Inspiration and Pinspiration

Back when I was planning my wedding, I was an active member of the online community Weddingbee.  After the wedding, I stuck around because I love weddings and wasn't quite ready to go from bride to wife just yet.  Then, as we started to TTC, I found a great little nook of Weddingbee for those of us TTC.  And, more importantly, a thread of us that were struggling.  These women became my lifeline during the rough years that followed.  They were in the trenches too.  They GOT it in a way that no one else could.  We supported eachother, cheered for eachother, cried for eachother.  I'm happy to say that most of us that started on that board over 2 years ago have "graduated" and gone on to either have babies or get pregnant.  When we had a graduate, I can honestly say that I was genuinely happy for eacho of these ladies.  They earned it. 
On the bee, there was a thread going around that was full of inspiration quote graphics.  I wrote a lot of them down in the notebook I always carry with me.  It served as a great pick me up when I was feeling down or frustrated or just plain pissed off.  Then, once I discovered the gloriousness that is Pinterest, I started my own board of inspirational quotes.  And, even though I'm on the other side, it's nice to look back and remember those sayings and quotes that got me through.  And, still get me through.
So, I thought I'd share a few of my favorites with you guys.  It'll just be the quote since I can't source all the graphics.  Or, access Pinterest from my work computer...  These are the ones that really spoke to me.

*  Your journey is unfolding exactly as it should be
* Just because something isn't happening foryou right now doesn't mean it never will
* The longer you wait for something, the more you'll appreciate it when you get it.  Cause anything worth having is definitely worth waiting for (this one is definitely a favorite for me now.  As I deal with stretch marks and pregnancy insomnia and all the not so fun sides of pregnancy, I know that it's all so worth it and I would cover myself in stretch marks and never sleep a full night again to have this baby)
* It's hard to wait around for something you know might never happen, but it's even harder to give up when you know it's everything you want.
* Jerimiah 29:11- For I know the plans I have for you...plans to give you hope and a future (this Bible verse has served me well through so many ups and downs in my life).
* You never know how strong you are until strong is the only choice you have.
*Owning our stories and loving ourselves through that porcess is the bravest thing we will ever do.  (this one is so meaningful to me b/c there were so many times I was so mad at myself and my body.  This was what my body was made to do and yet it failed me time and time again.)
*God has a purpose for your pain, a reason for your struggles, and a reward for your faithfulness.  Don't give up.
*Your journey has molded your for your greater good.  And it was exactly what it needed to be.  Don't think that you've lost time.  It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now.  And now is the right time.
*Worrying will NEVER change the outcome.
*Whether or not it is clear to you, the universe is unfolding exactly as it should.
*The question is not how to survive, but how to thrive with passion, compassion, humor, & style.
*We must be wiling to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.  -Joseph Campbell
*She took a leap and built her wings on the way down.
*She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her away, she adjusted her sails. - Elizabeth Edwards

You may have noticed that a lot of these are about letting go and trusting some sort of grander plan.  This was so hard for me.  I'm a planner and a control freak in the worst way.  I get so frustrated when things don't go my way or how and when I plan them.  It took me letting go and trusting that I was going to get my baby.  When or how I couldn't control.  I just had to have faith that it would happen.  That faith is what gave me the strenght to get through some of the darkest times with the infertility struggle.  And, it actually calmed me.  Once I let go I felt better.  I knew in my heart it would happen.  And it did.