Our Story

            Everyone has a story… few get to see theirs unfold as it comes but instead look back at a web of events and circumstances that have led to where they are today.  I’ve had the blessing and the learning experience of seeing mine every step of the way.  It all began when I was 10 years old in the fourth grade.  I had never been one to complain about feeling bad… but for many nights in a row I would walk in and tell my parents that my stomach was hurting.  They decided to take me to a few specialists that might have better answers.  After visiting a few, one doctor decided it best to perform arthroscopic surgery (put a little camera in my belly button to assess the situation).  Although the surgery was scheduled for a couple of weeks later, on December 15, 1997 my stomach was hurting worse than ever… my parents rushed me to the hospital buckled over.  They wheeled me in for a 30-minute procedure that ended up being quite a bit longer. 

            As the doctors began the surgery they started with a tiny incision in my belly button.  While looking around they noticed that my appendix was inflamed so they removed it.  They also noticed that I had a cyst on my ovary that had recently burst (hello pain!).  Then they took note of the most interesting situation of all… in fact, they called in other doctors to take a look at their findings.  They speculated that it was a partial form of an uncommon syndrome but it couldn't be defined as one single diagnosis.  The doctors notes say things such as… “remnant of a uterus…. one fallopian tube…only one ovary....no cervix….etc”.  It was a such an odd condition they even wanted me to be a case study.  Needless to say what was once supposed to be what they call a “band-aid procedure” ended up being an evening of craziness.  When the surgeons went in to explain the situation to my parents they began with the fact that I was okay… then went into all they had discovered.  They explained that I would probably never menstruate and definitely would never be able to conceive.  My family was devastated and knew that this would be the worst news that they have ever had to share with their naive little princess. 

            Wisely, they waited for two years to share this information with me.  I didn’t even know what a period was when I was ten! So… when I was 12 they decided that it was time.  We went to a hotel to spend a parent/daughter weekend – they sat me down that night and started by telling me that they wanted to share all that went on during that December day.  They didn’t sugar coat anything that the doctors had said… drew pictures of what the woman’s organs should look like and what the doctors had seen in me.   I can’t put into words how crushed I was.  Devastated. Sad. Embarrassed.  Every little girl dreams of being pregnant and having a family one day… and my dreams where getting smashed in front of my eyes. 

            As I wiped the tears to allow new ones to fall my parents weren’t finished with all they wanted to say.  They explained that what they had just shown me was what man (The Dr.’s) said but this is what God says… They told me that on that very day everyone in that waiting room came in agreement that God would perform a miracle and that I would be able to carry children in my womb and that it would be a testament to God’s favor, grace, and ability to heal.   They told me that they believed that I was healed and that I should pray with them in agreement.  I did.  They also told me that I shouldn’t tell anyone because there was no reason to let the entire middle school in on this situation.  I totally agree with them but took it very seriously… so seriously, I told no one. 

            Later in my 6^th grade year, I started my menstrual cycle.  I thought I was dying!  As much as I wanted to believe that “God can heal” it is quite scary when He actually does.  It has been more regular than ANYONE in my entire family, God is so good…. And Satan is so sneaky.  I was very in tune to anything that had to do with people getting or not getting pregnant and we had a friend that menstruated and never could conceive… of course I felt like that was going to be me, deep down.  I struggled with the back and forth for years- believing and having doubtful moments.  During this time the Lord gave me a huge heart for adoption and to this day I’m not sure I would have the same feeling without going through that dark time. 

            It wasn’t until I was 16 that I told anyone.  One night my good friend, Sarah Rees, and I were lying in bed talking about life, high school, and other nonsense.  She began to share some of her experiences and at one point said, Natalie you wouldn’t understand because there is nothing that you have never told anyone before.  HEART POUNDING… I shared my story with Sarah and bawled my eyes out.  I trusted her- and she is an incredible friend.  The next person I told is my husband Jeff.  We had been dating a year at the time and I felt the pressure that it was becoming very important to tell him… I did, and I think I cried harder than the first time.  He was and still is the precious rock that took it and told me that everything was going to be okay and reminded me that God is good.  He is a great man. 

            When I was 18 and a senior in high school I went to a summer camp called “beach week” in Florida.  The last night we had worship on the beach.  I was praying and singing- something that I commonly do is just talk to God while worshiping and on this night I said “God thank you for healing me”…   To be honest I have had moments where I have felt the spirit of God or been in His presence but I have never felt or heard Him more clearly than this night… in my heart I heard Him respond “So you believe you are healed?” and I literally said “Yes! Thank you!” and then I heard His words that forever changed my life, “Then why aren’t you telling people?”.  TALK ABOUT A FREAK OUT MOMENT.  I immediately started for the ocean and began walking along the water’s edge arguing with myself and in total disbelief of what just happened.   I ended up stopping and sitting next to a girl that I had hardly spoken to all week.  We didn’t say anything for a while and then she just started pouring her heart out to me, telling me all kinds of bad things she had done like shoplifting. She periodically would say… “I don’t know why I’m telling you this right now”.  I knew.  With a heavy pounding heart, I told this hurting stranger my story… and for the first time in my life, I didn’t cry.  I couldn’t believe it, I had finally really put it in God’s hands and obeyed Him by sharing His story in faith alone. 

            Although there have still been struggles along the way, I experienced what it feels like to really give it all and trust God completely ( something no one can fully explain).  It wasn’t easy to end my story for years with… “so when I am pregnant someday, my child will have a precious story to share as well.” I’ll just tell you now some people were overwhelmed with that faith, including myself at moments. 

            As a freshman in college my mom and I decided that I needed to go to the “lady doctor”. Ugh talk about anxiety! Before we went they wanted me to go in and get an ultrasound to fully understand what they were dealing with.  When I went in, my doctor explained that according to my old records there were full organs there that were NOT there before.  She told me on that day in 2006 that I would be able to conceive! GOD IS FAITHFUL.  I was so excited and overwhelmed, this was a nice addition to my testimony!

            Jeff and I got married in June of 2010.  We both have grown a heart for adoption and loved the idea of having biological children as well.  We had informally decided that after one year of marriage we would look into starting the paperwork for adoption.  One week after our one year anniversary we took a pregnancy test to find that it was positive! Surprised, overjoyed, and totally walking in God’s faithfulness we are excited to say that we are now 13 weeks pregnant!

            God is so good.  And He has given our family a story and a foundation to know that HE IS FAITHFUL. HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED. AND HE CAN HEAL. We are living proof.  I’m so glad that He challenged me to be bold many years ago… I have had to learn that His grace is enough, and He loves me. 

            Please pray for our baby – that he or she will grow up and learn to love and honor God.  That life is truly a miracle and that His Grace is enough.  

In the words of my precious MeMe (Grace Carty).....To God be the Glory!