Each week I interview someone who has experienced infertility firsthand. This week, I’m chatting with Sarah Ann from Faith Along the Way. I’ve gotten to know her a bit through her blog link-up and I’ve been so inspired and encouraged by her adoption story. I know you’ll enjoy it, too.
Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a lover of deep conversation, people, Jesus, my family, chocolate and a hard workout. While I teach part-time by day, I’m a blogger by night and stay up till the wee hours of the night sharing my heart with the world.
The past 10 years of my life have been a whirl-wind of one trial after another, starting with my husband’s cancer diagnosis when we were newlyweds. Through all of these storms, God has been faithful to use each situation for his glory and to change my heart in ways I could never imagine. Times were tough but God provided strength, shelter, hope and joy during some of the most difficult times of my life.
Q. How long did you try to conceive and what issues were you facing?
We tried to conceive for five long, heart- breaking years. In that time we learned that Hubs had a low sperm count due to his chemo and radiation, but with his “daddy vitamins” as we called them, ended up have a great count and all was corrected.
After a series of expensive tests, our diagnosis was ‘Unexplained Infertility’. There was no reason why we couldn’t conceive and have a baby on our own. Doctors were optimistic that our infertility journey would result in a “take-home baby” and that we would be parents.
We tried two unsuccessful rounds of IUI and I was devastated when they did not work. At that time, we decided to take a break from treatments for financial and emotional reasons, fully intending to try again in a few months.
Q. What led you to decide to pursue adoption?
This question makes me smile, because God brought our daughter into our lives while we were NOT pursuing adoption. That’s right. The road to our children was truly a miracle! After the failed IUIs, I felt the door to parenthood closing for us and I grieved the loss deeply. I questioned and wrestled with God for three months, asking God to show me his plan for my life if I wasn’t going to be a mother.
Out of the blue, a friend connected us with a couple who were looking to place their unborn baby up for adoption. She kindly arranged a meeting where they chose us to be the parents of a beautiful baby girl! We were ecstatic!
Q. What advice would you give to someone who is considering adoption?
Be patient! Adoption is not for the faint of heart and can come with many twists and turns. Pray that God will lead you to the child that you are to parent and welcome into your arms as their forever family. It can happen even when you are not planning on it and not expecting it!
Q. What surprised you most about adopting?
I never expected the process to be so intense! Our story is not your average adoption story, so it was quite dramatic! You are welcome to read our miracle adoption stories (yes, there were TWO miracle adoptions!).
I also was surprised how when I held my children in my arms for the first time and gazed at their perfect faces, how the pain of infertility was erased. I then knew why I wasn’t able to conceive. The two beautiful babies needed a safe and loving family to grow them according to the way of the Lord.
Q. How have you taken care of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually during your infertility and adoption journey?
God really is my life-line. Clinging to his promise to never leave me or forsake me, to comfort my heartache, and to accept that his plan for me is good, got me through many dark days. I also fell in love with exercise and learned that a broken spirit can be lifted through a good run or weight lifting session.
Q. What has been your lowest point and how did you survive it?
My lowest point was when I grieved the failed IUIs and released my dream of being a mother back to the Lord. There were constant tears, chest pains, vomiting, and more anxiety than I could bear. Laying those dreams and my honest feelings at the feet of the Lord allowed the healing process to begin and eventually I was ready to face whatever my life would hold, even if that meant being childless.
Q. Have you been able to find a “silver lining” in your infertility?
When I look at the faces of my children, whom I know I was supposed to mother and guide through this world, I know why I was never able to conceive. I also love the chance to share hope and encouragement through my writing to those who are hurting. I hope my words are like balm to the soul and that my sisters of the heart know they are not alone on the journey.
Q. Why did you decide to share your story on your blog?
I started my blog because of my trials and the storms of life. I have walked through cancer, infertility, adoption and now the Autism diagnosis of my daughter, and pray that I can be a light to others who need a ray of sunshine.
Q. Anything else you’d like to tell my readers?
There is hope! There is a lot of life to be lived whether you are a mother in this life or not and God has a beautiful plan for your life. Grab a hold of his strength and never let go!
Many thanks to Sarah Ann for sharing her infertility and adoption story. Please leave her a comment below to let her know you appreciate her, and please consider pinning this image so others can find her story.
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