Hey ___,
I heard through the grapevine about _____. I just wanted to personally let both of you know that you guys are in my thoughts and prayers. I do not know all the details but I know enough that I just want to share some thoughts with you two. I don't know how much you may know about my situation but I will sum it up for you. After a year of fighting for my life I meet the man of my dreams. It was a huge blessing to have him after the hardships I had just had to go through. Well you know how the story goes, you fall in love, get married and have babies...right? Well that's what I was planning on until my doctors sat me down and explained the risk of having children. So with a very heavy heart but faith in God that his will will be done we decided that it was best for me to get my tubes tied. On May of 2011 I could have never imagined that my life would be so blessed as it now is. We now are married with a step daughter and 3 amazing soon to be children we have been fostering for the past 18 months. So with all that being said please know that I do have an idea of what you are going through and some what of the journey you are starting . Just please know that God is good and He has a plan for you and that He will bless you beyond anything you can imagine as you put his trust in him. If you have any questions or need someone to talk to vent to or cry to, I am here. I would just like to let _____ know somethings i wish someone would have told me back in 2011.
1. Do not EVER let someone tell you that you are less of a woman or mother because you can not physical have a child. Some times that person saying that was myself. Don't listen to them! People will say stupid things, ask stupid questions and hurt your feelings but what comes down to it is that the Lord knows your heart and you are never less to Him!
2. Don't be suprised when out of the blue you have a bad "why me day" No matter how prepared you are or strong you think you are those days come. When they do, turn to those who love you most. trust me, trying to deal with those bad days on your own only make for more bad days.
3. Smile and find humor in your situation. I am a firm believer in laughter is the best medicine.
4. Serve others, There are so many people in similar positions as you. reach out and help others and forget your self. When you do you seem to see your blessings clearer
5. Never give up on what you want. And once you know what you want fight as hard as you can for it! But in 2011 I knew I wanted a child one day but it seemed SO SO far and SO SO hard and honestly IMPOSSIBLE. But again, put your faith in God he has a plan.
I really do wish all the best for you and have a full heart thinking of you two! One last thing, a favorite quote of mine that I love and seem to have to remind myself of everyday
"Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith"
Love you guys! and Hope to see and meet you soon!! Mandy
When I finished that email I had tears running down my face. I turned to Bryan and read it to him. It was VERY hard to get through and of course bawled like a baby. See at that moment when I read it to him (and as I just re-read it while typing this post) I realized why I felt the promoting to write that email. It was for ME! I NEEDED to hear my own words! See recently it seems like we have had some hard days. We have been going through court seeing if our monkeys parents rights will be revoked. It has been a very stressful and at times very overwhelming! I think I have personally had a hard time with anger towards the mother and frustrations with the court system. Not to mention I was super stressed about having to testify at the court hearing. But to sit back and see how much the Lord has blessed our little family it humbles me. It gives me a strengthened testimony of Faith. I am SO SO grateful that the Lord has giving me so much. My heart is full of gratitude tonight!
I heard through the grapevine about _____. I just wanted to personally let both of you know that you guys are in my thoughts and prayers. I do not know all the details but I know enough that I just want to share some thoughts with you two. I don't know how much you may know about my situation but I will sum it up for you. After a year of fighting for my life I meet the man of my dreams. It was a huge blessing to have him after the hardships I had just had to go through. Well you know how the story goes, you fall in love, get married and have babies...right? Well that's what I was planning on until my doctors sat me down and explained the risk of having children. So with a very heavy heart but faith in God that his will will be done we decided that it was best for me to get my tubes tied. On May of 2011 I could have never imagined that my life would be so blessed as it now is. We now are married with a step daughter and 3 amazing soon to be children we have been fostering for the past 18 months. So with all that being said please know that I do have an idea of what you are going through and some what of the journey you are starting . Just please know that God is good and He has a plan for you and that He will bless you beyond anything you can imagine as you put his trust in him. If you have any questions or need someone to talk to vent to or cry to, I am here. I would just like to let _____ know somethings i wish someone would have told me back in 2011.
1. Do not EVER let someone tell you that you are less of a woman or mother because you can not physical have a child. Some times that person saying that was myself. Don't listen to them! People will say stupid things, ask stupid questions and hurt your feelings but what comes down to it is that the Lord knows your heart and you are never less to Him!
2. Don't be suprised when out of the blue you have a bad "why me day" No matter how prepared you are or strong you think you are those days come. When they do, turn to those who love you most. trust me, trying to deal with those bad days on your own only make for more bad days.
3. Smile and find humor in your situation. I am a firm believer in laughter is the best medicine.
4. Serve others, There are so many people in similar positions as you. reach out and help others and forget your self. When you do you seem to see your blessings clearer
5. Never give up on what you want. And once you know what you want fight as hard as you can for it! But in 2011 I knew I wanted a child one day but it seemed SO SO far and SO SO hard and honestly IMPOSSIBLE. But again, put your faith in God he has a plan.
I really do wish all the best for you and have a full heart thinking of you two! One last thing, a favorite quote of mine that I love and seem to have to remind myself of everyday
"Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith"
Love you guys! and Hope to see and meet you soon!! Mandy
When I finished that email I had tears running down my face. I turned to Bryan and read it to him. It was VERY hard to get through and of course bawled like a baby. See at that moment when I read it to him (and as I just re-read it while typing this post) I realized why I felt the promoting to write that email. It was for ME! I NEEDED to hear my own words! See recently it seems like we have had some hard days. We have been going through court seeing if our monkeys parents rights will be revoked. It has been a very stressful and at times very overwhelming! I think I have personally had a hard time with anger towards the mother and frustrations with the court system. Not to mention I was super stressed about having to testify at the court hearing. But to sit back and see how much the Lord has blessed our little family it humbles me. It gives me a strengthened testimony of Faith. I am SO SO grateful that the Lord has giving me so much. My heart is full of gratitude tonight!
