Isn't it funny how God works in His own perfect timing? It's something that can neither be rushed, nor stopped. When God decides it's time for something, He always just allows everything to fall into place. Well, with that being said, it seems like he has decided it's time for us to try IVF again.
It's been exactly a year since we had a failed IVF attempt. This past year has been filled with ups and downs, and monthly disappointments. We have been in prayer that if IVF was in our future again, that he would heal our wounds and provide comfort during the process and open the door widely for us to know we should walk through it. And wouldn't you know he has done exactly that.
A few months ago, God led us through the doors of Shady Grove Fertility Center. The staff was so wonderful, and so sympathetic towards us. They understood everything we had been through in the past few years, and yet reassured us that not all hope was lost. We knew that if IVF was going to happen again, God was going to have to perform one of his miracles and provide the finances for us. Neither of us had insurance, and it was going to cost a good chunk of change for us to be able to do this again. After a few months of praying that God would make this very clear, he has provided insurance for me, and has provided the finances for us to be able to do IVF.
We have chosen to take part in the shared-risk program. Basically that means we pay for 6 fresh cycle attempts, and if after those attempts we have not delivered a live baby, we get 100% refund. This has benefits for us. The way we look at it, if we do not deliver our own baby, we will understand that was not God's will for our lives, and we will have the finances to begin down the road of adoption. Our plan (and of coarse God can always change it) is to start the first IVF cycle in June. This will allow us time to get a few tests done in May that we need to complete, and will give us time to prepare our hearts for whatever God decides.
So, this is where you guys come into the picture. Clearly, this time around, we have decided to allow you into our journey. Last time, we kept it private, and then after it failed we opened up and sought prayer from you for healing. This time, we would be honored if you would go before the Lord, and pray for us before, during, and after, no matter what the outcome. It is our strongest, sincere desire to have children of our own and to raise them to love and serve Jesus Christ. However, we understand that realistically that may not be God's plan for us. So, we ask that you pray for a few things. 1, that God would grant us the desire of our heart and bless us with children. 2, that God will grant us the strength and energy that IVF drains us of. And 3, that if Gods decides it is best that we do not become pregnant, that we accept it, and give him all the glory anyway. Ultimately, that is what this life is about...giving God glory. So if we become pregnant, God gets the glory, and if we don't, God still gets the glory.
We appreciate you guys so much, and your willingness to pray on our behalf. We plan to keep the blog updated through-out this process, but wont necessarily be posting this info on facebook, so be sure to follow the blog so you can know how to pray accordingly.
"This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else."
-2 Corinthians 9:12-13
