Author: Katie Schuermann

I believe the Holy Scriptures to be the inerrant Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and fulfilled in Christ Jesus, our risen Lord and Savior. Therefore, I have faith that children are exactly what God tells us they are in His Word: a heritage to receive from Him. Children are not a prize for me to earn, a commodity for me to demand, nor an idol for me to worship. They are a gift which my Heavenly Father only has the privilege to bestow and to withhold. If God makes me a mother, then I can receive His good gift of a child with all joy and confidence in His love for me. If God does not make me a mother, then I can still know with all joy and confidence that God loves me completely in His perfect gift of the Child Jesus whose sacrifice on the cross atoned for my sin and reconciled me to my Heavenly Father. I am God’s own child, purchased and won by the blood of Jesus, and God promises in His Word that He will work all things - even my barrenness - for my eternal good. For this reason, I can in faith confess that my barrenness is a blessing.

This Just in…

Woman Praying in Church1 There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. 2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children because she never elevated her cervix after intercourse.

3 Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of theLord. 4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb through the estrogenic, BPA-laced plastics in which she stored her food.[a] 6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb because of too much exercise, specifically running. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat corn-fed beef. 8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”

9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose to meditate and visualize her mother-destiny. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your deserving servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart, “I will be a mother, I will be a mother, I will be a mother! I claim my mother-destiny, right now!”; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit and body. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink nor anything dairy, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation over my undeserved barrenness.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes because of my fervent prayers.” Then the woman went her way and ate a vegan diet supplemented with Omega 3’s, calcium citrate, and probiotics, and her face was no longer sad.

19 They rose early in the morning, began the adoption process, and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah and relaxed. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife who made sure to take two teaspoons of cough syrup before intercourse, and the Lord remembered her because of her good deeds and pious prayer life. 20 And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord and earned him by my great faith.”[b] 1 Samuel 1:1-20 (ESV)

I confess: I added all of those red words myself.

You may not realize it, but whenever you tell a barren woman she will get pregnant by doing x, y, and z, you are adding a bunch of red words to the Word of God, too. You are promising something our Lord has not promised.

Here’s the truth: Hannah was barren, but the LORD remembered her out of mercy for us all. He opened this undeserving barren woman’s womb so that she would conceive and bear a son who would anoint David, the king and savior of Old Testament Israel, and effectively point us straight to Jesus, the King and Savior of the world!

And no red words were required in the working of this miracle.

 

My Adoption Story
Uncles are important in the lives of adopted children, too.

Uncles are important in the lives of adopted children, too.

Question Submitted: I have been thinking of contacting you for a while and I just decided to go ahead and ask. I really hope that I am not prying, and if I am feel free to just ignore me!

I am a huge advocate for adoption, have been for a really long time. I have been researching adoption options for about five years now and my husband and I are currently in the process ourselves.

Oftentimes I will tell people that there are very few legitimate reasons that preclude a person from adopting at all. I don’t ever say this to place judgement on those who choose not to adopt. Of course it is not a calling for everyone! 

But I do say it to encourage those who are interested in adopting but feel that there are roadblocks they could not overcome. There are just so many options, usually there is at least one out there that fits for a family. And I really have come across very few cases where this is not so.

A few of my friends have spoken to me privately about this, with concerns that my advocating comes on too strong, particularly for couples who want to adopt but feel they can’t. A few have mentioned you specifically, and how you and your husband have tried but God has closed that door.

I know this is a very personal thing, but I can’t help thinking that perhaps knowing your story might give me a perspective that I’m missing. 

No, you are not prying at all. However, because my personal story involves (yes, I use the present tense) many different individuals who have not given me their permission to share their own involvement in my story, I choose to keep my story private for the protection of all involved.

Let me suffice to say that I am a huge advocate for adoption, as well. (I am blessed to be an aunt to three adopted nieces and one adopted nephew.) I am also an advocate for supporting and equipping parents (married, single, crisis, or otherwise) to whom God has already given the gift of children through conception. They’re both worthy causes.

If it helps, I think you answered your own concerns in the following three statements:

1. “I have been researching adoption options for about five years now and my husband and I are currently in the process ourselves.” – One could ask why, in those five years of research, you have not already adopted a child, but that’s the point, isn’t it? You can’t possibly control such things. You are trying to adopt, and there it is. There, also, are most barren couples in regards to adoption. They are simply elbow-deep in research, paperwork, foster care training, court appointments, and visits with social workers, hoping and praying that God will give them the gift of a child through adoption according to His will. I would venture to guess this scenario fits most couples with whom you are concerned.

2. “Of course it is not a calling for everyone!” Exactly, and we must respect the fact God does and doesn’t call people to the vocation of adoptive parenting, even if that makes us uncomfortable. Remember, adoption is not a law. From an advocacy standpoint, I think it wise to be a little less concerned with those whom God hasn’t called to be adoptive parents and, instead, focus attention and support on those whom He has.

3. “And I really have come across very few cases where this is not so.” Yet, these cases exist, so we trust in the Lord all the more for these couples instead of burdening them with ungodly guilt. Again, adoption is not a law, and it most certainly is not the only way to serve orphans. I think adoption advocates (me included) sometimes forget that adopted children need more than just parents. Let’s rejoice in all of the vocations – social workers, lawyers, pastors, counselors, foster parents, policemen, judges, aunts, uncles, grandparents, teachers, therapists, doctors, nurses, travel guides, bloggers, fundraisers, you name it – who faithfully serve these children even though they never get to adopt them.

There is one other group of people in this situation which deserves our attention and respect: those couples who, for whatever reason, simply decide they don’t want to adopt children. As contrary as their decision may seem to our own sentiments, it’s okay for them to decide not to adopt. Many of us can’t help but rise up and start quoting James 1:27 to them – “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world [ESV].” – but, again, it is wise to remember that adoptive parenting is not the only vocation through which God serves these children (just as adoptive parenting is not the only vocation through which God serves widows).

And, as a friendly salutation, I’d like to correct one statement in the original submission above in regards to my own story. Rather than writing “God has closed that door” for my husband and me in regards to adoption, I think it is a truer confession to write “God has not yet given us the gift of children through adoption.”

Yep, that pretty much sums it up. My husband and I still have hope of being parents (adoptive or otherwise), but we don’t hold God to a promise He hasn’t given us in His Word. We are trusting that His will for us today is good, even if it is childless. It would help and encourage me greatly if those around me trusted in His good will for us, too.

Child #9

You already know I’m a huge fan of burgers and veterans.

Well, at Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steak Burgers, I get to celebrate my love for them both.

Freddy, of burger and custard fame, not only fought in WWII and inspired my favorite dipping sauce to date, but he also happens to be the youngest of nine children.

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See? Contrary to what the world believes, thinks, and confesses, even child #9 has value in a family.

And not just in a family but also in a community and in a state and in a country and in the suffering world around him.

Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Simon, for welcoming all nine of your children into the world, because that ninth child is especially important to my country, my freedom, and – let’s be honest – my burger-lovin’ palate.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.” Psalm 127:3 (ESV)

 

The Great Getaway 2014

IMG_1413[2] copyDo you crave fellowship with other women who understand what it’s like to be childless or to lose a child? Do you have ethical questions about infertility medicine you’d like to ask a pro-life doctor? Would you enjoy eating decadent, gluten-free desserts prepared by a loving pastor’s wife who just wants to spoil you rotten? Do you need a retreat in a beautiful house near a scenic park in historic St. Louis?

Then, you might want to join us this summer for The Great Getaway 2014 on Friday, August 22nd through Sunday, August 24th.

 

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Who:  Any woman who suffers from barrenness, secondary infertility, or is grieving a recent miscarriage

What: The Great Getaway retreat agenda

When: Friday, August 22nd through Sunday, August 24th

Where: St. Louis, MO

Why: To get away for a bit and relax in the company of your sisters in Christ

 

IMG_1886 copyInterested in attending? Register online today and hightail it to St. Louis by 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 22nd. We’ll take care of the rest.

If you would like to attend the retreat but have trouble meeting the financial requirements, we HRTB hosts have penned a letter that can be sent to your family and/or friends asking for their sponsorship of your retreat attendance. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any help.

 

Guaranteed or Your Money Back

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According to the wisdom of the ages, the following items guarantee a pregnancy:

1. a vegan diet

2. an organic diet

3. a dairy-free diet

4. an organic, dairy-free, vegan diet

5. cough syrup

6. cod liver oil

7. an adoption

8. yoga and green tea

9. egg washes (don’t ask)

10. relaxing

11. prayer

12. claiming your pregnant destiny

13. the think system

14. exercising

15. not exercising

16. losing weight

17. gaining weight

18. green smoothies

19. acupuncture

20. a reiki

21. Vit A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z

22. progesterone shots

23. pelvic elevation

24. IVF

25. a stork (Well, not really. This one only guarantees a baby.)

But the wisdom of the ages never attaches the “or your money back” to this guarantee. Can you guess why?

The only Scripture-proven, 100%-guarantee any of us has when it comes to pregnancy (or adoption, for that matter) is that the LORD does and doesn’t give the gift of children according to His good and perfect will – a will which is promised to work for our eternal good – with or without all of the stuff listed above.

And you can bank on that.

 

Warfare against the Enemy

P1060754The enemy was swift, a stealth narthex ninja pervading the unsuspecting Sunday crowd. In silence, he tracked his foe below eye level like the invisible eleventh plague.

I heard a cry, the grievous moan of a fallen warrior, and I spun around on my black-sandaled heal to find my pastor wounded, crumpled on the gray tile floor in a pool of his own, thick blood.

His leg was missing.

“Noooo!” I howled, lurching for the scene, but the enemy was too quick, too skilled, too bent upon his prey. He raised his saber high and abruptly, mercilessly went for the kill.

I won’t soon forget the violent sight of my limbless pastor bleeding on the floor, nor the sound of the nearby churchy witnesses gasping and hiding their faces behind shaking hands.

But not all hope was lost.

The enemy, in his reckless drive towards victory, had committed one fatal mistake. He had paused in his final strike, and I, as a result, had caught a glimpse of his red-and-black weapon. It was not just any saber. It was a rolled up edition of The Lutheran Witness.

In that moment, I did what any self-respecting Lutheran woman would do. I reached for the shield of choice, the only one which could deflect the blows of such a force. I reached for the large-print edition of The Portals of Prayer and held on for dear life.

“Aaaaahhhhh!!!” The enemy cried, rushing towards me like a mad bull towards a quivering red cape, but I held strong.

“Fzzzzzzzzz,” the electric forcefield of my Portals of Prayer pulsed, deflecting blow after blow from my three-foot-high foe.

There is an end to this story, one which defies all laws of physics and copyright. The enemy’s parents soon intervened, corralling boyish violence towards the family van, and, according to the promises we the Baptized hold dear, the pastor did indeed miraculously resurrect in time for Sunday lunch.

The moral of this story?

Well, I can make no promises as to whether or not the Portals of Prayer always succeeds in overcoming The Lutheran Witness in force and power nor as to whether or not the size of the font matters in the end, but I can say this:

A childless pastor and his wife sure know how to have fun with Little Lutherans after church.

 

Save the Date

IMG_1413[2] copyChocolate? Check.

Salty snacks? Check.

Gluten-free desserts? Check.

An assortment of teas and coffee? Check.

Comfy sofas and lovely gardens? Check.

Now, all we need are attendees.

Ladies, please mark your calendars for August 22nd – 24th, because The Great Getaway 2014 in St. Louis has been scheduled.

Registration details are coming soon.

Big Sister

MP900341507My young pen pal recently became a big sister through adoption last year – twice!

Here’s how she described her new life as a big sister in her most recent letter to me:

We are super busy. Sometimes I lock myself in my bedroom, lie on my bed, and try to imagine life BEFORE munchkins 2 and 3. It is IMPOSSIBLE. I can’t even think of our living room 2 years ago. 🙂 Right now, Little Brother is hanging onto my chair watching Little Sister ride her tricycle around the kitchen/dining room while holding her baby doll. She stops every time she goes by Little Brother to smile at him.

Isn’t that delightful?

Have you and your husband considered adoption?

Examination

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Physician’s Assistant: Now, why won’t you consider IVF?

Me: My husband and I have some ethical concerns about the procedure. Our consciences are burdened by the meager 29.4% success rate of implantation–

Physician’s Assistant: Oh, that’s not right. That’s too low, I think.

Me: No, that’s right. I just looked it up last week. The success rate can be higher or lower depending on the age and health of the mother, but – let’s be honest – I’m going on thirty-six. That rate is just about as optimistic as the scientists advise me to be.

Physician’s Assistant: True, you are of advanced maternal age.

Me: Well, creating babies and then attempting to implant them into my advanced maternal womb with a whopping 70.6% chance of dying doesn’t seem loving to the babies, does it?

(That question went unanswered.)