We are immensely grateful and blessed to share the news that they retrieved 27 eggs today. (My last retrievals had yielded 11 and 14. Yes, it was a different protocol and I’ll be sure to share all the differences in a future post!) Wow! We feel incredibly grateful that God has allowed us to be the good stewards of so many eggies. We know this number has been His plan since the beginning and our hopes are that He continues to work in the mighty ways only He can! We will find out tomorrow how many are mature and then, how many were fertilized. We plan to freeze all viable on days 5/6 for a future FET in the coming months. Wowza! We are so blessed! One step closer to our embryos/babies! 

My doctor is being super proactive and cautious about preventing OHSS, which is a concern, so I have started some treatments already for that. (She was so wise to do a lose dose hcg trigger and also, combine it with the Lupron triggers. She’s truly so involved, wise and proactive. I can’t speak more highly of her and her nurses!) If you could join us in praying against OHSS from occurring, I would greatly appreciate it! Again, none of this is a surprise to Him and our prayers are not only that our take home baby is in there, but also, their sibling(s)! Just call us the Duggars 2.0! HA! 

The love, peace, prayers and support we felt today was humbling. From your texts to your posts to your emails, our hearts were so comforted knowing we had SUCH a great army behind us. When I was getting settled in the OR, I asked the nurses for a second to say a quick prayer silently and not only did they support my request, but 2 of them laid their hands on me for a brief moment of silence. I know God has been circling that moment for a while. 😭🙌🏼🙆🏼😘💖 

Now I nap and rest! I’m thankful for salty foods, liquids, pain meds, heating pads, and friends and family who have hooked us up with meals for the week. My heart may burst – we just feel so loved and cheered for. God continues to affirm Himself to us. I know this journey doesn’t always make sense to everyone, but it makes sense to Him. And so we step into the waters and make ourselves available. He is the perfect promise maker and sustainer! 

No matter what, God is present, close and we are praising Him today for His goodness! 🙌🏼 Can we all just lift up one gigantic THANK YOU praise to Him today? With all the prayers sent, lets flood those gates with thanksgiving too! HE IS SO GOOD! Tears + joy!

Thanks all! You’re the BEST!

PS: How fitting is it that as of today, all of our puzzle pieces have been claimed? I can’t help but smile. He is in this so much it gives me goosebumps. :)

Happy Monday friends! First of all, thank you all so very much for the encouragement, prayers and love you sent me after my last post. Man, I was having a tough day and we suddenly felt surrounded by an army of prayer partners, lifting us up and clearing our minds and hearts. I simply cannot thank you enough for that!

This cycle so far has been going beautifully – almost too perfectly in fact. My body is responding like never before and for once, my hormone numbers are where they are supposed to be, when they are supposed to be. We really have felt His peace and presence in a whole new way. It’s not easy and there’s a daily need to cling to Him for strength, clarity and hope and isn’t that right where we are supposed to be anyways? My heart has been filled and I am really hopeful for the future.

Speaking of the future – guess what tomorrow is!? Our egg retrieval! YAY! I was on stim meds for 9 days and triggered last night with a low dose hCg shot and then 2 Lupron injections. We are to report to the surgery center tomorrow morning with a 10:30 am retrieval planned. YAY! This is it! Time to get these eggies out of me! (Not that walking around with 2 ovaries the size of grapefruits isn’t fun, hehe! OUCH.)

As we go into tomorrow, we would love your prayers! Again, we couldn’t do this without your support. We can feel those prayers storming the gates of heaven and backing up in a nearly tangible way. Simply put, you guys rocks.

Here’s how you can be praying!

1. For a smooth surgery. Pray for the wisdom and leadership of our doctor and anesthesiologist.
2. For the quality of my eggs. We know roughly how many follicles I have, but we don’t know about the eggs that are potentially inside each one. We would love prayers for the eggs to be mature, viable and healthy. We know God already knows the quantity!
3. For fertilitization. Yes, that happens tomorrow! We are so trustful that God knows exactly what He is doing here. Fertilization and life can’t be forced, no matter how much science tries. We know He manages the sun, the moon, and tomorrow, our fertilization. We ask for prayers that God breathes life and viability into these embryos. We would love for you to pray for our embryologist working with our eggs and embryos tomorrow as well.
4. For embryo development. Our little guys (and girls!) will start developing right away and we pray that they stay healthy, viable and develop appropriately over the next 6 days. After day 6, into the freezer they go, where they will wait until we do a frozen embryo transfer.
5. For healing post retrieval and protection from ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. (OHSS). This retrieval and days following are tough. I will be in much need of your prayers as my body begins to heal from a pretty rough 10 days. All of that said, it’s incredibly worth it, clearly.
6. For His peace, strength, hope and ultimately, that glory be brought to His name. None of this is possible without Him. He has written the story that we have the opportunity now to live out. Our emotions are steady as we trust in Him and we pray that our faith and eyes would be secure on Him like never before.

I will do my best to update here as much as I can, but likely will only be feeling up to minimal updates on Instagram (@chels819). I am so thankful for each one of you!

With our love and incredibly gratitude,

Josh, Chelsea, and Cali

Post-appointment Thumbs up! This cycle has been a steady report of good news!

Josh is working hard at getting this puzzle of ours assembled! The black and white 1,000 odd-shaped puzzle has been a tough challenge, one that represents our journey well, haha! A special thanks to our family that has helped us with it too. I am an awful puzzler but a determined tryer. :)  We have only a small handful of pieces left without names – if you haven’t already and want to, you can claim a piece today! (Link below)

To claim your puzzle piece: **DONATIONS CLOSED AS THE PUZZLE IS FULL**

And just like that. Boom. I remember it all.

The alarms reminding me it’s time for shots. 8 am. 8 pm. The sting of the alcohol pad against my battered and bruised tummy. The sensation of the needle pressing again my flesh, the feel of fire running into me. The need for band-aids. The clank of the empty syringe in the sharps container. The need to pack a cooler with my medicine just in case I am not home in time. The exhaustion. The anxiety. The feeling of helplessness. The desperation for Him to meet me every minute of the day.

Suddenly, like a wave of concrete, it hits me. All of it. What we are doing. Every part of the Logical Chelsea is saying “Why are we doing this?! Are we crazy?! I can’t do this again.”

Meanwhile, the other Chelsea that’s connected with God, is so excited. You see, even though this Chelsea remembers the pain of the surgery retrieval and the tender, uncomfortable days of healing ahead, she also remembers the first time her and Josh saw their little embryos to transfer. The joy they felt as they welcomed those babes into her uterus. The hope in Him and in Him alone to work a miracle.

That’s the hope we are clinging to. I understand this last cycle may be against all logic. (Isn’t that how God works sometimes?). Yet, God has brought us to this week. He has been hearing our cries. He’s been hearing our prayers. He is going before us in a way that only He can.

And friends, we need Him now more than ever. Because when God is working this much and these many prayers are involved, we know that the devil isn’t happy. His best strategy against me is to break me down, making me feel anxious, fearful, and out of control. And I KNOW that’s not God’s best for me. And so, I am tasked to pick up His Word each day and declare His promises over my nerves, but it isn’t easy. It’s been really hard in fact to override the chatter. Your prayers for continued strength and peace are invaluable today and in the week to come.

We are currently on day 4 of stims. Our protocol this cycle has me doing 2 vials of menopur a morning, 300 iu’s of follistim at night, plus dexamethasone. We will be adding in ganerlix injections in the next day or two. My body is tired already, my mind working on overdrive and my hormones, well, let’s just say, raging in their full, weepy glory.

I was praying before I started this cycle and God led me to these two verses, what I am clinging to. It perfectly summarizes our goals: to create a family, filled with joy, that brings Him glory. Not to us, but to His name.

“Trust in You” by Lauren Daigle has been on repeat all day and most certainly is the anthem to this cycle. If you haven’t heard it before, I encourage you to take a minute to listen to it and read through the words. (emphasis mine)

Trust In You

Letting go of every single dream
I lay each one down at Your feet 
Every moment of my wandering
Never changes what You see

I’ve tried to win this war I confess
My hands are weary I need Your rest
Mighty Warrior, King of the fight
No matter what I face, You’re by my side

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!

Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings 
There’s not a day ahead You have not seen
So, in all things be my life and breath
I want what You want Lord and nothing less

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!

You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation; the rock on which I stand

Your ways are always higher
Your plans are always good
There’s not a place where I’ll go, You’ve not already stood

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!

I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!

Will you join me in praying that our hearts would be filled with an unexplainable peace and trust in Him? This won’t be easy. It’s not easy. For anyone reading this today who wonders how I stay strong, friends, I am not. My knees are buckling and today I am reaching more than ever for His steady, mighty hand of comfort. This is real. This is life. It’s hard. But it will be worth it … Lord, hear our prayers.

Shot day ONE! *** Jill over at https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThePUREGRACEco is offering 10% off all tee’s and tanks this week using TRIALSBRINGJOY at checkout.

Our prayer puzzle is almost complete! Ready to claim your piece? Check out the post here for all the details! We cannot thank you enough!!!! Update: Our puzzle is completed! THANK YOU!

I am so excited to introduce you to my friend Krystal today! Krystal currently resides in Massachusetts with her husband Steve (although one day would love to live in Tennessee or Georgia!) and enjoys boating in the summers and snowmobiling in the winters. She loves exploring local farms and enjoying fresh and nourishing food.

Krystal has created 2 wonderful products, the first a nutritional journal and the other, a 31-day journaling devotional for hope for those struggling with infertility. After going through her 31-day prayer journal (and loving it), I invited her to write a little bit about her heart behind these products for you today. (Stay tuned to the end for your chance to win a set!) I know you will think she’s the greatest, as I do! Here’s Krystal’s guest post!

Hello! I’m excited and honored to be a part of Chelsea’s blog and writing to you today! I love sharing my journey and passions, especially with trying to conceive. After my husband and I got married, we immediately started trying to start a family. But after months, it wasn’t happening. As we wait, I wanted an outlet where I could organize my prayers, as well as a place to write down what I was eating, to see if I could heal my body through food. I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for, so I decided to create 2 journals! God’s been so apparent in this whole process and I’m always reminded that His plan is always better then mine.

I’ve learned that my purpose is loving and inspiring others. It’s a risk is worth taking! Journaling is part of who I am and in an era where online journaling or apps are easy, using a written journal is an amazing experience Picking out the right journal is an emotional experience for me, so while creating mine, I want something eye catching! I worked with Chad Schoonmaker and I love what we created.

I really love the act of writing in a journal. For me, the process of writing by hand makes a difference. Granted, it’s more time-consuming than typing, but I find I connect deeper with my words. It leaves a stronger impression on me. It’s an individual process, an extension of our character, our lives, and an instrument for growth.

So, let me introduce you to my two journals!

A 31-DAY DEVOTIONAL OF HOPE

I created this devotional specifically to be used as a special journal for women walking through trying to conceive. I pray this journal brings comfort and encouragement for women who are struggling. This devotional will help you pray your way through a difficult time and contains a month’s worth of devotionals, journal prompts, and helpful scriptures and songs to help you connect with God.

I want to encourage women, reminding them they aren’t alone in this journey. If you are reading this today, I want you to know that God is good and His plan is better than ours. You are not alone if you’re struggling! It’s possible to live this journey with grace. I would love to make all women’s suffering go away with the right word, but I know one’s grief won’t disappear. Sometimes life will bring you pain and sorrow, but these cannot tear you away from God. As long as your love for Him remains strong, you can cling to Him as He does to you in even your darkest times. 

A Nutrition Guide for Fertility 

I created this journal for accountability. I’m much more aware of what’s going in my body if I write it down. So in this journal, you can keep track of the food you are eating. I’ve also included some resources and charts with food suggestions that may have encourage fertility and your overall health. There’s even a small “kiss and tell” section on each page where you can track things like baby-dancing. (Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me!) An added bonus is a section with resources on fertility-friendly nutrients recommended for women.

I am so passionate about these two journals! You can find both in my shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheHopefulHoneyBee

Thank you for reading! I would love to connect more on Facebook at The Hopeful Honey Bee or on Instagram @thehopefulhoneybee.

Gals, if you are interested in either or both of these products, you can use coupon code TRIALSBRINGJOY for 20% off until Saturday the 26^th! SUCH A GREAT DEAL!

BONUS! Krystal is giving away a TWO SETS of her journals in a giveaway for my readers this week! YAY! You can enter below to win the first set via rafflecopter (all you need is an email address so we can contact you if you win!). You also can pop over to my instagram page (@chels819) for your chance to win the second set! I know these journal sets will bless 2 ladies immensely! Good luck!

Click here to Enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway

PS – 7 days until stims start …

What a week it’s been! Since sharing our exciting news about stepping into one last IVF cycle, the support has been humbling and completely overwhelming in the best possible way. (Need a recap about our journey through infertility or the plan in place? Click to find out more!)

The questions have been steady and I’d love to jump in quickly to answer as many as I can!

What’s the timeline!?

We have already started! Here’s a brief timeline recap:

End of February: Started Provera.

This week: Starting birth control pills for 2 weeks to maintain suppression, our nursing consult, signing all the consents, attending the CCRM IVF training class, completing the mandatory communicable testing lab work, genetic carrier screening lab work, chromosome analysis lab work, a gamete of hormone blood draws for me and an ultrasound to make sure I am clear of any cysts or other issues that would delay things. We will have our final calendar and prescription in hand by the end of the day tomorrow and ready to get this show on the road!

Next Monday: A final regroup with our doctor, reviewing lab results and making final touches to the cycle plan.

End of March (Exact date TBD, but sometime between the 26-30): Starting STIMS!!! (If you are new to this lingo, basically this is the time to develop  all of the follicles started during a natural cycle. In unmedicated cycles, only one of these follicle will develop to maturity, rupture and release its egg. During IVF, they “rescue” the other follicles and eggs using fertility injections, on average, between 8 -25 follicles. Yes, this is the time where the SHOTS anthem rings out loud and clear.

Early April: My egg retrieval surgery, which will be anywhere from 9-12 days from the start of the stimulation medication.

Early June: God-willing, if we have embryos that continued to develop, we will be doing a frozen embryo transfer (with ideally 2).

Wait, so are you not doing a fresh transfer?

Not this time! Fresh retrievals and transfers have been hard on my body in the past and we have learned that along the way. This time we are going to give my body a chance to recover (hopefully avoiding the ER this time!) and rest, freezing all our viable embryos, and then starting a frozen embryo cycle in May.

How will the Frozen Embryo Transfer differ than the fresh cycle part?

Our job during an FET is to make sure my body is ready to receive the transferred embryo(s) so that they will God-willing implant. (This is the part where I can’t emphasize enough that it’s ALL God. There is NOTHING science can do to make an embryo implant and get cozy. It’s all Him!)

How will your cycles differ from last time?

(This will be technical without much explaination! If this makes no sense to you, no worries, just skip this section.) We are not doing a Lupron suppression beforehand and will only be on birth control pill for 2 weeks prior vs. 28 days. (There has been concerns in the past that I have been over suppressed). We are going to be using different medication dosage to ensure my hormones are where they should be each day. We’ll use a Lupron trigger shot versus an hCg shot to prevent OHSS. Since we are giving my body a break afterwards, we can be a bit more aggressive with trying to retrieve a few more eggs (since we are hoping our little one will have a sibling some day!). We will be using ICSI for fertilization.

For the FET cycle, we will be doing progesterone and estrogen injections, having an endometrial scratch done during my hysteroscopy end of April and an autoimmune protocol post transfer, including prednisone, Claritin and another medication I can’t remember for the life of me! For my Factor V, we will be doing lovenox injections every 12 hours for the course of the pregnancy (switching to Heparin at the end).

What are you going to do if you have more than 2 embryos?

Our stance has never wavered or changed that life begins at conception, and so, God-willing, if we have more than 2 embryos at the time of our transfer, we will continue to keep them frozen and use all of them in the future. This may mean another attempt for a child if the first transfer fails or in the future for siblings if we are blessed with a pregnancy. We know that God has numbered every single baby and intend to do everything we can to honor those kiddos, even and especially in these early life stages.

What can we be praying for specifically?

1) For continued peace. We feel so calm with this plan, even as overwhelming as it is, and a gentle peace that this is all Holy-Spirit led. We pray that if anything is meant to change, He would make it clear.

2) For all of the testing taking place this week. While we are optimistic, we could learn news that could veer us completely about our health or the potential for a future family. We are praying for good, clean healthy results.

3) For wisdom for our doctor, Dr. Batcheller. (Which is pronounced “Bachelor”, so I assume it was meant to be, hehe!).  IVF is a very day-by-day thing and her wisdom is important as the plan will always need tweaking, especially as new results come in.

4) For continued provision. I was able to take a contract job for the last few weeks which has been an incredibly blessing, finance wise. We simply pray for opened doors and continued answered prayers as our insurance doesn’t cover anything.

5) For emotional protection and physical strength. This is so physically testing and strenuous however, the emotional battle is even harder. We know He is in control, but it can be hard to logical when the hormones are raging.

Can I still join your prayer puzzle project?

YES! If you have already joining our prayer puzzle efforts, THANK YOU! Truly! From the bottom of our hearts, we are so grateful that you have claimed a spot in our puzzle. Financially sponsored or not, there is a huge sacrifice of time, prayer, and care. We can’t wait to write your name(s) on the back of our puzzle! (And to those who shared our story on social media too, THANK YOU! We have been floored by the amount of strangers praying with us as a result of a Facebook share! You guys rock!)

Side note: If you ever do something similar, putting together a puzzle that’s entirely white with just a little bit of black is hard. Ha!

Here’s our puzzle! Waiting to be fully assembled!

But truly, your action has impacted our hearts in a gigantic way.

We still have about a fourth of the puzzle left to cover with the names of our prayer team, so if you are praying, please, share that with us! You can read all about the project here and abbreviated directions are listed below.

Here’s how it works:

• If you want a piece of the puzzle, it’s all yours! Claim a spot here in exchange for prayers! **UPDATE: The link is closed as the puzzle is full**

• If you want to purchase a puzzle piece and support us in this way, first of all, truly, thank you.  We don’t take your sacrifice lightly. You can sponsor as many pieces as you would like! ($5 = 1 piece, $10 = 2 pieces, $20 = 4 pieces, etc…) With each additional piece you add, feel free to add a message to your portion of the puzzle scaled to size! We would love words from you etched into the puzzle!!! (This is optional.)

If you choose to donate, you can do so in one of these three ways:

• 1 – Click on the Donate Button and purchase your piece(s) through a secured PayPal link.

**DONATIONS CLOSED AS THE PUZZLE IS FULL**

• 2 – Write a check or donate cash and hand deliver to Josh and/or Chelsea.
• 3 – Mail a check to us (email us at trialsbringjoy @ gmail.com for a mailing address).

In closing …

This is all a lot and we don’t expect anyone to understand it all. Heck, we barely do some days! What we do know is that He is leading the way in all of this. I am so thankful that He doesn’t need us to understand everything in order to trust Him. Pastor Craig Groeschel said in a message a few months ago that “What we fear the most reveals where we trust God the least.” It was so convicting for me then, and now, because it can be really easy for me to become fearful over the many “what if’s” that lie ahead. I am working daily on what it looks like to trust Him COMPLETELY – regardless of what the outcome is. But that’s a whole other post for another day.:)

Thank you friends for caring as much as you do. To Him be the glory!

It seems fitting that we close with our best “Blue Steel” faces … I am so thankful to have someone by my side who laughs with me and enjoys life with me, even in this hard thing called infertility. :)

Interested in learning more about all of this? CCRM has a resource page (that I have not explored fully yet) but you are welcome to investigate this IVF stuff a little more here! 

Alright, who out there is wondering why I have a blog about “the pursuit of a baby” and yet, haven’t talked about our infertility journey in ages? Gulp. You’re not alone! Truthfully, after our last failed IUI cycle in June, I have been so burnt out on the thoughts of pursuing treatment, wondering what’s next and ultimately, questioning where God wants us to go. The words be still echoed in our heads and for the last several months, we did just that. Breaks and cycle detoxes are so necessary for us in this long journey, but at the same point, are hard because we feel so strongly about starting a family and helpless as to how to get from here to there.

So, we spent the last several months praying. Praying for a change of heart if that’s what God wanted, praying for direction, praying for peace, praying for healing, praying for wisdom. And after A LOT of praying, I am so excited to say …. WE HAVE A PLAN!

Boring information: The Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine (CCRM) is among the top 5 fertility clinics in the country and has been utilized by many with difficult unexplained infertility cases. Dr. William Schoolcraft (doctor to Bill and Giuliana Rancic if anyone followed their infertility story) opened the center back in the late 80’s and since then, their clinic has been recognized for clinical excellence and advanced research with infertility. Now, traveling to Colorado hasn’t really been an option for us but has always been in the back of my mind.

So that being said, long story short, Dr. Schoolcraft and a Minnesota doctor, Dr. April Batcheller, opened a satellite office of CCRM in Minneapolis late last year. (About 20-some miles away from home.) WHAT!? After many prayers, God really opened Josh and my hearts up to take a step towards this clinic for a final cycle using reproductive assistance.

This is it ladies and gents. Both of us have a lot of peace about consulting with CCRM for one last IVF cycle. One more egg retrieval and God-willing, an embryo transfer that will hopefully result in answered prayers for our family. We will be consulting with Dr. Batcheller in TWO WEEKS (February 18^th) to discuss what this decision would look like and of course, get her medical opinion on our case given our history with reoccurring pregnancy loss and PCOS.

It’s hard to believe we haven’t been through an IVF cycle since 2013! Gasp! It seems painfully long ago and at the same time, like it was yesterday. We did medicated IUI cycles in 2014/2015 but used our last embryo in October of 2013. Wow. Time flies. And since then, I have been diagnosed with Factor V and now know how much this blood clotting disorder without treatment could prevent pregnancy. We feel blessed to know that potentially going into treatment again. We also know that technology and research has improved since 2013 and that a new set of eyes could be just what God has planned.

I want to be clear – in no way do we feel that utilizing IVF is limiting God. In fact, we feel very at peace that He has led us down this path (again) and will continue to offer up our hopes to Him for direction. Everyone’s paths are different and uniquely orchestrated by God. We believe that only God can create and sustain life and feel blessed by the ability to utilize the medicine wisdom of the physicians as He has provided us with.

Do I feel nervous about entering this world again? YES! Do I feel hopeful? YES! IVF is one of the most physically strenuous battles I’ve gone through but one that I will so gladly endure for the chance of a family. I am so grateful for the chance to try this one last time, again God-willingly.

We are unsure what the doctor will say to us on the 18^th but we are offering up our hearts desires to the Father who not only understands all our hopes, but planted these dreams in our hearts. I have been challenged to face my fears in exchange for faith in His perfect plan, whatever that may be, whatever the outcomes are. God is so faithful in directing our hearts and guiding us in His perfect timing.

So now my dear friends, can I humbly ask you for prayers once more? Specifically:

• For our consultation appointment on February 18^th.
• For continued wisdom, guidance and endurance as we (hopefully) walk towards this path again.
• For God to open and shut doors as only He can.
• For peace in our hearts and provision for the financial undertaking that could be ahead.

As I write this, Colossians 3:17 comes to mind: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” This is our prayer: that this journey, this battle, this fight, would be done in the name of Jesus. We wouldn’t be standing if it weren’t for Him. Our ultimate goal is not to have a family, but to honor Him in all we do and that He would be glorified in our story.

So, February 18^th. The countdown is on. Lord, this plan is yours!

Yesterday, after a particularly slow morning of tedious tasks, I decided to venture out to Trader Joe’s to stock up our fridge. I eyed the clock, knowing that I would need to move quickly if I wanted to make it back home before the rush hour traffic began. The end result was me looking mildly homeless, relying heavily on dry shampoo and a sketchy bun that was a lot more tangle than faux mess. A dab of concealer under my eyes and a sweatshirt over my head and I was out the door, slightly concerned I would see someone I knew, but reassured by the fact that they may not in fact, recognize me.

My drive was short, a mere 11-miles, perfect for starting a podcast. With Craig Groeschel chatting in the background, I drove, feeling the weight of the gray, wintery dreary Minnesota day. As I rounded my exit, the sun popped through the clouds and I couldn’t help but smile. The warm rays felt so refreshing and the short-lived need for my sunglasses made me feel hopeful that spring is near.

I found a front row parking spot, which is a simple win while grocery shopping. Armed with my list, I busted through the few aisles of Trader Joe’s, only impulsively purchasing goat cheese and a new breed of apples. (Talk about another win!)

The registers were empty and I slide my cart forward, quickly meeting my cashier, J, who shared a remarkable resemblance to Santa.

J: Why hello!

C: Hi, how are you doing today?

J: I’m wonderful. And how’s your day going?

C: It’s going good, thanks!

Then without a pause, J asked: What about it has made it good?

(Sidenote: I LOVE THAT HE ASKED THAT QUESTION! I love that he prompted me to intentionally think about why my day was a good day. Love love love.)

C: You know, honestly, I got to use my sunglasses on the way over and saw the sun peeking through the clouds and that was just really refreshing. Plus, I got a front row spot, so that’s a bonus. (chuckle)

J: That’s so wonderful. Every day we wake up we are given a gift. I’m glad to hear you are looking for them in big and small ways.

C: So true. And also, I loved walking in and seeing the tulips on display. They remind me spring is coming.

J: Aren’t they beautiful? Tulips and daffodils, both are in season right now.

C: You know, I always see the daffodils but how do they work? They are just in a big crate over there with no water?

J: Daffodils have to be kept out of water because once their stems hit the water, they will blossom. Then they will bloom the most beautiful yellow blooms for about 2 days and then their purpose has been filled. It’s amazing how they will just come to life in a few hours with something as simple as water.

C: How about that!? That’s cool, thanks for sharing. Let’s add to my list that I learned something new today too.

J: Tell ya what, on your way out, stop by and grab 2 bouquets of daffodils, on me. I am going to mark it down right here, and I want you to go home and put them in water and enjoy their blooms over the next few days. Okay?

I have to admit, I felt a little emotional! It was just such a kind, simple, unexpected gesture from this man. I muttered some sincere words of appreciation, feeling a little foolish about how surprised I was at his kindness. He continued.

J: See, it’s the little things in life, isn’t it? I hope you enjoy them. There’s no such thing as too much kindness in the world! And I can do this for you so I will. Plus, I don’t just give gifts at Christmas.

(And then he gave the tenderest wink and I swear when he said that, I looked at him with wide eyes like I was talking to the real Santa Clause. I have to chuckle now imagining what my face looked like.)

And with that, he handed me an empty flower bag, packed my filled grocery bags into my cart and sent me off to grab a few bouquets of daffodils. And as I walked out to my car, I couldn’t help but feel so incredibly blessed to be the recipient of this small but generous act of kindness.

So now my challenge to you: Who will you give daffodils to today? What’s a small gesture of kindness that you can do for someone who doesn’t expect it? Will it be paying for the coffee for the car behind you? Or slipping a note in the mail for a friend? Maybe it’s dropping off a bouquet of flowers to someone having a hard week. Or giving up the good parking spot at Target for a stranger. Maybe it’s offering to bring a struggling mom’s cart back to the carousel at Costco or perhaps utilizing Amazon Prime and sending a small surprise to a girlfriend. Whatever it is, large or small, monetary or not, do something kind today. The domino effect of kindness doesn’t stop there. My cashier has no idea how his gesture would affect you reading this right now, just as you have no idea how much your gesture will mean to someone else. Like the water is to the daffodils, one small action to a weary soul has the potential to refresh them, allowing them to smile, be energized and blossom.

Let’s be people who give daffodils today.

One thing I believe in deeply is the value of telling your story. God gave each of us a unique set of chapters unlike anyone else’s. My dear friend Caroline over at In Due Time echoes my thoughts on story-sharing and invited me to guest blog today about this topic. I would love for you to hop on over to her page to read it! (And while you’re there, stay to read some of her amazing posts. She’s such a source of godly encouragement!)

“What will the world miss if you don’t tell your story?

This question stirs around often in my mind. The truth is, God has given all of us reading this today a story. You have a story! The ups and downs you’ve faced are all part of your life, your story. The fact that you are breathing means you have the chance to impact someone around you with your life. That’s big-deal kind of stuff! Everything you have gone through….click here to continue reading”

“My life is a story about who God is and what He does in a human heart.” 

― Shauna Niequist