Hannah's Prayer

I wanted to share a little bit about an incredible organization, Hannah’s Prayer (HP) that I am so happy to be a part of.  Three and a half years ago after our first adoption loss I decided to google “Christian infertility.”  We had been trying to conceive for several years with no luck (you can see our full story under the heading “Infertility ~ Our Path to Parenthood” on our website) and had been in the adoption process for a year and a half when I decided to look for support online.  Little did I know that it would take me to this incredible online community of women struggling in the same journey of infertility as well as ladies dealing with miscarriages, loss, adoption, and the list goes on.  I was a little leery as I had never been involved in an online forum before, but I checked through the website and decided to go for it!! 

It has changed my life!!  I jumped right in and got involved in sharing/giving support as well as receiving support in my times of need.

Six months after joining, Jerry & I had a planned trip to the States for a Central & Eastern Europe event which was the same time as a retreat that HP had planned and in the same area!!  I changed my tickets around for me to attend.  Then a day before we were suppose to leave we got a call on a little boy to adopt.  Jerry changed his tickets around to stay and finalize details and allowed me to go on to the retreat and then return right after to come home.  It was a 98% chance for us to get the little boy. I was excited to take this news with me to the retreat!!

But, over the weekend the birthparents changed their minds.  I came home to the news that it was not going to happen.  My HP friends were there to comfort & support me in this loss.

It was also the input of ladies on HP that I began considering and praying about IVF (in-vitro fertilization).  Jerry & I prayed about it and decided to seek this option to get pregnant.  The ladies on HP were there to pray me through and answer my questions about the procedure.

They were also there when a week into the shots (stimulation drugs to produce mass amounts of eggs for the IVF) we got a call on a baby girl to adopt. 

These same ladies saw me through bringing a baby home, egg collection procedure for IVF and transfer 5 days later.

But, it didn’t stop there.  Moms who had struggled with infertility were still around to help me through my pregnancy and my many parenting questions.

Last Fall I was asked to consider becoming a Forum Moderator for HP.  A leadership position that helped take care of the behind the scenes aspects of Hannah’s Prayer.  I was so happy to be asked. 

Even though we have gone on to be parents to 3 children my heart was/is hurting for those still struggling through the pain and isolation of infertility.  I felt that ministering to infertile women as well as educating the world on the pain of this diagnosis was something the Lord was placing on my heart.

And now, in just the last month I was asked and accepted the request to be on the Board of Directors for Hannah’s Prayer.  The Board of Directors is comprised of 9 ladies that oversee the decision making of HP.  I will serve in this role for the next 3 years.  It is such an honor and a fulfillment of a call that has been placed on my heart!