IVF: The Next Step in Our Journey

After much thought, prayer, and conversations with “a multitude of counselors” (Prov.11:14, 15:22), we have decided to pursue IVF as we continue trusting the Lord. 

IVF is an abbreviation for in vitro fertilization, a process in which an egg is removed and fertilized by the sperm outside the womb to then be transferred back into the uterus. (That’s the super-simplified version of it, at least!) The entire process—from a regimen of medications to the actual egg retrieval and fertilization to the transfer—will likely take a few months. Lord-willing, we should know by sometime in July whether or not God has answered our prayer for a pregnancy.

Please continue to join us in prayer. We NEED your prayers, and probably now more than ever. Here are a few specific prayer requests:

1. Pray that God will keep us from allowing our desire for children to become idolatry. It’s so easy for us to make a good thing a bad thing, isn’t it? We know that God has called childbearing good (Psalm 127), and while we desire this blessing for ourselves, we must not let it become the sole desire of our hearts. Since we first came to terms with our struggle infertility, we have sought to keep our eyes on Christ, our blessed hope and eternal joy. Please pray that we will persevere in resisting temptation and loving our Savior above all.
2. Pray that God will give us wisdom and discernment. Even as we have studied the science, sought counsel, prayed, and planned our way forward as best as we know how, there surely will be questions that will still arise even in the middle of this IVF process. “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps” (Prov. 16:9). We see this specific medical means as a wisdom issue for us, and as such, we are dependent upon God for the continued wisdom to make the right decisions.
3. Pray that our doctor and his staff would see Christ in us. Our struggles aren’t meaningless. In fact, not only are they working for our good (Rom. 8:28) and preparing us for glory (2 Cor. 4:17), they are also an opportunity to be light to those around us (Matt. 5:16). Pray specifically for the salvation of Dr. Johnson, as well as the nurses, lab workers, and staff in his office.
4. Finally, pray that God will bless us with a child. So many of you have encouraged us over the past few years simply by praying for us. We look forward to the day that we can praise God with you for His goodness to us in answering our prayers for children. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:11, “You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.” Please pray even now that God would not only open the womb, but also see fit to bless us with a safe pregnancy, a healthy child, and that He would save our future son or daughter at a young age. Our God can do all these things, and we entrust our lives to Him.

For those who have lifted us up in prayer before the throne of God's grace, we can’t thank you enough! May God receive all the glory.

Trusting Him,

David & Paige