Hope. I hope.

I don't know why things happen. I don't know why the Lord causes some things to happen for one person and not the other. I do know though, that the Lord has a plan for each of us. And I know that His plan is always better than our own. Always.

I have learned so much from infertility. I will always and forever appreciate the perspective gained from wanting and trying for my children.

There are some incredible people out there who have taught me and helped me through some of my darkest days. I will never forget...and I thank you. Emails from so many of you sharing your story and perspective, healing and supportive words, these have helped change me.

Because of this struggle of infertility, I have my faith again. Because of this struggle, I have a new and better view of life, happiness, and parenthood.

I have endometriosis. I have PCOS. My left tube is blocked.

By an absolute miracle, and after fertility treatments failing 100% of the time, we are expecting...

I know with this news comes hurt for some. I know that hurt all too well... but I continue to pray for comfort, peace, and hope to be granted to all who share this struggle.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. Thank you for your prayers and support. That is the only explanation for this miracle. I know that.

I know that infertility will come to me again; this time in a whole different way, but I know how to face it now. By working through the struggle to help support and strengthen others, we can be and are better for it.

I hope this story brings hope. I hope.

Love, Jill

Wise Perspective From a Young Elder

This is my little brother Mitch.

He's been in Paraguay since February teaching the people there about Jesus Christ. If you want to learn more about what he's teaching, go here. I received a letter from him recently and thought I would share some of it... Pretty good for an almost 20 year old, don't ya think?

"It is amazing to me how great the Lord is to us. I don´t think I will ever fully understand His love for us. He is so merciful and understanding why we go through trials here in this life and it is so bloody comforting to know that He knows exactly what is going on. I had a pretty tough week this week...

I was praying for council and guidance and I was reminded of a talk from last conference. 'Divine Chastening' by Elder Christofferson. This talk has so much meaning to me right now and it really has always reminded me of you and your situation as well. He told the story of the garderner who is pruning his plants down to nothing. The plants seemed to cry and say "Why do you hurt me like this when I was growing so big and mighty? I was making progress and now I'm starting over. Everything was looking up so why did you cut me down?" This is very powerful to me right now. The gardener finally says "I know whats good for you little (plant) by cutting you down I'm helping you to grow."

He always knows exactly what we need and I'm so grateful that He loves us enough to be WILLING to cut us down. He could just ignore us, but He is willing to help us when we dont even appreciate it. I'm very grateful for your example of this principle. You have already mastered this principle of faith and I'm trying my best to develop it right now."