[bq122]

Originally Posted by jenedens6102

I haven't had time yet to get through all these posts but wanted to say this is an awesome idea. Beginning June 3, 2007 after my anointing ceremony at church I've been praying through 1 Samuel 1:11 - "Oh Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and not forget your servant but bless her with a child, then I will give that child to the Lord for all the days of his or her life." Of course 1 Samuel 1:11 is Hannah's prayer for Samuel and she does specifically ask for a son. So I changed the words just slightly. But it was my daily prayer and the verse I meditated upon.
Our service Sunday was entitled "Called by God" and it was from some missonary appointees to India - actually our pastor's daughter and her son. What struck me most about the sermon was that we shouldn't be afraid of what God calls us to. Goes back to "if God can bring you to it He can bring you through it." That when you are called of God, He's right there next to you. He's can hold your hand and walk you through. Then he spoke a sentence that had me in tears....he said "to those parents of small children, children you are raising for God - if He calls them - you have to surrender them to Him and let them go. Don't fight it, don't hold them back, don't be afraid." Oh I started tearing up immediately! So powerful!

You are absolutely right, I have read a lot of spiritual since the passing of my son. They clearly state that we are raising our children for God.
When he called to take my son back. I had to believe that my sons purpose in God sending him to us was done and it was God who called him back.
But I also know I will see him again.

I just read this morning..

" God couldnt be everywhere thats why he created mothers."

So true....

[futuremom2b]

Originally Posted by Kell77

Hi Everyone,

I have been reading posts on here for some time and decided to join b/c I feel this forum is more positive than a lot of others I have read. We are starting our first IUI this month, first appt. is Wed. not sure what to expect, excited, nervous all those emotions I'm sure you can all relate to. I'm looking forward to offering support and being supported during this journey we are all on. I will pray for you all and please pray that we can beat the odds and get a the first time!

welcome Kel77 ~ Glad you decided to be a part of the forum! Keep us posted and know that the odds are on your side w/prayer and faith ~
Dre

[futuremom2b]

Originally Posted by dtbamom

Hi Ladies,
Thanks for starting this thread.
You are all in my daily prayers.
Please that we all get soon!

Take care!!

When are you starting, and what is your plan, it's hard to pray for you if we don't know anything about your timing and process. Help us to pray for you

[jenedens6102]

Yes, Barbara that is so true. And we like to joke that it's because Daddy's aren't the best at things like cooking and cleaning so mommy's are a most! At least around my family! I know that for everything in life there is a reason, a season under the Son! While we can't always see through the darkness and clouds the rain comes and brings us a rainbow - the promise of hope for the future. Rainbows are very important for our family. The day I found out my IVF failed my mom and I both left work to go home and cry. As she sat on the patio crying and praying a light rain came, she stayed out though because it felt good. She ended her prayer with "Lord, show me there is still hope for their future." And wouldn't you know what she opened her eyes to see - a rainbow! Then during my baby shower we were blessed with a pretty good down pour of rain while the sun was still shining brightly, we looked out and saw not one but two rainbows! I have pictures to prove it, I was amazed and felt so blessed as though God was showing me that not only was Ethan going to be ok but so was Jordan (the name I gave the baby I lost). While this isn't a prayer I do want to share it as well. It's taped to my desk and I looked at it often during my trying days, just realized now that I haven't looked at it in months - but I feel it applies.

"When the dark clouds of trial, struggle, grief or suffering roll in and settle on us so thick that we can barely see ahead of us, it's easy to forget there is a place of calm, light, clarity, and peace we can rise to. If we take God's hand in those difficult times, He will lift us up above our circumstances to the place of comfort, warmth and safety He has for us."

[bq122]

Jen- I got goosebumps reading it. I so believe that God sends us so many signs. But we live in a world of always rushing and never taking the time to stop so that we can see them. But they are all around us.

Your mom has a good heart, and you must follow in her footsteps. God must be very proud of the two of you.

[Kris79]

What a great thread!

Jen, thanks for sharing about the rainbows....that is so encouraging!

I would love to pray for you all on your journeys to becoming mommies (and mommies again)!

Please pray for dh and me as we have our second UR appt. one week from tomorrow. Before our last appointment, I became somewhat of a wreck. Now, I know there is a lot at stake with finding out if dh has any chromosomal or hormonal abnormalities that could be causing his zero sperm count. Obviously, I worry for what that means for conceiving a biological child (we have decided that if there is something that would be passed on to a male child, like a micro-Y deletion, that we will move on to adoption), but I also worry for how my husband will handle the news, in case of a severe chromosomal or hormonal issue. Please pray for peace in our hearts in the next week, wisdom for our doctor, and strength and guidance from God in dealing with what our results are and deciding what our next step is.

and for you all!

[futuremom2b]

Kristen ~ What a great prayer! Please keep us updated on what we need to continue praying for (after your Dr. apt). It sounds like you are scared for your DH, it also sounds like you already are just ready to move forward no matter what you need to do?
We're praying for you ........

Jen ~ thanks for sharing, and where have you been, I was amost going to create a new post for you asking: WHERE IS JEN!!!!!!!! Missed you!

Barbara ~ Congrats, I saw you other post on your Frozen embie! How AWSOME IS THAT ~ was that a prayer or a surprise from God?

[bq122]

Kristen my prayers are with you and dh that God gives you the answers you need.

I would also like to say a special prayer for JANA.

God bless..

[SamanthaGray]

Hello to all! I'm kind of new here, but wanted to share some great verses in the Bible about God and how He brings us and our little-ones-to-be into the world:

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart..."--Jeremiah 1:5(NIV)
"Your hands have made me and fashioned me, an intricate unity..."--Job 10:8 (NKJ)
"Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; The fruit of the womb is a reward."--Psalm 127:3 (NAS)
"My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place..."---Psalm 139:15 (NIV)
"I praise you, because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."--Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
"When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit."--Luke 1:41 (NIV)
"...All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."--Psalm 139:16 (NIV)

Sometimes God chooses to close the womb for His purposes:
"...the Lord had closed up every womb in Abimelech's household..." Genesis 20:18
"...the Lord had closed her womb..." 1 Samuel 1:5

And other times, God chooses to open the womb:
"Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant." Genesis 25:21
"But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years...the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son...'" Luke 1:7,13
"..the Lord had closed her womb...Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord...So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son." 1 Samuel 1:5,10,20

Dear Father,
I pray that we would seek after you first and foremost, and that we would learn to trust you...not trust that everything will always turn out the way that we want, but that you are God alone, and in your lovingkindness and complete sovereignty, will bring about what You please. Give us patience and joy in the journey, preparing our hearts with wisdom for what lies ahead. We are praying that you would give us children...You know it is the longing of our hearts. May we in turn devote our lives to giving our children the one thing that matters more than all else, and that is knowing the incredible joy found in you. Thank you for the comfort you give, even in the hardest of times...thank you that all of the babies lost, whether through abortion or miscarriage, are completely free of in heaven. No pain, no tears, and only joy in You. Thank you for the forgiveness you offer, and the new life found only in you. Oh Father, you know what it is to love a Son...and you know what it is to see Him die. Thank you fr loving us so much, that you would send your only Son take the punishment we deserve. Thank you Jesus, that you were born to die to set us free from sin and hell. Heaven will be the great reunion, not because we are good, but because we are bad, and you have taken our punishment. We have rebelled against you in so many ways, even though we don't like to admit it. Thank you that you are the giver and taker of life, and that you offer eternal life in heaven to all who would turn from their sin and trust in Christ alone. God you are a big God, and nothing is impossible for you. Thank you for all that you give us, and even for what you don't give us, knowing that you are the most kind, holy, and amazing being in all existence. May we learn to love like Jesus, so our children-to-be will one day see us and learn to love You.
In Jesus Name,
Amen

[bq122]

Amen...Thank you so much for the verses..and Welcome.

I just hope God doesnt open my womb wait until I am 99yrs old Like Isaac. My dh may be a little to old by then.

[jenedens6102]

That was beautiful - and gave plenty of references for all sorts of situations!

[futuremom2b]

Samantha ~ and awsome job! Amen and Thank You.

[jenedens6102]

Oh and Dre - you know I don't disappear for long. Usually just on the weekends and as for the work week on the seldom chance that I'm busy. Yesterday on the other hand - bored out of my mind with nothing to do and our email AND internet were down - talk about a LONG day!

[Kris79]

Samantha - Thanks for sharing those verses and your prayer. It really puts things in perspective for me.

Thanks all for the warm welcome. I am praying for you all!

[benzmomm]

I hope it's okay I am here. I just had my 2nd after 3 years of struggling to get pregnant. I would love to pray for you all as you are in the throws of your IF journey.

I had many days/nights that the only thing I know that was getting me through were the prayers of friends and family. I have been blessed with amazing prayer warriors and would love to be that for all of you as you are praying for your BFP's!

here's what I read at my baby shower... maybe it will be helpful to some of you....


1Samual 1:27 "I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I ask of him"

That verse, so true and simple. If only our journey to meet Lyla kate were so simple. I realize in ways is has been... I prayed & asked & received... but as you know the story is also much more complicated.

I thought I understood the pain and freedom of surrendering to God many years ago, as Benjamin's life was completely out of my hands. DH and I knew the night our son sufferend a stroke that we were mere witnesses to God's plan for him, knowing we couldn't "do" anything to save him almost made it easier to completely let go and place him in God's hands. So three years later when we took on a new endeavor I thought I could do the same thing with our desire to grow our family. Boy was I wrong! As much as any struggle I had endured, this one had me completely.

Infertility is such a complex thing. It's something that is so painful, lonely, desperate, confusing, exciting, and complicated. The physical medical journey is one that is family to many.. doctor's visits weekly or more, blood tests, ultrasounds, exams, injections, inseminations, waiting... It sounds so hollow and matter-of-fact when you list it all; however, there is an emotional side that is so complicated and raw. as much as I wanted to wake up and fix it, I just had to endure it, with no promise of the outcome I desired.

This raw space is where I found myself for years. An open wound that each month as it began to heal would be ripped open even bigger that before, until I learned to allow God to heal it. I firmly believe it has been a test of my faith and determination.

At the beginnig of each cylce I jsut knew this was the one to work. God would show himself faithful and choose to bless us witha baby. Howver, wither the cylce would get canceled due tot cysts or no response to the meds, or in 3 weeks time my heart would break knowingt it had failed even before I took a test to conirm it. I would be so broken... Not only did I want it for my DH, Benjamin and myself... I wanted it for all those who wanted it for me. I felt like I was letting so many people dow. I knoew they wanted our family to grow and when my body wasn't making that happen I would want to give up, but I wouldn't. In this space of failure is when God's blinding and burning light became a refining light.

Zec, 13:9 "I will refine them like silver, and test them like gold."

I spent countless days literally face down crying out... Why God? What do you want from me? Should we stop trying? What do you want me to do? As the struggle continuedd God showed me things in myself that needed to change and, truthfully, needed surrendering. That was the answer I had searched for... God was calling me to SURRENDER.
Believe me I really thought I had been giving it to Him all along. I mean I prayed about it, I spoke of His sovereignty in my life and over my infertility, yet Christ knew deep in me I still wanted the control, the answers, the proof. I don't pretend to have found a magic formula to get what I wanted, but I have definitely grown and feel forever changed.In the rawness and pain, He moved me from a place of my desire (including the desire to fulfill others' hopes) to a place of His desire. What He wanted for me was what I began to ask for and want.

And as time went on I began to accept once again I had no control, He did. No matter how perfect medically everything seem we couldn't make it happen. So I began to truly surrender and search my depths. I had to let go what I had imagined our family "could" look like and appreciate what it did look like. I began to feel a peace about the future, I couldn't predict what would happen, and neither could anyone else. of course there were times I felt like I was still living monthly, but no longer desperately. I knew God had a fulfilled life in mind for us, I just didn't and don't know what that will be like. When Benjamin would continue to ask about a brother or sister I continued to tell him that we were asking God and He would answer in His own time (something difficult for me to understand and accept, so i am sure ever more difficult for a child to)

I remember one of the many times over the years that Benjamin asked me "Mom, when are you going to have a baby.. I want to be a brother" My answer was the same as always, "we just have to ask God and wait" to which Benjamin replied "I did ask God and He said it was okay."
Unbelievably only a couple months later, we learned he was going to be a brother! Finally!!! So many tears of joy!I still don't know what the future holds for this family, but I know God has a plan for us and will see us through this beautiful journey His way, and I surrender to it!

So today I thank you. Thank you for supporting me in prayer on this journey wherever you joined. Thank you for celebrating our wonder -Lyla Kate!

-krista