Sweet Prayer

Today I shared my friend's dream with Keal.

At dinner tonight, he shared his response to her experience through his prayer:

"God we thank you for the dream you gave us and the hope it lets us hold onto until you answer our prayers and give us our miracle."

You are already so loved, little one, by both of us. We cannot wait until God's perfect timing to meet you.

Perfect Timing

"Hi Courtney! I wanted to talk to you about something, so whenever you're free, would you mind giving me a call? No rush."

This was a text I woke up to Tuesday morning sent from a close, family friend Monday night.

Tuesday night I called her back, but got no answer. Later she texted me, asking if we could talk tonight (Wednesday).

...hold this thought...

Today, I got home from school, and decided to keep busy, trying not to focus on the birth of my new nephew. After a productive evening alone, I found out yet another family member is pregnant with their second baby! Well, I was just devastated. Why are all these other women getting their babies and we are still without you?

...okay, insert the first part of this beautiful story and God' perfect timing!

God continues to show His love for me with his perfect timing in everything. I am so grateful that my friend didn't answer on Tuesday, and now I know why, God knew I'd need that phone call today! While laying in bed, in self-pity tonight, she texted me back, "What time do you go to bed?"

I decided not to respond. I didn't feel like talking. Thirty minutes later, she called me anyway, and I decided to just answer. I am so thankful I did.

"So, ever since you got anointed this summer, I've been praying for you. I didn't know for sure why you were anointed, but I thought maybe it had to do with wanting a baby. So, I've been praying. I'm not usually one to remember my dreams, but this weekend I dreamt we were at church conference and you were pregnant. You were so happy.

"I debated whether or not I should tell you, so I asked my mom. She said its funny I would ask because she had been praying real hard for you this week too. So, I figured that was confirmation and that I should tell you. I didn't want to upset you, but I thought maybe it would bring you some hope."

I am beyond overwhelmed with the love I feel tonight. I have gone from self-pitying, sobbing to feeling so rescued by my Lord. It is always difficult to hear of others' pregnancy success; you can't help but wonder, "Why them? Why not me?" But God showed me tonight that just because someone else is pregnant is not a sign that He has forgotten my journey to you. In fact, he gave me an extra whisper of love tonight with a phone call and sweet dream from a friend. Tonight, I will hold tight to that hope of the day when we hear you are our's.

(sigh)

While getting in bed tonight, I was informed that newborn nephew number two is on his way. My other sister-in-law is on her way to the hospital to be induced...as I type.

I don't really know what to say, but feel like I need to blog just purely for the therapeutic release. I found this picture online today. It says everything I wish I would've said.

Instead, I will say a little prayer for comfort tonight, and trust one day, you'll be in our arms!

Thankful

It's funny how the smallest things can cause me to feel anger or sadness in this journey. The past couple of weeks have been so busy that I haven't really had much time to dwell on the negative (or positive for that matter) of this journey. I have just really been trying to survive, coasting on an emotional auto pilot.

Well, yesterday my emotions took over. I felt angry. I felt sad all day long. I got home and found a thank you for a baby gift we had sent to a shower. Well, you would've thought someone sent me an insulting letter the way I reacted to that note! Poor Keal got the brunt of my yelling and fussing over "stupid babies," as I believe I referred to them. (Not my proudest moment.)

Today, I got home and read from Jesus Calling. Here's another thing you will someday learn, God is the perfect teacher. He has such a way to gently nudge us and redirect us in the right direction. Today's theme: thankfulness. "Thank me for the glorious gift of My Spirit...I shower blessings on you daily, but sometimes you don't perceive them. When your mind is stuck on a negative focus, you see neither Me nor My gifts."

How humbling.

God has given me His spirit to represent Him here on earth; to listen to and be guided by every moment of my life. And that should be enough! But He gives us more. Daily He is blessing me. Yesterday, I definitely was focused on the negative and missed out on all He was doing for me. Today is a new day with a new mindset. Today, I am thanking God for all the small and big things He does for me on a daily basis. Today, while driving to work, my brakes locked up and I slid right through a  stop sign. Thank God it was at 6 in the morning when no one was really out yet, in my neighborhood going at a slow speed. Had it happened just five minutes later, then results could have been much worse. So, I thank God for that. And while I could've been mumbling that today was a wasted day, stranded at home, I thank Him for that! After a rough day yesterday, I cleared my head today, singing, painting, and enjoying some quiet peace by myself.

2 Corinthians 4:6 "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Today I am thanking God for all I have in this glorious life. I am thanking God for this journey because out of this struggle so many incredible blessings have been given. I am thanking God for this journey so that on the day we finally meet you, we will be able to shout this miracle He has worked in our life. "In faith, thank Me for whatever is preoccupying your mind. This will clear the blockage so that you can find me."

Praise You in This Storm

Long before I started this blog, after the first doctor's appointment in which the dreaded "I" word had been used (Infertility), I was driving home in a daze. I was so overcome with my own pain, worries, and fear of never being able to be a mother. A song came on my radio and instantly rescued me, "Praise You in This Storm."

Not only is this journey one big storm in my life, but this work week has been quite the storm too. I have heard the song, "Praise You in This Storm," every day this week on my drive to work. So, amidst these challenges I am facing, I am praising God this week.

I have started each day by reading from Jesus Calling and the corresponding scriptures. All three messages this week have been so perfect for me and this journey to you. The three themes this week were: "Walk by faith, not by sight," "Waiting, trusting, and hoping," and "Learn to live above your circumstances." All three spoke so perfectly to my heart. Starting my [stressful] work days off with just ten quiet minutes of reading have been such a peaceful way to begin my days.

I am thankful that through our pain, God continues to show us that He is still with us and showing His love for us. So, until you are in our arms, I will continue praising God through this storm.

Jesus Calling

God is so cool, my little one. He knows just what you need, just when you need. You just have to learn to find Him in your daily life. Today, is the most perfect example. But first, let me give you the back story...

I have been on the lookout for a good, daily spiritual app to start my day off on the right foot. After looking into some recommended apps, I found a lot of people had suggested "Jesus Calling." So, I went to download it....10 bucks. I decided to go with the lite version (aka the free version). Well, the lite version was a disappointment and I deleted it a few days later.

Lets now flash forward to last Sunday: my sister-in-law's baby shower. I knew I couldn't do it, so I had to pass.

And now, cue God's so incredibly perfect timing...

I got home from school today and checked the mail like I typically do. Inside was the mail, along with a small gift wrapped package. No stamp. No address. It just said, "Mrs. Keal Curran." Well, I was instantly puzzled. It definitely wasn't anyone in my family's handwriting. Who did I know that knows where I live and would leave me a random gift?

I got in the house, slowly opened the package, and was immediately overcome with tears.

I was holding, "Jesus Calling." I hadn't told anyone about this app! How wonderful that I was now holding my own copy,

I then opened the book to find a beautiful note from my soon-to-be step-mother-in-law (who had hosted the baby shower with my other sister-in-law).

Courtney,
A copy of this book was given to me several years ago by my mother. It is a wonderful daily devotional and a great way to start your day.

Our lives do not always go as planned. But as we learn to trust in God, we can find joy in our trials. We missed you Sunday. May the peace of Christ be with you,
Karen

I was incredibly blessed by her kind words and her gift. But even more so, I was so blessed by how God continues to remind me that He loves me. I am thankful for the way He continues to use those around me to help along this journey to you.

Two Years

Two years ago, Keal and I decided we were ready to make our family-of-two a family-of-three. Two years ago, Friday, I found out a good friend of mine was pregnant. We were giddy with excitement to be beginning this new chapter together and discussed plans for future play-dates.

Now, here we are, two years later, and mine and my friend's families are in very different places. And while two years ago, this isn't at all where I thought we'd be today, I am grateful for these past two years. I'm grateful for all this journey has taught me. But most importantly, I'm grateful for my family and friends carrying me along this crazy journey to you.

Thursday, Aubrey surprised me with a great basket of goodies! I've been somewhat sad about entering the month of March because it represents such another negative landmark. I never thought you still wouldn't be in our lives, two years into this journey. So to receive a random, "Box of Sunshine," at the start of this sad month was such a great pick-me-up.

I pray it's not another two years until we finally meet you, but I also know that I will trust God and have faith in his timing, no matter how many years this journey lasts.