About Me

Caroline-005.jpg
Photo Credit:  Randy Bacon 7 Billion Ones

Hi, there!  Thank you for stopping by my blog.  For starters, I’m a mom to three kiddos, a wife, and a believer in Jesus Christ.  I’ve worked in social services since 1994; specifically, child welfare since 2001, and have witnessed great heartache through my work, but also immense joy.  I have sat face to face with infertile families struggling to find meaning in their barrenness.  Their tears, silent at times, reflect a great loss that can be misunderstood in our society.  I have also rejoiced in the reunification of children with their biological families.

My life has also been personally touched by infertility, foster care, and adoption.  An emergency hysterectomy was performed on me at the age of eleven in order to save my life from a lethal bacterial infection.  I grew up knowing I would never have biological children and that I was vastly different from my peers.  I have gone through the loss, grief, anger, and ultimately, understanding of it all.  I know that the Lord scripted my life with great purpose.  His promises are true.

I always felt that somewhere tucked deep in my soul was a desire to write about my experience with barrenness.  It took many years, and lots of soul-searching (with a little bit of courage) to tell my story to the world.  I know I am not alone in this struggle.  My blog is partly a result of all of the thoughts, questions, and feelings I have carried through the years regarding my hysterectomy, barrenness, and the Lord’s story of my life.  My hope is that others whose lives have been interrupted by infertility will find a measure of comfort, encouragement, and insight from this fellow traveler.

I am also a Staff Storyteller for the websites Adoption.com, Adopting.org and Fertility.org.  My blog posts have been featured by CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), The Ronald McDonald House, America’s Heart Gallery, and The Forgotten Initiative.  I have contributed to Foster Focus Magazine and am in the (long and tedious) process of writing a memoir about my experience with illness, barrenness, faith, foster care, and adoption.

So, come on in.  Stay a while.  You are always welcome.

Through him we have also obtained  access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the  glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that  suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character  produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been  poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to  us.

Romans 5:2-5

84 thoughts on “About Me”

  1. faithfulnibbles

    Thank you for stopping by my blog. I enjoyed reading about you and look forward to spending more time on your blog.

    Marilyn

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    1. rslavoie

      Oh goodness, this is a wee bit unorthodox but, I have also nominated you for the Sisterhood of the World Blogger’s Award, haha! My post at lifeinjoyfuljuxtaposition.wordpress.com explains why but I wanted to at least acknowledge what a blessing your story has been to me, thank you for being so faithful to Him who is greater! Obviously there’s no need to post again about receiving the award but now you know you are a DOUBLE blessing! 😉 Praying that you are continuously amazed and encouraged by our faithful Lord and Savior.

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      1. barrentoblessed

        Oh how funny! Thank you so much for the nomination. I really do appreciate it and it is a wonderful feeling knowing that God is being glorified through my story. There are so many people who blog about their testimonies and all are so inspirational. Have a wonderful day and thank you again for the acknowledgement.

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  4. transformedbythejourney

    I am slow to get around to reading the back story (foundation, inspiration) of the few blogs I follow. And, this morning I read yours. What a powerful story of overcoming an insurmountable “mountain” by the loving mercy of Jesus… and then, in that vulnerability to pour yourself out as on offering to others.Trials such as these can leave us questioning and grieving for years. As our faithful heavenly Father carries us through the wilderness we are fashioned into beautiful women of God who shine with a powerful understanding of grace. He is a healer of all confusion, sorrow and brokenness. He is, and always will be “for us” and working toward His good plan for our lives.The most difficult part is learning to embrace the pain, accept the things we cannot understand, trust Him come-what-may and never, never, never doubt He is good. I look forward to digging deeper into your story. I just wanted to encourage you in the meantime that living a good story is living a God story where our the obstacles we overcome become the very garden of restoration for others. Many blessings to you.

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    1. barrentoblessed

      Thank you for the encouragement. He truly is the healer of all things broken in our lives, and I count it a blessing to encourage others. Thank you for your kind words and for reading my blog!

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  7. Reality Of Christ

    We have two adopted children as well, and two biological. But it is such a blessing to see others adopt because these kids are in great needs of families who love them. I love the heart God has given you.

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  8. Ellie Kuykendall

    I’d love your first name so I can mention it in my “Thank you” for nominating me for the One Lovely Blog Award. If you want to keep it private, I’ll understand. But if you’d be willing to share it with me, could you email me with it? elliemk at gmail dot com. Thanks so much!

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  10. oceanview03

    Thank you for visiting my blog and I enjoyed reading your blog. It really touched my heart
    and yes God do have you here for a reason and I am so glad you found out what your purpose
    on this earth was meant to be. You love in spite of it all and you were able to overcome all obstacles that tried to hinder you. Thank God you made it through, now you are a living
    testimony to someone else and can share your blessing and miracle with others, I will
    continue to read your blogs. Be Blessed And Have A Great Day.

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  11. gentlyspeaking

    Thank you for stopping by to read my blog, which then brought me over here to yours. It’s amazing the way the Lord takes our bad experiences and ultimately uses them to create such good in our lives. You seem to have a great talent for writing, so I’m glad you’re writing here for us to read and learn from. Thank you for sharing some of your dark/hard parts in life. No doubt the good Lord will use them to help others. God bless you and yours – always.

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  12. lifeofministermom

    Thank you for visiting and subsequently following my blog. I greatly appreciate it! When I clicked on your gravatar I knew God had led me to a very special story. Thank you for sharing your journey and triumph in Him and I look forward to reading more!
    May God continue to richly bless you and your family!

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  14. aquaturtleme

    great bog dear… & I bow the lady with determination & faith behind the mighty blog, turning a sorrow in her life to a grace for others…. following you, dear… Jesus has His plans for each of us, & He saw a great mother in you for two kids in need….

    Jesus Bless You, your hubby & your kids!!!

    hugs,

    Rose

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  15. jennsmidlifecrisis

    I also struggled with infertility for a season, and even though I knew God was answering my greater prayer, that His will would be done, it wasn’t an easy time. I shared my story in Waiting for Little Guy, and was overwhelmed by the response of other ladies who were hurting. It is a “hushed” subject, and it need not be. I have also experienced (and shared) miscarriage, another “hushed” subject. Bless you for sharing because our God is greater! Only He can fill the desires of our hearts (just not always as we expect)…He put those desires there in the first place.

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  19. Shauna

    I stumbled across your blog today. My husband and I are also battling infertility and after a miscarriage and 5 years of trying to conceive, we’ve started on the journey to adopt. We are in the process of trying to network in the hopes of connecting with a birthmother. It’s so nice to know there are others out there that understand our heartache and loss. Thanks for sharing your story with others!!!

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    1. barrentoblessed

      Thank you Shauna for reading my blog and for sharing your journey. May the Lord bless each step you take and may doors open that lead you down the path towards achieving the desires of your heart!

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  20. Welcome Company with Danielle

    I am glad to have found your blog. I too was unable to have biological children and have adopted three remarkable kids from the foster care system. Thank you for sharing your story and your testimony. I love how God turns our pain and struggle into a blessing and uses it to give hope to others. I look forward to reading more.

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  23. planted oak

    “I know now that the Lord scripted my life with great purpose. His promises are true.” love, love, love that truth my dear. wish for everyone to believe that. and having been privileged to be adopted, i have much love for those who have a heart for it. xo

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  24. Seasonsgirl

    I have enjoyed checking out your blog. We are currently going though infertiility issues and am scared we will never have a child of our own, but like you I trust in God to provide us with kids and hope it will all work out for his glory. 🙂

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    1. barrentoblessed

      There are a tremendous amount of incredible bloggers who are writing about infertility. If you are receiving treatments, you should check out as many as you can because my experience with infertility is different and does not include IVF, etc. It is amazing how the Lord can replace our need for something of our “own” with His plan. I do not hesitate for a moment in thinking that my little ones were destined to be mine! May God fulfill you in this journey you are going through right now. Thanks so much for reading!

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  28. icanseealight

    Thank you so much for sharing your story. After many years on our infertility journey my husband and I are looking into adoption, but are very discouraged right now. I don’t know if I’ll ever ‘be a mom’. I can so relate to what you’ve written about praying for God’s will to be done and I’ve wrestled with that, with God, really. At this point though I can honestly say I have peace, whatever happens, somehow.

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    1. barrentoblessed

      Try not to be discouraged. I know it is hard not to do though. Research all of your options – private/independent, international, and foster care. I really feel the Lord has children in mind for each of us – it just takes a little longer to find each other. Blessings to you on this journey!

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  29. Linda Willows

    Thank you, and God bless you and your family and all that you reach in you life and work. I join you in your Prayers and celebrate the power of the Living Spirit! Sending so much Love, Linda

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  31. photographymemoirs

    Greetings from Australia
    What a beautiful testimony of your love for Christ Jesus. I see how Christ allows personal suffering in our lives in order for us to grow spiritually and love Him even more fully, and by doing that we manifest a love for our fellow neighbour. I’m sure that you’re a beautiful mother and a person with a kind and golden heart. I sincerely wish you and your beloved children all the best in life, and that you may be a shining light of love for those around you.
    God bless you in every way.

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  32. seespeakhearmama

    found your blog when replying to a post on Katie M’s. I,too am a Christian adoptive mama who lived with barrenness for many years. I always feel connected to my fellow warriors. your blog name drew me in and I am so glad I clicked and took a little stroll around your world. will follow your blog. be blessed!

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  36. Amy Lopez

    Sorry my last message was sent before I finished. Our sons older sister who just turned 6 started her transition into our home 2 weeks after her brother moved in on March 29th 2012. Unfortunately her foster family took DCF to court and was recently granted custody of her. In this whole heart breaking process our son was also diagnosed with a rare and catastrophic form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome. So as you wrote, you can imagine the amount of time and despair spent in a hospital room. To add to our already unbelievable story the children’s half sister who is 9 lost her dad and has been placed with us since the first week of December. So yes, god has a plan for us all and answers our prayers in ways we don’t always expect!

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  37. Sasha

    I greatly admire your strength! What a beautiful family God has blessed you with and such an amazing story to bring hope and healing to the broken hearted. I look forward to following your journey!

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  38. Christina Matanick

    Hi, I saw your guest post on The Forgotten Initiative, and it was SO well put. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with the world! I wanted to reach out to you because of a short film that has been making its rounds in the foster care community–ReMoved. http://www.vimeo.com/heschle/removed Have you seen it? Currently we, the filmmakers (my husband and i), are trying to fund a Part Two to the story. (www.removedfilm.com) I wonder if you could use your platform to help advance the cause? Thanks for considering….

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    1. barrentoblessed

      Hello! Yes, I have seen the ReMoved video (multiple times), and the agency I work for is now asking that all prospective foster parents watch it. I will definitely come up with a post promoting it, and share it on my personal and blog Facebook page. Thanks so much for reaching out to me. You and your husband made an incredible little film that stirring mighty things in the hearts of people! -Caroline

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    2. Amy Lopez

      Good morning. I’m a little confused by the email. Are you asking me to help share the efforts in raising a funds for this? I’d love to participate in any way possible. Thank you, Amy Lopez

      Sent from my iPhone

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      1. barrentoblessed

        Hi Amy, The original comment from Christina Matanick was intended for me. I believe that comments on my blog get emailed out to followers. If you get a chance click on the links above in the comment by Christina. They will take you to the film and the Kickstart campaign! God bless!

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      2. Amy Lopez

        Oh, ok. I spent my morning in tears watching the video. I see so much of our own story in that little girls!

        Sent from my iPhone

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  40. Hannah

    I saw your story on Love What Matters. It made me cry. As a women struggling through infertility, your journey touched my heart in so many ways. Thank you for sharing it with us all. God is so faithful.

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