We are happy to present to you the 30th installation of Journeys To Motherhood.  In the midst of this very busy holiday season, we take a moment to remember the guests of this past year who have been gracious enough to share their most personal of stories.  We have been so blessed by so many lovely women, and this show is a tribute to them.

Plus, I have included one of the most recent ’success’ stories, which has happened to one of the women on our poetic prayer chain!  Her name is Addison, and her story is the quintessential Christmas story for reproductively challenged women.

It’s fabulous to hear of a miracle as it’s actually ‘happening’, especially when it’s happening to one of our listeners whom we’ve been praying for!  The baby will be here December 20th!  (what a Christmas gift!)   But the route in which this baby has come into Addison’s life, is one that isn’t traveled often.

It reminds us that we never know from where, nor from WHOM, our baby is coming. And this story will also remind us that miracles DO happen!  Addison wasn’t going to have a Christmas tree nor a Christmas dinner, no celebration, nothing.  NOW she is preparing for the Christmas of her life!

If this wasn’t ‘your’ year yet…there’s a good chance 2008 WILL be ‘your’ year!   Keep that in mind when those difficult moments arise.  Holidays are rough, but you will be fine.  Never give up.  Press on.  For nothing in the world can take the place of persistence when pursuing your dream.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!…and especially inner peace, joy and happiness as the New Year approaches!

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First of all, I want to say that I have been very blessed with a plethora of authors sending me copies of their books to read, and I thank you all very much.  Due to the multi-faceted life I seem to be leading these days, I’ve been very slow to complete the reading of some of these books. I usually wait until I’m able to give each one a block of my undivided attention with each reading session, in the order in which I receive them.  From the many books I’ve been sent, I wanted to mention the following: 

The first book is one that I’ve actually just begun, but it is a BEAUTIFUL book that is written in a lovely fashion.  It is very spiritual in nature, and there are many scripture references given. The book is entitled Hannah’s Hope, and the author is Jennifer Saake. As you may know, in 1 Samuel, chapters 1 and 2 of the Bible, you will meet Hannah, a barren woman who experiences deep grief and great anguish. She was suffering from the heartache of empty arms. This book is an inspiration for all who have also suffered, or ARE suffering, from the empty arms syndrome.  It is also a great buy for those you may know of that are on your gift list that you want to uplift and encourage. Hannah’s Hope has been called “a soothing balm for your aching heart”…and that is quite true.  At the end of each chapter, there is a “Burden Bearers” section that gives wonderful words of advice for those also bearing the burden of their loved one’s infertility, who don’t know what to do or say.  This is such valuable information, as what our loved ones say to us during this very difficult time, can make our situations even worse…OR they can help be more supportive in ways and words that they may never have thought of before.  People need to be instructed, as they have NO idea what their reproductively challenged loved one is going through.  You will love this book, and you can order it through the website, which is www.hannahshopebook.com.,  where you can preview Chapter 1. You can also purchase Hannah’s Hope through Amazon.com or through Christian Book Distributors.

For those of you looking for something more on the comedic side, something that looks at infertility and laughs at it in the face, then you will want to check out InVitro Fertility Goddess.  Written by Austrailian author, Jodi Panayotov, it is a book written in a worldly sense, sometimes a bit over-the-top in its humor, which gives the reader some good chuckles, at a time when a good laugh is hard to come by. It is written in a diary style, therefore foregoing conventional composition at times, which may take a moment to get used to.  But once you do, you will get the feel for Jodi’s unique style. And there are times that I can completely relate to the humorous content, and as I was reading, I’d think to myself, “Gee! I thought only I MYSELF had those feelings!”… once again, confirming that we all who go through this infertility ride, at times have very similar experiences and thoughts, and this contributes to our sisterhood. You can order InVitro Fertility Goddess from the website, which is www.invitrofertilitygoddess.com.

I am hoping to have the above-mentioned authors on my show in 2008. I will keep you posted on the scheduling of that.  But I also want to remind you of another book, who’s author has already been on Journeys To Motherhood.  Her name is Patricia Dischler, and her book is Because I Loved You: A Birthmother’s View Of Open Adoption.  I loved this book, and it is a great read for everyone.  If you know of anyone on your gift list that is in a confusing place, finding themselves pregnant and considering their options, it is a truly inspirational piece of work that will help that person see the benefits and the beauty in loving their child enough to give him or her up.  But, as I’ve said, ANYONE would enjoy this amazing story, and its outcome is something to sit back and ponder…as Patricia shows how HER decision of open adoption actually opened her life up to greater joy than she could have ever imagined.  You can order Because I Loved You by going to www.patriciadischler.com.

These are just a few ideas for you to consider for people that you might find hard to buy for…especially if they can relate to a struggle obtaining motherhood.  While there is still time left before Christmas, these are treasured little pieces of literary works that you’ll be happy to give, and your recepient will be happy to receive.  (Or why not give as a New Year’s gift?…giving hope and encouragement for the new year to come?)  In the meantime, good luck with the rest of your holiday shopping!