Heart’s Desire – Finding Strength and Direction from God

[gayle265]

Hi,

I logged on seeking answers and I came across this thread. Thanks for this reminder of God's unfailing Grace and the work that He does quietly when we think nothing is happening at all. I have had signs of God's plans for me but it is only when I have looked back that I have seen those signs that have led me here today with my husband. We dont see God quietly working on us and our needs. Sometimes despair kicks in and we seek answers and comfort from others and not God. My Faith has bee troubled and rocky but today I have found comfort, strength and reassurance.

Thanks Hope for that reminder. I wanted to share an excerpt from Swindoll I read this morning. Us IF girls no a lot about waiting don't we?? Here is a little encouragement:

DARKNESS BEFORE THE DAWN
by Charles R. Swindoll

Read Genesis 40:20-41:1

The process of discovering, processing, purifying, and shaping gold is a lengthy, painstaking process. Affliction is gold in the making for the child of God, and God is the one who determines how long the process takes. He alone is the Refiner.

This is where Joseph was when we left him. He is still in process. His gold is still being refined. His heart is still being broken by affliction and abandonment.

Those two full years for Joseph were neither exciting nor eventful. They represented a long, dull, monotonous, unspectacular, slow-moving grind. Month after month after month of . . . well, nothing. Not even the Genesis account attempts to make those years seem meaningful. Because they weren't.

That's what it's like when you're in a period of waiting. Nothing's happening! Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait.

On the other hand, it only seems like nothing is happening. In reality, a whole lot is happening. Events are occurring apart from our involvement. Furthermore, we are being strengthened. We are being established. We are being perfected. We are being refined into pure gold.

We're back to my earlier comment---Joseph is being shaped for greatness. All whom God uses greatly are first hidden in the secret of His presence, away from the pride of man. It is there our vision clears. It is there the silt drops from the current of our life and our faith begins to grasp His arm. Abraham waited for the birth of Isaac. Moses didn't lead the Exodus until he was eighty. Elijah waited beside the brook. Noah waited 120 years for rain. Paul was hidden away for three years in Arabia. The list doesn't end. God is working while His people are waiting, waiting, waiting. Joseph is being shaped for a significant future.

That's what's happening. For the present time, nothing. For the future, everything!



Taken from Charles R. Swindoll, Great Days with the Great Lives (Nashville: W Publishing Group, 2005). Copyright © 2005 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Have a blessed day!

MP

[kynlee]

What a Awesome Thread, Praise God This is such a great place to pray for each other... I have been struggling with having a child too, But i keep my Faith and Trust in God and that is what gets me through each cycle... I know its all in his timing... I pray on a regular and I know he is listening just have to stay Faithful and patient... I always Quote "father I trust in Thee" My Mom has always said that to me as a child and when she passed away I seen myself using it and I know there is only one person that can bring a miracle and that is Jesus himself... Keep the faith Girls I will be praying for each of you and hopefully you can all keep me in your prayers too... So nice to chat with other Christians... Have a great day

[katieb1231]

Great thread!!!!

I had a lot of "medical intervention" during my infertility. I was always so pissed off every time I got pregnant to only have that pregnancy snatched away from me & not in a delicate light way....my mis-carriages were violent & painful. I felt so lost & couldn't understand why "God" was doing this to me...hadn't I always lived a godly way & prayed & believed? What had I done to make him so mad I asked myself on more than one occasion....I cried & wondered why am I a believer why am I not getting what I want??? Please answer this one question for me...but no answer came, an still after two more miscarriages no more answers....I was losing hope, I was becoming devastated & lost.....then I had an epiphany if this is something I want then maybe I need to start acting like I want it....so I started acting like a mother....telling my family, friends & acquaintances that I will be a mother & we will be a family then I had one more miscarriage.... only this time I was stead fast in my determination I will be a mother I will make us a family.....shortly after I got a phone call & three weeks later I brought home my daughter Emilee little angel & brought to me by faith & god in his divine way. Two years later we decided it was time to add another sibling for Emilee & a child for us...again the miscarriages came & the feelings of loss & why me's started to take over my days...again I had to reach deep inside me & pull the determination of happiness & completeness out & believe in it as I gave up on my dream of having more children.....then once again God in his mysterious way handed me another baby...and here I sit with my 3 year old & 3 week old daughters & I am marveling in his reach & touching my family......

I tell this story so you all believe that it will happen for you all....one way or another it will happen...it may take you some time to figure out how you will achieve it or what you are comfortable with but you will with his help find your way & be parents....the ladies on these boards are my heros they are the strongest, bravest women I know & for that I believe your dreams will come true.....

[Sunshine1576]

I love this thread since at times can feel overwhelmed in all the fertility treatment, I guess anyone can with all the uncertainty. But I know God has a plan for each and every one of us at His timing will be perfect so I hold on that. His faith alone will get us through anything. Therefore let's continue to pray and leave everything in His hands.

[kynlee]

Katie- Wow your story just hit my heart... I am so sorry for all you have been through glad you never gave up on your Dream or in God... I know there are trying times and believe me I feel like this Journey has been one of the hardest things i been through but I have never gave up on God.I have fell apart and then realized God will let it happen in due time, its all in keeping the faith and never giving up... God has never given up on us so I know he will some how answer my prayers in whatever way it is... I am open to adoption just seems tougher then I thought, I read up on it but never new what to do next... I am still doing IVF but keeping all avenues open with the thought that something may fall to my feet and I will reach for what ever God throws at me... Thank you for sharing you amazing story, did you do adoption for your two girls or was it through IVF? Just curious to know more about your Journey... Thanks for keeping hope alive to us ladies that need as much Great energy as possible... Through Christ all things are Possible Hope you have a Great day

Christy- Glad you found this thread I think it is so encouraging to have Christian Women going through what we are to talk to... Text me later...xo

[katieb1231]

Thanks Kynlee....I still grieve for the loss of all my pregnancies so it is helpful to talk about them & write about them when I can it is healing. Both my daughters were adopted (from the same birth mom!!) My daughter Olivia was born 1 year to the day of my last IVF transfer that ultimately resulted in a miscarriage......

[kynlee]

Katie- That is awesome, I believe God has a plan for each of us and he will guide us to that point in time... I am not sure of my plan but will never give up till it happens... God creates miracels no matter how it happens... Adoption is something my husband I talked about and my Husband is ok to go that route too so I been inquiring alittle here and there so that if this doesnt work I can have a head start...

[Sunshine1576]

Kynlee,
I'm continuing to pray for you girl. I know your faith and desire is strong and this miracle is going to happen for you. I'm sorry I wasn't able to talk much earlier while I was at work, but I will be waiting for that text so we can pray together before you get all prepped for ET. Please keep me posted.x

KatieB,
I'm so glad you are staying connected with us here and we appreciate all your advice with the adoption process! It's good to know that some states like Utah only have a 72 hr period, much better then waiting 6 weeks- that would be a nightmare in itself...So I'm wanting to find out other states in the U.S which have the best and quickiest process, although I realize adoption is a legal process and takes time in iteself. Obviously the less time for the birth mother to change her mind the better, and I'm thinking a closed-adoption somewhere in the U.S. is what we would be considering. Someday I would tell her child but at the same time I would want to protect him/her from anything happening. I really feel it would be a blessing to adopt. One of these days...I can see us running through the airport with an empty stroller and someone at the gate would stop us to ask and we would be smiling ear to ear as we tell them our exciting news!

DragonDad gave me a list of websites to further research adoption and I have a notebook started but need to sit down and figure more out. I always feel better having a back-up plan but know I need to depend on God more to lead us in the right direction too. Only God knows what is best and we know kids out there that need well-deserving loving homes too. At the same I must continue this journey and I owe it to dh not to give completely up on IVF right yet, we've taken a break and getting geared back up to giving it our all and if we don't bring home a baby with this program most of our money will be refunded to pursue adoption. I am just glad he agreed to adoption even when IVF happens to work, because I was worried about the pressure of having two kids when I'm not even sure which avenue the first one will be coming. yikes! just know I need to stayed focus on trying IVF to our fullest potential and giving this our best effort before fully pursuing adoption. Maybe we can learn from others how God's timing is going to be perfect for the ones who don't give up. I know each time I read a success story it gives us encouragement and hope... He brings us all together for the greatest support to get through times like this.

For anyone reading....I hope you don't mind me asking if you feel surrogancy could be easier the adoption? There are so many options out there, and I know often it really depends on the agency itself, how would you even go about searching for the best fit? Did you interview each agency or did you know someone personally that suggested the best fit? Maybe I should speak to more locals for referrals, did contact a previous church member (who now resides in Tx) about adoption and she is going to be mailing me a adoption seminar folder as soon as I facebook her my address. I also asked my dh if he had spoken to his new boss (who went through adoption and brought home her son 12 yrs ago) but dh told me tonight she's been out this week on vacation so I'm anxious to find out what he finds out to, figured why not ask him to help me with the legwork too.

[kynlee]

Just wanted to send prayers out for someone by the name of Rosie, she is a friend of a friend and she has been going through infertility... She was pregnant with twins and recently lost them, my heart breaks for her... Please pray that God helps her through this difficult time...

[kynlee]

Whats your webpage?

[kynlee]

You got to keep believing, this journey has been tough but knowing God through it has helped me with the downs... I am not giving up I will keep trying and hope that it is soon Only God knows the timing

[kynlee]

God has answered my prayers, Dont give up on your Dreams he will help you get to where you need to be whether it is her or adoption we are all meant to have a family of our own Keep the faith I did