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How to Choose Your Word of the Year for 2025
Every January, it seems like everyone is buzzing about New Year’s resolutions. We hear about ambitious goals and “new year, new me” aspirations, but for me, I’ve never quite connected with that. Life changes, sometimes unexpectedly, and it’s hard to plan for a season I’m not in. When those resolutions fall through—as they often do—there’s a sense of disappointment that’s hard to shake. I also noticed that sometimes, in trying to keep up with other people’s goals or trends, I was losing sight of what mattered most to me. Instead of feeling inspired, I found myself overwhelmed. That’s why, back in 2018, I decided to take a different approach. Instead of setting resolutions, I began the practice of choosing a Word of the Year. This simple yet powerful shift has profoundly impacted my life. Each year, I take time to reflect, pray, and ask God for guidance on what word will serve as my anchor for the year ahead. And let me tell you, it’s been transformative in ways I never expected. My Journey with a Word of the Year Let me take you back to 2018, the year I first embraced this practice. At the time, I was stepping…
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Bible Verses You Need to Know: Finding Hope During Infertility
Going through infertility can be a deeply emotional and unpredictable journey. It’s easy to feel isolated and overwhelmed. However, many women, including myself, have found comfort in Bible verses that offer hope and strength. These words remind us that we’re not alone in our struggles and that our faith can be a powerful source of comfort. My name is Sarah, and I have been experiencing infertility for the past 4 1/2 years. Some of my darkest days were early in my infertility journey. It was an unwanted path, one I did not see coming. To be honest, there was a time when I couldn’t bring myself to read my Bible because I was so upset with God. I felt broken and in pain, unable to find comfort in His word. But when I did turn to Him, I found so much peace and comfort. About a year into dealing with infertility, I was struggling deeply with my faith. Then I had a turning point. I remember it vividly: it was a warm, sunny fall day, and I was journaling in our backyard. I reached a point where I felt I had to decide: either God is who He says He…
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The Truth About Infertility Grief
The grief of infertility is often overlooked because it doesn’t fit into the usual categories of loss. Yet, it is one of the most difficult types of grief because it involves the loss of dreams and future possibilities, which are deeply intertwined with our identities. Dealing with infertility can evoke a wide range of emotions similar to the grieving process after a loss. The emotional journey of infertility is often overlooked or misunderstood, as the loss is not as tangible as the death of a loved one. However, it involves the loss of hope for the future, the dream of becoming a parent, and feeling like you have no control over your own family plans. Infertility grief is unique and multifaceted, encompassing a range of deep and often hidden emotional struggles. Many people expect that starting a family will be a natural and easy part of life. From a young age, society and personal expectations shape the belief that becoming a parent is something that will just happen. When faced with infertility, these expectations are suddenly shattered, and it can lead to a lot of painful emotions. The grief associated with infertility isn’t just about not being able to have…
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Sneak Peek into My Journey: Preparing for Fertility Consultation
Hi everyone, I’m finally taking a huge step in my fertility journey—I’m going to see a fertility specialist! After 4 ½ years of struggling with infertility, I’m feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. This decision has been a long time coming, and it’s taken a lot to get here. Let me share a bit of my story and how I’m preparing for this big step. Initially, I planned to see a specialist after 1 ½ years of trying, but I ended up canceling that appointment. There were a couple of reasons for this. First and foremost, seeing a fertility specialist can be very expensive, and we didn’t have the finances at that time. Instead of pursuing fertility treatments, we decided to pursue adoption, which had always been on my heart and felt like God was leading us in that direction. We wanted to focus entirely on the adoption process, preparing our hearts to bring a child into our family through adoption, so we put fertility testing on hold. Additionally, I hesitated because of a terrible experience with a doctor at a women’s health clinic. He was dismissive and rude, telling me to wait until it had been three years…
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My Son Turns One: 10 Essential Tips for First-Time Moms
It’s a breathtaking realization that my little boy is already celebrating his first birthday! Looking back on this past year, it’s been a whirlwind of growth, changes, and milestones. I can still vividly recall those early days when he was so tiny, fragile, and dependent on me for everything. It was a journey into the unknown, filled with nervousness and apprehension. I had never changed a diaper or held a newborn before, and the thought of making a mistake was daunting. But here we are, a year later, thriving and learning together, and I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything in the world. From the moment he was born to our everyday adventures at home, I’ve learned so much about what works best for us as a family. I want to emphasize that I’m not here to give advice, but rather to share what has worked for us. One thing that has really influenced my parenting style is attachment theory, especially the idea of secure attachment. Attachment theory, developed by psychologist John Bowlby, focuses on the bond between a child and their primary caregiver, usually the mother. This bond, nurtured during infancy, is crucial for a child’s emotional and psychological…
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9 Tested Tips for Navigating Infertility on Infertility Awareness Week
Infertility Awareness Week is a time of reflection and support for those navigating the complexities of infertility. In this post, I share personal insights and practical tips based on my journey through infertility and adoption. From the initial realization of infertility to the profound moments of hope and joy in the adoption process, I offer guidance and encouragement for those facing similar challenges. Join me as we explore the emotional ups and downs, the unexpected twists and turns, and the unwavering hope that has carried me through my journey. 1) Describe the moment when you first realized that you might be experiencing infertility. What thoughts and emotions surfaced for you, and what made this realization particularly challenging? Around the beginning of our journey with infertility, roughly six months into our attempts to conceive, I felt a creeping sense of unease. It was quite a departure from the confidence I’d always had in my fertility. Despite having regular cycles and no known issues, the thought that infertility might be in our future blindsided me. During that time, I was hit with a whirlwind of emotions. First came disbelief, as if my body had somehow betrayed me. Then came a deep sense…
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Candid Reflections: Authentic Tales of Motherhood and Adoption
As Mother’s Day approaches, I reflect on my journey of motherhood and adoption filled with twists, turns, and unexpected joys. It’s been a long and often painful road filled with uncertainty and doubt. There were moments when I thought I might never become a mom, moments that broke me and tested my resolve. Yet, through the struggle, I found growth. It made me stronger and more confident and instilled in me a deeper appreciation for family. Dealing with infertility forced me to reassess my expectations of motherhood. It taught me to cherish the present joys rather than fixate on future hopes. My path to motherhood has been slower and different from others, but it’s precious nonetheless. Regardless of how one becomes a mother, the essence of motherhood lies in love, nurture, and unwavering support. If you are also going through a similar journey of infertility and need extra encouragement, I’ve created a free 8 day devotional titled “Blossoming in the Waiting“. This devotional is specifically designed to uplift and inspire those facing infertility. It provides daily reflections and encouraging scriptures to help you find peace, strength, and purpose in your journey. In this blog post, I’ll explore the complex journey…
