Faith, Hope, Loss, Miscarriage, Testimonies
Lauren Bourne
The Christmas Card Exchange CHANGED HER LIFE!!
The Christmas Card Exchange CHANGED HER LIFE!!
Lauren Bourne
Word for 2018!
Word for 2018!
Lauren Bourne
Wait Until He's Late
Wait Until He's Late
Hope, Freebies, Faith
Lauren Bourne
30 Days of Thankfulness IN THE WAIT!
30 Days of Thankfulness IN THE WAIT!
Emotions, Faith, Miscarriage, Loss
Lauren Bourne
10 Journaling Prompts Through Miscarriage
10 Journaling Prompts Through Miscarriage

Miscarriage

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The Christmas Card Exchange CHANGED HER LIFE!!

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Lauren, here! I'm so excited to share this email testimony with you (I asked permission to share)! This is an AMAZING story of God's goodness. He sees us and what we need, and He is FAITHFUL! Now grab a tissue...

Photo Credit: Sabraw Photography

Photo Credit: Sabraw Photography

Hi Lauren!

My name is Courtney Kelly and I was a part of the 2017 Christmas Card Exchange. I learned about it from the I Am Fruitful Instastories. I didn't know that it would change my life when I swiped up for more information. 

I learned about I Am Fruitful from the blog post, Wait Until He's Late. I started following I Am Fruitful on Instagram. I signed up and then prayed for my Christmas Card Exchange partner, not knowing who she would be but fully confident that God knew.

On October 26th, 2013, I vowed to my husband to love him "in sickness and in health," and it has come in that order. We have dealt with a miscarriage right before he started chemotherapy for stage 3 colon cancer. Infertility was something we knew COULD happen but didn't think it would. After 12 rounds of chemotherapy, infertility was added to the list. We did two failed rounds of IVF in the fall of 2016. 

Mark Batterson says that, "God shows up and God shows off." God REALLY showed off with Jamie. On November 30th, my life changed. I tried to find her on social media, but couldn't, so I hoped Jamie was a girl (Haha!) and sent her a card and my favorite devotional. On December 8th, she sent me an email, and a friendship was born. 

I'm not sure I can get through this part without crying, so please stay with me! I had to wait 29 years to meet my husband. I had to wait 33 years to meet the friend that my heart has always always always wanted. I used to pray to have a friend that I had a lot in common with but I stopped praying because I hadn't met her. I didn’t think she existed. I wanted a friend I could laugh and cry with, a friend that would understand me and my love for Jesus (and share it with me!) and a friend that would be there – really be there – and understand me. And I would do the same for her! Only God could've orchestrated this friendship because even our differences are compatible. Jamie is the same as me AND totally different than me. God really showed off!

I'm writing this email to thank you. Thank you for hosting the Christmas Card Exchange. Thank you for prayerfully considering the matches. Thank you for this incredible blessing. My hope and my prayer is that you are blessed abundantly. I pray that God shows up and He shows off... for you! Thank you, Lauren, from the bottom of my heart.

Love,

Courtney Kelly 

Joy Comes in the Morning: Coloring Through Infant Loss & Miscarriage
sold out
Joy Comes in the Morning: Coloring Through Infant Loss & Miscarriage
$12.99

If you have experienced a miscarriage, still birth, or infant loss- this coloring book is for you!  It also makes a thoughtful gift for a friend going through the devastating loss of a baby. 

This collection of designs forms a beautiful and therapeutic tool for grieving. It provides a creative way to express your grief while meditating on the Word of God and filling your mind with truth.

It is a beautiful collection of over 25 inspiring pages designed by artists from Alaska to Hawaii, from East Coast to West! The pages include a variety of styles, ink drawings, and digital creations. Many of the artists have experienced miscarriage or infant loss, and on the back of each page they share encouragement for the grieving heart.

*Also available on Amazon Prime!

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10 Journaling Prompts Through Miscarriage

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If you are grieving the loss of a baby, I am so sorry! It's one of the hardest things to go through, and although you will never forget (and you don't want to)... it will get easier. It IS possible for your heart to heal because we serve a loving Father who comforts us and takes care of us and desires for us to walk in full and complete health- physically AND emotionally! 

Whether your miscarriage was 10 years ago or your baby died at birth last week, our team wants to encourage you to grieve- and that looks different for everyone. Don't be afraid to take the hard questions to God, to figure out why you're angry, to cry, to ask for help, to get some counseling or therapy. In our culture, we have been conditioned to think those things are a sign of weakness, but I believe they are a sign of a very strong woman who is dealing with her disappointment and loss in a healthy way!

So on to our journaling. One of the ways we figure out how we feel and begin to move on is by writing! And you don't have to write a novel. There were days after my miscarriages that I filled pages of my journal with ink and tears, but there were days I couldn't write at all- or I could write a single, angry sentence. Both were good. Both were healthy. 

Here are 10 simple journal prompts while you're going through the loss of a baby:

1. I feel God's presence most when...

2. Sometimes I feel guilty because...

3. I feel like I'm missing out on...

4. I feel angry because...

5. I'm grateful for...

6. I feel shame when...

7. A scripture that's helping me is...

8. God's showing me that He is...

9. The hardest time of day is...

10. I find the most hope when...

If you feel this was helpful for you, don't forget to Pin and Share it for other ladies as well!

Joy Comes in the Morning: Coloring Through Infant Loss & Miscarriage
sold out
Joy Comes in the Morning: Coloring Through Infant Loss & Miscarriage
$12.99

If you have experienced a miscarriage, still birth, or infant loss- this coloring book is for you!  It also makes a thoughtful gift for a friend going through the devastating loss of a baby. 

This collection of designs forms a beautiful and therapeutic tool for grieving. It provides a creative way to express your grief while meditating on the Word of God and filling your mind with truth.

It is a beautiful collection of over 25 inspiring pages designed by artists from Alaska to Hawaii, from East Coast to West! The pages include a variety of styles, ink drawings, and digital creations. Many of the artists have experienced miscarriage or infant loss, and on the back of each page they share encouragement for the grieving heart.

*Also available on Amazon Prime!

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Going through infertility or loss? Share this with your family...

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I'm so excited to introduce you to my amazing mom, Pam Grosse. I'm so thankful to her for sharing her heart during National Infertility Awareness Week. If you're going through infertility or loss and your family just doesn't seem to understand... send this to them. It's a great way to get a conversation started! Chances are they WANT to be there for you, they just may not know how!! And most likely, they don't have any idea how you feel or how hard this is!! I'll be following up this post soon with a list of ways to support family members going through delayed fertility.

Written by: Pam Grosse

I have never experienced the excruciating loss of an infant or child, or had a miscarriage, or spent years of waiting, hoping, and praying that I would become pregnant.  Nor have I dealt with the stress that can manifest in a marriage when any of these things have occurred.  But, I am the mother of someone who has endured several miscarriages, has spent hours in doctors’ offices, waited and waited and waited for months to conceive only to receive disappointing news, and probably cried buckets of tears.  Sadly, most young women or couples in that position feel very alone and frustrated – and many get depressed.  What is even sadder is that the people around them don’t even know how that person is feeling.  Not even family.  Not even Mom.  That is why I am so thrilled to see I Am Fruitful reaching so many lives and helping so many to heal and have hope.

Lauren & Pam

When my daughter, Lauren Bourne, and her husband, Billy, started I Am Fruitful I was so happy to know that even though they had already had one baby and another would soon be on the way, they wanted to reach out to couples like themselves who were going through similar situations.  There just wasn’t much out there for them when they were going through a tough time, so before they even received their first miracle, God began speaking to them to begin their ministry to women and couples who were going through similar situations or even worse.

As Lauren’s ministry began taking shape I began to realize just how much my daughter hadn’t been able to share with me and how much pain she and Billy had experienced.  Even though Lauren and Billy have a solid marriage with God at the center, they suffered heartache that people who are not in their situation will ever understand.  I thought that because I had such a great son-in-law, he would be there for Lauren and she would be there for him, and I just needed to let them be alone.  Time would heal their wounds. Besides, her dad and I lived 4 ½ hours away, so I would just pray and trust God to answer.  Sadly, they felt very alone with little support.  They were experiencing deep pain and hopelessness and very few people knew what they were going through or how to help.  I believe that most family members or friends who have never gone through a long season of waiting to get pregnant, suffered miscarriage, or even worse – the loss of an infant, will ever fully comprehend what someone going through any of those events truly feels.

Fast forward to two precious gifts (my grandchildren) from God and a ministry that is reaching out to couples who are hurting – just like Lauren and Billy were hurting.  And it all comes down to them surrendering their hearts completely to their heavenly Father, believing that His word to us is true, that His ways and thoughts are much higher than ours, and His plans for His children are  great – to give them a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).  Now, there is a wonderful place to connect with others who are trying to conceive or have suffered an immeasurable loss – a safe place where they can share from the depths of their heart and find resources to help in such a difficult season of grief or waiting.

I now have a much greater understanding of what my children went through with delayed fertility and multiple miscarriages, and I feel honored to be part of the prayer team at I Am Fruitful.  We are here to be a voice to God on behalf of those who are unable to express theirs or for those who need someone to stand with them for their dreams and desires to be met.

“You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!  ”
— John 14:13-14 (NLT)

My heart goes out to every person who writes in, and although I am not connecting with them on a personal basis, I am interceding on their behalf, thanking our faithful heavenly Father for hearing every prayer and for bringing every answer.  I have already heard many happy stories of what God has done in so many lives, and I want to encourage anyone reading this who is going through a difficult time to press into God and let Him take your burden and pain in exchange for His peace, joy, and healing.  

No matter where you are right now, God knows it, He sees it, and He is there to comfort you, strengthen you, and give you hope – even in the midst of what may be a very dark time.  Joy truly does come in the morning, because the Lord’s mercies are new every morning – and He will never leave you alone.  EXPECT His faithfulness in your life!

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  
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— Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)

Lauren, here! Can I just tell you how amazing this woman is?? This woman I get to call Mom. The one who drives over 4 hours to babysit. The one who always reminds me it's okay to be a little feisty. The one who has encouraged me over the decades to pursue my dreams. 

She may have downplayed her involvement during our waiting season. She and my dad may not have understood, but they were CONSTANTLY encouraging me, sending me emails, shooting me texts with scripture, calling, asking how I was, reminding me that God is bigger. I'm so grateful to have a supportive and Christ-centered family, and I say we need to make Mom's writing a regular thing around here!

Donate

Check out OUR IDEAS for raising awareness and getting involved during National Infertility Awareness Week! It's not too late!

Lately on Instagram:

God is so good! He hasn’t run out of miracles!!
So many of you have become dads since we began this ministry! Happy Father’s Day to you!! And for those still waiting… we continue to pray for you!
Today we remember and are grateful to those who have served and given their lives. And to every family who has lost a loved one, we honor you and pray for you!
I know this weekend can be so hard for thousands of future mamas. You’ve been waiting and waiting and things don’t necessarily look good in the natural. I encourage you to stop scrolling this weekend. Get off social if it doesn’t
If you need encouragement today that God still does miracles, go read Psalms 111 (I love the Passion Translation). Every miracle demonstrates his eternal perfection. His miracles leave people astonished. His word proves trustworthy and true! You m
This week of #nationalinfertilityawarenessweek can be so challenging for many! Instead of tapping into what people have to say, into raising awareness for an issue, into sad stories and advice etc… I encourage you to TAP INTO HIS FAITHFULNESS!
Like every year, we seek to draw attention to our Healer, to the One who provides, to our problem-solver and Shepherd. Infertility is hard, we don’t deny it! But who is grateful for the hope we have that the world doesn’t?? I can’
Don’t stop believing that He will do what He said!!! #iamfruitful
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A new program that will greatly impact lives!

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Long before we started I Am Fruitful, I would pray for ladies who told me they were having trouble getting pregnant. I'd take a gift when I heard of a miscarriage. I would meet for lunch to help ease a nervous friend's mind about IUI. I would send a text and ask how it's going. It was one friend at a time. And although our ministry has grown, my heart remains the same. I deeply desire to support you on this journey to grow your family. 

We have so many requests for support and prayer, and my personal capacity to pray has reached its cap.

Enter our new Prayer Team!!  

We're so blessed to have a team of people ready and willing to come alongside you in prayer. 

 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God--it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].”

‭‭JAMES‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Many issues can arise while dealing with delayed fertility or the loss of a baby- financial strain, marriage issues, health problems, emotional stress, procedures and tests, adoption processes. The list goes on! 

Let us know how we can support you! 

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The Bourne's share about their new book... RELEASING TODAY!

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WATCH BELOW TO HEAR A LITTLE ABOUT THE BOOK,  OUR HEART FOR THIS PROJECT, AND WHAT WE HOPE THIS BOOK WILL ACCOMPLISH.

BIG THANKS TO CHRIS STETSON FOR THE VIDEO.

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A poem from a daddy after miscarriage

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My husband, Billy, wrote this poem after our first miscarriage with our son, Levi.

Miscarriage is HARD for the moms. But it's hard for the dad's too! I hope this blesses a hurting daddy today.

To Levi
by Billy Bourne

There's no direction for my emotion

I'm confused on what to feel...

A hurt without a name 

But, a hurt I can't conceal.

You’ll never see a day begin

A life without a breath

Innocence that knows no sin

My wife's spirit without rest

I'll never recognize your mother

Behind the smiles of your eye

I know you only by your heartbeat

And by your name - Levi

 Your eyes will never open

 Your hands will never hold

 Your lips will never kiss

 Your story never told

You will never say you love me

I'll never see you wed

I'll never make you pancakes

Or carry you to bed

 

 I'll never make you laugh

 I'll never let you win

 I'll never pick you up

 I'll never tuck you in

I'll never hold you in my arms

I'll never hear you cry

I'm blind to see your face

There's no answer to the - why?


So I sat down with the lord

And asked him to help me see

Why he would let this happen

Here's what he said to me:

 

Like a son that I've created

Who never knew me while on earth

Eternal separation from me    

Like your son without his birth


 
They will never know my love

Or who I created them to be

Lost forever and unknown

Their true identity a mystery


But, my grace is SO sufficient

Your broken heart I clearly see

But on the day you see my face

You'll see Levi standing next to me


 
I'll be your voice, I'll be your dad

And I'll love and pray for you

Until the day I see the Father

And the first day I see you

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Little Mountain Momma: The Story Behind Her Pages

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Little Mountain Momma: The Story Behind Her Pages

It was a true battle for me to surrender this part of my heart to the Lord.  I didn’t want His answer to be, “no.” This certainly wasn’t my vision for our family.  What if my vision didn’t line up with God’s?  Would I be able to trust that His heart for me, and for our family was in fact good, even if it looked different than what I had imagined?  

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Joy Comes in the Morning is AVAILABLE TOMORROW for Pre-Order!

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We are so pleased to announce that Joy Comes in the Morning is available for pre-order TOMORROW, March 1st!

Learn more below and click here to get the inside scoop about our adult coloring book for infant loss and miscarriage.

Meet the artists! That's right! We teamed up with artists, friends, moms and dads from across the country who have experienced loss or have a heart for families who go through it. Together, we want to encourage and uplift anyone suffering the loss of a baby- from "chemical pregnancy" to stillbirth or death of an infant. One of my favorite things about this book is that it's a collection of all different styles. Some are artists and designers by trade and some for fun, we have Etsy shop owners, artistic dads, friends who simply believed in this project... and then there are just crafty moms like me and my bestie who wanted to share our hearts through a page or two. It's perfectly imperfect. And each and every page points to hope, to comfort, to Jesus.

If you order March 1st, make sure and use our discount code "JOY20" to receive 20% off!

100% of the profit will go into I Am Fruitful so that we can continue creating programs and resources for this community. 

View fullsize God is so good! He hasn’t run out of miracles!!
View fullsize So many of you have become dads since we began this ministry! Happy Father’s Day to you!! And for those still waiting… we continue to pray for you!
View fullsize Today we remember and are grateful to those who have served and given their lives. And to every family who has lost a loved one, we honor you and pray for you!
View fullsize I know this weekend can be so hard for thousands of future mamas. You’ve been waiting and waiting and things don’t necessarily look good in the natural. I encourage you to stop scrolling this weekend. Get off social if it doesn’t
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Pregnancy Loss Journey Podcast

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I'm so honored to have been interviewed by the lovely Christy of the Pregnancy Loss Journey Podcast.

In this episode I share briefly about our own delayed fertility and miscarriages. Here are a few things we dig into:

  • choosing faith over fear
  • hope in the waiting
  • what do we have faith in?
  • managing emotions
  • accountability
  • redemption for loss

 If you need a little hope in your struggle... have a listen.

Psalm 126:5-6 (NLT)

"Those who plant in tears
    will harvest with shouts of joy.
They weep as they go to plant their seed,
    but they sing as they return with the harvest."

Featured
Hope Box
sold out
Hope Box
$40.00

Please note: We operate with a volunteer staff, and we currently ship on Tuesdays and Fridays! :) P.S. our shipping gals are rock stars, so we get your products out as quickly as possible!

A meaningful gift for every mom after the loss of a baby.

We call this a box of tangible hope. Our heart behind this gift is that she would know she’s not alone. That God sees her. That her friends care and that she WILL get through this.

Each Hope Box includes one:

  • I am Fruitful branded Journal

  • Pair of fuzzy socks

  • Bath Salts

  • Plantable Remembrance Card

  • Oil Roller

  • Set of Prayer Cards

  • A letter with links to free resources and continuing support

Please Note: Colors of product will vary

Joy Comes in the Morning T-shirt
sold out
Joy Comes in the Morning T-shirt
$20.00

Please note: we operate with a volunteer staff, and we currently ship on Tuesdays and Fridays! :) P.S. our shipping gals are rock stars, so we get your products out as quickly as possible!

These shirts runs about a size or 2 too small because they are a tighter woman’s fit. However, the model has hers tied behind her back.

We love Psalms 30:5 “Crying may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning!”

These t-shirts are the perfect reminder that this is a season. And not only that, its a season that will end with shouts of joy!!

These make great gifts for any woman, and especially one going through infertility or baby loss.

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sold out
Rainbow Onesie
$15.00 $20.00

Please note: we operate with a volunteer staff, and we currently ship on Tuesdays and Fridays! :) P.S. our shipping gals are rock stars, so we get your products out as quickly as possible!

rain·bow ba·by: /ˈrānˌbō ˈbābē/ A baby born after the loss of a previous baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth or death in infancy.

Whether you have a baby in Heaven and you’re waiting on your rainbow, you’re pregnant or have an infant, or you just love the onesie because it’s ADORABLE… we appreciate your support!

These onesies make great shower gifts for new moms! They’re also a great option if you’re supporting a friend who is trying to conceive!

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sold out
Worth the Wait Onesie
$15.00 $20.00

Please note: we operate with a volunteer staff, and we currently ship on Tuesdays and Fridays! :) P.S. our shipping gals are rock stars, so we get your products out as quickly as possible!

Designed for mommas who might not be mommas YET or have WAITED and their miracle is finally here.

Maybe she’s waiting and hoping. And things may not be happening like she thought they would. This makes the perfect gift for your friend who is trying to conceive (or buy it for yourself as an act of faith)!

This onesie also makes an AMAZING baby shower gift for any new mom- whether she waited 9 months or 9 years.

Fruitful T
sold out
Fruitful T
$15.99

Please note: we operate with a volunteer staff, and we currently ship on Tuesdays and Fridays! :) P.S. our shipping gals are rock stars, so we get your products out as quickly as possible!

Strong women of God go through trials too! But this is our inspiration for this shirt. Strong women are resilient, steadfast, and strong in the Lord. They also bear fruit in every season!!

Resilience: the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness; the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity
Steadfastness: unwavering, firmly fixed in place, determined in purpose. Steadfast women respond with strength when pressed upon

Steadfastness is often translated as patience or the ability to bear up under pressure!

This is what the Word says about fruitfulness in Psalms 1:2-3 (TPT)!!!

“Their pleasure and passion is remaining true to the Word of “I Am,”
    meditating day and night in his true revelation of light.
They will be standing firm like a flourishing tree
    planted by God’s design,
    deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss,
    bearing fruit in every season of their lives.
    They are never dry, never fainting,
    ever blessed, ever prosperous.”

Fruitful Bracelet
sold out
Fruitful Bracelet
$11.99

Please note: we operate with a volunteer staff, and we currently ship on Tuesdays and Fridays! :) P.S. our shipping gals are rock stars, so we get your products out as quickly as possible!

**FREE SHIPPING**

Hand-stamped bracelet in 2 finishes!

Here's our heart behind this bracelet– we want to encourage you in your waiting,  in your yearning, and even in the midst of your loss- to speak life over your womb, over your life, and over your fertility. The first thing God told us to do in His Word was to be fruitful and multiply! That was His original design and intention for us!

Our volunteers hand-stamp these bracelets so that each time you put it on, you remember what God says about you! You are fruitful!

A fruitful bracelet also makes a thoughtful gift for your friend who has just decided to start "trying," for your sister who has been labeled with "unexplained infertility," for your bestie who has just had a miscarriage. Whatever her journey to grow her family looks like- she will be blessed by your thoughtfulness!

Rainbow Earrings
sold out
Rainbow Earrings
$11.00

Please note: we operate with a volunteer staff, and we currently ship on Tuesdays and Fridays! :) P.S. our shipping gals are rock stars, so we get your products out as quickly as possible!

**FREE SHIPPING**

Here's our heart behind our rainbow earrings– a rainbow baby is a baby born shortly after the loss of a previous baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth or death in infancy. This term is given to these special rainbow babies because a rainbow typically follows a storm, giving us hope of what’s to come.

We want to grieve with you for your loss, encourage you in your waiting, and celebrate with you for your rainbow baby! These are a reminder to speak life over your womb, over your life, and over your fertility.

Our rainbow earrings also make a thoughtful gift for your friend who has just lost through miscarriage or pregnant with her rainbow baby to celebrate God’s goodness. Whatever her journey to grow her family looks like- she will be blessed by your thoughtfulness!


Return Policy

We believe you will love your Rainbow Earrings, but if you're not fully satisfied, we'll issue a full refund if you return them in their original condition.


Shipping

All the Rainbow Earrings will be shipped on Nov 27, please allow 4-6 business days shipping time. 

Joy Comes in the Morning: Coloring Through Infant Loss & Miscarriage
sold out
Joy Comes in the Morning: Coloring Through Infant Loss & Miscarriage
$12.99

If you have experienced a miscarriage, still birth, or infant loss- this coloring book is for you!  It also makes a thoughtful gift for a friend going through the devastating loss of a baby. 

This collection of designs forms a beautiful and therapeutic tool for grieving. It provides a creative way to express your grief while meditating on the Word of God and filling your mind with truth.

It is a beautiful collection of over 25 inspiring pages designed by artists from Alaska to Hawaii, from East Coast to West! The pages include a variety of styles, ink drawings, and digital creations. Many of the artists have experienced miscarriage or infant loss, and on the back of each page they share encouragement for the grieving heart.

*Also available on Amazon Prime!

View fullsize God is so good! He hasn’t run out of miracles!!
View fullsize So many of you have become dads since we began this ministry! Happy Father’s Day to you!! And for those still waiting… we continue to pray for you!
View fullsize Today we remember and are grateful to those who have served and given their lives. And to every family who has lost a loved one, we honor you and pray for you!
View fullsize I know this weekend can be so hard for thousands of future mamas. You’ve been waiting and waiting and things don’t necessarily look good in the natural. I encourage you to stop scrolling this weekend. Get off social if it doesn’t
View fullsize If you need encouragement today that God still does miracles, go read Psalms 111 (I love the Passion Translation). Every miracle demonstrates his eternal perfection. His miracles leave people astonished. His word proves trustworthy and true! You m
View fullsize This week of #nationalinfertilityawarenessweek can be so challenging for many! Instead of tapping into what people have to say, into raising awareness for an issue, into sad stories and advice etc… I encourage you to TAP INTO HIS FAITHFULNESS!
View fullsize Like every year, we seek to draw attention to our Healer, to the One who provides, to our problem-solver and Shepherd. Infertility is hard, we don’t deny it! But who is grateful for the hope we have that the world doesn’t?? I can’
View fullsize Don’t stop believing that He will do what He said!!! #iamfruitful
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Get Involved and GIVE Today!

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I'm so thrilled to announce that we have opened up a GIVING option on our website! Many of you have asked how you can support us, and although there are many ways, now you can support our ministry financially!

I've never been good at asking for money. Whether it was raising support for a mission trip or asking for help for something else. So although this is a huge stretch for me to open our non-profit up for receiving donations, it's not about me! (I mean, get over myself, right?!) When people are asking how and where they can give... it's time to make it possible! This ministry is something God put on our hearts, and we trust that He'll take care of every financial need. If He wants us to begin or expand a new project, we are confident that He will provide for it!! 

I want to share one of the things that the Lord has put on our hearts at I Am Fruitful. We have a dream that anytime we receive news of a miscarriage or infant loss (and it's truly sad how often this happens), we could send a small but meaningful support package in the mail to the grieving mom or couple. We want to let them know that someone cares, that there's a community of people (YOU) that desires to support them, that they are not alone, and that they WILL get through this! Visions of our support package include a signed letter acknowledging their loss, a small gift, scriptures and resources to help get through the difficult time. And if funding becomes available, we'd love to send them Joy Comes in the Morning: Coloring Through Infant Loss and Miscarriage!

That's just one of the many ways your financial contribution will support couples in a tangible way! 

give today

Thank you for giving today! ANY amount is appreciated! I love the wording of Deuteronomy 16:17 in the Message Version, "each man must bring as much as he can manage, giving generously in response to the blessings of God, your God." Each person should give as they are able, and according to what he has to give. Your gift will help to bring hope and healing to families! 

We don't give in order to receive, of course. However, Billy and I (Lauren) pray a special blessing on each and every gift that is given. The Bible says to give and it will be given to you! We pray that your generosity would be blessed 10 times over and that we would be excellent stewards of each financial contribution received. We're dreamers, my friends! We have big dreams of what we can do, and quite honestly, if God wants to bring those dreams to life, the money will never get in the way! So, if you feel led to give, I pray you are blessed immensely! If you want to support or get involved in other ways, this list will get you going in the right direction:

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED!

  • IDEAS: Send us YOUR ideas! We're open to product ideas as well as ideas for how to serve you and this community. Email lauren@iamfruitful.org
  • VOLUNTEER: Do you have administrative or graphics skills as well as the free time to offer support? We're looking for volunteers to help with day-to-day tasks! Email lauren@iamfruitful.org
  • TESTIMONY: Share your testimony for our "Stories" page HERE!
  • CONTENT: We're always open to new content (blog posts, songs, sermons, anything) that might encourage this community! Send it over! Email lauren@iamfruitful.org 
  • COLLABORATE: Have an Etsy Shop, small business, or organization and want to work together? We LOVE collaborating, speaking, and teaching!! Click HERE!
  • RETREATS: We are looking at retreat locations across the U.S. If you have a summer or rental property that you're willing to let us use, please contact us! (Really, you'll be our best friend) Email lauren@iamfruitful.org
  • COLORING BOOK: Coming SOON! If you have a store or business and would like to sell these, let us know! Email lauren@iamfruitful.org
  • GIVEAWAYS: Donate a product or service for a Giveaway! We'd be honored to facilitate this! Click HERE!

Thanks again for supporting us financially and getting involved!

*If you are giving an amount larger than $100 please email lauren@iamfruitful.org for instructions on how to give.

Give today!

Lately on Instagram

View fullsize God is so good! He hasn’t run out of miracles!!
View fullsize So many of you have become dads since we began this ministry! Happy Father’s Day to you!! And for those still waiting… we continue to pray for you!
View fullsize Today we remember and are grateful to those who have served and given their lives. And to every family who has lost a loved one, we honor you and pray for you!
View fullsize I know this weekend can be so hard for thousands of future mamas. You’ve been waiting and waiting and things don’t necessarily look good in the natural. I encourage you to stop scrolling this weekend. Get off social if it doesn’t
View fullsize If you need encouragement today that God still does miracles, go read Psalms 111 (I love the Passion Translation). Every miracle demonstrates his eternal perfection. His miracles leave people astonished. His word proves trustworthy and true! You m
View fullsize This week of #nationalinfertilityawarenessweek can be so challenging for many! Instead of tapping into what people have to say, into raising awareness for an issue, into sad stories and advice etc… I encourage you to TAP INTO HIS FAITHFULNESS!
View fullsize Like every year, we seek to draw attention to our Healer, to the One who provides, to our problem-solver and Shepherd. Infertility is hard, we don’t deny it! But who is grateful for the hope we have that the world doesn’t?? I can’
View fullsize Don’t stop believing that He will do what He said!!! #iamfruitful
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thoughts from a father on miscarriage

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I'm so blessed to have a husband who not only supports me in the things I pursue, but who participates with me. Although you may hear more out of me, He's been actively working right alongside me in this ministry from the beginning. He loves the I Am Fruitful Community, he's constantly showing me a new perspective, and his heart for men and couples is inspiring. 

We experienced 3 miscarriages throughout our delayed fertility, and this is one life-changing thing that the Lord showed my husband as we battled with loneliness, difficult questions, and anger towards God. Now, from Billy...

"I Know How You Feel" - God

If you're like me– you may have read this with a slightly sarcastic tone, or maybe you know it is SUPPOSED to be true but you haven't yet unlocked the mystery of truth that seems to be alluding your thoughts. 

I remember how angry I was when I was digging into the injustice of our 2nd miscarriage.  

I remember sitting down (the way I had historically approached prayer) and taking out the checklist of thoughts I had to build my case against the so called 'goodness' of God. 

Somehow deep down I wanted to be corrected. I wanted to have my perspective change the way He had shown me so many times before. Maybe because my anger blinded me or maybe because I was experiencing emotions on a level I hadn't experienced before, or both; I went in and out of those conversations without an answer and without a response that seemed to help me understand or bring me peace.

At the time I had all but given up trying to understand the how and why of miscarriage...  I had seemingly moved on and chalked it up as "something I just won't understand until I get to heaven," and that's when completely randomly– God downloaded this...

It started with an intense emotion of empathy–  as if I felt and connected with God before I understood fully what He was going to unpack. Then I stumbled onto this scripture.

“Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you.”
— Jeremiah 1:5

Then God hit me with this–  "I've had billions of miscarriages."

Wait...  huh???

The idea began to unfold...  He showed me that every time one of His children is born, they have the choice throughout their life of whether to spend eternity with their Father.  They have a choice to spend their life pursuing a relationship with Him or not. When they choose not to, they will be apart from Him for all of eternity. 

He loses them, but they aren't forgotten. 

We think of this verse, talking about the point of conception and even before it, that God the Father had us in mind. He knew us. And so, He also knows our children, even though we never will on this earth. Our children will be apart from us through our time on this earth, but we serve a Father who redeems. His perfect design unites us forever with not only our earthly children, but the children we haven't known.

God can change our perspective in a moment. I want to encourage you to pursue a conversation with Him in faith– that He is good, He understands, and He wants to comfort you...  

He knows how you feel...

Lately on Instagram

View fullsize God is so good! He hasn’t run out of miracles!!
View fullsize So many of you have become dads since we began this ministry! Happy Father’s Day to you!! And for those still waiting… we continue to pray for you!
View fullsize Today we remember and are grateful to those who have served and given their lives. And to every family who has lost a loved one, we honor you and pray for you!
View fullsize I know this weekend can be so hard for thousands of future mamas. You’ve been waiting and waiting and things don’t necessarily look good in the natural. I encourage you to stop scrolling this weekend. Get off social if it doesn’t
View fullsize If you need encouragement today that God still does miracles, go read Psalms 111 (I love the Passion Translation). Every miracle demonstrates his eternal perfection. His miracles leave people astonished. His word proves trustworthy and true! You m
View fullsize This week of #nationalinfertilityawarenessweek can be so challenging for many! Instead of tapping into what people have to say, into raising awareness for an issue, into sad stories and advice etc… I encourage you to TAP INTO HIS FAITHFULNESS!
View fullsize Like every year, we seek to draw attention to our Healer, to the One who provides, to our problem-solver and Shepherd. Infertility is hard, we don’t deny it! But who is grateful for the hope we have that the world doesn’t?? I can’
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Pitter and Glink Perspective & a Freebie!

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We are working so hard on a beautiful and inspiring adult coloring book for infant loss and miscarriage. We've put together a team of artists from across the nation to give grieving parents a tool for healing and meditating on God's truth.

I am so excited to give you a glimpse of the talent on our artist team for the this project. Bethany over at Pitter and Glink is one of our artists, and she has some serious God-given ability. I mean- does your Bible look like this??!

There's a link to a few free coloring pages below. Everyone thank Bethany!! Plus, check out her original instagram post for a great perspective on our fertility.

Bethany's Original Instagram Post HERE

"As someone who has struggled with infertility for years, I always pay close attention to parts of the Bible where God blesses infertile women with children. I know their pain because I've felt it myself. One of the recent @shereadstruthGenesis Devotions was about God blessing Sarah, an old woman who had already gone through menopause, with a child. When the messenger of God told Abraham that Sarah would bear a child, she laughed. I get that. It was a laugh like, "That is the craziest thing I've ever heard! Me? An old lady? Have a child?" I feel like it was one of those cynical, joyless laughs. When your heart has known the disappointment of not being pregnant month after month after month, it's easy to become cynical that there could ever be a different outcome. But the messenger of the Lord said, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" And I feel like this was said in that do-you-seriously-think-the-God-who-created-the-universe-can't-perform-this-miracle kind of voice. It's just that simple, y'all. Nothing is too hard for God. But the hard part for us is when He doesn't do that hard thing we've been praying for Him to do. It makes us doubt. It makes us angry. Sometimes it breaks our hearts. But He knows best. He sees the big picture, and He has a plan. We won't always get what we want when we want it. Christianity doesn't work that we. We get what we NEED exactly when we need it. And there will be tough times and there may even be what we view as unanswered prayers. This is earth after all, not heaven. But God is faithful through it all. He's on our side rooting for us like a loving father, and He's working things out for our good. Maybe not our good as in what we think is good and best, but His good, which is ALWAYS best." - Bethany

Check out Bethany's free coloring pages and printables HERE!

LATELY ON INSTAGRAM

View fullsize God is so good! He hasn’t run out of miracles!!
View fullsize So many of you have become dads since we began this ministry! Happy Father’s Day to you!! And for those still waiting… we continue to pray for you!
View fullsize Today we remember and are grateful to those who have served and given their lives. And to every family who has lost a loved one, we honor you and pray for you!
View fullsize I know this weekend can be so hard for thousands of future mamas. You’ve been waiting and waiting and things don’t necessarily look good in the natural. I encourage you to stop scrolling this weekend. Get off social if it doesn’t
View fullsize If you need encouragement today that God still does miracles, go read Psalms 111 (I love the Passion Translation). Every miracle demonstrates his eternal perfection. His miracles leave people astonished. His word proves trustworthy and true! You m
View fullsize This week of #nationalinfertilityawarenessweek can be so challenging for many! Instead of tapping into what people have to say, into raising awareness for an issue, into sad stories and advice etc… I encourage you to TAP INTO HIS FAITHFULNESS!
View fullsize Like every year, we seek to draw attention to our Healer, to the One who provides, to our problem-solver and Shepherd. Infertility is hard, we don’t deny it! But who is grateful for the hope we have that the world doesn’t?? I can’
View fullsize Don’t stop believing that He will do what He said!!! #iamfruitful
, , , ,

5 Scriptures to Combat Fear of Miscarriage

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5 Scriptures to Combat Fear of Miscarriage

Fear of miscarriage is a very real issue. We try for so long to get pregnant, then we finally, finally get that BFP!! And for a very brief moment we're over the moon, on cloud 9, and we're happier than EVER.

Then fear sets in. Fear that we will lose the baby, the connection, the life, the future. But that fear is from the enemy, and you will have to do something about it if you want to enjoy your pregnancy. Pregnancy is a beautiful thing. It's a complete miracle in itself, and it CAN be enjoyed!! They say pregnant women have a "glow" about them. I have to say that I've never seen a fearful pregnant woman with a glow. The ones at peace have the glow!

So here are 5 scriptures to help you fight that fear and step into a season of peaceful pregnancy!

So here are 5 scriptures to help you fight that fear and step into a season of peaceful pregnancy!

Philippians 4:6-7 MSG
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Isaiah 43:2-4 MSG
“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.
I’ve called your name. You’re mine.
When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.
When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you’re between a rock and a hard place,
it won’t be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God,
The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you:
all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That’s how much you mean to me!
That’s how much I love you!
I’d sell off the whole world to get you back,
trade the creation just for you.

Ecclesiastes 11:5 MSG
Just as you’ll never understand
the mystery of life forming in a pregnant woman,
So you’ll never understand
the mystery at work in all that God does.

Psalm 139:13-18 AMP
For You formed my innermost parts;
You knit me [together] in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was being formed in secret,
And intricately and skillfully formed [as if embroidered with many colors] in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were appointed for me,
When as yet there was not one of them [even taking shape].
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I could count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.

Ps 91:12 NLT
If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.


More scriptures in this post about miscarriage!

Read the Huckins story below to hear about their loss and Lindsay's major light bulb moment that just might change your perspective on the family God wants to give you.

Have you ever considered sharing your testimony? It's a powerful thing and we would love to read yours, then share it for others to be encouraged and filled with hope! Click below to learn more!

Connect with us on INSTAGRAM @i.am.fruitful for daily encouragement!

View fullsize God is so good! He hasn’t run out of miracles!!
View fullsize So many of you have become dads since we began this ministry! Happy Father’s Day to you!! And for those still waiting… we continue to pray for you!
View fullsize Today we remember and are grateful to those who have served and given their lives. And to every family who has lost a loved one, we honor you and pray for you!
View fullsize I know this weekend can be so hard for thousands of future mamas. You’ve been waiting and waiting and things don’t necessarily look good in the natural. I encourage you to stop scrolling this weekend. Get off social if it doesn’t
View fullsize If you need encouragement today that God still does miracles, go read Psalms 111 (I love the Passion Translation). Every miracle demonstrates his eternal perfection. His miracles leave people astonished. His word proves trustworthy and true! You m
View fullsize This week of #nationalinfertilityawarenessweek can be so challenging for many! Instead of tapping into what people have to say, into raising awareness for an issue, into sad stories and advice etc… I encourage you to TAP INTO HIS FAITHFULNESS!
View fullsize Like every year, we seek to draw attention to our Healer, to the One who provides, to our problem-solver and Shepherd. Infertility is hard, we don’t deny it! But who is grateful for the hope we have that the world doesn’t?? I can’
View fullsize Don’t stop believing that He will do what He said!!! #iamfruitful
, , , , ,

M is for Miscarriage

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Back in the fall when I first started Periscope, I did a Fertility A-Z series. When we got to M is for Miscarriage, I shared a little about our own 3 losses. In the first few minutes I share statistics to bring awareness and also explain some of the different types of miscarriages, in case you are not familiar! 

Skip ahead to 7 minutes if you want to get to my story.

If you have experienced a miscarriage, you will be so ridiculously encouraged by something my dad sent me (skip ahead to the 21 minute mark). Ya'll, it's really good.

I also share a list of scriptures that brought me comfort during our time of grief, and I've listed them for you below! Check back soon, because I'll be posting a list of 5 scriptures to combat fear of miscarriage!

  • Psalm 23
  • Psalm 25
  • Deut 20:3-4
  • Psalm 9:9-10
  • Isaiah 43:18-19

Find us on INSTAGRAM @i.am.fruitful to receive daily encouragement!

View fullsize God is so good! He hasn’t run out of miracles!!
View fullsize So many of you have become dads since we began this ministry! Happy Father’s Day to you!! And for those still waiting… we continue to pray for you!
View fullsize Today we remember and are grateful to those who have served and given their lives. And to every family who has lost a loved one, we honor you and pray for you!
View fullsize I know this weekend can be so hard for thousands of future mamas. You’ve been waiting and waiting and things don’t necessarily look good in the natural. I encourage you to stop scrolling this weekend. Get off social if it doesn’t
View fullsize If you need encouragement today that God still does miracles, go read Psalms 111 (I love the Passion Translation). Every miracle demonstrates his eternal perfection. His miracles leave people astonished. His word proves trustworthy and true! You m
View fullsize This week of #nationalinfertilityawarenessweek can be so challenging for many! Instead of tapping into what people have to say, into raising awareness for an issue, into sad stories and advice etc… I encourage you to TAP INTO HIS FAITHFULNESS!
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L is for Loss

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So many people stay quiet about loss and miscarriage. We want you to know that you're not alone, that we know it's hard, and that you CAN and WILL get through this.

I remember it felt like the breath got knocked out of me when the (not so friendly) tech told me there was only one heartbeat. There were supposed to be two. Twins. Two boys to be exact. And now there was one. And my heart stopped. It was devastating. That was the first of 3 miscarriages, and I keep my story short because I'm writing this for you, not me. This is to help you through your time of loss and tears, and to help you navigate through it.

Here are a few tips (from a girl who's lost 3 precious babies) on how to get through a miscarriage. It's not all-inclusive. But these ideas may help set you in the right direction. There's light at the end of the tunnel, I promise you. Watch the video for the full content.

TIPS TO GET THROUGH MISCARRIAGE

  1. Allow yourself to grieve. Miscarriage is downplayed so much in our culture. It's no wonder since we're living in a time and a place where we discard life like kitchen trash. But because loss of life is so completely downplayed by most of the world, we can feel ashamed for grieving (since, after all, "it's no big deal"). It IS a big deal. Grieve. And don't be ashamed. If you're grieving the loss of an infant, my heart breaks for you. Don't rush your grief or put a time frame on it.
  2. Get help if you need it! There's NO shame in this! In fact, I commend you, dear friend!
  3. Let this struggle bring you closer to your spouse. Communicate! Tell them what you need, specifically.
  4. Receive support from friends and family. When they offer, say yes.
  5. Don't lose hope in God or your promise!! God is good, and He is faithful!
“Blessed is she who believed that He would fulfill His promise to her.”
— Luke 1:45
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Lately on Instagram

God is so good! He hasn’t run out of miracles!!
So many of you have become dads since we began this ministry! Happy Father’s Day to you!! And for those still waiting… we continue to pray for you!
Today we remember and are grateful to those who have served and given their lives. And to every family who has lost a loved one, we honor you and pray for you!
I know this weekend can be so hard for thousands of future mamas. You’ve been waiting and waiting and things don’t necessarily look good in the natural. I encourage you to stop scrolling this weekend. Get off social if it doesn’t
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Believe Despite: A Story of Hope, Loss, & Extreme Faith

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I sat down the other day with an amazing woman, Elisa Rumbo, who bravely shared her story with me. She struggled through 15 years of infertility, PCOS, 9 miscarriages, the devastating loss of her infant daughter, and yet she believed despite. She believed that the Lord would make her a mother!

If you are struggling with infertility or loss, you HAVE to hear her story. Her perspective is so wise, unique, and encouraging. She will, without a doubt, re-ignite your faith, remind you who our God is, and provide that extra jolt of hope you need to make it through the next hurdle in your own journey.

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D is for Doubt

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When I was in the middle of my fertility crisis, there were days I thought I could conquer the world... days I knew FOR SURE that we would get pregnant. Then, there were days that I felt doubt creep in...days I heard the enemy speaking through my thoughts, "I might never get pregnant," "what if I'm never a mom," "there's something wrong with me."

Well my husband and I decided one day to stop asking for our promises in a half-hearted, doubtful way, and to begin claiming the promises of God instead! We began thanking God in advance for the things we didn't see, and man, was that powerful. Please watch the 5 minute clip below for the original video.

As Thanksgiving approaches, it's a great time to begin thanking the Lord for the things you don't see happening yet, for the things you're trusting God for, for the baby you're hoping for. And, of course, fill your mind with truth and not lies by reading the word of God and tossing negative thoughts as far away as you can. Our thoughts are SO powerful, and can affect your health, emotions, and fertility!!

“When we implant God’s word into our minds through our thinking, we fill our brains with the powerful environmental influence of God’s love, which directly impacts our mental and physical health in a positive direction. Talk about a sound mind!”
— Dr. Caroline Leaf

Anytime doubt begins to creep in, anytime you begin thinking, "what if God doesn't do what He said He would," or "God is good but probably won't pull through for me," remind yourself who God is.

God is faithful. God is Holy. God is your Redeemer. God is merciful. God is your refuge and rock. He's your shield and your strength. God is your help. The Bible says He fights our battles for us. God is the one who comforts you. He's righteous. He's full of compassion. God is GOOD, and He will be good in your situation and your life. Don't doubt who He is or that He will be who He is in YOUR life and YOUR situation.

Say "I am Fruitful!!"

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Periscope Purpose

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Hey guys! Do you know that I share encouragement, almost daily, for couples trying to conceive and dealing with loss? It's uplifting and always God's truth! 

I wanted to share the very first Periscope video I did so you can catch the vision and understand why I began doing this in the first place. Unfortunately, it does not come with comments and hearts, because at that point, I didn't know how to save the videos that way. But the point is, you can catch the vision for this whole project!

I want to personally invite you to join me LIVE. The cool thing is you can comment, ask questions, and get involved in the fertility discussions! If you want to join us, download PERISCOPE for iPhone or Android (or you can watch the daily replay on your Mac or pc at http://www.periscope.tv/laurenbourne). Lots of husbands tune in as well! It's a great way to let your husband in on this piece of your world. I share almost daily, and my aim is to always be encouraging and to always share truth. I remember when I was going through the toughest part of my struggle, I needed encouragement ALL the time! You are not alone!

Daily Encouragement through Infertility and Miscarriage (Periscipe- @LaurenBourne)