The Decade Challenge

I am not always one who likes to follow the “trends” in life. Not that I strive daily to go against the status quo, but I want to be careful to not get caught up cultural trends, which eventually fade. Then I read about the decade challenge.

One day on Facebook, I saw all of these old pictures starting to circulate of people I knew. I thought what in the world? What are we reminiscing about? Then I read the hashtag and sure enough, there was a purpose behind them all. As I looked back at those who had posted pictures of the decade challenge, I started to wonder, what was life like a decade ago for Dan and I?

A Decade Ago…

Dan and I had just learned that it would be incredibly risky for me to get pregnant, therefore, I started to grieve the fact that I would never carry a child. Let me tell you, there is no way to prepare yourself for that news. It led me to believe that I wasn’t good enough, that I let Dan down, and all while carrying a heart diagnosis that would possibly require another open heart surgery.

It was a dark time for me. I never imagined not having my own children. I never imagined that this would be a part of my life. And grieving the fact that I would never become pregnant – which was a dream of mine. But God sure has a way of redeeming our broken dreams in life, doesn’t he?

Let this next picture be a reminder of where God has taken us in a decade…

I never imagined that this would be my life. Holding our now 4 1/2 year old daughter, whom I carried to full term. And not only her, but having 2 babies in heaven, who we can’t WAIT to meet, thanks to our dear friend who offered to be a gestational carrier for us. What you can’t see though, are the numerous scars that my body now wears, thanks to my diagnosis of heart failure. I see this last picture and think wow, God, you sure have done a wondrous work in our lives since 2010. But in the end, we couldn’t be more thankful for the journey he has given us. We know it’s all for HIS name’s sake and all we can do, is pray that His name will be made known.

From decade to decade.