embracing the here and now.

my "daily promises" verse today is from Mark 11:22-24:
"Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing wil be too much for you... That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything."

yesterday our church recognized "Sanctity of Life Sunday" and had a guest speaker from the local Pregnancy Center who shared stories and reminded us of the unique and individual purposes God has for each life, that life beginning at conception. she reminded us of the 52 million lives ended through abortion since 1973, and 12 abortions every 5 minutes of her 45 minute talk. 

following the speaker, our pastor led the congregation in a time of prayer for the women in crisis pregnancies, for healing for those affected by abortion, for strength for new and hopeful parents - both through pregancy and adoption. it was encouraging to be included and lifted up in those prayers, and very tangible to us, that our church community is so hopefully and confidently talking with God on our behalf.

sometimes I'm not sure what to pray for, but I'm so thankful that God sees the whole picture when I do not.
on thursday, we had a doctor's appointment with a specialist who basically turned upside down the things we had heard three years ago about our potential to conceive. this specialist told us we had a 60% chance of finding sperm to be used with ICSI (procedure where sperm are surgically retrieved and then injected into retrieved eggs, in the lab, and then placed back into the uterus for implantation).  60% chance? i'll tell you, the thoughts in the last few days have been all over the place. at first, how can you not want to try it? 60% versus "most likely impossible" seems like a big deal, right?  and yet, in context of the same situation we are in for all other intents and purposes, we're left to discuss: what do we want, who do we want to be, and at what cost are we willing to go after those things?  so we continue to prayerfully consider the answer to all of those questions...

tomorrow we plan to start classes with the local children's services organization to become eligible to serve as foster parents, and at the very least, to learn more about parenting, and the needs in our local community. we are taking steps, not certain of what will happen, but open to embrace whatever it is God has in store.