It’s a MIRACLE

I received a miracle yesterday. Oh boy, you guys. Do I have a story for you.

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Ok. Here it goes.

This whole weekend, I’ve been staying with my brother and his wife while I’m in town in Ohio. My parents are on a weekend trip so I had the pleasure of staying with two of my favorite people in the whole world.

Well, yesterday morning, being Sunday, we went to Mass. I love Christmas time, and Advent in particular. Seeing the ginormous advent wreath dramatically suspended over the Church always takes my breath away with its majesty and beauty.

And the priest was talking about how, during this time of prayer and preparation for Christmas, the Advent wreath is like a gateway to Heaven, with our prayers shooting upward through it. And he suggested we all walk under it as we left church.

Cool idea, I thought. It added a new dimension to this massive bundle of holly and candles. So on our way out, we passed underneath, and in true blogger fashion, I had my sister-in-law snap a pic. Because…Instagram.

Driving home and checking out the picture she took, we were remarking at how, in it, it looks as though Jesus is directly blessing me. This was a truly candid pic, and somehow, my position directly underneath the wreath ended me right in what looks like in His “blessing path” from the mural on the wall.

Awesome. That’ll make a great Instagram post. What a stroke of luck.

So we went about our day. I took some photos for her website and new business. We had some lunch. And on a whim, my sister-in-law and I decided to go back to church and go to their “Christmas Lessons and Carols.” The Church has a world renowned chamber choir and this was a truly spectacular musical and spiritual event.

Well. All of the readings at the Lessons and Carols were about the Annunciation of Mary: the miracle of Jesus’s birth. How the angel Gabriel proclaimed that Mary would miraculously conceive of Jesus in her womb as a virgin.

But I kept seeing the word “womb” be used over and over in the readings. And to be honest, I thought to myself…odd choice of wording.

ANYWHO. On our way out of the Lessons and Carols concert, my sister-in-law and I stopped in the side chapel to light a candle. And during this time, in addition to praying for my mom and family, I just prayed that God’s will be done in my life regarding my love life, my health, everything.

Fast forward to that night. ((I told you…this is quite the story. So keep up, people! We’re just getting good!))

That night, I come to learn that it is “IBD Awareness Week.” For those that don’t know, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (one of the two IBD’s — Crohn’s and Colitis) when I was 16 years old, and I ended up healing myself through the Specific Carb Diet. (Hence, the recipes I have begun sharing on this blog every Wednesday.)

But thinking about how we’re preparing for the miracle of Christmas, I started to draft a post for tonight, about how miracles don’t always just happen. Sometimes the miracle is God’s spirit inside of us, giving us the ability to work towards the miracle itself. Much like my Ulcerative Colitis: God bringing the idea of this diet into my life, and then blessing me with the self-discipline to follow it every day. Thus leading to my complete healing of my UC! That’s the miracle.

And then along the same “work for it” lines: the miracle of my healing from anorexia – God equipped me with the disciple and strength to choose recovery every day.

So that was the post I was going to publish tonight. However, it didn’t quite settle with me, because as I have shared in the past, I am struggling with infertility. One of the devastating repercussion of severe anorexia and being so deathly underweight for such a prolonged period of time is that your reproductive system shuts down, and sometimes, never comes back…as was my case.

Even though I am now healthy, my reproductive system had never recovered, and I have never had a period, as my anorexia developed before I “officially” went through puberty.

So I was thinking that, how could I publish that I was living a miracle in my recovery from anorexia, when the #1 tell tale sign of an ED is amenorrhea?

My eyelids had become too heavy, so I decided to just figure it out in the morning with a fresh brain.

Well friends, wouldn’t you know, that on the evening of celebrating the miracle that took place in Mary’s womb, a miracle took place in my own, as well.

Yes friends, you can now call me Fertile Myrtle.

And I’m crying joyous tears as I type that.

Now, why on earth have I decided to disclose this mortifying information with the world?

Not just because I truly believe it was a miracle. Not because we’ve been on this journey together and your friendship and support has been such an important part of my story, but because God can make all things new, and restore, even the most hopeless of situations.

I had completely come to terms with my infertility and mourned that loss. I should have never counted God down for the count.

Advent is the time where we prepare for the miracle of Christ’s birth. Maybe it was the candle my sister-in-law lit for me. Maybe it was shooting my prayers up through the Advent wreath. Or maybe it was God working through my day-in-day-out dedication to recovery all these years.

I will never know. But I do know that I have a lot to thank God for.

***THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS ORDERED MY BOOKS, BLOOM: A JOURNAL BY BEAUTYBEYONDBONES AND “MY BLOGGING TIPS“***

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY!

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BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

472 thoughts on “It’s a MIRACLE

  1. Isn’t amazing that God keeps piling on blessing after blessing on us? We already have so much to thank Him for, and yet, He throws another gift our way. It’s unbelievable. Even though I’m am fairly new to your journey, I am so happy for you!

    Also, thank you for a challenge to be thankful for what I have. Sometimes we take things for granted and forget how important they are to us. Keep it up, girl!

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    1. Hi Tonya, thank you for this thoughtful response. you’re so right – His grace and love really is unbelievable! thank you for sharing in the joy with me! big hugs xo

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    1. thank you so much! amen to that – All blessings are from Him! so much to be thankful for. thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

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  2. Oh my goodness! Praise God and congratulations! This post made me cry happy tears knowing that God is bigger than infertility!

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    1. thanks friend. i’m sorry to hear you’ve been going through that. hang in there. yes the world definitely needs prayer! Hugs and love xox

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      1. I have had to relearn how to drive a car like 2-3 times because of the PTSD. Hopefully this is the last time! God has mercies on me every day!

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    1. hahahahaha oh my gosh this made me absolutely laugh out loud! thanks friend. yeah, i still cannot believe that i posted this on the internet. oh my word, what was i thinking!?? hah thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

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      1. Super happy for you though. You seem like such a special soul that the possibility of life beyond your own is definitely cause for celebrating the gifts our Lord bestows in us – especially in your case 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

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  3. Wow! Amazing news! Trust in God! He will not disappoint. I’m betting that hubby will come along in same manner – when least expected and counted as improbable. But that is when He grants us those miracles. May God continue to Bless you on your journey through life.

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    1. thank you so much Joe! amen to that! Nothing is impossible for God! even miracles! thanks for your kind words. Hugs and love xox

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    1. oh Ashley, thank you so much, friend. i really appreciate you sharing in the joy with me 🙂 it means a lot. Hugs and love xox

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  4. Awesome news! Celebrating your new-found fertility and rosy future with you 🤗. Like Joe said above, I’m sure your husband will show up in the near future, just as unexpectedly. Is it just me or does it seem like God might be getting you ready for that to happen? 🤔

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    1. thank you so much Mia! I sure hope so! I’ve got my eyes peeled for whoever he is! 🙂 I think you’re right! He’s making things fall into place! His timing is perfect – why should i ever try to rush it!!! thanks for sharing in the joy with me! big hugs x

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  5. I can’t imagine how wonderful you are feeling. I am believing your life has forever changed for the better in many different ways! God Bless!!

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    1. You are so right – a major major blessing indeed. thanks for stopping by and for your kind words! Hugs and love xox

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  6. Sobbing when I read this! (Tears of JOY!) Oh my gosh. God is so so so good! Wow ☺️ I am in awe of his perfect timing and soo happy for you ! ❤️❤️ Go fertile Myrtle 😆

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    1. oh Stephhhh, thank you so much friend! yes! God is SO GOOD! thank you for sharing in the excitement and joy with me. you’re a great friend 🙂 hahaha Myrtle for the win! 🙂 hehe have a great night! Hugs and love xox

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      1. Aww so are you!! I so appreciate the support on my litttle blog, it means a lot. I wish you lived in Minnesota!! Or that I lived in NYC! I feel a kindred spirit in you 🤗 and feel your triumphs as well as your sad times and frustrations with you. You are an AMAZING person and I’m so glad I get to go along for the BBB ride! Big hugs!! 😘

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      2. That would seriously be so fun! gosh, your comment just made my night 🙂 thank you again Steph. you are a blessing to me!!! xoxo

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  7. Wow! A miracle indeed. Hope you find your soulmate in Church. I did..Our first date was on November 15, 1968 – pub, restaurant, coffee house and Greek night club. it showed our interest in each other but it was not as important as our going to Church together two days later November 17, 1968. The Friday was Eros, the Sunday was Agape. Cupid shot us with his arrow of erotic love on the Friday while on the Sunday our souls touched. Love at first sight is passionate but selfless love needs time and trust. Pat needed time and wrote just after Christmas “On top of this I feel an elusive fondness for you that can’t be classified; its too strong for Friendship and not strong enough for love.” I believe she was waiting for Agape before saying “I love you” on February 9, 1969. A marriage based solely on passionate romantic love can end in disaster; glad we waited for Agape. God and Agape made us soulmates forever. We married June 21, 1969 and she still lives in my soul and in the arms of Christ. Love is stronger than Death. Christ made it so.

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    1. wow, thank you so much for sharing your story with me. how incredibly beautiful. gosh, it sounds like an absolute fairy tail. Love is stronger that death. amen to that. I’m so sorry for your loss, friend, but how comforting to know that we will all be reunited one day 🙂 sending big big hugs xo

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    1. Hi Eric! ohh, thank you for passing it along! and wow! i am so touched that you would give my journal as a gift. thank you. i hope they have a growing experience with them! i will definitely keep them in my prayers as they make their way through the book 🙂 big hugs to you xox

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  8. Amazing!!! It’s hearing stories like yours that make me want to get up and dance across my living room floor in jubilation before the Lord praising Him, extremely. and at my age it’s not so easy to dance in wild abandon to the Lord…so my spirit soars for your miracle, doing double back flips and swan dives in loving abandon for His personal care and loving kindness bestowed on each of us, personally in His time. AMAZING!! Double blessings, Caralyn!

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    1. thank you so much GW! haha dance on, my friend. dance on! Because He is totally worth dancing in praise for! 🙂 thanks for sharing in the joy with me! big dancing hugs to you! xox

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  9. I got chills reading this. I am so happy for you and the possibilities that this brings. I have a niece with severe UC and IBS she is on intravenous medication every 4 weeks for it. I will check out your recipes for her. Thank you – for consistently stopping by my blog I appreciate the visits :).

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    1. aw, thank you so much Bryce! thank you for sharing in the joy with me. and gosh, i’m so sorry to hear that about your niece. i will keep her in my prayers. glutenfreehappytummy.com is where you can find all my recipes. 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  10. Doing the miracle IN US…funny, God was just teaching me that this weekend…you know the verse that says God can do “infinitely more than we ask or imagine?” Well, we rarely read the second part of that verse…

    “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Eph. 3:20)

    Check out that second part 🙂

    Oh and congratulations!

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  11. OHHHHHH SNAP! Thank you Father for being so kind to Mello Yellow. It is a wonderful thing you did for her. A marvelous thing. And thank you for giving her the grace and wisdom and courage to share. I rejoice in her miracle. Thank you Jesus. Woot woot….! MELLO YELLOW….I AM SOOOOO HAPPY FOR YOU! MAN….that was a long time coming. God is something else…surprising you like that to begin the season. There is more coming. Our Father in heaven has got somethings up his sleeve. Hhhh….a fine man just right for you. Yes…Father…do it…do it…do it! So Caralyn, we have to change you name. No longer shall you be called Mello Yellow. Its now Miracle Yellow! Say aye if your concur. (heheheh). Hugs and love.

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    1. Hahah thank you Ish! Yes! Praise God indeed! You’re right – He isn’t finished with me yet! Miracle Yellow! Yes!!! Haha hope you’re having s great Monday night! Hugs and love xox

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      1. Hey Ash! hahah you’re funny. i would love to speak! let’s see if God has that in the plan 🙂 haha Hope you’re having a great weekend! Hugs and love xox

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  12. Caralyn!!! I cried tears of joy reading this. What an incredible God! Thank you for being faithful and obedient to His will and being open to whatever He has prepared for you. You accepted the next steps of life with determination and positivity and I am just overjoyed with the sweet healing in your life. Much joy sent your way today!

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    1. Awww thank you so much Sarah! I really appreciate you sharing in the joy with me! Yes! We have an incredible God indeed! Hugs and love xox

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  13. Oh C!!!
    Just when I think you’ve reached the apex of boldness and transparency, you top even yourself with boldness! A double blessing.
    One, God blessed you. Two, you had the strength to proclaim it. Amazing. Cannot tell you how happy I am for you.
    And, you respond to each person painstakingly. I almost wince to comment knowing I am further burdening you but I HAD to comment on such a tremendous outpouring of God’s tender care.
    I and everyone rejoice with you. PLY!
    XOXO
    Roland

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    1. Hi Roland! Thank you so much 🙂 haha yeah i CANNOT believe i shared this on the internet but all for sharing the glory of God! Haha no burden here 🙂 thanks for sharing in the joy with me! Big hugs xox

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  14. This brought tears to my eyes, Caralyn, you are so blessed and your deliberate and unwavering expression of faith is an inspiration to me. I prayed for your fertility every time you mentioned it here. If it be your will Father let this beautiful young woman experience being the source. Praise Jesus

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    1. Aw thank you so much for sharing in the joy with me. It really means a lot. And wow thank you for your prayers. They worked!! Big hugs to you xox

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  15. Wow! Congratulations 🙌🏽 this is such amazing news and you are going to be a fantastic mother 🙌🏽🍼🙌🏽

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  16. Caralyn, how wonderful to experience another miracle in your life. God is still in the business of miracles and doing wonderful unexpected things for his children. It is truly a time of breakthrough into the excellent miraculous! Thank you for sharing. xoxox

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    1. Thank you friend 🙂 yes! An incredible miracle indeed. Thanks for your kind words and for sharing in the joy with me! Hugs and love xox

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  17. It was indeed a miracle! I praise God for his love towards us all. Wow. I am just so happy and excited for you. What a blessing! “Nothing is too hard for the Lord.”

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  18. Little sister, I hope the Lord continues show His miracles in your life. You have been an inspiration for many people through your struggles and your honesty about them. Now may your blessings open the eyes of even more people!

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  19. Praise God!

    Sister, Caralyn, your story gives me much hope. After going through un-diagnosed tumors for over 5 years and then getting healed through an instant miracle ( JESUS HEALED ME!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 ), I still suffered/ (suffer?) infertility and mourned over it just as you said. The certainty that we all can be spiritually fertile, had given me so much consolation.. And now, your miracle brings also the hope that my God is able to bring complete restoration of my body and emotions.

    God bless you more. ❤ ❤ ❤

    Big Hug

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    1. Oh thank you friend. And wow that is so awesome! God is good. And you’re right – we are all spiritually fertile. I will pray for that complete restoration. Hugs and love xox

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  20. Having grown up in churches of a more “charismatic miracle” nature, it has often frustrated me that so many people put God’s miracle working power in a box. Meaning, for it to be a true miracle, it has to happen in this supernatural fireworks kind of way. I don’t believe that. I believe God’s miracles take many forms. Sometimes a miracle really is a “take up your mat and walk” kind of miracle. Other times a miracle is God working through a physician who He has blessed with medical knowledge and wisdom. And yet other times, His miracles become apparent after a season of waiting, with prayer and obedience.

    I am so very happy for you and your miracle, Caralyn! God’s timing is always perfect — He is healing your physical body, preparing you — I do not know His schedule, but I would think your special someone is on His to-do list, too. ❤

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    1. Thank you for sharing this. He is definitely the God of miracles and perfect timing! Haha i hope so! Hugs and love xox

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  21. wow! We don’t personally know each other but I’m crying, I didn’t even get to the part about your reveal but somehow I knew :). I’m sooo happy for you. More blessings on the way! Keep touching other people’s lives with all your work. Merry Christmas.

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    1. Thank you friend! Awww you’re so sweet. I appreciate you sharing in the joy with me. Same to you! Hugs and love xox

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