Our friars were given enthusiastic permission to share the following testimonial referencing the current National Infertility Awareness Week (April 19-25, 2020)
“I’ve been feeling called lately to share our story. And then I learned it was Infertility Awareness Week…so I thought no better time than now…when we all need hope!
Many people didn’t know that Sean and I struggled with infertility for 4 years before miraculously getting pregnant with Sonia. I have Endometriosis and had Polycystic Ovaries, with blocked Fallopian Tubes, from scar tissue. My doctor at the Caritas Women’s Care practices NaPro Technology – a practice that helps to naturally restore the body to its intended function, treating a variety of gynecological issues and, if necessary, does surgery to remove lesions and scar tissue.
We anticipated getting pregnant shortly after the surgery (May 2017) because everything was clear, but it still wasn’t happening. We knew we had to trust that if it were meant to be, it would happen. I resigned to the fact that maybe we would never have children; a painful realization. But, I knew that God’s Will for our family was perfect and I had to trust that whatever He intended would bring us the greatest joy and peace.
In June of 2018, I met friar Franck Lino Sokpolie, OFM Conv., a student friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province, at a Youth Ministry conference in AZ. I was drawn to his infectious joy and felt compelled to share with him our struggle. He then began to tell me about his sister, Sonia, who was having the same struggles as I, had the same surgery as I, and bore the cross of infertility. In that same conversation, he assured me so confidently that we would have a baby one day, that we must never lose hope, and that he knew in the depths of his heart that it would happen. He promised to pray for us every day and he knew God would perform a miracle. I felt moved by the Spirit in that moment and told him that if we ever had a child who was a girl that I would name her Sonia, after his sister. Seven months later, Sean and I did a 33 Day Prayer Consecration to the Blessed Mother. It was during this time that I became pregnant. With a scare in the beginning and thinking we were having a miscarriage, brother Franck continued to reassure us of the hope that was in God’s plan.
Now, looking at our beautiful baby girl, I can’t believe it was almost 2 years ago that I met this man (well, more like kid because he is 10 years younger than I am 😂) who spoke so much life and hope into our hearts. Never once did he waiver in his confidence of Jesus and His Mother to provide grace upon grace. To be honest, his confidence and faith is what got me through those tough times because I was lacking in my own.
We pray that baby Sonia Frances (Frances after my Great Aunt who suffered many miscarriages and also the middle name of my Grandmother and Godmother) inspires hope and faith in others. God desires our joy and while things may not always work out how we hope or pray, we can be sure that miracles are constantly unfolding in our lives and that God’s plan is ALWAYS better than ours, no matter how rough the road may be.“
