Christian ladies TTC, we can encourage one another.

[Godsjewel]

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

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!

Taken from Baby Hunger: Biblical Encouragement for Those Struggling with Infertility by Beth Forbus (c) 2003

 

[phaedypants]

Ladies, I'm getting really discouraged. Nothing physically wrong with us, but still no pregnancy. Thanks to the extra hormones this cycle with the supplement I've basically bottomed out emotionally. My facebook is flooded with new holiday announcements of little babies, many to people who aren't married - some who aren't even "with" the other person long term. I just can't seem to get past that anymore. Why are there so many of us struggling to bring a child into existence - waiting with our spouses for years and following diligently as best we can...but then someone who gets drunk and parties ends up with the blessing so many of us are waiting for.

Maybe I'm just hormonal...but I'm really having issues trusting God. I feel like I have no reason to even hope that my prayers will be answered any more. My poor husband is doing the best he can to support me, but I'm so angry and disappointed.

Anyone who has been doing this longer than me have any help for getting past this besides "keep praying"? I know to do that, but I increasingly feel like it's bouncing off the walls as I'm feeling no peace at all anymore...

I live in a community with a lot of poverty, a lot of families on social assistance, and a lot of teenage single mothers. I too have had those thoughts.... And still do from time to time. (I saw a teenage mother smoking a cigarette and pushing a double stroller a while back, and found myself saying "Really, God? She gets 2?")

But, it helps me to think that these precious tiny children are gifts from God- not to the mother, but to the world, and to His worthy purpose. Each life is crafted mysteriously by God, and some beginnings may not look right to us, but they are right to Him.

 

[Godsjewel]

There is no doubt that you are being bombarded with everything Christmas. It’s everywhere you look. Turn on the television and there are commercials offering you the greatest bargains you could ever hope for. Decorations line the streets and radio stations blast “Jingle Bells” and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”. It’s hard to feel merry when you are struggling with infertility, and all you want for Christmas is a positive test or a pregnancy that lasts beyond six weeks. Your heart is filled with so many questions, and in this time when our attention is turned to God’s plan for humanity, you can’t help but wonder about His plan for you. Today would be a good day to sit down with Joseph. Share a few moments with the man who adopted the Savior. The one who wiped His nose and taught Him a trade. The one whose heart must have carried as many questions that first Christmas as yours does this Christmas.

Have you ever really thought about Joseph? What he thought and felt? He knows all about a life that doesn’t go according to a plan. He thought he would marry the girl down the road, he’d build her a nice home and they’d have children--together--and they’d be like everyone else. Sound familiar? He had no idea that God had such a plan and that he would play such a role. Don’t you imagine he must have scratched his head more than once as he pondered the part he was to play in this scene? “God, why me? Why did You choose me? I don’t know if I can do this!” Can’t you see his face as he tried to get Mary settled in a stable for the birth of Jesus? “God, I’m failing you. I’m failing her. I’m failing Him. I can’t do this right. I just can’t do this. I just wanted to get married and have a family, God. I feel like such a failure!”

Scripture doesn’t tell us much about Joseph so we don’t really know if he felt like this or not. We do know that he must have loved Mary, and that he trusted God with all of his heart. No matter what his exact thoughts were, he had to be amazed at the magnitude of the role he was called upon to play. I believe there were times when his calling felt too heavy, the job seemed too hard. Does yours? Does the burden of infertility weigh too heavily on your heart? Especially during times when society focuses so intensely on family and children? Think again on Joseph.

During the times Joseph must have struggled in feeling like he wasn’t doing enough for his unique family, he must have felt like a failure, yet Heaven must have smiled. Why? Because Joseph’s trusting heart was leading him down the path Heaven had planned for him. He couldn’t see the entirety of God’s plan and couldn’t understand all that he was asked to do, but his servant’s heart trusted God. He was playing a role in the events that would change not only his world, but the world.

There are times as you are called upon to carry the burden of infertility when you are faced with facets of God’s plan that you do not understand. You may feel like a failure, much like Joseph may have. You may feel as if you are failing your family by not giving your spouse a child or not giving your parents grandchildren. Somehow, your servant’s heart keeps trusting in God and His magnificent plan for your life. And Heaven smiles because your trusting heart keeps you walking the path God has planned for you even when His plan has included infertility for a while.

Joseph may have winced when he looked inside that dirty, little stall where his sweetheart would labor to bring the Savior into the world. He may have though he was doing Him an incredible injustice by not providing better. But God led him there just as He led the shepherd and the Magi there. Just as He led you to your physician or support group, or into the care of your supportive friend or the church family who loves you not even knowing the struggle you face.

And Heaven smiles.

-Beth Forbus

 

[Jett55]

Hey ladies today I took a frer at 9dpo & to my surprise I got a faint but def very there first ever bfp I cried. God is sooo good!

 

[ProfWife]

Oh my gosh!! JETT! What a wonderful pre-Christmas blessing!! Congratulations!!

 

[Jett55]

Thank you def the best Christmas present ever! Please stick little bean

 

[Godsjewel]

Hey ladies today I took a frer at 9dpo & to my surprise I got a faint but def very there first ever bfp I cried. God is sooo good!

That is amazing news sis!!!! Congrats!!! Praying for a H&H 9 months. Please keep us updated

 

[Jett55]

Thank you Sarah & will def keep you updated. Praying for each one of you

 

[blue33]

Congratulations Jett! I pray everything goes well

 

[No Doubt]

Ah Jett! So exciting! Congrats hun, a H&H 9 months for you! Lord please protect this baby and allow her to have a wonderful, safe and healthy pregnancy!

Yes, please keep us posted!

 

[Godsjewel]

Jana will quickly tell you that through the heartache of years of infertility and the devastating losses of three babies, God became more real to her than she ever could have imagined. Perhaps the most difficult trial she had ever faced came in the loss of her son, Jacob, in the fifth month of pregnancy.

About 8 months following the loss of Jacob, the rest of the world celebrated Christmas. Jana and her family tried to find the Christmas spirit, but the grief of losing Jacob still hung heavily in the air. Jana’s heart was torn with questions about God and how He could expect her to worship Him through times of such sadness. He knew she would have done anything for Him if He only would have allowed her to keep the son she had begged Him for. Everything about Christmas seemed so fake and superficial. How could God expect her to worship and celebrate the birth of His Son when He didn’t allow her to keep hers?

“Christmas was the hardest time for me. I struggled so much. It was on Christmas that God spoke to me. An audible voice or not, I heard God speak to me,” Jana said. “God told me that He did understand my pain. He knew I would have given anything I had to be able to keep my son. God reminded me that He gave His Son to me. He told me that it wasn’t that He would give anything to keep His Son. Rather He gave everything He had in giving His Son to me that first Christmas. That's when I understood that God really did understand the pain of losing Jacob.”

If your heart hurts from the loss of a baby this Christmas, remember that your Heavenly Father understands. Pour your heart out to Him and tell Him how it hurts. Remember that He has made a way for an eternal reunion with the babies you have carried in your heart so much longer than in your body.

-BF

 

[SuperwomanTTC]

Congratulations Jett!!! God bless you and the little one! Praise God for another blessing !

 

[ByHisGrace08]

Hello Ladies,

So I have been going through a really tough time lately and could use some prayer!

-I found out I missed the grade cutoff to go onto Nursing II by 0.5points
-My OBGYN called and they found atypical cells during my pap smear
-Also my OBGYN feels after the last of my blood work and relooking at pelvic u/s I would be better off doing co-care with her and fertility specialist...PCOS is worse then she originally thought and I need more aggressive treatment
-We are having severe money issues
-My Husband is really sick and has been admitted to the hospital (this is the biggest one...why after bringing him back from near death in 2010 do we need to travel this road again!)

Those are just the major things that have happened since Friday afternoon. I know God is testing me and I know this journey had a reason but I am finding myself questioning God and letting the Devil into my sprit with a bad attitude.

Thank you and God Bless,

 

[No Doubt]

Hello Ladies,

So I have been going through a really tough time lately and could use some prayer!

-I found out I missed the grade cutoff to go onto Nursing II by 0.5points
-My OBGYN called and they found atypical cells during my pap smear
-Also my OBGYN feels after the last of my blood work and relooking at pelvic u/s I would be better off doing co-care with her and fertility specialist...PCOS is worse then she originally thought and I need more aggressive treatment
-We are having severe money issues
-My Husband is really sick and has been admitted to the hospital (this is the biggest one...why after bringing him back from near death in 2010 do we need to travel this road again!)

Those are just the major things that have happened since Friday afternoon. I know God is testing me and I know this journey had a reason but I am finding myself questioning God and letting the Devil into my sprit with a bad attitude.

Thank you and God Bless,

Oh Hun, I understand...not on everything, but some of it. Hubbs has missed his grade cutoff and not to mention the stab of disappointment but the financial aspect, I get it. Currently our financial situation isn't the best...I wasn't sure if I would have to take my mom up on her offer to by formula for son, so I get it. The pcos being worse than expected and possibly having to go a different more aggressive amount... I get that. I've even had the atypical cells (that turned out to be nothing, this can happen simply from intercourse using a tampon, etc.) So I will be praying for you hun. But things will get better. It seems like everything is falling apart right now, but it's all for His good...remember than. Heck...I've even been having the crap time since Friday...no lie! But it will all work hun, it always does. If there's nothing else I've learned... It's difficult right now, but just hang in there and don't allow the devil to creep into your secret place...stay in prayer, stay in God. I'll be praying for you hun.

 

[Jett55]

Def will be praying for you his grace

 

[Godsjewel]

Hello Ladies,

So I have been going through a really tough time lately and could use some prayer!

-I found out I missed the grade cutoff to go onto Nursing II by 0.5points
-My OBGYN called and they found atypical cells during my pap smear
-Also my OBGYN feels after the last of my blood work and relooking at pelvic u/s I would be better off doing co-care with her and fertility specialist...PCOS is worse then she originally thought and I need more aggressive treatment
-We are having severe money issues
-My Husband is really sick and has been admitted to the hospital (this is the biggest one...why after bringing him back from near death in 2010 do we need to travel this road again!)

Those are just the major things that have happened since Friday afternoon. I know God is testing me and I know this journey had a reason but I am finding myself questioning God and letting the Devil into my sprit with a bad attitude.

Thank you and God Bless,

Hi Dear

Doesn't it always seem like when it rains, it POURS!!! I can understand going through so many things at once and trying to figure out where God is during all of this. But He is right there with you with arms wide open to comfort for you and give you the strength through whatever situation comes your way.

I saw a quote once that said, "Keep your head up, God gives the hardest battles to the stongest soldiers." When I seen that I said, Dang it! why do I have to be one of the strong ones All jokes aside, God will never, ever give you more than you can handle.

Once these situations are in the past, you will have come out stronger and with a wonderful testimony of how God showed Himself to you and helped you make it through, even when didn't see the light at the end of the tunnel.

God is good and will never leave or forsake you.

Praying for you and your hubby

 

[Godsjewel]

For nothing will be impossible with God.
Luke 1:17

When the angel came to Mary and made the announcement that would forever change her life and ours as well, he told her she did not have to fear. Even though she would carry a child in her virgin womb and that she would be asked to bear a burden that no one else ever would, the power of the Almighty would overshadow her and she would make it through difficult days ahead of her. Even in the presence of an angel, this young girl had a million questions. How can this be? I’m a virgin! How can I do all I’m asked to do? The answer given her by the angel was actually stunningly clear. Nothing will be impossible with God. With God it was possible for a virgin to conceive. With God it was possible for her to carry out the tasks assigned her. With God it was possible for Joseph to believe her unbelievable tale. With God nothing was impossible.

Do you realize the same truth applies today? Nothing will be impossible with God. Infertility may have caused your faith to weaken. You may wonder if doctors can help you, or if you can stand strong under the weight of the task God has asked you to carry. The same message carried to Mary by the angel, Gabriel, on the first Christmas thousands of years ago is the same message I bring to you today. Nothing will be impossible with God. Endometriosis is no match for the God who created your body. Unexplained infertility holds no questions for the omniscient God. If you look at the problems you face, they may seem insurmountable. Instead, focus your attention on God, with whom nothing is impossible.

It is such an encouraging thing to know that Luke 1:17 was spoken in reference to the births of two babies who could not have been born without divine intervention. Jesus’ virgin birth was certainly impossible without God’s divine plan, and John the Baptist’s mother was well beyond child bearing age. This proclamation--Nothing will be impossible with God!--was given regarding women bearing children who could not have been conceived without God’s interaction. If it seems that you having a baby is impossible, let this Scripture scream out to you that nothing will be impossible with God. Open the pages of your Bible and read how God intervened in the lives of human beings time and time again and let your faith grow. Nothing will be impossible with God! Nothing will be impossible with God! Nothing will be impossible with God!

It is our prayer that this Christmas has been a time to celebrate family and friends, and to reflect on the wondrous gift of God’s Son. As your formal Christmas celebrations come to an end this year, may you never lose the wonder of the Messiah come to earth to be God with us. Celebrate this gift God has given us ever day of the year, and never forget nothing will be impossible with God!

-BF

 

[xxx_faithful]

Hello!!!

Can I say how excited I am to find this thread!!! I have been looking and looking and was even thinking of starting one then I came across this one!

A little about me...Im 26 and this is my husband and mines second time TTC#1. We had a m/c about six years ago and then two years after that we tried again but God had other plans. Now here we are again and this time we know God has prepared us fully to be parents. While it looks like it might be a long journey we know His plan is greater then anything we could imagine and we will praise him every step of the way!!! We also have an amazing Prayer Group supporting and loving us every step of the way!

I am a full time Nursing student and my husband is an EMT with a private Ambulance company but is working on is UPC ministers license. We live a busy life but are ready to move from family of two to three!!

I am from New England anyone else from my area?

Blessings!

Lovely to meet you on here you will find all the inspirational and encouragement you are looking for xxx

 

[xxx_faithful]

Good morning ladies. I hope that you're all having a blessed day. I wanted to give a prayer request for myself.

As I'm sure some of you remember from when I first joined this thread, I was previously in a very abusive marriage, wherein my now ex husband was fixated on the power he held over me, and through a series of circumstances that still pain me too much to actually write out, he forced me to have myself sterilized with Essure. I'd always known that I wanted to be a mother even when I was still a little girl, and so my ex felt he had to take that away from me.

Hi Kuawen,

May God continue to bless you through your story. It has definitely blessed me listening to what you have gone through, and no doubt will also bless and encourage others. You having had 2 chemical pregnancies despite the coils is something to praise God about!

Continue to pray for God's healing over your life, both physically but also emotionally as you venture along healing your body from previous circumstances. I also wish you all the best with the recovery of the coils. Have you had them removed yet? Thankyou God for providing this couple with the right specialists to do this operation. Sometimes God provides us with the right people around us skilled in their profession to help us become parents, and sometimes God can heal us altogether and allow us to conceive on our own. Both are miracles, and should be given glory to God.

I just want to add, that no one should ever make you feel inferior without your consent. I am deeply sorry and deeply moved from the story of your first marriage and the abuse that came with being with your previous husband. May you never feel inadequate or unworthy of being treated nothing less then Gods daughter, here on this earth. And if you ever do, i pray that you trample those words spoken over you, and declare nothing but anointing and love into your life.


Please continue to share your day to day struggles here on this thread, and feel free to also provide support to others needing your wisdom.


xxx_faithful