th). I was contracting since the day b4 but not regularly and not strong. At the clinic they found my pressure to be high so they admitted me to the hospital right away for monitoring and said they would induce me on Thursday 20th. While there, contractions intensified on its own to 3 min apart on Wednesday 19th and even though baby was very low and cervix was extremely short I was not dilating beyond 1cm and J'lenn was under fetal distress. I was prepped for surgery in a hurry and off to the theater I was carted away. The results of the section said that her umbilical cord was thin and amniotic fluid very thick. I spent the minimum three days in the hospital and we were released yesterday (22nd Dec). Now I have my precious fighter girl home with me.

Have a blessed Christmas and praying that you all get your heart's desire!