Amanda’s Testimony

In 2014, we decided it was time to grow our family. My husband and I knew that there could be roadblocks because I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). We set out with our trust in God that it would happen, but then my cycle stopped altogether. We were referred to an endocrinologist who specializes in infertility.

As I sat in the room for tests to be conducted on my womb, I repeated my mantra of “Be still and know,” one thousand times. I kept telling myself that the tests would come back clear. However, the doctor reported that polyps and a misshaped uterus were preventing me from being able to conceive. Still, I told myself, “Be still and know.”

That following Sunday at church, our pastor gave a sermon where he spoke about the lessons God was teaching us in our current season, whatever that may be. My husband and I knew that in our current situation of infertility, the Lord had something further that we needed to learn. This lesson was surrender. We needed to turn all of ourselves over to him and to trust in His steadfast love. We took steps to eat better, to be more active, to love each other more, and most of all, to spend more time with Him.

On November 11, 2014, I underwent surgery to make my womb a place in which a baby could grow. Over the next few months, we continued waiting for the next step in our treatment. Finally, the time had come to try to conceive. Again in church, the sermon spoke to our hearts. Our pastor spoke of miracles on the horizon because nothing is impossible for the Lord. Our miracle was in the making. Luke 1:45 says, “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her.”

Exactly one year to the day of my surgery, we welcomed our incredible little Jonah into the world. We called him our wink from God because every time we saw 11:11 on a clock, my husband and I would pray for a baby and here he was on 11/11/15.

God decided that we should be blessed again with another child. In February of this year, we discovered that without any medical intervention, I had conceived again. The first few weeks of the pregnancy, we faced concerns that the baby might not be growing. Again, I turned to the word of the Lord and was reminded of the following: Hebrews 11:1-2 “To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.” It was time to, “Be still and know.”

My pregnancy continued to progress with minor bumps along the way until August 20^th at 1:50 am, when I woke up to my water unexpectedly breaking. I immediately woke my husband up to rush me to the hospital. This was the longest 15 minute drive of our lives. As I shook and poked my belly, praying and begging for movement, some kind of response. I was getting none.

I look back at that drive now and realize there was a great presence of peace that I wasn’t able to grasp then, but now see that God was with us every moment of the way. As soon as we got to the hospital, I was hooked to the heart monitor and we heard Samuel’s heartbeat. Greg and I immediately said prayers of gratitude because we thought we’d lost our son before we had a chance to hold him.

Because I was only 32 weeks along, we were told that I had to stay in the hospital for two weeks to give the baby more time to grow. This hit us hard because we have our first to care for. I felt deep grief as I missed him so much, even with his twice daily visits. But again God showed us great support through our family and friends during this time.

Midway through my first week stay in the hospital, I started bleeding heavily. My placenta had an abruption and kicked me into labor at 33 weeks. After hours of labor, Samuel entered the world with a magnificent cry. This cry was the most beautiful sound. It overcame our fear that he would need assistance breathing. Again we praised God.

He truly makes all things possible.

Samuel had to stay in the NICU for 13 days; during which God showed us growth daily. Samuel is now a month old and is progressing normally.

Through our two beautiful boys, our family has truly learned of God’s faithfulness. His love abounds!

–Amanda

Amanda, Thank you so much for sharing your story with us! Isn’t it incredible how God is always with us, giving us peace through the trials and celebrating with us in our times of JOY? Having such a sense of TRUST IN GOD, in such a huge part of dealing with infertility, and we couldn’t be more happy for you and your husband, and now your growing family!! Thanks again for sharing your beautiful testimony with us!