I suffered with infertility for eight very long years before the Lord chose to fulfill His promise of blessing my womb. I have such a heart and passion to walk beside those who deal with the despairing emotions that accompany infertility. I now have a story of God's faithfulness and goodness as He has blessed us with six beautiful children, but have written a book on God's faithfulness through my heartache.
Here is an excerpt from the introduction of Barren to Blessed.
"I’ve experienced the emotional struggles of crying every time I see a baby on a commercial, the frustration of starting my period each month, the doubting as I try to understand why, the uneasiness of sitting with a group of friends as they discuss all of their child rearing stories, the anger over teenagers getting pregnant for fun, the jealousy of all the “fertile myrtles” out there, the stresses of charting my temperature and taking ovulation kit tests, the pain of doctors shooting dye through my tubes and endometrial biopsies, the pressure of friends and family asking when we’re going to start having children, and even the loss of joy in love making when it becomes a chore instead of spontaneous pleasure. Most of all, I often feel as though I am the only one going through this, but I know that I am not. There are women all around me with the same hurts, angers, frustrations, pains and pressures. Am I writing this book because I feel as though I am a role model for all of these women? No, not necessarily. I am writing because I have experienced God’s unfailing love in the midst of my frustration, His comfort and peace in the midst of my tears, His wisdom and direction in the midst of my search for what I am to be doing until He allows me to be a full-time mom, His encouragement in the midst of my discouragement, and His assurance in the midst of my doubt that He is in control and wants only my best. There is nothing special about me, I just feel God tugging at my heart to share with you my journey in hopes to encourage you and to share with you the journey of women in scripture that have faced the same trials as you and me. Know that you are not alone, and be encouraged that God knows the plans that He has for you. They are good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. He will give you hope and a good future! (Jeremiah 29:11)"
If you or anyone you know needs help through this journey, please feel free to contact me!
marcikshirley@yahoo.com
Here is an excerpt from the introduction of Barren to Blessed.
"I’ve experienced the emotional struggles of crying every time I see a baby on a commercial, the frustration of starting my period each month, the doubting as I try to understand why, the uneasiness of sitting with a group of friends as they discuss all of their child rearing stories, the anger over teenagers getting pregnant for fun, the jealousy of all the “fertile myrtles” out there, the stresses of charting my temperature and taking ovulation kit tests, the pain of doctors shooting dye through my tubes and endometrial biopsies, the pressure of friends and family asking when we’re going to start having children, and even the loss of joy in love making when it becomes a chore instead of spontaneous pleasure. Most of all, I often feel as though I am the only one going through this, but I know that I am not. There are women all around me with the same hurts, angers, frustrations, pains and pressures. Am I writing this book because I feel as though I am a role model for all of these women? No, not necessarily. I am writing because I have experienced God’s unfailing love in the midst of my frustration, His comfort and peace in the midst of my tears, His wisdom and direction in the midst of my search for what I am to be doing until He allows me to be a full-time mom, His encouragement in the midst of my discouragement, and His assurance in the midst of my doubt that He is in control and wants only my best. There is nothing special about me, I just feel God tugging at my heart to share with you my journey in hopes to encourage you and to share with you the journey of women in scripture that have faced the same trials as you and me. Know that you are not alone, and be encouraged that God knows the plans that He has for you. They are good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. He will give you hope and a good future! (Jeremiah 29:11)"
If you or anyone you know needs help through this journey, please feel free to contact me!
marcikshirley@yahoo.com