If you know Dave and me, then you know that children will eventually come up in the conversation. We have always dreamed of becoming parents. While I feel like saying that is such a cliché, it rings true for us. For the past six years, Dave and I have tried to start our family - without success. During this time, I have seen so many family members and friends start families of their own. And with each new addition, I have noticed myself withdrawing more and more, allowing the seeds of doubt to enter my thoughts. All the while, God still showed me grace and kindness to bring me to a place where I could share my story with others, gain comfort and support from those close to me, and return the same empathy and love to those struggling in the same way. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." Without Christ’s power resting on me, I don’t think I would be able to take the next step of our infertility journey.
About two years ago, we started seeing a reproductive endocrinologist to hopefully diagnose the reasons we have been unable to conceive. We looked into various fertility treatments and were told that there was nothing wrong with either of us. The advice from the clinic was to either proceed with IVF or continue naturally. We decided to continue naturally, since they could not find anything wrong. After continuing to try naturally, we went back to our fertility clinic and continued with additional, albeit more aggressive, testing. While undergoing an HSG test, we were informed that my fallopian tubes were blocked. With my age being a factor and showing a lower-than-ideal egg count, we were told that in order to have children… IVF is now our only option. Dave and I had a hard time coming to terms with this news and felt as though we had wasted six years that could have been spent saving for the eventual cost of in vitro. We are resolved that God’s timing is perfect and this is all a part of His plan to grow our family.
We have many friends and family who would like to help, but don’t know how, so we are asking for any donation and to share this fundraiser. Any amount goes a long way in helping us have a chance at growing our family. We greatly appreciate prayers for the unknowns of this process, as well as any advice you may have. We love you all and look forward to starting this next chapter!