July 29, 2013 - Immeasurably more!

We joyfully welcome the arrival of:

Evan Andrew Mayer

on

July 29, 2013

at

4:41 p.m.

7 pounds 11 ounces

20 1/2 inches

We are so blessed by this gift from God!

Love,

Andrew & Whitney Mayer

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,

according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory!  

~Ephesians 3:20~

soon after he was born

6 days old

We chose his name because we like the names, Andrew is his daddy's 

first name, and we loved the meaning of the names together. Evan Andrew

means: "God is gracious and gives us strength".

July 17, 2013

So 1 year ago today was when I went to one of my doctors (in GR) and what I didn't want to hear....I heard. That I most likely wasn't ovulating and so she didn't know if we would be able to have kids or not. I knew that with all my health issues that I've known about since I was 19 had that possibility but it doesn't seem as real when at the time I was 19 I had no boyfriend and marriage and having babies was still in the little distant future and my being an optimist hoped for the best and did one of the "that happens to other people...not me" things. I was crushed 1 year ago today....I cried....and I couldn't wait for Andy to get home from work so I could be in his arms. Now 1 year later we are waiting any day for our precious little boy to arrive!! His due date is the 28th! I hope he comes soon because I can't wait to meet him and hold him in my arms and kiss him and tell him how much I love him! I am so thankful and blessed that God has given us this baby!! Such a treasure and sweet gift to cherish! God has been so very gracious and has continue to give us strength! :) Thank you to those who have been praying for us and him throughout the journey!

By God's grace,

~Whitney~

Mother's Day (5/12/13)

It's Mother's Day!

 

I'm so very thankful and am counting my blessings! God is gracious! This year is an array of mixed feelings for me. I'm blessed to have been given a precious gift from God by him allowing me to get pregnant and in a few months have Andy's and my own little boy! I am so happy and excited to meet our little boy at end of July/beginning of August!! At the same time it's hard to know that I still have a couple friends that are struggling on the journey of infertility....how my heart aches for them as I know the pain that that journey can have at times and especially on days like today...Mother's Day. I pray that God would soon bless them with a precious gift from heaven as well! For those friends who read this, know that you are in my prayers daily and that I love you! Keep trusting God for His timing even though I know that can be hard at times! *hugs!*

 

My first Mother's Day was lovely! I was able to have the day off from work (even though normally it would have been my weekend to work, I had been able to get a paid day off). I went to church with my wonderful and amazing husband and then later in the day we went out to eat with my side of the family and my grandparents and a few aunts, uncles, and cousins! Today my first Mother's Day is also my Mom's 25th Mother's Day! My dad wrote a special poem about being a "Grand Mother" and then how she would soon be a "Grandmother" and then I formatted the poem with 2 pictures on one 11x14 size picture which we then had framed! The 2 pictures were 1 of when my Mom was pregnant with me and then the 2nd picture was of me pregnant now. :) She loved it and it made her cry! I love my Mom and am so thankful for her!!!

 

Today I want to thank my wonderful husband because he is the best and the sweetest man ever! I also want to thank our families and friends that have prayed for us both while we waited, hoped and prayed and the journey of infertility; as well as for us our little boy and us since finding out we were expecting a baby! Andy and I are so grateful and blessed by you all!

 

Blessings!

 

Love,

~Whitney~

 

 

 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or

imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

~Ephesians 3:20~

 

You have granted [us our] heart’s desire
    and have not withheld the request of [our] lips.

 ~Psalm 21:2~

 

[We] prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted [us] what [we] asked of him.

 ~1 Samuel 1:27~

8 weeks 3 days (12/19/12)

How Far Along: 8 weeks 3 days

Today’s date: 12/19/12

Size of the Baby: a kidney bean

Maternity Clothes: no, but I think that is going to come sooner than I expected! Almost all clothing is uncomfortable (except for dresses), but I’m trying to not officially announce it to everyone else and on facebook until we get to 12 weeks which is still 3 1/2 weeks away!  

Stretch marks: none

Weight gain: 4 lbs.

Sleep: waking up at least twice a night

Best Moment of the Week: Just being able to relax all day today and do pretty much nothing! :)

Movement: none  

Food Cravings:  none...nothing sounds appetizing 

Gender:  unknown

Belly Button in or out: in

Anything making you queasy or sick: yes

Labor Signs: no

Wedding ring on or off: On 

What I miss: having energy to do stuff and to stay awake later than 8:30/9:00 at night...lol! ;)  

What I am looking forward to:   Telling my grandparents on my Dad’s side that they’re going to be great grandparents again at our family Christmas party on Saturday evening!!

Nursery:  I have a few things I’ve tucked away that I found a few months ago.

Emotions: Happy!! :)

Truth! :)

The beautiful Christmas flowers my wonderful hubby bought me a few days ago! :)

The picture frame I made with a copy of our ultrasound picture! This is what we're giving my Nana & Papa for Christmas this Saturday at our family Christmas party! :)

5 weeks 3 days (11/28/12)

How Far Along: 5 weeks 3 days

Today’s date: 11/28/12

Size of the Baby: a sesame seed

Maternity Clothes: no   

Stretch marks: none

Weight gain: none

Sleep: waking up at least once a night

Best Moment of the Week: telling more friends that we’re expecting!

Movement: none  

Food Cravings:  pizza 

Gender:  unknown

Belly Button in or out: in

Anything making you queasy or sick: nothing in particular, I start feeling sick when I haven’t eaten something in the last 1 1/2 - 2 hours

Labor Signs: no

Wedding ring on or off: On 

What I miss: eating cookie dough and licking the cake/brownie batter off of the beaters (can’t eat raw eggs). Other than that, nothing! I will gladly not eat that to be pregnant!!  

What I am looking forward to:   The first ultrasound in about 1 1/2 weeks!! Andy gets to go with and we should be able to see the heartbeat!

Nursery:  I have a few things I’ve tucked away that I found a couple months ago.

Emotions: I am sooo happy and thankful for this gift from God!!! Every time I stop and think and remember that I’m pregnant I just get this happiness that is in my heart!!

For this child we have prayed =)

Dear family and friends,

Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement! We wanted to send you another update to keep you posted on what is going on in our lives and how you can best pray for us!

As you know Whitney began her first round of treatment with the medication called Clomid to help make her ovulate. She had a follow up appointment on the 2nd of November for an ultrasound to see how the medication was working and it seemed to be doing what the medication was designed for. Then early Thanksgiving morning she took a pregnancy test and the result was....pregnant!! Our (and your) prayers have been answered!! We have a little blessing and miracle on the way!!! He or she will be due around the end of July!! All the glory and praise go to God!!!

We wanted to tell you because you have kept us in your prayers as we have walked this journey and now are asking for prayers for a healthy baby! 

Please do NOT share this with anyone though as we are waiting until we get to at least 12 weeks along (and that won’t be until mid-January). The only people that know are our family and you (the friends we had praying for us on this journey). Thanks for keeping it a secret for now!

Blessings to you all!

Love,

~Andy & Whitney~

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him." ~1 Samuel 1:27~

A life that brings glory to God

Throughout this journey God has blessed me with my family and many friends that continually pray for us, and for that we are sooo thankful! One friend of our often posts on Facebook about God's word and our relationship with our heavenly Father and the posts are always encouraging (Thanks Tom!)! One that stood out to me in particular was the following:

"Zechariah 4:10 Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand.

There is a principle in the Bible that dramatically effects how much heavenly power touches me and you on earth. Learning to walk in agreement with this principle will increase the amount of actual power I walk in. It is this: those who are faithful with a little are given much more.

The Bible is FULL of stories of broken men and women, just like me and you, experiencing God's very real power and changing impossible situations on earth. Moses holding his staff out over the water in faith to part the Red Sea and striking a rock to make water come out of it in the desert. Elijah striking the Jordan river with his jacket to make it part. Elisha raising a boy from the dead, Daniel knowing other peoples dreams and vision, not to mention knowing the meaning of them. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego surviving a fiery furnace that killed the soldiers that just got too close, Daniel in the lions den, David and Goliath, Paul's prison earthquake, Peter and Johns miraculous healing ministry....these stories are just the beginning! The Bible is filled with supernatural encounters for real men and women like us.

God's intention is for my testimony to be filled with power. He doesn't prevent me from, but rather longs to hear me, saying "why not me." Jesus responds to that question with "ask, seek, knock.". Paul would echo, "that kind of a question is a yes and amen in the realm of heaven."

If I am going to go after...contend for...a life of power to bring glory to God...to bring more fame to Jesus' name...then I have to remember the economy of heaven: God gives food to the hungry, and those faithful with a little will be given much more.

If I pray to hear God's voice, but then ignore the prompting to say a simple encouraging word to the lady in the checkout line, that is the opposite of being faithful. If I pray for the green beans to not run out before everyone at the big Thanksgiving dinner gets some, and they actually DO last through dinner, but then I laugh off the miracle as silly or small, then I am not being faithful.

BUT, if I pray on all occasions, even for the simple miracles, and thank God when He answers (and He is affirmatively answering small prayers ALL the time that we forget or write off as minor) even telling others about God breaking in with power over the green beans, or the sun breaking through the clouds when I needed it, or the checking account lasting through the month inexplicably...then I am being faithful with a little. When I begin to live like this, I better hold on to my seat, because that is being faithful with a little, and much more IS coming.

What am I contending for, and what do I do when it actually comes into my life in small doses? The answer to this question actually shaped every great man or woman of God's life to the point their lives became so powerful that we read about them today. I'm going for it!

Luke 16: 10 "If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities.

Luke 19: 17 "`Well done!' the king exclaimed. `You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.'

John 14: 12 "I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me (Jesus) will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”    

Blessings to you all,
~Whitney~

update

Dear family and friends,

Thank you for your continued love and prayers as we seek to follow God's leading for our family. This is definitely not an easy journey but we are thankful for God's abounding grace and mercy! 

We had a relaxing and wonderful vacation which was much needed! As we write this we are in the Denver airport waiting for our last flight to return home! So we will send this email out once we return home. 

Once we return home, Whitney will be starting the medication Clomid which is used to induce ovulation as the previous  7 months of tests seem to show that she doesn't ovulate or if she does it is very infrequent. 

Please pray for our hearts to remain focused on Christ and what His will is and not what we would so greatly desire.

Blessings to you all!

Love,

~Andy & Whitney~

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." ~Ephesians 3:20~

journaling...

I often find that writing/journaling helps me think through what I'm feeling and to process things in my life and so I have journaled since about high school. As I mentioned in a previous post, I want to be open and honest. Most days now I am doing well by God's abounding grace and mercy and there are some days here and there that my heart just aches. Often you all see the times when I'm holding it together and doing well but sometimes when you see me I am hurting deeply inside or you just don't see me on my bad days. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. Some of you have mentioned to me that you're amazed at how well I am doing and how strong my faith is, and for that I am humbled. My prayer is that even through this journey that is sometimes difficult for Andy and I, that our story would reflect Christ and what He is doing and not us. I am blessed to have such a wonderful husband who is encouraging and is always by my side!
~Whitney~

September 5, 2012

Every couple weeks I make a trip to Meijer. While I’m usually there to buy food, I often find myself meandering about the store (as my husband can attest...lol!). Sure I only need some bread or milk, but a detour through the home goods section never hurt anyone, right? Every once in a while I find myself wandering through a more painful section of Meijer. The baby aisle. Call it wishful thinking, but I sometimes feel drawn to all the little outfits, furniture, and products that are designed for that little bundle of joy. Sometimes it makes me hopeful. Hopeful that one day I will have a reason to step foot in the baby section of a store without someone else’s baby registry in hand. But sometimes it just makes me ache when I see the large bold letters “Baby” across the center aisle. “That’s not for me,” I think to myself. Bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom accessories? Yes. Baby section? Not me. I don’t belong there.

Maybe you can relate. Perhaps you are on a similar journey as I am on, or the time(s) you have been pregnant resulted in your little blessing returning to heaven before you have met him/her, too, and seeing all of the baby clothes at the store just brings to mind too many thoughts of what could have been.  Maybe you are struggling through infertility as I am, and the baby section is another reminder of dashed hopes every month. 

So what’s a girl to do? I can’t avoid Walmart, Target, and every store that sells baby things. 

For the most part I feel pretty good about my trips to Meijer and Target. But there are some days where it just hits me like a never-ending freight train, and I feel overwhelmed with sadness that I don’t belong in the baby section, even though every part of me hoped and thought I would this year. I might not belong in the baby section, but I do belong somewhere much more comforting—at the foot of the cross. 

“But Jesus doesn’t turn away the grievers. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” I am called blessed. And I’m promised His comfort. 

This is blessed assurance. It’s like a great big sign at the foot of the Cross that says: 

“You Belong Here.”

Clinging to the foot of the Cross,

~Whitney~

September 6, 2012

Where does one start when trying to somehow write what is in one’s heart? As I sat next to my amazing hubby tonight while we were watching a movie. I always look over at him once in a while since I just love looking at him and thinking about how much I love him. Tonight was the same but sad thoughts came to my mind as they do at times on this road of infertility we find ourselves on. As I looked at him I just thought about him as a dad someday and all that we had dreamed about together. Dreams that may never come to pass because of my health issues. It deeply saddens my heart and brings tears to my eyes every time I think about it. He has been so wonderful throughout this whole journey and loves me for who I am and never once put the blame on me. The human part of me cries inside and think that somehow it’s all my fault. It’s hard to look in the mirror sometimes and love myself because I know the hurt in my heart and how very very much I would give anything to be able to get pregnant and have a baby with Andy. I always dreamed of getting married to the most wonderful man (which I did!) and having OUR children. Instead, all around me beautiful babies are born to our friends and families. Please don’t misunderstand....I am always happy for them but I also hurt inside and wish that it was my turn. Please Lord, when will it be our turn? Why do we have to go through this? Why put this desire in my heart only to seemingly turn a deaf ear to our cries? Oh I know, I should trust God...and I do...but sometimes some things just don’t seem the way that they are “supposed to be”. Sometimes I cry out to God “why? Andy would be the best dad! If not for me then please answer our prayer request for him. I love him so much and it pains me to know that he may never have his own kids because of me. Because of ME. ME.” My heart is heavy and somehow all these words don’t even begin to touch the pain that is in my heart. I guess I will finish this later as the tears in my eyes are making it hard to see the computer screen anymore. 

tearfully,

~Whitney~

September 14, 2012

Going into marriage you’re very idealistic. You don’t dream that

you’ll have fertility issues, but that’s a reality. As hard as it is

to picture that I might never have a baby that looks like Andy, God is still good and He still loves us. He hasn’t forgotten us because the picture looks different than what we thought it would. We hope that will change, but if it doesn't it will still be okay. At the end of my day, I can still praise God for what He has done in our lives.

Growing in God’s Grace,

~Whitney~

September 15,2012

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. ~Exodus 14:14~

September 16,2012

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. ~Psalm 29:11~

September 29, 2012

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

Sung by flaming tongues above.

Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,

Mount of Thy redeeming love.

October 22,2012

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." ~Ephesians 3:20~

Thank you for traveling with us on this journey

Hi! Thank you for joining Andy and I in prayer on this journey that we find ourselves on. It it truly appreciated! We will be sharing updates, prayer requests, our thoughts and feelings along this journey (both on the peaks of the mountain and in the lowest of valleys), Bible verses, songs, pictures, and much more. :)

To begin I thought I would post the two emails we have sent to help look back on later on in this journey and see where God has brought us.

July 31, 2012

Dear closer family and friends,

As our close friends and family we wanted to bring you up to speed on some of the happenings in our life over the last few weeks and months.  We know that all of you will pray with us and for us as we walk down this road that we find ourselves on.  

Over the past few months Whitney has been going to a doctor up in Grand Rapids to get help with some hormonal issues that she has been struggling with for the last few years.  It seemed to be under control before we got married, but flared up in the weeks after the wedding.  Since then, we have discovered that one of the issues that Whitney has been having is that she is not ovulating which is obviously an important part to the process of getting pregnant.  

Obviously there are many more details to this story and it wouldn’t make sense to write it all out in an email, but we wanted to give you a general sense of what is going on so you could pray for us and walk with us through this journey.  

Specifically we are asking for prayer for (1) Healing to Whitney’s body in order for her to lead as much of a normal life as possible, (2) Wisdom for whether or not to pursue other methods of getting pregnant if her condition is not healed after we meet with a specialist, and (3) Whitney especially to not feel discouraged with any results that may not be what we would want as well as both of us to trust in God’s will and plan for our lives.   

For the time being we are keeping this to closer friends and family so please respect our wishes and keep this between us.  When it is time to let more people know we will initiate it at that time.  

Thanks everyone!

Andy and Whitney

September 24, 2012

Dear closer family and friends,

We want to thank you for your continued prayers, emails, texts and encouragement for us and to us when we see you! It means more than you know. 

Since we last wrote you much has gone on. Whitney has had more testing done and Andy a bit as well just to make sure all our bases were covered. Based on the results the infertility issue is with Whitney's health stuff and not Andy, so we are thankful that at least there is only an issue going on with one of us. Also since we last wrote you, we have been gathering information on so many different options (both regarding all treatment options as well as adoption options) and are at this time continuing to pray and seek God for what His plan is for us and what He wants for us. God has definitely been at work, but we ask for continued prayers for what God would have us do. 

God is good and has continued to be faithful as we walk this journey! We are trusting Him fully in what He has for us and are at peace that in His timing He will show us what path He would have us take!

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." ~Ephesians 3:20~

Also, we have started a blog that you can follow along with as we walk this blessed journey God has us on. The link is below!

http://immeasurably--more.blogspot.com/

Love and blessings!

~Andy & Whitney~

Abiding in HIM,

~Whitney~