Wonderful Surprises

A couple weeks ago I went to the bank, and as I walked out a lady approached me and asked, "Is this your car?" My response... "Yes, why?" She accidentally backed into my vehicle, parked, and was kind enough to not drive off and wait for me. The damage was not terrible, but enough to have the paint chips, a little ding, and a small tear fixed. 

I was able to get her insurance information, call in a claim, and was referred to a paint and body shop by the insurance company. What is the wonderful surprise? God's complete provision. 

It was Tuesday morning, and I walk into the Paint & Body Shop. It is family owned and they have been in business for 26 years. I walk in and have to wait for the rental car company to pick me up. While waiting (for a little over an hour), I talk with the owners about many things. One thing in particular - kids. They talk about their grand kids and how they adore their time with them. And then I was asked, "do you have any kids?" I am so thankful to be at the point where I can share with others what God is doing in our lives. So, that is exactly what I did. I spoke about Journeymark and what the purpose of the business is, and do you know what God did? He provided something for the business. 

The sweet lady mentions she quilts and wants to offer baby quilts for Journeymark. I am completely in awe and say, "I would be so grateful." On Friday, I went to pick up my vehicle. She had completed the top sections of two quilts, and I love them. They are so very sweet, and something that she will be able to bless others with by using her gift.

You see where I am going with this? My car was hit, while parked, for me to file a claim and have the insurance company suggest two options for me to take my car to get fixed. I chose this particular shop, waited for over an hour on the rental car company, and now, Journeymark will offer baby quilts. How precious God's surprises are in our lives. Be sure not to miss them. 

Launching October 1st

We are excited about the launch of our website in the next couple weeks. Here is a sneak peak of the items being sold.

Diaper Bag

Velcro Pouches

Two Burp Cloths

12x16 Pillow Cases

Next Steps

I am so grateful to learn the results of my pathology report came back with good news. No uterine cancer. Thank you Lord! What next? I have something called Luteal Phase Defect. In other words, it is a failure of my uterine lining being in the right place for the baby to attach itself. I will begin taking Letrozole, a medication to help stimulate my ovaries, and progesterone. I look forward to what may happen over the next few months.   

I learn more every day about my faith growing and strengthening. Not because of anything I have done, but because of God taking me through challenges I never thought I would face. Over these past few years, I have held onto God's hope each day. Some days tougher than others, but always seeing how He works it out for His glory. 

Even now, holding onto His hope, no matter what the outcome, He will be praised. 

Surgery Is Over

Close to 4 years later, we have some progress concerning our infertility issues. I feel so grateful, I want to share. Why share this? With infertility, you can't give or gain enough support. By sharing my story with other women, I hope others will see they are not alone regarding their questions, hurt, pain, and more questions.

About a month ago, I found out I had 2 polyps in my uterus. (Had - meaning I am now polyp free). I underwent a hysteroscopy this past Thursday, which in lay terms means going under, having the polyps removed, and waking up with no clue about what just happened. I received great care from my wonderful OBGYN to the team of nurses and anesthesiologists at Baylor Frisco. I'm very thankful my nurse administering the needle into the vein in my hand waited for my OBGYN to distract me before doing it. She had skills.

I did have a cool encounter in the recovery room after my surgery. Barely awake, I heard my sweet nurse say to me, "I have had to go through some of this myself." She mentioned something about her children and I asked, "How many do you have?" She said she adopted twin girls from Russia. Not only did the Lord put someone in that moment who could relate with where my heart has been for awhile now, He also allowed me to share with her our plans to adopt. It was a spiritual comfort during a time of physical discomfort.

Now what do we do now the surgery is over?

I am low on my progesterone levels, which I'll discuss with my OBGYN in a couple of weeks. The low progesterone levels seems to be more common these days in women my age from what I understand. I look forward to having my body feel normal again, and I am hopeful for whatever God has planned for us.

What about you? Can you relate?

Welcome to Journeymark Cards & Gifts

What is this blog about? Giving love, support, and care to those who are adopting and the adopted. Simple, right?

One look at my profile and you might realize I'm a sucker for happy endings in books and movies. My husband Chris and I were married over 10 years ago. It didn't take long for people to begin asking us when we were going to have children. "Did you really just ask that?" I thought every time. I soon learned to rattle off a safe answer. "About three years". That seemed to satisfy the masses while I went on learning from and enjoying the times we had together as husband and wife (even the tough ones).

We had talked about having kids before marriage (the talking, not the having). Even then, we said we were both open to adoption. Well, my constant reassuring to those who asked about "three years" soon hit another "three years". With other things to focus on (jobs, school, etc.), we never took time to wonder if we would have any issue getting pregnant. Over the past four years, infertility has become an unwelcome roommate in our home. Three OBGYNs later, we feel we are finally getting some answers and a plan to move forward. Although we are still hopeful for the chance to conceive and give birth naturally, over this time, God has nurtured another plan within our hearts. This plan has everything to do with adoption.

We currently pray about, read about, and talk to those who have adopted. While celebrating the adoption anniversary of their daughter with some friends, I went to look for a card which would say something meaningful about adoption. I found nothing. In this moment, I felt God was telling me to do something about that. I knew I was to make cards and gifts which specifically mark the journey of adoption. Soon after, through prayer, counsel, trial and error, God began to reveal more of how I was to go about this new endeavor.

In researching adoption, most families are not able to adopt due to the lack of funds. Adoption costs can range from $8k domestically to $30k internationally. For someone desiring to adopt, the cost seems daunting. Our desire at Journeymark Cards & Gifts is to help raise funds for families who have begun the adoption process. 10% of every item sold will go towards an adoption savings fund. Even if we can help one family adopt and bring one child home, this business will prove successful.

So, please take a look at the products we have to offer at journeymarkcards.com. If there is anything you desire that you don't see at present time, let me know at jessica@journeymarkcards.com.

I'd love to hear your feedback.

May your journey be marked with joy!