In this reflective episode, Shannon and Pam revisit some of the most meaningful insights shared by their podcast guests so far. They talk about what it means to trust God when life doesn't look the way you hoped, without pretending that everything is okay. They explore the freedom that comes from letting others see our grief and allowing ourselves to be supported rather than feeling we have to wear a mask.

The conversation also turns to self-worth and failure, especially the tendency to be harder on ourselves than we would ever be on someone else. Infertility can make us feel as though we've failed at something fundamental, but Shannon and Pam reflect on the truth that our circumstances don't determine our worth—and that failure, imperfection, and setbacks can all be part of learning and growth.

They also consider the idea that the story is bigger than we are. What feels like a devastating chapter may be only a small part of a much larger story, and our trials can affect and bless people beyond ourselves.

Finally, they wrestle with perhaps the most challenging idea of all: Can the waiting itself be a gift? Rather than viewing an unwanted season only as time being lost, they discuss using it as an opportunity to learn, grow, strengthen relationships, try new things, and discover what God may be inviting us to become while we wait.

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Email or message us to share your story on the podcast and join us in supporting each other:

• Facebook group: Full Faith, Empty Arms-LDS Infertility ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1J5UnWMJP9/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Instagram: Full Faith, Empty Arms ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/fullfaithemptyarms/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• fullfaithemptyarms@gmail.com

In this episode, Shannon and Pam sit down with Andrew and Kristen Van Noy to hear the remarkable story of how their family grew through infertility, fostering, adoption, miscarriage, unexpected pregnancies, and some incredibly painful goodbyes.

Andrew and Kristen share the heartbreak of loving foster children who ultimately returned to their biological family, the difficult decision to surrender rather than fight, and the faith it took to trust that God's plan could be better than the one they had imagined.

They also talk honestly about Kristen's struggles with pregnancy, depression, postpartum depression, chronic health problems, and the way those experiences challenged both of them spiritually. Their conversation offers an important reminder that faith doesn't mean never questioning God—and that sometimes we need people who will simply sit with us in the pain rather than try to explain it away.

If you've ever wondered why your life, your family, or your answer to prayer doesn't look the way you expected, this conversation is for you.

“I don't have my version of what I want. What is it that you want?”

And maybe, sometimes, the hardest parts of our stories are the very things that polish us.

Please follow the podcast to be notified of future episodes!

Email or message us to share your story on the podcast and join us in supporting each other:

• Facebook group: Full Faith, Empty Arms-LDS Infertility ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1J5UnWMJP9/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Instagram: Full Faith, Empty Arms ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/fullfaithemptyarms/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• fullfaithemptyarms@gmail.com

In this episode of Full Faith, Empty Arms, Shannon and Pam sit down with Alex White, husband of Niki White (ep.9) , to hear a husband’s perspective on infertility.

Infertility is often talked about through the experience of women, but husbands are grieving, too—and they don't always grieve in the same way or express it outwardly. Alex shares honestly about the pressures he has felt as a husband, the expectations of church culture, the painful questions people ask, and the different ways he and Niki have navigated disappointment, adoption, faith, and their hopes for a family.

Alex also talks about how infertility has affected their marriage, the importance of communication and allowing each other to grieve, and the ways he has found purpose and influence through relationships with children and youth—even without becoming a father himself.

With humor and sarcasm mixed into some deeply meaningful conversations, this episode is a reminder that there isn't just one way to experience infertility. Every story is different, every path looks different, and sometimes faith means simply trusting God and continuing to move forward.

If you're walking through infertility alongside your spouse, we hope this conversation helps you feel a little less alone.

Keep moving forward.

Please follow the podcast to be notified of future episodes!

Email or message us to share your story on the podcast and join us in supporting each other:

• Facebook group: Full Faith, Empty Arms-LDS Infertility ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1J5UnWMJP9/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Instagram: Full Faith, Empty Arms ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/fullfaithemptyarms/⁠⁠⁠⁠
• fullfaithemptyarms@gmail.com