Since this month is National Adoption Awareness Month here in the United States, I thought I'd post about embryo adoption. Not many people are aware of embryo adoption, but it is another avenue in which a childless couple can explore to become parents. I've personally attended a meeting of the Snowflake Adoption Program met the parents and heard the story of the parents who have chosen embryo adoption, a very precious way to honor life. Here are some facts and great resources below!Frozen Embryo Donation and Adoption - Donation: Frozen embryos represent hope for infertile couples. With close to 500,000 frozen embryos stored in the U.S.A. alone, this can give a childless couple a chance to adopt and birth a child. Pray and consider donating your frozen embryo(s).
Adoption: If you are one who has ovulation dysfunction, yet have a viable uterus to carry a child, this may be an option for you. Prayerfully consider adopting a frozen embryo.
Support Organizations
FINANCES
“Heavenly Father, You know the path we are to take even before one step. You see how our fertility challenges have brought us to the place of making major financial decisions. Father, give us wisdom regarding our finances as we seek Your direction for our future children. We believe Your Word and praise You that You will supply all of our needs according to Your riches in glory through Christ Jesus. Father, we will be obedient to your Word to honor you with our wealth, with our tithe and offerings. Thank you for Your abundance in our finances.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Proverbs 3:9-10, Malachi 3:8-11, Philippians 4:19
My husband and I took a short, well-needed break last week. We flew to Idaho, explored some beauty of the state and stayed with some great friends! We left for our trip very early in the morning. As we were rushing through the airport I ask myself ‘Why do I plan these early flights? Then I answer myself “Because it’s cheaper!” After all it’s about getting a good deal, right?
As we taxied out to the runway in darkness for our departure, it started to sprinkle. As we climbed higher in altitude, it began to storm. I had a window seat near the wing and peering out the window looked like chaos! There were strong winds, pelting rain, and flashing lights from the aircraft.
A myriad of thoughts rummaged in my head:
I am not pelted by rain...
I am dry
The storm is raging...
I am sheltered
I am not tossed to and fro by the strong winds...
I have a foundation, or in this case a paid seat in row 11, seat F
I am not stagnate...
I am moving upward and forward due to the thrust of power
These collected thoughts and scripture remind me of how good and great God is to us.
We may be pelted with set backs and disappointments, it could be a negative medical report or news that our job is ending, but we have God’s protection.
Psalm 61:3 AMP
“For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me, a strong tower against the adversary.”
Psalm 91:1
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Just like the storm, things feel shaky and may not look pretty on the outside. There may be tension in our family or a strain in working relationships, or our finances may look bleak. Yet we have a sure foundation through Jesus Christ.
II Thessalonians 3:3 AMP
“Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen [you] and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil [one].”
Hebrews 11:1 MSG
“The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see.”
As I sat on the plane the effect of the storm did not touch or stop us, the powerful engines kept us moving in spite of what was coming against us. In our minds we think we are not moving on in life, stagnate, in a rut, but the unseen powerful hand of God is moving us forward and upward.
Psalm 138:8
“The Lord will work out his plans for my life- for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.”
Job 17:9
“The righteous keep moving forward and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.”
The start of the early morning flight was dreary, wet and chaotic, but the view at dawn was quite different, as you can see in the picture above. He knows the end from the beginning!
Proverbs 4:18
“But the path of the righteous is like the light of the dawn, that shines brighter and brighter unto the full day.”
Friend, that’s our God!
November marks the National Adoption month here in the United States. Today's Fertility Facts include some resources and support organization providing adoption information. I hope you'll pass this on to someone who is pursuing adoption. Also, this would be great for pastor's and women's ministry leaders as well!Adoption
Support Organizations
Show Hope
Adoption aid, how to start an adoption fund ministry at your church and orphan care, created by contemporary Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman. www.showhope.org
Christian International Adoption
One of the largest international adoption agencies in the U.S.A. www.cwa.org
National Adoption Foundation
Provides financial resources, info and services for adoptive or prospective adoptive families. www.nafadopt.org
Adoptive Families of America Magazine
A magazine with information for families before, during and after adoption. www.adoptivefamilies.com
WORRY
Today, instead of giving you a written prayer, I thought I’d pass along this article I found on ‘worry’. I believe at one time or another we all have ‘worried’ about something or someone.
Are you worried today?
Read the scriptures below, allowing His Word to get your mind focused in the right direction. Pray a simple prayer from your heart. When your mind starts to worry again, meditate on the scriptures. Prayer, trusting God is the antidote to worry. It is not easy, but with His help we can do it!
4 Reasons Not to Worry
What does the Bible say about Worry?
If you're not convinced yet to give up your worrying, here are four biblical reasons not to worry.
Worrying Accomplishes Absolutely Nothing. I don't know about you, but I don't have any time to waste these days. And worrying is a waste of very precious time. Worrying won't help you solve a problem or bring about a solution, so why waste your time and energy on it?
Matthew 6:27-29
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
Worrying is Not Good for You. Worrying is destructive to us in many ways. It becomes a mental burden that can even cause us to grow physically sick.
Proverbs 12:25
Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.
Worrying is the Opposite of Trusting God. The energy that we spend worrying can be put to much better use in prayer. Here's a little formula to remember:
Worry replaced by Prayer equals Trust.
Matthew 6:30
And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
Philippians 4:6-7
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Worrying Puts Your Focus in the Wrong Direction. When we keep our eye focused on God, we remember His love for us and we realize we truly have nothing to worry about. God has a wonderful plan for our lives, and part of that plan includes taking care of us. Even in the difficult times, when it seems like God doesn't care, we can put our trust in the Lord and focus on his kingdom. God will take care of our every need.
Matthew 6:25
That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
Matthew 6:31-33
So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
1 Peter 5:7
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Written by Mary Fairchild, about.com.
DIRECTION
“Heavenly Father, I ask that You will fulfill Your purpose for my life, my desire for children. Help me not to lean upon my own understanding or to rationalize the thoughts in my head. When there is a fork in the road and I don’t know which path to take, I ask You will direct a straight path on this fertility journey. Be for me, the Light unto my path. Teach me to know when to move forward or to stop or rest along the way. As I put my trust in You, I thank and praise You that You are perfecting every little detail that concerns me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Psalm 119:105, Psalm 138:8, Proverbs 3:5-6
