Blessings from Above

The Beginning
As we were finishing seminary (Spring 2008), we knew we wanted to start a family as soon as our jobs began. I really thought, despite some fears, that we would be able to conceive right away. So, for 6 months we tried and realized it would be difficult due to my irregular cycles. Then, my sister referred me to her doctor, not a specialist, but an OB in Montgomery.

First OB Meeting
On my first visit (December 08), I was expecting an exam and the usual, but this doctor was different. He spent 10-15 minutes just trying to get to know who Jason and I were and of course the doctor detail of how long we’d been trying. Then, he walked me through his usual “fertility workup” to see what might be wrong if anything. Next, the best thing that he could have done he did. He asked if he could pray with me. (I had known he was a Christian since he attended the same church as my family.) In his prayer (which I cried most of the way through), he acknowledged God as CREATOR and THE Giver of Life. What a precious reminder that I needed in the midst of my initial discouragement! I was grateful and humbled. I had already formed a mindset of “fix me doctor”. This made me realize that I was NOT relying on the only One who can bring a little one into this world. The doctor also prayed that he would be used as God’s instrument…Wow! It wasn’t even a doctor who could “fix me”! It would be the hand of God to guide every little part of this journey!

Meds
After learning of my irregularity, he suggested we try Clomid to regulate my cycle to ensure ovulation. He prescribed 5 months (I think). Thankfully, I didn’t have any terrible reactions to it, as some people had warned. It did regulate me, but for those 5 months, periods came and went.
The doctor wanted to do a couple of other tests that summer, but scheduling them became hard since Jason and I were moving to Knoxville during that time.
On top of all of that, Jason had had chronic neck pain nearly the entire year that kept worsening. He also ended up having a neck fusion in June 2009. So, with that, plus the stress of moving to a new place, becoming first time home owners, and new jobs, we just put off the other tests until we got settled in Knoxville.

New Place, New Doctor
After we settled into our home, began our jobs/school, and made new friends and coworkers, I began asking around about doctors. A coworker of mine and my sister-in-law recommended a fertility specialist they’d known friends to use before. So, I called right away after hearing such neat reviews on this doctor. I first went to him in September 2009. I can’t say that on our first visit he prayed with me, but he did have a clear plan and was very reassuring in his expertise. He also wanted to run some tests (similar to what my last doctor was planning to do).

Tests
First up was Jason…everything came back just fine there.
Then, blood work for me testing lots of different things.
Next, was my biggie. In November, he did a laparoscopy to “search and find” what was going on inside. It’s a surgery in which a tiny camera can go in through a tiny incision by the belly button. He found level 2 (out of 4) endometriosis. While I was unconscious, he was able to go ahead and clear that out. Not only did he do this, but he (get this) widened my cervix and did a dye test on my tubes. Quite a productive surgery right?
Well, on the tube test, one tube wasn’t taking the dye (aka—closed); however, he said that sometimes that happens when the body is asleep. Guess we don’t try to conceive in our sleep! ☺
So, he scheduled me in January for an HSG (a dye test done through a catheter while awake). I dreaded that one, but by God’s grace, it was fine and results were good—my tubes were awake and open.
So, last, due to low hormone levels showing up in my bloodwork, he put be back on a low dose of Clomid. So, I was on that for January and February.

Lesson from Jason
At some point during my lowest weeks, Jason stopped me as I was telling out story to a friend. It had begun to come out of my mouth (without me really realizing it) that I thought I was being punished or something. I guess that stems from my invented legalism (not learned from my upbringing). He explained to me how God does NOT withhold GOOD from his children! He WANTS us to be happy and full of joy. He wants us to procreate! The best thing he said to me was, “God is on our side!” (I’m crying again as I remember this teaching moment.) It drew me to go to Him with an open and honest heart in prayer. It also made me fall more in love with the gift I have in my husband! Boy do I see why God gave me Jason!


February 2010
After 3 months post-surgery having 3 cycles, the nurse called and said for March, they would start me on a higher dose of Clomid and talk to me about getting an IUI if Jason and I were interested. (An IUI=Intrauterine Insemination—just helps the little guys get there.) Well, not only did I not want extra hormones—this time it was really getting to my moods along with feeling pretty low already about our lack of pregnancy, but the IUI would cost a good deal and was not covered by insurance.
But then, day 29 rolled around, day 30, day 31, day 32…I talked to my sister who was begging me to take a pregnancy test, but I was hesitant. It was almost going to be easier to start my cycle than to see a “Not Pregnant” sign again. But, by day 33, unbeknownst to Jason, I did it that morning. Almost immediately that digital Clear Blue test said “PREGNANT” and I couldn’t believe it. I ran to where Jason was and showed it to him. Both of us were in shock! That was one of the greatest feelings I’ve had—seeing those words and enjoying the surprise with Jason!

Well, the rest is what many people go through—doubt until you see a doctor, then fear until there’s an ultrasound, wondering when to tell people since I’m being treated as “high risk” at this fertility center, etc. So, now, two ultrasounds and a full trimester later, we are telling everyone with joy, humbled that the Creator is using us as his instruments to bring a child into the world! We will trust in the Giver of Life as this baby grows and await November 2010 to meet him or her.

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!!!

Merry Christmas!!! I've decked the halls!

Jason and I are just about to complete our first semesters of grad school (Jason in Math and me in Education/Autism). It has truly been a busy semester both working and taking classes, but the Lord is blessing us with so much. We are enjoying our church and getting to know the people there. It is such a special group of people. We love our home and our sweet dog, Radley! There really isn't too much to update, so I thought I would just add holiday pictures of the house :).


Snowy Saturday


My tree is all in ivory, silver and gold--I LOVE IT! Jan had a lot of these types of ornaments and I bought the circles.


Close up on the tree.


The hanging bookshelves


Nativity scene (gift from Jan our first Christmas)


The kitchen wall--our "fireplace" :)


Close up on the stocking holder.


I won this as a door prize at work.


The two weird evergreens out front. I wanted to put lights on them, but our outlet outside doesn't work. Oh well, the BIG ornaments will do. Ha!


Front Door (color theme matches tree).


Sweet Radley--hard to take these pictures!

Prayer Needed

On June 16 Jason had neck surgery to relieve the pain he'd been having for nearly a year. It is now November, and there has been no relief. We still have so much to be grateful for, but Jason's entire life is impacted by this pain--when he sits, works, reads, etc. There still is physical therapy and other things to try, but most of all, we believe that only the Lord can heal him. Please join me in asking the Lord to bring healing to Jason's neck.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Jason and I are amazed at the whirlwind we've just stepped into. We feel so very blessed to be able to get this education--we've both begun graduate school. Jason is working on his Masters in Math while I am doing an online masters in Autism (sort of). We knew it would make us busy, but we are truly putting in more hours a week than we ever have. Time management is becoming a real issue--especially if we want any kind of social life! I am teaching third grade and enjoying it, but it is difficult to end a day like that and start reading and writing for 3-5 or more hours at night.
All this to say--we haven't had much going on other than that these few weeks since school has begun. We've had some friends from seminary living with us for a month or so while they were waiting to close on a house a little over a mile and a half away from us. It has been a blessing to have friends living with us during this move. However, we are about to be empty-nesters again as they are settling into their new place this weekend. At some point, I may figure out a time to do things to our new home I've been wanting to do--like paint and decorate. Maybe during the semester breaks! Helpful ideas are welcomed! So are guests! I will do my best to get some pictures up soon.

New Beginnings

We are closing in 2 weeks in Knoxville on our first home! We are very excited! We are praying that all goes well, so far, so good.

As for Jason's neck, he is still having serious pain in the same spot. Online blogs have shown that this is pretty normal. However, we have seen some blogs about the pain continuing for months and years. Please pray that this is not the case with him. We are trying to make arrangements so that he does not lift a finger throughout this move. Any strain can really upset what has been done on his spine. He will start school in a little more than a month and will need to be able to sit up and study comfortably. It is a scary situation to be with the unknowns, so we have to trust in our Lord, who is the Great Physician. Thank you for joining us in prayer.

I have accepted a job offer to teach third grade at a school near where we will be living. It will be a new adventure!

God is our Provider!

After much prayer, and some clear direction from the Lord, Jason and I have decided to go to Knoxville, TN. In the past month Jason was offered an assistantship position there for his MS/PhD track in Math, which is a HUGE provision that covers all tuition and insurance and even pays a stipend for being a TA and eventually teaching undergrad courses. I'm so thrilled for him to have this opportunity!

We're also excited about a church there that is very involved in hands-on ministry with the city and is eager for fresh ideas as well.

This decision was truly an answer to prayer. Through all of these decisions we're making, I'm learning most of all to "in nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Phil. 4:6). After the decision of WHERE to move was made, it was tempting for me to begin checking a list of find a house, a job, etc. I was going about it in my usual way of doing what I knew to do. This week, however, I'm reminded of the patience and time in prayer it took to have the clarity we do about Knoxville. So, I'm humbled again to pray about my job and our home. Jason is joining me in this and it has truly been a blessing for us both. Thank you to those of you who are praying for us. I have had a job offer, but I'm wanting to be certain that I know it's what the Lord wants me to do. God has been and is being our provider and teaching us so much along the way!

Here's our big prayer request: After having a great deal of pain for over a year now in his neck, attending therapy, and receiving various shots that never seemed to relieve the pain, Jason is going to have surgery next Tuesday, June 16. This will be what's known as a 'neck fusion'. Pray that it is effective and that his recovery is quick.

Update March 09

Well, I'm not sure how many of you still keep up with this blog, but I thought I would give an update for us with some pictures and a few words. We are now in the final quarter of this school year. It is hard to believe, but it really is almost done! (Well, two months and a bit to go). Jason and I are on Spring Break right now, which for us really means just catching up on all of the little things that need doing. We are prayerfully considering what to do next with our lives and are wrestling with the ever pressing question--What is God's will for our lives? We are interested in a few things and are trying to remain undecided until the Lord has made it clear to both of our hearts. It is a great exercise for both of us in patience and primarily in dependence on the Lord. We could end up in Birmingham or Knoxville, but who knows...maybe the Lord will call us to Africa, Bulgaria or China! We are truly trying to have open hearts and hands. It is a sad thing to leave my immediate family here, especially as my sister is just weeks from giving birth to my fourth nephew. But in all things, God is Sovereign and Jason and I truly are learning a lesson of reliance on his guidance. Not only in that area, but also in fertility. We would love to be parents, but the Lord has yet to give us this blessing and we are seeking medical counsel and are beginning some steps to determine what the issues, if any, may be. In all of the emotional ups and downs, I am convinced that only God is the Creator. It has been a year of learning that my life here is not my own and that I am here for His purposes, not my own. Far be it from me to say what is BEST for my life. We know what is best is to seek the Lord with our whole hearts. Though I am far from doing this well, He is molding me and transforming me to be better equipped for Him. I know that Jason would say the same.
Meanwhile, Jason and I have loved having our sweet dog, Radley and loved being around my family here in Montgomery. Here are some pictures of late. Believe it or not, it did actually snow in Montgomery a couple of weeks ago. It lasted all of 4 hours, but we'll take it! I took the boys to a nearby hill to try to sled on laundry baskets. It was too wet to slide on though. We still made snow angels and snowballs.





We celebrated my mom's b'day at her house. Delta and I made a delicious (if I do say so myself) cake from the Cooking Light book. YUMMY! Family times are a blessing!




Keep in touch and let us know how you are all doing! With love, Claire.