Journey to Baby Albright
Donation protected
For as long that I have suggested, asked, and begged Zac and Sherah to set up a GoFundMe page to ease the financial burden of their fertility journey, you would think that when the time (finally) came for me to sit down and do it that the words would flow like a beautiful and harmonious symphony. It's not that I do not have the words, it's that I have so, so many words.
The journey to Baby Albright has had so many beginnings, and I cannot say that I have seen all or even most of it. What I have seen is zealous hope… followed by perplexing heartbreak over and over throughout the five years that I have known these two. We’ve prayed together. We’ve cried together. We’ve hoped, we’ve questioned, we’ve shaken our heads like bobble-head dolls in a hurricane. Our prayers have ranged from detailed and scientific (Lord, let her labs come back as ‘xyz’, let the doctor say ‘abc’) to leaning on faith in the word, described in Romans 8:26-27 “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”
If you are reading this, you likely know much of the details of this overwhelming story, but just in case here is a video, in which Sherah explains their long path to baby (link ). It has always astonished me that for someone who says, “Yes, Lord!” with as much gleeful faith and obedience as Sherah, that she has been told, “not yet” so many times. IVF was something that they had long avoided, even written off, for so many reasons. One giant, lifetime savings sized reason was the cost: in the United States IVF can cost a couple $25,000-$100,000 or more… a crippling expense for just about anyone. Zac and Sherah faithfully waited and listened as the Lord told them, “this isn’t for you”… until He opened a new and unexpected door.
IVF in Greece (including the travel) is about half of the lower estimates of United States procedures. The staff at the clinic there have provided a renewed hope and peace (dare I say… excitement?) about undergoing a procedure that Sherah had never thought she would do. The irony of the clinic being in Thessaloniki does not escape me. The apostle Paul walked the streets and stood in temples preaching the good news of our Lord and savior, creating deep bonds with the people there.
1 and 2 Thessalonians, written to his brothers and sisters there are some of the most encouraging books in the bible. Paul writes, “How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you”.
To be clear, I do not think there is anything lacking in the faith of my dear and beloved Albrights, but I am so excited that there is a way that we can help clear the way of what remains between them and their long-awaited, sweet bundle of joy. Our love and prayers have been increasing and overflowing and now it is time that one of the practical barricades is pummeled down. After fervent prayer and contemplation, Zac and Sherah have decided to pursue IVF in Greece and are open to financial blessings to help make it happen.
As Sherah’s friend, mother to her honorary nieces, midwife patient, dog-sitter, pool squatter, and eager (maybe too eager?) cheerleader, I cannot thank you enough for the steppingstones that your financial gift lays down. My sincere and heartfelt thanks, however, pales in comparison to the joy and elation that the Albrights will experience when they finally lock eyes with their long-awaited child. Thank you for being a part of this journey, with prayers, love, and any financial blessing that your heart guides you toward.
The journey to Baby Albright has had so many beginnings, and I cannot say that I have seen all or even most of it. What I have seen is zealous hope… followed by perplexing heartbreak over and over throughout the five years that I have known these two. We’ve prayed together. We’ve cried together. We’ve hoped, we’ve questioned, we’ve shaken our heads like bobble-head dolls in a hurricane. Our prayers have ranged from detailed and scientific (Lord, let her labs come back as ‘xyz’, let the doctor say ‘abc’) to leaning on faith in the word, described in Romans 8:26-27 “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”
If you are reading this, you likely know much of the details of this overwhelming story, but just in case here is a video, in which Sherah explains their long path to baby (link ). It has always astonished me that for someone who says, “Yes, Lord!” with as much gleeful faith and obedience as Sherah, that she has been told, “not yet” so many times. IVF was something that they had long avoided, even written off, for so many reasons. One giant, lifetime savings sized reason was the cost: in the United States IVF can cost a couple $25,000-$100,000 or more… a crippling expense for just about anyone. Zac and Sherah faithfully waited and listened as the Lord told them, “this isn’t for you”… until He opened a new and unexpected door.
IVF in Greece (including the travel) is about half of the lower estimates of United States procedures. The staff at the clinic there have provided a renewed hope and peace (dare I say… excitement?) about undergoing a procedure that Sherah had never thought she would do. The irony of the clinic being in Thessaloniki does not escape me. The apostle Paul walked the streets and stood in temples preaching the good news of our Lord and savior, creating deep bonds with the people there.
1 and 2 Thessalonians, written to his brothers and sisters there are some of the most encouraging books in the bible. Paul writes, “How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you”.
To be clear, I do not think there is anything lacking in the faith of my dear and beloved Albrights, but I am so excited that there is a way that we can help clear the way of what remains between them and their long-awaited, sweet bundle of joy. Our love and prayers have been increasing and overflowing and now it is time that one of the practical barricades is pummeled down. After fervent prayer and contemplation, Zac and Sherah have decided to pursue IVF in Greece and are open to financial blessings to help make it happen.
As Sherah’s friend, mother to her honorary nieces, midwife patient, dog-sitter, pool squatter, and eager (maybe too eager?) cheerleader, I cannot thank you enough for the steppingstones that your financial gift lays down. My sincere and heartfelt thanks, however, pales in comparison to the joy and elation that the Albrights will experience when they finally lock eyes with their long-awaited child. Thank you for being a part of this journey, with prayers, love, and any financial blessing that your heart guides you toward.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jessey Christian
Organizer
Lafayette, IN
Sherah Albright
Beneficiary