#fertilityhope: Overflow!

Today, October 13, 2016 marks the anniversary of many things.

Oct. 13, 2012 – My husband and I returned from our New York trip where we experienced our most memorable miscarriage and my best “God Please Clean My Room” reading.

October 13, 2014 – I shared our full testimony in a blog about our miscarriages & God’s promises fulfilled, 10 days after the birth of our son, Justice.

Read about it here: https://valencyathompson.wordpress.com/2014/10/13/our-little-mm-the-story-behind-baby-jets-red-onesie-hope-for-couples-who-desire-children/

It dawned on me recently that it is time to share the rest of our story. God blessed us with the precious gift of our daughter, Broughton Marie Thompson, 6 weeks and 1 day ago!

Yes, God gave us two. And if you happen to be waiting on a promise from God, it is my belief that God can and will do the same for you.

Trust me, I know firsthand that the waiting game is no fun. Especially when we are accustomed to being disappointed by fellow human beings, but it is important that we remember God’s Word tells us that God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19).

I don’t know, maybe we worry of looking foolish when we dare to believe in a prophecy from God being fulfilled. Or could it be that we have a problem relinquishing control because we wouldn’t dare trust someone else to do “it” (whatever it is you desire), even if that someone else is God.

Truth be told, someone is literally thinking, “yeah right, me trust in this God that I cannot see, touch, or hear to fix this thing for me? I’d have to be out of my mind.”

And see that’s just it, God does want to be visible, God does want you to feel God’s presence, and God wants you to hear when God speaks.

I dare ask, “but are you listening?” This is a very serious question. I came to the recent realization that God has answered everyone of my prayers (according to God’s divine will for my life) in God’s time (there’s that phrase we love to hate when in wait). So let me rephrase, God literally gives me what I ask for once I calm down. In other words, once I stop making an idol out of it.

Yes, as I gaze into my beautiful newborn’s eyes currently, I can distinctly recall when she felt like a dream deferred. Something I imagined. Yet, I grew to understand that her delay was so that God could get all of the Glory and not any person, not even my husband or myself. Not even those who prophesied about my daughter, not knowing I was carrying my son in my womb at the time.

And because I didn’t idolize any longer, I am able to cherish God’s gifts on those especially hard days when the newborn hollers while the toddler has a meltdown.

Because God created my husband and I, he knew at what time we would be well equipped to raise God’s children. Because God considers generations of people, God knew what time period (season) my children were to be born in to live their best lives according to God’s design. And contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t when we had the most money in our bank account or were the most “secure” according to human standards. Literally, it would be when we agreed to fully trust God, to walk by faith – as in pitch darkness while holding God’s hand, believing God wouldn’t drop us even if we were afraid the entire time.

Trust God. I’m praying for you. God loves you and God knows exactly what God is doing. Trust the process.

Be Blessed!

A Prayer for Those in “Wait”:

Father God:

First, I thank you for all that I have; though it is difficult some days to trust you know what’s best for me through the countless tears I’ve cried while waiting on my promise from you to be fulfilled.

Dear God, I ask that you help me to process what you deem necessary as I strive to navigate my way through the pain I feel. I cannot see my way out of it at times so God help me believe! God heal me and heal my spouse. Comfort me and comfort my spouse. Show me what is practical to do as I wait on my spiritual breakthrough from you. Help me to be happy when others are seemingly blessed with what I’ve requested first and help me to know when to sit things out so I may properly grieve. Help me to rest in grief and allow it to do its  thing in healthy ways.

Thank you for sending help. Thank you for your grace, your mercy, and your peace.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

Girls > Sex Post: A Restored Woman’s Story!

The following narrative was shared by an anonymous interviewee.  It is our prayer that her honesty might provide hope and help to those of us who may need it.  This is her story.

I was dating a terrible guy while in college. Well one day, I chose to walk him to his room, expecting to just hang out again.

I felt God speaking to me, “Do not go.”

And I said, well why not?

God repeated, “Do not go.”

I mean this is a nice guy, he’s involved in the church.

It was in this moment that I made a conscious decision that I was going.

God was just like, I forgot the words exactly, but it was basically like “If you go then you’re gonna lose something.”

I was just like, “oh well” and I just kept going.

It was during this visit that I was sexually assaulted. Afterwards I found myself going into a downward spiral similar to what I experienced post another prior traumatic incident in my life. I felt like at that point, I lost a part of myself. It was like a part of me died. I was grieving in a weird way. I didn’t go to class. I just stayed in my room and cried. I didn’t eat or anything like that. A lot of my friends didn’t know what was wrong with me. 

Then one day I remembered being sick of being at that point. I was like, “God I need something to change!”

At that time it robbed me of my self-esteem, my purpose. I felt dirty, I felt low, – just all around wrong.  I went on a fast and I was like Lord, I need you to eliminate any soul-ties, take away this brokenness. I think at this point I was contemplating suicide – it was just really a low, low, time in my life. 

It was on a New Year’s Day that I spent the night at a friend’s house and generated a list of all the things I would like in a man. I wrote it down, I prayed over it, and then I just left it alone. My friend was the only one who knew about it and she helped me through it. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this woman’s story. It is our prayer that if you are able to relate you might find your own ways to cope, heal, and seek the help that you need.

Oh yeah, she is now with the man that loves her dearly and there is no doubt that God designed him just for her!

Be Healed & Blessed!

~VT

Toxicity

My husband, Jerrell Thompson, can confirm the sheer horror I woke up in last night due to the dreams I had. Please take heed and read below. This may just be for you.

*WARNING: Very Graphic Adult Content

Last night I had a dream – very vivid.
I went to a place with someone (it was hard to tell whether it was residential or commercial). I say this because outside the architectural design was mostly comprised of glass and reminded me of a huge corporate tower something like a bank would have.

There was a group of random people gathered together in this huge open room doing all sorts of vile things. It is important to note that the room was designed in a manner that suggested a lot of money was put into building it. Despite this it looked disgusting because of the people gathered about and I can imagine a stench.

There was even a naked man squirting bloody semen from his person aiming for different sections around the room. It was as though he thought it was glorious. He was so much under the influence of something that he seemed zombie-like.

As a matter of fact most of the people there, with the exception of myself, didn’t seem to mind the man. All the while I am running around trying to dodge this man’s aim; while searching for something in this room.

You see the people gathered there had gifts and talents that were compiled on CD-ROMs (use your imagination) and all while they were in – tox- i – ca – t- ed there were thieves robbing them of their gifts.

I was there because someone I loved was, and I came to take their gift before it was stolen to protect it.

I eventually ran out with a group of others, as our lives were in danger.
The dream concluded with me sitting at a table next to who I thought were allies, pulling out the CD-ROM to show the gift I saved.

I soon realized from their grins that they were not friends – and had planned an attack on the gift I possessed for safe-keeping.

Interpretation:

You have gifts, talents, and an intended purpose to fulfill all created by God. Everytime you get intoxicated by the things of this world (i.e., drugs, alcohol, sexual sin, being someone you’re not, avoiding your purpose, hiding your gifts and talents, lying, conniving, manipulating, etc.) you are at risk for your gifts being stolen by the enemy and his camp. Yes, stolen (you don’t/won’t operate in them; you don’t practice them so they get rusty, and, or you become so distracted -(a tactic of the devil) by menial things that you never use them for their intended purpose that God birthed them inside of you for using. The worst part is that they can become perverted and used in a dark way for the other side; hence the disgusting image of the man squirting (what he thought was glorious semen, but was mostly blood instead because he was sick and toxic, but didn’t know it). It is important to note that semen obviously represents life, but this man had none to give because he was infected with something – the terrible part is that he had no clue because he was under severe influence.

My positioning in the dream is to remind us of how Christ is ever-fighting for us, but we must remember the free – will we have been given to make a choice. You are strongly urged to choose a side today.

God is calling out to you. This is your warning.

~Valencya Thompson
Owner of Write The Vision Creative  (TM), LLC

Upgrade

I wanted to wear the white watch today featured in the image above, but as I attempted to snap the latch on the band to secure it on my wrist the watch slipped off.

Once the watch crashed down to the floor with a loud bang, I reached down to retrieve the watch from the floor only to discover the glass shattered on its face.

I chuckled to myself and thought, “oh well I guess God doesn’t want me to wear that watch today”. So I reached over to grab another watch and laughed more once I realized that the replacement watch was much more valuable than the broken watch.

The old me would have been upset no matter how little the broken watch was worth because historically I have become attached to “things”.

Well in this instance I thought,  “what a powerful metaphor?”

How often could it be that God wants to give us an “upgrade” in life, but we refuse to take it simply because we desire to cling to something old/someone bad due to it (he/she) being familiar to us?

Bear in mind,  this comfort or security in this old or bad thing or person has no connection to its value or worth – even though we may regard it as something valuable.

So the next time you choose to hold on to something or someone simply because it, he, or she is familiar to you, consider that God cannot bless you (give you an upgrade) until you disconnect from the old.
Reminds me of wireless phone service ; )

Be Blessed and know that you can do this like all things in God’s strength! See Philippians 4:13.

Everybody’s Baby!

I walked out of my final OB appointment today.  Yes, this is it!  The next time I will see my doctor will be next Thursday at my pre-op.  The feeling I had as I sat up on the examination table was surreal!  I was elated.  I thought about the long journey behind me and how we were finally about to meet the gift that God promised to us a few years ago.

I have experienced a wealth of varied emotions, as one may imagine, and I don’t know how to quite place them all.  One series of thoughts have been around my acceptance that many family members and friends want to come join us at the hospital at the arrival of Baby J and at first I didn’t know if I wanted that.  Not that I wanted to be particularly selfish, but as a Mom who intends to breastfeed, I know the importance of bonding with my baby early on.  Secondly, my family loves so hard ; ) and I was nervous that my baby would be snatched from my hands prior to him getting to know me as Mom and Jerrell as Dad first.

Well the strangest thing happened to me today, as I was resting on the couch and watching the final few moments of “The Little House on the Prairie” (yeah this like never happens ; ).  Charles and Caroline were returning home to their five children after spending some time away in the company of very wealthy people, who they viewed as successful, yet they were unfortunately very unhappy.  Being in the presence of these people, who appeared to be former classmates, caused Charles and Caroline to question their own humble economic situation and lifestyle.  Well wouldn’t you know that as they hopped out of their carriage, their children came to greet them with excitement!  As their children ran out of the door, Charles stated something like, “Now if that’s not success then I don’t know what is!”  As I watched this I soon became overwhelmed by a flood of joyful tears. 

Why yes, we know about pregnancy and emotions, but in that moment I thought about the love that family provides and I thought about the legacy that my husband and I are creating, and at the same time are extending on behalf of the previous generations from our birth families.  And it dawned on me as my friend Kendra and others have suggested, our baby is loved by so many already.   To this point, I need not worry or fret, but I just accept that I am birthing “everybody’s baby” and he will grow up and be developed in a very loving and nurturing environment.  To bring this home to you, in my immediate family, our last baby is in his 20s and on my husband’s side the last baby is 12, so as you can imagine our families are ecstatic about the arrival of our son, their grandson, their nephew, their great nephew, their cousin, their great grandson, their godson, their best friend’s son, their friend’s son…………

So to that point, I am now embracing the idea of sharing my son’s love and his ability to be loved by an entire village and I know that it will all be okay.

Amen!

As I know there are many families going through many obstacles as we did to realize the dream of welcoming a child into their home, I want to encourage those friends and tell them to Keep the Faith!  God Bless You, Embody God’s comfort during those difficult seasons, knowing that great rewards are just around the corner.  Hold On!

Love,

The Thompsons

Let’s Make A Deal!

Today when I came home, I followed my normal afternoon regimen which involves attempting to bring Max , my dog, from one designated area into another section of our home with me.

Well, Max has a big red, dirty, stuffed teddy bear that at one point held a heart in its hands (oh the irony).  Max is only allowed to play with his bear in a restricted area because it is absolutely filthy and Max is aware of this boundary.  Despite this awareness, Max tries to resist letting this stuffed animal go when transitioning away from the designated area at times.

To trigger Max’s obedience I will state specific commands and even close the door to indicate that in order for him to cross the threshold, he must release the bear, which is tightly clenched in his mouth and gripped by his paws.

Usually after one or two of these indicators, Max will surrender the bear and walk across the threshold.

Well today Max was relentless after several commands, door closures, and my even walking away and returning after several minutes. It was clear to me that Max had made his decision and I had no choice other than to leave him behind gripping onto what he deemed important.

After what seemed like a dreadful laborious experience for this tired pregnant lady, God revealed a Word and this was the metaphor.

How often do we humans miss out on what God has for us simply because we do not want to let go of what we have held onto in our past…. and somehow snuck into our present?

The interesting thing about this in most instances is, that which we are holding onto may be stinky and filthy just like Max’s teddy bear in God’s eyes, but we are in too much of a fog to realize it.  

This fog maybe due to some form of fear, possibly fear of the unknown or fear of future rejection, and sometimes fear that we are not deemed as valuable enough by others, and on some sad occasions, even not deemed worthy to ourselves.

Even moreso, though it is not a very popular word these days, this thing we are clinging to is sinful. This can be sinful in essence or action and simply because of the direct or seemingly indirect disobedience to God. 

It is important that we understand first and foremost that God loves us! Allow me to make this personal, God loves you!

Everything that God has designed in God’s perfect will is so that we might prosper.  Not because God is some game show host who is trying to make you choose one crappy prize from behind a choice of three doors just for kicks! Do you really believe that our God is that cruel?

I assure God loves you more than anyone else and much more than you could ever imagine.  If you choose God today, God only has the greatest intentions for your optimal development. This is true, no matter if you are experiencing a season of prosperity or a season of test and trials.

God is not the boogie man and just like I knew there was much more for my dog Max on the otherside of the door, though his limited intelligence did not tell him so; God has much more in store for you!

So Let’s Make A Deal! Only you know this time that the host does not have any gimmicks up his or her sleeve. Why don’t you release that teddy bear from your mouth today.  I promise…it’s filthy.

See these scriptute references for your personal study:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 NKJV

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

God Bless you & go in Peace!

Living Water: Diving Into the Pool of Revitalization

As I have burst into my third trimester of pregnancy at full force, the last few weeks have been coupled with a series of ailments & new diagnoses.

Needless to say I have been catching it, but Praise God Baby Boy is well & developing nicely! It is amazing how such wonderful blessings can be hidden beyond various trials. It causes me to wonder, how often in life do we miss out on God’s promises for our lives simply because what lies between us and the receipt of them is “trouble”.

I mean just think what we could grasp and actually hold in our hands if we would just…PUSH THROUGH.

You see I had to push through today. I sent my besties a super awful picture of myself miserable & crying (trust me, you don’t want to see) due to the physical pain I have been enduring & my inability to eat over the last couple of weeks.

All the while, I knew I was scheduled to have my second swimming lesson today, already delayed by the instructor for a few weeks; yet the notion of going was in complete opposition with how I was feeling.

But I decided to PUSH THROUGH.

Struggling with pain, I made my way to my car and grabbed a quick call from my Sis who was startled by my sent images & said she was shocked I was still going – how it was easily understandable if I decided to miss out.

God being God and we being ourselves begin to think on and discuss some of the immediate promises God has declared over our lives. For a few moments, I am able to think on God’s Glory in lieu of my pain.  Before I know it, I am pulling on site of where my lessons are taking place. My Sister in Christ, AKA a best friend, and I close out in prayer as is our custom. 

I then, dart through the pain inside to sign in for my lesson & have to make a quick dash into the restroom. Once I get myself together, I make my way downstairs to meet my instructor and friend at the pool.

After greeting them, I gently place myself into the pool and would you believe I felt completely weightless & pain-free!

It reminded me of the true Living Water that we have in Christ & how it is necessary that we PUSH THROUGH so that the thirst of our souls might be quenched.

I pray that as you take in this message God touches you in a special and unique way.

God’s Blessings & Peace to you my Friends!

NOW PUSH!

Why? And Why Now?

Have you ever asked yourself this question?

Let me assure you that you are not alone.  It is human nature to desire a rationale for why things occur in our lives and specifically, why during a time when we least expect them to occur. 

You have your plans all laid out, and you are ready to execute them just as you envisioned them. 

Well, God had His plans, before you were even born and since He designed you as a vessel to accomplish His great work, you will need to have an awareness of His plans. 

Why? You might ask. Whether we like it or not, the only way that you may truly be the best YOU possible is by choosing to do the work you were created to complete. 

Notice some key words mentioned above:

Best.  You.  Created.

While there are many great people who you may admire in the world, it is very important to realize that you were not created to be: The Best Beyonce Look-a-like….The Next LeBron James…The Next Anderson Cooper…The Next President Obama…The Next famous____________. 

We could fill in the blank because this list could go on and on; Instead we will strive to connect with God, determine His will for our lives and, fill in this blank: Wow you are…

The First & Last  __________there will ever be on this earth!

Insert your name above ;  )

God Bless You!

*I am excited to announce the release of the second edition of my children’s book: God Please Clean My Room!  It is available for purchase at www.valencyathompson.com.  Just click the “Writings” tab! Please be sure to like our group on Facebook: God Please Clean My Room – Children’s Book.

Oh Yeah!  Big Ups to LeBron James as he is being the best him possible ; )

Photo Courtesy of Don Emmert /AFP/Getty Images

Remember When

“For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by The Lord, that we not be condemned with the world.” ~1 Corinthians 11:31-32

As a school psychologist intern, I get the privilege of walking the halls of several schools, grades K-12. Rapidly approaching the end of the school year, the yelp of kids in the hall appears to get a little bit louder, and the gripe of the frustrated teacher is seemingly stronger and more frequent.

Said differently, everyone is pretty much tired.

Tired of each other and tired of meeting demands.

Recently I have become like adults a few generations my senior, who have taken on the, “I just don’t know about these kids today.” -SMH hangup. And I am concerned, because it is far to early in my budding career for me to feel this way.

Thank God He has blessed me with this self-awareness, so that I may kill this problem at the root of the issue.

What am i talking about really?

Well I am addressing that self-righteousness that sneaks up on you in adulthood – if you’re not careful.

Oh how quick we are to judge today’s youth without acknowledging the hand that the world has dealt them: pre-exposure to adult concepts via television and internet, such as, early sexualization like what my CSEC team and I research. And let’s not forget those who experience neglect and abuse in the home.

A separate issue with adulthood is how hypercritical we can become of today’s youth and regard their immaturity with disdain – when ironically, that is the behavior of the ideal child. To undergo childhood is a rapid developmental process, in which rapid change occurs daily.

From a Christian perspective, how dare I look at this child in judgement? When it was God’s grace alone that brought me from the shadows of darkness from whence I came. Dubbed the “good child”, even I have a past.

“Just as The Lord sent someone for me, He’s sending me for them.” ~ Powerful words from an instrumental teacher of Self-contained emotionally disturbed students, Sister Lois Murphy

For as I have said it before, it is important to think on the following:

Don’t grow weary in well-doing, for in due season you shall reap, if you faint not. ~Galatians 6:9

God Bless! Let’s keep praying for each other.

Jump out the Box!

It’s been a long time since I have blogged (probably 2 weeks…I don’t know I’ve lost track.)  I have been seemingly busy with preparing for my May 6th graduation, which means trying to stay on top of my portfolio, complete my internship responsibilities, be a good research team member, etc.  Outside of grad-school, I have been preparing for an upcoming event, trying to be a good wife, trying to launch and manage a mentoring organization, pondering my future (where will I be working next year, looks like I won’t be starting a Ph.D. just yet, will I have a baby, what else can I do for my business and for Jerrell’s business?)

I promise this list could go on for days.  Be glad that I stopped when I did ; )

I am what the world would probably refer to as a jack-of-all trades, a term that I absolutely loathe. 

I prefer to think of myself as something like a …

Creative Specialist

(shying away from the term Master

Creator – I believe that’s

reserved by Almighty God…

just love Him BTW). 

Anyway, I hate boxes. You know those big boxes that people like to categorize people in.  I hate them for the mere fact that I simply just won’t fit.  Yeah that’s right.  Please don’t mistake my confidence for concete (see I can’t even spell it…conceit j/k ; ) or narcissism, I promise it’s simply self-love + faith in God that constantly reminds me, I can, in-fact, do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13), and guess what….

SO CAN YOU!

Yes you can!  God believes in you.  And I have a whole team that believes in you too!  And so does your inner circle.  So what are you waiting on?  Kick the lid off of that box and just do it already!  Whatever “it” is.

 

I love you much!  And would love to talk to you, and even pray for you with my team, but we can only know what you need if you submit your prayer requests.  Hit me up.  God Bless!