how can you help?

We all need a little help here and there.  I imagine there is not one of us that have had a life of perfection and/or times when we weren't in need.  Whether those needs are emotional, physical, or financial, we have all struggled.  While I don't ever like to ask as I am severely independent, I know that we all can be assisted throughout the next year.  How can you help us on this journey?

Pray.  The most important thing is prayers.  Pray for strength for all of us.  Talk to the big Man about our journey and ask that he watch over us and let it continue to go smoothly.  We know this is His doing, but we are doing everything in our power to ensure we are honoring Him in the process.  Pray that each step of the way allows for the next, continuing our journey to a sweet little baby.  Pray for my body that everything works well and creates a viable pregnancy.  Pray for Bethany and Phillip that they continue to feel peace with the journey and that they can be with us throughout the pregnancy as much or as little as they wish.  Pray for Jacob.  Jacob is my number one support and knows that carrying isn't super easy.  He often takes the brunt of it.  Pray that Gregory and Meade will be understanding of the baby in my belly and that it is Aunt Bethany and Uncle Phillip's baby.  Pray that throughout the time we are pregnant that they are able to educate others, nothing gets to the point better than toddlers!  Pray for all of our parents.  Every single one of them worries about our health, the journey, potential further devastation, and a healthy baby.  Pray for the rest of our families.  This isn't easy on anyone but sure is bringing us closer together by the day.  Pray that we understand and find solace in each step, regardless of how easy or difficult it may be.  Pray for the physicians, clinicians, and medical teams supporting each of us.  This may be their daily environment, but no one IVF treatment, body, pregnancy, or well-being of us all is one in the same.  Lastly, pray for our patience and trust in Him.

Support.  Offer kind words.  Check in for no reason.  To feel loved and appreciated is one thing that will give us all strength throughout the next year (and hopefully by that time, our journey will be complete).  Send positive thoughts without reaching out - we will feel them, I promise.  Listen - we may have good days and bad days.  Some days we might just need someone to talk it over with.  Don't offer suggestions, but be attentive and supportive regardless of the good, the bad, or the ugly.  Find ways to advocate for others that may be in similar situations.  Have you known someone else that has gone through their own IVF/surrogacy journey?  Offer to make those connections.  One thing that helps me most is listening to others that have walked these steps before me.

Donate.  If you are in a spot in your life where you have a little extra disposable income, be willing to share with Phillip and Bethany.  None of this is cheap.  Last year, when their hope of a family with genetic DNA was no longer, Phillip and Bethany still had to come to the realization that they were out probably over $40K.  How could they even try again knowing the expenses are so high?  While I am not accepting any payment for my part in this, the entire process will still cost them well over $50K.  Bethany and Phillip's dear friends set up an account to help them ease some of the financial stress.  I am so happy to say that over in just a few days, almost $7K has been raised.  How amazing is that?  Together, I know there are plenty more people out there willing to pass along a little help, they just have to be aware of the journey.  Here is their GoFundMe account.  Donate and/or share as you can and see fit.  All I ask is that I am not identified as their carrier just yet.  Now is not the right time, but it will be soon enough.

As I said, I struggle to ask, but after seeing my grandfather on Christmas Eve, with tears in his eyes and a huge smile on his face, write a check to Bethany and Phillip for one thousand dollars I realized that others do want to help and sometimes providing a financial gift is the easiest for them. One. Thousand. Dollars.  Just think, if we all chipped in a little, the financial pressure of it all can be eased considerably.  Maybe you have gone through something similar and want to help them?  Maybe you had no struggles creating your own family but couldn't imagine facing the roller coaster they have been on for five years?  Maybe you just have a generous heart and the financial means to give something - no amount is too little. 

If you're anything like me, giving is far better than receiving.  At the end of this, with all of your prayers, support, and donations, I cannot wait to give Bethany and Phillip their sweet, sweet bundle of joy, made possible by all of you.