hope

last sunday, we were able to attend a fireside hosted by our local fsa chapter (families supporting adoption).  the guest speaker was lindsey redfern, or mrs. r of therhouse.blogspot.com.  she spoke about finding hope through infertility and adoption.  her message has been on my mind a lot this week.  she said some things that i took note of:

• "praying with a hard heart does not bring hope." - no matter how much i pray for it, hope will not enter in until i soften my heart about my infertility.
• "in order to let a new dream in, you need to let the old dream die." - wow.  this is a very tough one for me.  i started the ugly cry and couldn't stop for many long minutes.  but i didn't want to leave to get a tissue so i used my coat sleeves.  i will wash that coat. :)
• "10-15% of couples struggle with infertility.  that may be why Heavenly Father included stories in the scriptures of women who struggled with having to wait for children." - i've read those women's stories.  they have helped me a lot through my grief and pain.

applying her lesson to my life:  i think you need hope to have courage.  if you don't, then what are you being so brave for?

lindsey shared one of her favorite quotes.  it is my new favorite now.  (author unknown)

perhaps strength doesn't reside in never being broken, but in the courage required to grow strong in the broken places.