Tag: gratitude

A Needed Vacation and A New Cycle

The last month or so has had a lot of ups and downs.

We had a negative pregnancy test after our last cycle. It was difficult to take, as we had tried so hard to do everything we could with the many injections, other medications, and all of the ultrasounds and blood drawings. It just wasn’t God’s time.

But last week we were able to take a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia for our 7th Anniversary. It was a good time to relax, explore, and recuperate. We visited Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Shenandoah National Park – and enjoyed ourselves at each spot. We’re very grateful to God for this much needed vacation.

Now we’re home and adjusting to the norm again. It’s good to be back with our pets and in our regular environment.

We were going to take a break from from fertility testing this cycle and try to prepare for IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) next cycle…but after thought and prayer we’re leaning toward trying two more IUI (IntraUterine Insemination) cycles first. These next two cycles are important, as the percentage rates for conceiving on the 7th and 8th cycles increase noticeably. We’ll see what happens!

Please pray with us that if we need the extra help of donated medications – as we did last cycle – that they will be available to us again.

With all that’s going on, I’m trying my best to remain grateful to God and hopeful for the future. There’s so much uncertainty in life – but thankfully it’s not uncertain to our all-knowing God!

Thank you for reading, and we hope that you are doing well. We’d love to hear what’s going on in your lives in the Comments section below. God bless you! ❤

The Featured Image was taken by me along Skyline Drive at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.

When Joy Seems Elusive

I’ve been falling back into the mud and mire of depression.

There are numerous reasons for this. The struggle with insomnia has left me extremely tired. The hormone medicine I was taking to assist in achieving pregnancy affected me poorly, leaving me feeling anxious, irritable, and overwhelmed. And I’ve been experiencing loneliness for some time now.

I try to pull myself up out of the pit, but it’s not working. What I really need is for God to pull me up out of this muck.

With the holiday season upon us, I’ve wanted to focus on being grateful. On praising my Father for Who He is and all that He’s provided. On reaching out to others who need love. I haven’t succeeded yet in doing this. I need to be intentional – to do whatever it takes to be a blessing…even if I feel like I’m sinking into the depths. I know that if I can focus on other people, I will begin to feel better. Please pray that I can do this.

Through all of this, God has been faithful. I know He’s with me, and that I can go to Him at any time, and for any reason. He is my loving Father. My Comforter. My Savior. My Friend. I can trust in Him fully, and I can rely on His Word and His Spirit for guidance.

I’ve been reading through the Psalms, as these poignant songs really resonate with me in my situation. They help me to be honest with God, and to express what’s going on inside my heart. Yesterday as I was reading I came across a passage that encouraged me and gave me hope. I believe that as I cling to the truths in these verses, God will lift my spirit and restore my joy and gratitude. ❤

“But I have trusted in Your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
because He has dealt bountifully with me.”

~ Psalm 13:5-6 ESV

 

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Hope Mixed with Uncertainty

My husband, Roy, and I underwent a second IUI (IntraUterine Insemination) procedure earlier today. We’re praying that it will be successful and that I will become pregnant, but there is a lot of uncertainty and doubt. We won’t find out if the procedure was effective for two weeks. And those two weeks of waiting will most certainly be difficult ones.

A second IUI. A second assisted attempt at becoming pregnant. A second opportunity for hope…but also a second possibility for failure.

I know that this is only our second try with the help of a fertility specialist. I know that there are many people who have struggled for long periods of time attempting to get pregnant. And I know that years ago you were required to wait much longer to discern if you were pregnant. But somehow that knowledge does not substantially ease the anxiety and uncertainty of the waiting. I must strive each moment to be grateful. And I must repeatedly remind myself that this process is in God’s hands, and that He will accomplish His perfect will. In the end, that is what I need to be seeking…even more than desiring to have a child.

So, imbued with the Lord’s strength, we will wait, and hope, and trust – even in the midst of the uncertainty.

Is there something that you are waiting and hoping and praying for? Is there a certain relationship/dream/situation that you’re having difficulty relinquishing to God – so that you can rest in His perfect plan and timing? I’d love to hear your story. Please feel free to share in the comments section. And thanks so much for reading! ❤

 

Photo by Jurica Koletić on Unsplash