Things are finally beginning to warm up to a normal 50 degree winter around here and the snow and ice are starting to melt! What a nice little respite we have enjoyed the past few days – bring on the weekend!
You may have noticed yesterday’s post was a little bit late being published…and it may have seemed a little bit…unfinished? Well, the reason why is because in the midst of writing it during my lunch hour at work, we were told to leave and head home…the forecasted 1-2″ of snow was falling hard outside, and with the temperatures where they were, everything was turning to ice. So, at 12:30, I left the office and slid my way over the ice covered parking lot to my car…This is what I found:
For the end of January in Georgia, this is NOT a typical scenario…and with the temperature at 21 degrees, and the pavement already turning to ice…I was beginning to realize my journey home to Craig (whose flight for the day had already been cancelled – thank you JESUS!) and the furs was going to be a bit of an adventure. Little did I know…
This “vlog” was taken about 5 miles, maybe less, away from my office – 4 hours later.
The video was taken while I was stopped for HOURS on a narrow road, and very steep, windy hill that was covered in a sheet of pure ice. When I was finally down that hill, hours later, I made it onto the interstate – several hours even later than that – after being stuck on the middle of a bridge. Luckily, by the grace of God, once again, two men got out of their own trucks to push my car across the bridge. Here’s an article and video for a little more clarification on the situation I was caught up in last night. Click here, and then watch the video below. (Note: You will need to view this post in an internet browser to playback the videos – below and above.)
It was like something you would see on a horror movie about the apocalypse. Trucks were literally stuck on the interstate in rows of 3, blocking the entire roadway. Cars were inching along in the emergency lanes, weaving in and out of the stranded vehicles, sliding all over the place on the ice. On one empty stretch of the interstate it was like a true ice skating rink, and once more, my guardian angel was sent to guide me safely to a safe place, off the roadway, where my sweet husband (and our four wheel drive truck) rescued me from my ten hour nightmare!!!! Yes, that’s right. I did not make it to even within 15 miles of our house until 10:30PM last night!!!!! Praise Jesus, Craig was home!
Today, the snow is beautiful, and we have been able to be outside and enjoying it:
Lucy says, “Thank you so much, Aunt Jenna, for our Frisbees!!!”
Our BackyardOur Front Yard
Aaah! Now that we are all safely home and warm, Craig and I are going to settle in with a bowl of popcorn and a funny movie. All of you stay warm out there, and thank the Lord you are SAFE and WARM and somewhere you have the luxury of reading this blog post!
Today’s post isn’t going to be too long, but I feel led to post this today. Sometimes, in the land of infertility, (and in life, in general) we complain, and sigh, and grumble constantly. But where is our faith?
Romans 5
5 We have been made right with God because of our faith. So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy. And we are very happy because of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory.3 And we are also happy with the troubles we have. Why are we happy with troubles? Because we know that these troubles make us more patient.4 And this patience is proof that we are strong. And this proof gives us hope. 5 And this hope will never disappoint us. We know this because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts through the Holy Spirit he gave us.
Craig & I, and some of those closest to us, have been the recipients of Jesus’ healing power through faith, patience, perseverance, & prayer. We have to get out of the mindset that the world is out to get us. God wants nothing but the very best for His children. So allow Him to bless you, to heal you.
Isaiah 1:19
19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;
Isaiah 58:11
11 And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Ask Him for healing, for help, for blessings, and then have faith, and THANK HIM for all you have and everything He will grant you.
Whether your cross to bear is infertility, disease, depression:
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Why spend the precious time God gave each of us on this Earth being sad and dejected? Have hope and faith and a thankful heart.
Today we are thanking the Lord for His healing and His promises. Thank you, Jesus, for all the many blessings and answered prayers.
Isaiah 40:31
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
When the doubt and the worry and the anxiousness start to overtake you, thank Him and continue thanking Him because our list of blessings never runs out – no matter how little we think we have.
I know a lot of you may be a little cold this morning! The weather report on my drive into the city this morning seemed pretty dismal for both the South and the North. Bundle up and stay warm!
You may need some music to keep you company next to that fireplace, so today, our My Choice Monday is a little collection of songs to motivate you through your workout, keep you company in the car, or to sing along to as you warm your toes next to the fireplace. (*DISCLAIMER* If you are reading this post within an e-mail, please click the link to view the post within your internet browser; otherwise, you will be unable to view the music videos below! This is a good rule of thumb to follow for most of our posts!)
Adele – “Skyfall”
This is probably my very favorite song at the moment. This one rounds out the stretch/yoga portion of my Pure Barre workout most days, and it is soothing and energizing at the same time.
Ellie Goulding – “Anything Could Happen”
Another Pure Barre favorite.
Martin Solvieg ft. Dragonette – “Hello”
Great song for a workout. Awesome tune for a road trip!! (Anyone??)
Mercy Me – “You Are I Am”
This is an amazing song. The video below includes the lyrics, and I think it’s safe to say all of us have “been there”. I especially relate to this, “I’ve been the one to try and say, ‘I’ll overcome by my own strength.'” It’s a great anthem and reminder that with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.
Tenth Avenue North – “Worn”
If this one won’t bring you to tears, I don’t know what will. These past 17 months of infertility heartache really ring out true for Craig & I in this song. We are “worn” and we are “ready to see redemption win”.
Hopefully, all of these songs brighten and enhance your Monday! We can’t wait to see you back here tomorrow for TTC Tuesday!
We made it! It’s Friday & we have a busy weekend planned! Tonight we will be attending the Joan Hunter service at A Call To Salvation in North Georgia; Tomorrow, we head to LaGrange for haircuts & highlights & maybe a little bit of late Christmas-ing; Sunday, I cantor at Mass, and may be heading to Pure Barre in the afternoon; Monday, we round out our weekend as we visit the Atlanta Center For Reproductive Medicine and meet with our endocrinologist, nutritionists, counselors, etc etc etc. Very productive few days!
Today, I thought I would share with you a beautiful story written by Zig Ziglar‘s daughter, Julie Ziglar Norman, for Guideposts Magazine. It is a touching story that should leave you with the following “food for thought”:
It’s never too late for God to change you, and work through you.
God is truly the Almighty and anything is possible through Him.
Another piece of “food for thought” this Friday also comes from Guideposts, in the 2014 Devotional. It’s all about being present and looking forward.
Philippians 3:13
13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead
In this first month of this new year, one thing we all can take away from Paul’s writing in Philippians is to move forward. Don’t dwell in the past – whether you are looking back with longing for those “good ol’ days”, or with regret and disdain toward memories filled with shame and darkness.
Revelation 21:5
5 And he that sat on the throne, said: Behold, I make all things new. And he said to me: Write, for these words are most faithful and true.
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 If then any be in Christ a new creature, the old things are passed away, behold all things are made new.
We are new in Christ. He forgives our sins, and He isn’t interested in all those bright & shiny worldly objects from your earthly past. A Christian past isn’t enough either. We were not created to play for God’s team once or at one time. We are called as Christians to live for Him every single day.
John 10:10
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly.
Christ came for us to live our lives to the FULLEST EXTENT POSSIBLE. He created us for joy, not for sulking. Oh such a lesson that will change lives! If only we were all to look forward and live out our Christian walks with abundance and with joy.
And now to end this post with some joy 🙂 , watch the video below of a little girl meeting her father’s twin brother for the first time! It is just precious!
Happy Friday Everyone! May your weekend be filled with joy & laughter!
Oh, this is a hard topic. For me anyway…and for any of you out there who have experienced infertility. This post covers something never spoken about, but felt so strongly by those of us who have endured this trial. Those of you who have had no issues in conceiving a child might not understand this pain, but for those of us who know it – it stings. (What an understatement.)
For those of us who deal with infertility on a daily basis, to hear: “Oh, it’ll happen. Don’t think about it so much. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself.” or “It will happen as soon as you ‘stop trying so hard’,” is akin to being punched in the stomach. I can’t tell you how many times we have heard those phrases, and on each of those occasions, I have been forced to hold back my tears. Every time we see horror stories on the news about child abuse and neglect, I am reduced to a puddle on the floor – wondering why them, and why not us!?!?
I will admit it gets harder and harder every single day to bow my head in prayer for the same thing Craig and I have been praying for for the past 16 months. I keep in my heart Hannah, Sarah, Rachel, the mother of Samson…Women of the Bible who were infertile only temporarily, until God stepped in and gave them a blessing, a miracle, an utterly amazing gift.
I keep these verses close by for comfort:
“…that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:5
“…God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
At the end of the day, this excerpt from the Infertility Survival Guide by Cindy Lewis Dake, hits the nail on the head of how Craig and I feel:
“We have a good life together. I don’t want us to “embrace the emptiness” that seems to swallow up some infertile couples. “Empty arms” doesn’t mean empty hearts. When a couple desperately wants a child, they begin to think their life is empty without one. They become completely centered on the quest for a child, financially, emotionally, mentally, spiritually. We don’t want that feeling to ever control us. We love our life together and want to always be satisfied with it, so if a child comes along, he/she will be an added blessing.”
But it is the biggest struggle we have ever faced – together or apart – to go on without that blessing – wondering if we will ever be blessed with a child.
Can you believe it’s almost 2014?!?! Less than 24 hours to go! It must be especially hard to believe in our household because I discovered this last night:
Yes, that’s the envelope from the Christmas card I gave Craig this year… I was apparently so confident in the fact it was Christmas 2012 I went the extra length to date even the envelope. So, maybe we aren’t ready for 2014…but like it or not, it’s on the way!
One thing we are definitely ready for is a child, and on this Trying to Conceive Tuesday we ask for your prayers as we discern how to face this coming year with the many choices in front of us…We have an upcoming appointment with a reproductive endocrinologist this month, along with a call with an adoption agency we met with early in 2013. We need God to lead us and guide us to make a decision in this. Your prayers are very appreciated – as always. 🙂
What upcoming things in 2014 have you on your knees in prayer? First and foremost, let’s all remember to celebrate the amazing gifts with which God has already blessed us, and thank Him constantly for those. And to get us in the spirit of celebration, here’s a little something Craig and I have been collaborating on with that new software and recording system he bought me for Christmas. It isn’t edited – this is raw ‘footage’ – but here I am, singing the 1940’s Traditional Jazz Song, “What Are You Doin’ New Year’s Eve?”
Yesterday, a friend and I were discussing weddings – believe it or not, right? Two women discussing WEDDINGS?!?! Never! 😉 And, in true wedding talk fashion, everything (flowers, venue, cake, dress, etc) was mentioned but the groom. Why is that the norm?
Today, I want to share with you a song I found by searching for “wedding” online – just because that conversation yesterday had me all reminiscent about a certain September 15, 2012… and God intervened. He led me to this:
Wow.
Talk about a conversation involving a wedding day that is centered on the most amazing groom, Jesus. Isaiah 54:4-8 (ESV) says:
4 Fear not, for you will not be ashamed;
be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced;
for you will forget the shame of your youth,
and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.
5 For your Maker is your husband,
the Lord of hosts is his name;
and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,
the God of the whole earth he is called.
6 For the Lord has called you
like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit,
like a wife of youth when she is cast off,
says your God.
7 For a brief moment I deserted you,
but with great compassion I will gather you.
8 In overflowing anger for a moment
I hid my face from you,
but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,”
says the Lord, your Redeemer.
Image of Christ The Bridegroom
“The icon of Christ the Bridegroom portrays the selfless love of Christ for His Bride, the Church (Isaiah 54). He is dressed in royal colors as the betrothed King, corresponding with Sacred Scripture’s account of His mockery by the Roman guards before His crucifixion. The crown is a symbol of His marriage to the Church; the rope, a symbol of the bondage to sin, death and corruption which Jesus untied by His death on the Cross; the reed, a symbol of His humility.” (Borrowed from the Christ The Bridegroom Monastery)
What an amazing God we have who takes us just as we are, cleanses us from our sin, and pledges Himself to us – all the while, not just forgiving but forgetting our past and our wrongs. Christ: The Ultimate Bridegroom.
Remember how I told y’all last week the Metformin is really helping my insulin resistance?! Well, it continues! Probably the most common ‘symptom’ of insulin resistance (which is the root cause and/or side effect – depending on how you view the situation – of PCOS), is fatigue, and not only has the medication greatly improved my morning commute to work, but this morning, I was able to leave the house at 4:45AM and make a Pure Barre class near my office that began at 6AM! I even made it through the 55 minute class, and arrived at work with 10 minutes to spare! Winning! 😉
Yay for Metformin and for exhilarating morning exercise!
In other TTC news, our doctor’s office called late last week to:
Let me know that after looking over my sonogram results, it appears I did have one mature follicle. (That’s improvement over NONE and means the Letrazole and Metformin are doing their duties!) ALL IT TAKES IS ONE!!! {Praying. Praying. Praying.}
Inform me the doctor had written “PCOS” on my sonogram results. “Ma’am, were you aware you have PCOS?” REALLY?!?!?!? Oh my goodness. This practice…
Craig & I both read an AMAZING daily blog you too can read here. Basically, it is a daily devotional based upon one of our favorite books (as you well know), Jesus Calling, and today’s devotion gave me chills as I read it – thinking in conjunction with our journey of hope, disappointment and sadness as we have tried to conceive to no avail.
Today’s Jesus Calling contains these words:
“Come to Me with your gaping emptiness… Facing the emptiness inside you is simply the prelude to being filled with My fullness… If you persevere in this dependence as you go through the day, you will discover at bedtime that Joy and Peace have become your companions. You may not realize at what point they joined you on your journey, but you will feel the beneficial effects of their presence.”
God is so good. Thank you, Lord, for the hope you give for tomorrow, and the joy and peace you provide for today.
Waking up at 4AM for work has its good and bad points. I think actually seeing the clock read 4:00 and realizing I have to put my feet on the floor is the worst part. After that, it’s actually not too awful. It’s still dark outside, peaceful, quiet.
When I am on the road at 6AM, my struggle has been trying to keep that sense of early morning peace about me along the way. One thing I cannot stand is a morning radio show, trying to be funny and discussing all of last night’s reality television. Gag me with a spoon. So, I have mainly listened to a News/Talk station, but after awhile that gets depressing, and depending on how long the commute is, repetitive – and who wants to hear badnews twice?!
I have tried some of the Christian radio stations, but have always felt like they were trying to sell themselves as “inspirational” and “safe for the whole family”, rather than saying we are a CHRISTIAN RADIO STATION and this is CHRISTIAN MUSIC meant to be used to WORSHIP AND GLORIFY THE LORD. And then, I found Victory 91.5 . What a wonderful way to drive to work: prayer – deep prayer, devotion, profound Bible verses, and a blend of Christian music weaved throughout. So refreshing! Such a great way to put on Christ for the day.
Which brings me to my whole point for this post: being unapologetic about our faith. We are all guilty of toning it down – buying any kind of Christian book via Kindle so we don’t have to walk around with the title showing; when someone asks us ‘what we did this weekend’ we never mention going to church and that amazing message we heard; we shy away from our faith and our beliefs and our love for Christ – but is that really love? You love your spouse, your parents, your children – Do you disavow any of them? Aren’t you proud of those you love? Do you have pictures of your family on your desk at work? Probably so.
But do you have a cross?
“In His Steps” by Charles M. Sheldon
This brings me to the book, “In His Steps” by Charles Sheldon (clicking the picture above will direct you to where to purchase this book). Craig and I found it, completely by chance, at the Edward McKay Used Bookstore on our trip to Fayetteville, NC (it was one of my all-time favorite places to go as a child!) for $1.30, used. And well-read. And for good reason.
Actually written in the late 1800’s, this book (still quite relevant today) is the story of a group of self-proclaimed Christians, as many of us are today. They attended church on Sundays, and they called themselves Christians. But did they really live for Him unapologetically?? When they took on the challenge of living for an entire year by asking themselves “What Would Jesus Do?” in every situation, they found out how lives can be radically changed by being absolutely unapologeticabout following Christ, and making Him Lord of your life.
Pray for us, as we pray for you, to live for Christ and ask ourselves “What would Jesus Do?” in every situation.
Happy Friday From 
I know Craig & I can rally around this verse, and I know of a few others dear to us who can benefit today, as well.
The (Not-So) Newlywed Lefebvres 
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