A different approach to gratitude We’ve all heard the well-meaning advice to focus on what we have rather than what we don’t have - “comparison is the enemy of contentment” or “comparison is the thief of joy”. But doing the often recommended “write down one thing you're thankful for a day” can feel pretty empty when you’re longing for a child, and instead are supposed to relish in your journal entry of “I’m thankful for the takeout we had for dinner”. It can feel like a rathe

The call to surrender – to let go  and let God – is woven into the very fabric of our identity as Christians; but it is known in a particular way by those women bearing the burden of infertility. Those of us who have experienced the agony of being unable to conceive when it is the deepest desire of our hearts know without a doubt what it means to yield to a reality we cannot control.  I think that’s why, at one point in my journey, “surrender” became a trigger word for me. It

Through prayer, we find ourselves relying on saints and angels that hold specific missions or roles to help us heal and navigate our struggle. Through tears, prayer became my solace and comfort. I found saints I may never have encountered had it not been for infertility. I also realized angels and archangels could be powerful allies and friends. As we celebrate the feast of the archangel this week, I have chosen to take each archangel and show how they can be a great friend t

Several years ago, my husband and I made a pilgrimage to St. Augustine, Florida to visit the shrine of Our Lady of La Leche . I had first heard about this Marian shrine from a friend, who described it as a peaceful place where she and countless others had visited to pray for a child . I arrived at the shrine not fully sure what to expect. Just a few hours later, I left in awe – transformed by an unexpected encounter with Christ. My encounter with Jesus took place in the sacra

In my journey through the Christian life, certain spiritual mentors have guided and shaped me in profound ways. In college, it was St....

This is part 3 in our “Infertility on screen” series. You can read part 1 here, where Brandy discussed Up, Beetlejuice, and Julie & Julia, and read part 2 here, where C. J. explored The Help, Trying and Black Widow. 

Infertility breaks your heart in places you didn’t know could crack. It’s the quiet disappointment after each cycle, the sadness that shows up in moments that were supposed to feel happy, and the way it creeps into your thoughts when you least expect it. If you’re reading this, you already know the pain. What you may not know is how much your mental health matters while you carry this cross.

It felt like it vanished without a trace. I went from having periods to no periods at all. Yes, I knew I was in perimenopause. Yes, I knew my periods would become far less regular. Yes, I knew my egg reserve was diminishing. Yes, I knew it was a rite of passage that I could not avoid. Still, I could not believe it was already here: menopause. I was only 48! I had been infertile for a number of years and had grieved every milestone I didn’t get to reach: becoming pregnant agai

Nearly 10 years later, I still think about that version of myself that had to sit there and begin to process the reality of my complete infertility. There is still a part of me that has been frozen, stuck in that doctor’s office. And I avoided that 19 year-old as much as I could over the near decade. My fertility was gone and, with it, my worth. Or, at least that’s the lie I told myself.

I sat down to write a piece on Easter Sunday and inevitably I am brought first to Good Friday. For just as Venerable Fulton Sheen wrote, “Unless there is a Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday,” without the painful cross of infertility, our family would not be the miracle that it is. My womb never bore children, I remain infertile almost eight years after my husband and I said “I do”. This might look like an abject failure, like the absence of a miracle, bu

As we begin Advent and prepare for the coming of Jesus, I wanted to share about the power in His holy name. I had intentions of finding all these examples in the Bible showing the importance of Jesus’ name and how often they proclaim power in it… but I am not a detailed person, and I have a deadline and a word limit, so… Go read all of Acts! There are too many examples even in that one book to share. Here is one verse I personally love: “And whatever you ask in my name, I wil

If you’ve discerned this is the end of your trying-to-conceive journey, do not despair. If your family size is smaller than desired...

I wrote out my entire personal journey in a memoir I published several years ago called “Twelve Stripes Deep: How Infertility & Other ...

That pain stayed in my heart throughout the trip. I prayed the Lord would meet me here, in the mountains, in my suffering, but I felt...

We are excited to announce our upcoming virtual healing workshops! We will have two sessions, the first will be focused on identity and heal

Shiloh IVF Ministry has formed as a new ministry, uniquely set up to accompany and serve women, men and couples who are struggling with heal

Successful, in the sense that four beautiful human lives were created. Unsuccessful in the sense that no babies were born.

When we find ourselves in any of these 3 places, it is important to first identify it, give yourself a little grace and understanding… then

Had I prayed wrong? Was God angry with me? Was my faith weak? What had I done that rendered this miracle powder, which had brought blessings

Sisters, have you ever felt anxiety over a situation beyond your control? Believed that you could never be loved because of what was physically and mentally wrong with you? It is not an uncommon position to find yourself in, even if in the moment it can seem like the most isolating time of your life. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression or other mental and emotional hardships, please take a moment to walk with a saint who has become a comfort to many in the faith, d