Counting down: 10 days!

Someone commented to me last week that I must be feeling "cautiously optimistic" about our upcoming embryo transfer. I agreed but as I reflected on our conversation later that day I realized something incredible: I don't feel cautious! I'm just optimistic! In fact, as I have been bringing our transfer and those four little snowflakes to God in prayer, I have found myself saying "thank you!" even more than "help me" or "please." Because I believe these snowflakes are four little lives already in existence, I feel as though so many of my prayers have already been answered. I just can't wait to get those first two little ones in my body!

I also have to thank the many of you who have been holding our family and these four snowflakes in prayer. Your words of support and prayers offered for us have done more than encourage us; you have ushered me into the presence of the LORD. As an anxious person by nature I have no way to explain the peace and true JOY I have hidden in my heart, other than to attribute it to your prayers. You have helped me keep my mind on the LORD.

I was praying with gratitude for this blessing the other day and felt God bring a scripture passage to mind: "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal." Isaiah 26:3-4. Many of the things I have been tempted to trust in through this infertility journey have crumbled like sand over the past few years, but the LORD has been my rock. After many months of anxiety and uncertainty, I am thankful for the peace I now feel. It is a gift!

There are only 10 days left until our embryo transfer (!!!). I want to use this time of peace and joy to prepare my heart and mind for what I know has the potential to be a very nerve-wracking "two week wait" until I go in for a pregnancy blood test. Months ago I was watching videos on youtube of couples who did IVF or embryo adoption; in one of the videos a woman's doctor gave her an awesome prescription for the days immediately following the transfer; he said, "Go do something that makes you happy!" He obviously knew how important our mental health is during infertility procedures!

First, I'd love to hear what you would do or some suggestions! What would you do? Eat? Read? Watch? Etc? I'll be on bed rest for the first two days but after that it will be life as normal. If your doctor told you to do something that made you happy, what would you do?

Second, I want to write out some scriptural passages to take with me to the procedure and have near me during my bed rest and two-week-wait. I have a few in mind that mean a lot to me, but again I'd love to hear what passages you would choose or passages you would suggest during this time?

Sending so much love to you all! Thank you for walking through journey this with us!

xo

PS: I know many of you will want to know when I'm going in for my blood test; I'm going to keep that date private because- whatever the results- we will want to share the news with our families first. I do promise, though, to share the results as soon as we are able! :-)