Each week I interview someone who has experienced infertility firsthand. This week, I’m chatting with Wynne Elder from WynneElder.com and The Carry Camp, a blog I just LOVE. Their posts are so encouraging and their website is just SO PRETTY! I love how they are forming a wonderful community of women experiencing infertility. Enjoy Wynne’s interview!
Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
Hey y’all, I’m Wynne and my husband and I just celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. We are college sweethearts, and have recently found ourselves back in his college town of Bryan/College Station, Texas. Together we have two cuties whom we adopted 3 years ago from Ethiopia: Camp and Asher.
I absolutely love people. I love connecting with people, connecting people to each other, and creating spaces where people can belong, connect, and just be their true self. I have a space in downtown Bryan that serves as a place for me to write, and house my other work endeavors but also is a space for connection for women in our town! I love Jesus, creativity, writing, traveling, community, being outdoors and dream of summer all year long.
Q. How long have you been trying to conceive and what issues are you facing?
We’ve been TTC for over 6 years. I have stage 4 endometriosis. I’ve had two surgeries, 3 rounds of IUI and one round of IVF. It’s been quite the journey and most recently I’ve been pursuing a more natural approach. Praying and believing for healing for my body. If you are reading and you have endo, you know how painful it can be.
Q. How have you taken care of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually during your struggles?
The Lord really has taken care of me the past six years. I’ve been learning that while I seek physical healing, it’s an emotional healing that I need as well. I know the two go together – my heart and my body. I’m thankful to have an amazingly supportive husband, family and close friends that have walked this closely with me. It’s been hard to open up and be vulnerable at times, but I truly believe it’s worth it to not walk alone.
Q. What has been your lowest point and how did you survive it?
Honestly, it was after our last IUI knowing that if it didn’t work we’d have to move onto IVF. It was something I did not want to pursue, and I was fearful of what was to come. Just the night before I had opened up fully to the group of girls I was walking with, and their love and support during that time was really so helpful. The Lord has brought me through every one of my dark struggles, reminding me that He has a plan and he chose me for this road. It’s not one I would have chosen for myself, but the ways I’ve seen my faith grow the past six years are something I would never trade.
Q. Have you been able to find a “silver lining” in your infertility?
YES! Our children, Camp and Asher. It had been a year of TTC when a friend challenged me to pray about considering adoption. It was something that we had never considered before, but now looking back can see that if it we wouldn’t have struggled that year we might not have been open to it. They made me a mom, and it’s the biggest joy to be their mama!
Q. What do you want women who are considering international adoption to know?
Adoption is beautiful! I don’t believe that everyone is called to adopt, and neither is adoption a consolation prize for not being able to get pregnant. We adopt because we’ve been adopted into God’s family. We adopt out of the overflow of the love we’ve been given! The adoption community is so super helpful, so if it’s something you are considering reach out to people that are adopting!
Q. You’re one of the co-founders of The Carry Camp, a blog and event for women struggling with infertility. Tell us a little about how The Carry Camp was formed and how women can get involved.
Oh, yes, we would love for anyone reading this to visit us on our website. We post weekly blogs/devotions and would love to walk with you, pray for you, and support you in this season. The three other girls I started this with have all struggled with infertility, and we hope you know that you don’t have to walk this alone! We just had our first retreat in October and are already planning for our next one in Fall 2016!
Q. Is there anything else you’d like to share with my readers?
You aren’t alone!
Many thanks to Wynne for sharing her infertility story with us today and for the work she’s doing in encouraging other women dealing with infertility. Be sure to leave her a comment below to let her know you appreciate her!
If you’re looking for more encouragement during infertility, be sure to check out my book, 31 Days of Prayer During Infertility.
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