Let’s Get Together

Summer is only two days away and I’m looking forward to some rest and relaxation! As a public school teacher, I am just as happy about the last day of school as my students. Yay!!

I will also be starting this summer off with a conference: Choose Joy 2018. It is a two-day faith-based conference event geared toward people experiencing infertility. There will be breakout sessions where we can choose to hear about topics that are closest to our hearts and situations, Q & A panel discussions, testimonies, worship, and time for connection. They are even raffling off funds to help one lucky attendee to grow their family!

It is simply because of God’s goodness that I am attending this conference for the first time. This is the sixth year for the event and I had never even heard of it. I selected the March 2nd episode of Sarah’s Laughter Infertility Podcast which hosted Emmy Blakely, the creative force behind the conference. She shared her infertility story and how she was inspired to create Choose Joy.

I responded with excitement and an immediate ‘YES!’ I knew that I wanted to attend this event. Truthfully, I would have been more reluctant to travel to attend a two-day event in California without any prior knowledge or recommendation from someone I trust. But, Atlanta is only a hop, skip, and jump away! So, I knew I could make it happen.

I’ve also developed a trust in Beth Forbus, the founder of Sarah’s Laughter. She was one of the first resources I found on this journey and I’ve been following her work for years. So, when she hosted Emmy and shared that she is the Keynote Speaker for the conference, I said a double ‘YES!’ I am going to Choose Joy 2018!!!

I’ve read Sarah’s Laughter’s emails, met with the online support group, completed the Bible app reading plan, and now I listen to the podcasts. The work that Beth Forbus has done has helped to strengthen me in my low places. With her words of hope, I’ve been able to maintain a level of expectation that fuels my passion and belief that God has a plan for my life and my family.

I cannot wait to share with you my experience at Choose Joy 2018. In the meantime, I encourage you to set aside some time in this season to attend your own event. Maybe it’s not Choose Joy in Atlanta and that’s okay. Maybe you have to spend some time searching to even locate an event. You may have to add it to your Vision Board or plan for 2019 to attend Choose Joy 2019. Or maybe you are reluctant to participate in a conference at all. Curious? Visit http://choosejoyevent.comfor more information.

Whatever fuels your spirit is what I recommend. Plant a garden, get a massage, or make an appointment with a mental health professional. Take care of you!

Hope-Filled Thought: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. NIV

Prayer: Thank You Lord that You love us and created connections. Above all else, you desire to have intimate relationship with us. You also inspire us to share connection with others. Help us to freely and receive all that You have for us as we walk this road of infertility. It is so. Amen.