The Inner Views of Caroline Harries

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Galatians 6:9

(KJV)

The sweet lady being interviewed today has become a precious friend to me.

We have never met face to face, but I feel like I have known her for years.

We connected online through our mutual experience with infertility,

after I read her infertility story at Lisa Newton's blog.

(You can read Lisa's Inner Views, by clicking here.)

We have prayed for each other through many battles and struggles,

and she is always there to offer a kind word, compassion, empathy, and most important of all, her prayers, no matter what it is that I am going through and share with her.

Some of you already know her, others of you may be meeting her today for the very first time.

If this is your first encounter, I am so grateful to be a part of introducing you to her 

and her blog, "In Due Time".

I hope you will take the time to visit her and consider becoming a follower/subscriber,

and I am just so grateful to be able to share her testimony with all of you today.

With gratitude and joy, I bring to you the 

of

Jesus Follower, Texan, Blogger, Financial Analyst, Author of "In Due Time" Devotional,

Believing {4.5 Years} for Miracle Babies, Fitness + Travel Enthusiast,

Caroline Harries.

Cheryl:  Could you give us an introduction as to who you are? 

Caroline:  Hi, My name is Caroline. I grew up in Oklahoma with two old brothers, but my parents moved to Texas when I was in high school. I went to Baylor University and graduated with my degree in Finance and Marketing and now live in Texas with my husband. I work as a financial analyst and have been at my company for 10 years. When my husband and I aren't working we love to travel the world. I also love to work out and compete in races including half-marathons and triathlons.

Cheryl:  I would love to hear your Christian testimony. When did you become a Christian? Were you raised in a Christian home? What life events led to your decision to follow Jesus? How has that choice affected your life?

Caroline:  I was not raised in a Christian home. In middle school our neighbors invited me to church, which is when I became a Christian. For years I went to youth group and Sunday services with them, and then when I could drive I went on my own. My faith has always been a huge part of my life.

Cheryl:  How did you meet your husband, and when did you know he was God’s choice for you? How long have you been married?

Caroline:  We met at our church. He was working for a ministry and during our young adults meeting he asked for help with an event that was coming up. I thought he was cute and I signed up to help bake. :) 11 months later and we were engaged, and 5 months later, in April 2011 we were married. I think I knew within the first few weeks that I would marry him. We have been married 5.5 years now!

Cheryl:  Please share with us about your infertility journey.

Caroline:  Pretty soon after getting married, my husband and I decided we were ready to have kids. Because of prior health history we both did baseline tests right away. It was at that time that doctors told us it would be impossible to have kids. We met with a specialist who gave us the slim chances and very little options. Even though we were dealing with both male and female factor, we didn't have a peace about pursuing IVF and really felt called to wait on the Lord. Soon after the diagnosis, my husband moved to Georgia for 6 months for work. When he came back we pursued a healthy lifestyle in terms of eating and supplements. It's now been 4.5 years and we are still waiting and believing for a miracle and have released all control to God.

Cheryl:  There is a temptation to become bitter when life does not go exactly as we planned or envisioned it. How do you overcome this temptation? Are there moments when you feel like turning away from God, instead of towards Him? What inspires hope within you and keeps your thoughts loving towards God in those moments of questioning why?

Caroline:  Whew. Yes, there have been times where the temptations are so real. There have been days where the darkness has won. But, I always remind myself that God's ways are perfect and there are two options: run towards him or run away. Clearly, running away isn't going to get anywhere so I have chosen to run towards him. I cling to the Word, the prophetic words given to us, dreams, and worship music to help get me through on the hard days.

Cheryl:  Do you feel it is wrong to question God’s will when you have prayed with all your heart for a child of your own, only to continue to seemingly be told “no”?

Caroline:  I don't think His answer is no. I think it is "not yet." We know we will have children, but for us it's a matter of when we will have children. I don't understand everything he is doing, but I do believe that his plans for me are perfect.

Cheryl:  Tell us about “Moms in the Making”. How did it come into existence? When did you feel God leading you to start it, and how has being a part of it shaped your thoughts towards infertility? From its beginning, how many miracles have you witnessed take place?

Caroline:  I started Moms in the Making in June 2013. It had been on my heart for awhile, but took me some time to get started. We originally started with around 10 ladies who were all desiring to be a mom. Some already had kids but were dealing with secondary infertility and some who had recurring miscarriages. We all had different stories, but we came together with the common desire to seek God in our journeys. Now, three years later, all those ladies have gone on to have children. We have had 33 babies that have been conceived and born. God truly has been faithful. There is nothing like having support with those who get it and it's been amazing to celebrate every baby.

Cheryl:  How do you handle being around other women who are able to conceive and have children?

Caroline:  Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! Really though, in my flesh, it's really hard, but Jesus is the one who gives me strength. It's his strength that is perfected in my weakness. It's not always easy, but Jesus helps me every step of the way. There really is no other explanation.

Cheryl:  Please share with us about the times someone has specifically singled you and your husband out and prophesied over you and your situation.

Caroline:  Whew! There have been so many. I have kept track of them all. My husband and I have been called to the front of our church on many occasions. On one Sunday in particular we had a guest speaker who called us up to the front and clearly stated that the power of barrenness would be broken as well as I had a gifting to be a mom and with kids. Yes, the waiting is hard. I love planning and so I have planned and dreamed the perfect timing, on many various occasions, to come up with short with still no positive pregnancy tests. I remind myself that God's word never returns void and what he has spoken he will do. I have prophecy after prophecy to rest in during that wait.

Cheryl:  Can you tell us about your blog and what inspired you to start writing it? How has your blog enriched your life? What would you say is its main focus? What is the story behind the name of your blog?

Caroline:  One week after our diagnosis, we were driving to Austin when I heard the Lord tell me to start a blog. Because I am a financial guru, I chuckled, but that is when the journey of blogging began. It originally started to share scripture and document our fertility journey, but now has expanded into everything from a scripture verse to a recent vacation. In Due Time was not the original title, but in August 2013 I did some rebranding. Colby, my husband, picked the title from several different scripture, but my personal favorite is Galatians 6:9. The biggest blessing out of my blog is getting to "meet" people from all over the world, including both other bloggers and readers too.

Cheryl:  I am so inspired by your determination to encourage others and maintain your faith in the midst of your own struggles. I have found encouragement through your words so many, many times. I especially love your posts on faith and about Abraham and Sarah. Please share some of the thoughts God has given you concerning Abraham and Sarah’s situation and how their miracle has inspired you and how their story continues to give you hope of God sending you a baby of your own.
Caroline:  I cling to their story. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow and what He did for Sarah, He will do for me. Of course I hope I don't have to wait that long, but there is so many powerful scriptures in Romans 4 that have helped me. Their testimony is so powerful and brings me hope.

Cheryl:  Can you tell us about your “blue sock moments”?

Caroline:  My husband and I took a step of faith and started cleaning out our nursery. While I was in there, I found one baby blue sock. It was one sweet way that the Lord has reminded us that he hasn't forgotten us. He has continued to give us blue sock moments throughout our journey. I love encouraging my readers to look for these moments too whether it's something physical, or a sweet whisper from the Lord.

Cheryl:  You and your family experienced one of the most painfully devastating losses. Please share with us about Kai. How has your faith in God carried you through such darkness?

Caroline:  My sweet nephew, Kai. After months of vomiting, my 2 year old nephew was diagnosed with brain cancer. It was found during his MRI and he was admitted immediately to the children's hospital. Two days later he had brain surgery to remove the baseball size tumor. The results came back as ATRT which is a very, very rare cancer that only happens in children 0-3. We only had 15 days after Kai's diagnosis before he went to be with Jesus. To say our family was rocked, is an understatement. Even though it's been 2.5 years, I think we are all still processing. God has definitely carried us through, but it's been a struggle. God, if you are healer, then why didn't you heal Kai? We just keep trusting and believing even though we don't have all the answers. 

Caroline with her nephews, Brecken and Treagan; her nieces, Addison and Maya (holding a picture of her brother, Kai); 
and her nephew, Lincoln

Cheryl:  Which causes, in particular, has Kai’s story inspired you to become involved with? How can we help?

Caroline:  We have been very involved in several races, including Head for the Cure and Brain Power 5K. I have also done some fundraisers for St. Jude. Although he wasn't treated there, we believe in what they do!

Cheryl:  As you have walked through grief recovery and are still walking through the pain of infertility, and even in the trials of every day life, what are your favorite Scriptures, books, and other sources of encouragement? Are there specific songs that have been and are a special blessing to you?

Caroline:  My list here could go on and on. There really is so many. My favorite song right now is "Take Courage" by Kristene DiMarco. I love the Streams in the Desert devotional. All of Romans has helped me so much and really any worship music by Bethel has helped me so much on my journey.

Cheryl:  What have you learned about health, along the way? What changes have you made regarding food choices, exercise, and in other areas?

Caroline:  Health has always been important to me, but over the years I have done more research. I'm a big believer of fixing the problem and not masking the problem with medicine. We eat a healthy diet including grass fed beef, free range chicken and eggs, fish, nuts, beans, fruits and vegetables. We stay away from all things processed including refined sugars and breads. We believe what we put in our body does matter and that what we eat can heal our bodies.

Cheryl:  How long have you been running? Please tell us about the marathons you have participated in and how running has positively influenced your life.

Caroline:  I grew up very active. I played soccer all throughout my life and once I started my career and sat in a chair for 8 hours a day, I started working out every day. I have competed in 5 triathlons, 5 half-marathons, and many smaller distances too. I love being active and I think working out goes hand in hand with eating healthy.

Cheryl:  Please share with us about essential oils. How have they benefited you and your husband? How can we order them?

Caroline:  When I was first told about oils, I was not interested. But once I learned more, attended a class, and did research, I was immediately interested. Oils go back to the Bible days and they can help in all areas including health and emotions. You can use them in so many ways including everything from a headache to cleaning your house to combating stress. You can use this link to order or contact me to learn more.

Cheryl:  If you had the opportunity to meet Jesus face-to-face on earth, in human form, what are three things you would you most like to ask Him?

Caroline:  I would love to know why He makes the decisions He does including the timing of healing (or not healing).

Cheryl:  You have some exciting news concerning a project God has recently helped you to complete. Will you share with us about it? How does it feel to have made such an accomplishment? 

Caroline:  Yes, my big news is I wrote a book! I didn't realize it at the time, but it really has been 4.5 years in the making. The Lord kept nudging me to write it, and I finally got serious about it in the fall of 2015. The book is written for anyone who is going through trials and/or waiting on the Lord {which is everyone, right?} It's formatted as a 60 day devotional and my prayer is that it brings hope and encouragement in the waiting. It's title is "In Due Time", which is also the title of my blog.

Cheryl:  How can we order a copy of your new book?

Caroline:  You can purchase a signed copy here. Please use code "homespundevotions" to get 10% off your order + a free bookmark.

Cheryl:  How can we pray for you?

Caroline:  I would love prayer for my husband and I to conceive a child naturally. I would also love prayer that my book gets in the hands of those who need it.

Cheryl:  Thank you ever so much for your time and willingness to participate in this Inner Views, Caroline.  I am consistently encouraged by your hopeful spirit and never-give-up attitude.  May God bless you and Colby and soon send you the desires of your heart!

It is so hard to understand why loving and devoted couples like Colby and Caroline have not yet been blessed with a baby of their own.

I pray for them often and am standing in faith with them that God will turn their impossibility into a Divine-intervention miracle.

Caroline was kind enough to send me an advance copy of her book, 

and I have just finished reading it.

It is designed to be read over a span of 60 days, 

but, I tell you the truth, dear friends...

once I got started reading this book, I could not stop.

It is chock-full of encouragement and wisdom that can only be gleaned by actually walking through 

the painful process of waiting upon God.

Here are just a few of my favorite takeaways from the book...

Page 14

"When you can trust God’s character — that He is who He says He is, then you can have faith in His promises — that He will do what He says he will do."

Page 16

"Faith is the currency of heaven and takes you to a very intimate place with your Heavenly Father. When faith is partnered with prayer, it brings blessings down to earth."

Page 32

"It doesn’t matter what problem you are facing, God comforts you in all your affliction. However, He doesn’t want His comfort to stop with you. God desires for you to walk in community, not only with other believers, but also with those people who are in a similar trial as you are. And when you do, you can use the comfort that He has blessed you with to bless others."

Page 34

"In this verse, David encourages believers to wait on the Lord. In fact, he speaks of the promises that the people would inherit not just once, but five times in Psalm 37. He didn’t instruct the people to wait impatiently, with a bad attitude or wrapped in bitterness. Instead, this verse encourages to “keep moving forward steadily in his ways.” Waiting shouldn’t be inactive, but as you wait on God, you should be seeking Him wholeheartedly. You might only take baby steps instead of the giant steps that you desire, but it’s important to make an effort to move forward. Don’t become so impatient that you become stuck and sit still."

Page 47

"What are you praying for? Are your words speaking life as you command your mountain to move, or are they speaking death, which causes your mountain to grow?"

Page 51

"Isaiah 55:9 says that the difference between your thoughts and His thoughts is the difference between heaven and earth. This gap is immeasurable, but when you spend time with Him, this gap grows smaller and smaller. Even though it will never close completely, the closer you are to God, the closer heaven becomes to you."

Page 58

"The valley or “path” referenced in this verse is the Valley of Baca or “weeping.” Although the people in this Psalm wept their way through their desolate and barren valley, they didn’t stay there. In the NIV translation, it says they “passed through.” You, too, are just passing through. Although on the hard days it might not feel as though your time of waiting will ever come to an end, this verse promises that your trial isn’t going to last forever. Often before God blesses His children, he takes them through the barren valleys."

Page 89

"Ultimately, if you so choose, your suffering will bring you closer to God, and He will get all the glory when you come out on the other side of this trial. And then, a testimony of the faithfulness of God is etched inside of you."

Page 106

"Are you feeling weary? In this scripture, Jesus tells you to let go of all your weariness and burdens, take His yoke and find rest in Him. What does the “yoke” in this verse even mean? A yoke is used to attach a team of oxen together to plow a field or pull a heavy load. Two yokes balance the load, with the stronger one in front. In the same way, Jesus wants you to join with Him so that He can carry your burdens. As He leads the way in front, He takes the heaviness of the load and offers His strength to you so that you can find true and peaceful rest as you release your burdens to Him."

I honestly cannot say enough good things about this book!

I was so blessed and inspired to read the encouraging thoughts God has laid upon Caroline's heart,
and I hope you will consider going here to order a copy of your own. 😊

As she said, we are all waiting upon the Lord for something, it seems.

Our reasons for waiting may be worlds-apart different,

but the anguish of heart is the same for all of us.

If you find yourself in a season of waiting, you will find much encouragement and support in the pages of the In Due Time Devotional.

And, don't forget!  If you use the "homespundevotions" when you order, you will receive a 10% discount and a free bookmark!!!

God bless you all, and thank you ever so much for your kind support.
We are all in this Christian walk together.
As the quote says,
"We are not placed here to see through each other, but to see each other through."

To read previous

click the links below.

The Inner Views of Joshua Becker

The Inner Views of Lisa Newton

The Inner Views of Dr. Alveda King

The Inner Views of Jen Avellaneda

The Inner Views of Tonya Shellnutt

The Inner Views of Karen Del Tatto

The Inner Views of Evelyn Rennich

The Inner Views of Bob Sellers

The Inner Views of Kelly Bowling

The Inner Views of The Benham Brothers

The Inner Views of Beth Willis Miller

The Inner Views of Rodney Griffin

The Inner Views of Joni Eareckson Tada

The Inner Views of Gayle Cox

The Inner Views of Wayne Mobley

The Inner Views of Chris West

The Inner Views of Gail Purath

The Inner Views of Shyla Brown

The Inner Views of Mary Zatkalik

The Inner Views of Robin McCarter

The Inner Views of Dayle Shockley

The Inner Views of Serena Smith-Williams

The Inner Views of Lindsay Huggins

The Inner Views of Holly Barrett

The Inner Views of Michele Morin

The Inner Views of Lyli Dunbar
The Inner Views of Wanda Ward
The Inner Views of Lisa Avellan
The Inner Views of Zachary Smith
The Inner Views of Sarah Davison

The Inner Views of Stephanie Hoium

The Inner Views of Jason B. Ladd
The Inner Views of Jim Daly