The super-talented Rachel Furlough from Distant Realms has graciously partnered up with me to give away this stunning 26" x 16" infinity love string art portrait (a $99 value)! Rachel and I connected through Instagram when I posted about how much I adored her nativity scene string art portrait on My Favorite Biblical Christmas Gifts and Décor on Etsy post. I had never seen this type of art before, and was blown away by her talent. Before you enter the giveaway below, let me tell you about Rachel and her shop, Distant Realms. About Rachel and Distant Realms Rachel opened Distant Realms in order to help put her husband through seminary, and also to fund her love of plants, dogs, cats, … [Read more...]
4 Assumptions You May Have About Our Infertility That I’m Squashing Right Now
When you open up about your infertility journey, you are suddenly presented with scenarios and conversations you don't expect to have. You find that, no matter how honest you are with your loved ones, there are still lingering assumptions. I'm sharing four incorrect assumptions about our infertility journey today, in case you may have thought this about our lives. Assumption #1: We live lonely, unfulfilled lives. There's a hurtful misconception (often unsaid, but implied) that assumes that, because we don't have children, somehow our lives must be lonely, boring, or unfulfilled. That we should be pitied. That we should be grieved. That we should be doing whatever we can to reach … [Read more...]
When Mother’s Day Hurts
For many, Mother’s Day feels more like a day of mourning than a day of celebration. It stands as a reminder of what many have lost. Perhaps it’s a woman who lost her child through miscarriage, stillbirth, illness, or tragedy. Maybe it’s a woman who recently lost her mother. Perhaps it’s a woman who is estranged from her mother, or a mother challenged by a rebellious child. It may be an infertile woman who is pleading and praying for the gift of motherhood. Maybe it’s a woman who had an abortion long before she came to Christ. No matter the circumstance, the pain and suffering experienced in your congregation on Mother’s Day may make celebration seemingly impossible. I have been that woman … [Read more...]
What Infertility Means to the Enemy
For more than four years, my husband and I have walked a journey that no couple imagines they will face: infertility. We have never experienced the joys of a positive pregnancy test or holding our child in our arms. We have watched the majority of our friends, family, and church build their families. And we’ve been broken by it. My body is broken. My spirit has been broken. And if I am not diligently and intently immersed in the truth of God’s Word, the enemy is quick to spit lies, and I am quick to listen. The enemy loves broken bodies. He loves broken spirits. And infertility is a painful combination of both. As we wait for a child amongst our broken bodies and minds, the enemy loves … [Read more...]