The fact that I’m pregnant after almost twelve years of infertility still shocks me every morning. I wake up, move to stand, and groan a bit because my hips ache like I spent too long horseback riding, and then the steady thump of this tiny baby’s fists or feet cause my breath to catch hard. There’s a baby, my mind says in surprise. A real live baby that I’ve watched on ultrasound screens … [Read more...] about Pregnancy after Long-Term Infertility
Infertility
When All You See Is The Place Where You’re Lacking
For years I read the story of Hannah in I Samuel with a slightly miffed attitude. I know some people read her story and feel encouraged, hopeful. After all, Hannah was barren, oppressed, taunted-- and God heard her cry and opened her womb. Not just once, but six times. Hope, right? Except for me, I would read it and feel like I was failing. God responded with a miracle for Hannah, but over a … [Read more...] about When All You See Is The Place Where You’re Lacking
Infertility Doesn’t Define My Heart
<< This post is part of the blog series The Christian Woman's Guide to Infertility: Finding Hope and Healing even without a Baby. >> Infertility Doesn’t Define My Heart I started babysitting when I was ten years old. We lived in Alaska, at a Bible School, and our neighbors had three girls. A three year old, a two year old, and a baby. They were beautiful blond-headed sweethearts who … [Read more...] about Infertility Doesn’t Define My Heart
Infertility Doesn’t Define My Relationships
<< This post is part 4 in the blog series The Christian Woman's Guide to Infertility: Finding Hope and Healing even without a Baby. >> Infertility Doesn’t Define My Relationships When I was still single a friend who struggled with infertility was trying to explain why she wasn’t particularly close to one of her best friends any longer. She paused, stumbled around, and then said … [Read more...] about Infertility Doesn’t Define My Relationships
Infertility Doesn’t Define My Marriage
<< This post is part 3 of a blog series titled The Christian Woman's Guide to Infertility: Finding Hope and Healing even without a Baby. >> Infertility Doesn't Define My Marriage I was sitting on the stairway at my in-law’s house, sobbing silently into a balled up handful of toilet paper. I could hear everyone, right around the corner. They were talking and laughing and playing … [Read more...] about Infertility Doesn’t Define My Marriage
Infertility Doesn’t Define My Faith
<< This post is part of the blog series The Christian Woman's Guide to Infertility: Finding Hope and Healing even without a Baby. >> Infertility Doesn't Define My Faith I woke up that morning and felt pressure beating on my heart again. It was my birthday, which meant another year had passed and the child my heart cried for still hadn’t arrived. Another circle of the sun, another … [Read more...] about Infertility Doesn’t Define My Faith