May 8, 2015

Making Lemonade Out of Lemons

I know things have been a little quieter around here that the usual lately (again, if you didn't notice, we'll just call it even).  I have been a little busy on some other things.  Yes, I do (on occasion) have a life outside of this blog (this is where I do spend most of my free time though).

What have I been busy with you ask?  Well, I've been on a bit of a mission, a mission to bring the good out of the badness.  To make lemonade out of the lemons that we've been handed.  (Fun fact about me: I frequently misstate this as making lemons out of lemonade, lol). I've been on a mission to make something good come out of all the negativity of infertility.  There's so much negativity to it, and at times I've definitely chosen to wallow in it.  Sometimes it is definitely necessary to acknowledge my feelings and let myself feel them, but sometimes I need to pick myself up and keep moving.  Finding that I'm able to take this negative experience and turn it into something that will hopefully be positive for other people is really empowering, and even healing in a way.

To be more specific, as I've been mentioning here and there, the Hubs and I have been trying to get an infertility ministry off the ground at my parish for a while now.  At the end of April we finally got the go ahead, and now our first meeting is set for May 20th! So we've kicked into overdrive trying to get the word out, what with bulletin ads, flyers, brochures, setting up the facebook page, a website, etc., etc.  It has taken a good amount of time, but we've gotten most of that mostly designed, and now we're on to the hardest part, actually getting the word out.

You see, I'm very much an introvert. Human interaction of any kind is taxing to me, and I really especially hate making phone calls, just hate it.  I will go out of my way to do anything I can, including driving somewhere to ask a question in person, instead of  making a phone call.  And second only to that is actual in person functions.  You can find me in the corner or by the food table, thanks.  And in order to get this thing off the ground I've been emailing, calling, and committing myself to various functions all day long.  Seriously, I will be going to at least one function a day (and some days two or more) from next Thursday through next Sunday. My introvert heart is shaking in its proverbial boots.

But at the same time, I haven't been as worn out or as terrified as I thought I'd be.  Part of that is probably because I tend to build things up to be worse than they are.  The other part of is that I really think the Holy Spirit, and the prayers and encouragement of others, are carrying me through.  This is not something I would normally do, this is not something I've ever done before.  Both starting a ministry and all the steps leading up to getting it started, these are not things in my usual tool kit of skills.  Yet, when I need the words, they come to me, when I need to design something, inspirations strikes, when I need to contact someone, I find the energy to do it (mostly, it still might take some time before I get up the courage to do it).

That is how I know this is something I need to be doing.  Like I mentioned in my post about When God Says No, the easiest way for me to understand what God wants is when the doors start swinging open.  In this case, there were many we had to push open first, but now everything is falling into place, we just have to keep pushing through.

So, that all being said, if you would like to check out what we've gotten done so far with the ministry, our website is here, and the Facebook page is here.  If you are dealing with infertility and are in the Southern California area, or if you know anyone who is, please feel free to join us for and/or spread the word about our first meeting on May 20th!



16 comments:

  1. That is so exciting to hear! I wish you the best of luck and I know your ministry will do a ton of good for women who feel like nobody knows what they're going through or maybe like God's not even listening to them anymore...

    P.S: I frequently DO make lemons out of lemonade! I'm trying to have a better attitude.

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    1. Thank you! Hahaha, my first thought was how does she do that? Lol, I need a better attitude a lot of the time too.

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  2. I will keep the ministry in my prayers.

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  3. Awesome website and flyer. Starting something like this and getting the word out is a BIG job! Kudos, and glad you are feeling grace for the task. Praying.

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    1. Thank you, for your kind words, the help, and the prayers!

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  4. I love that you're doing this. Praying that it helps you and others find healing!

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  5. All my love and support for this awesome lemonade you are making, friend. Keep up the amazing work and know that it is about to make a huge difference in the lives of men and women who need the support and fellowship! <3

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    1. Thank you so much! That's my biggest hope, that it helps even just one person.

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  6. I totally get the being freaked out by calling people and social functions, so I think you're so brave for doing it anyway. Your ministry has the potential to be so, so important so keep at it. :) ~Willow

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    1. Glad to know I'm not alone in the freaking out, and thank you for your kind words!

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  7. Praying for you as you begin this wonderful ministry!

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  8. That's great to hear about your ministry! I'm excited for you and to see what becomes of it!

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    1. Thank you! I'm excited to see what happens too!

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