A couple of months ago, I began a blogroll for those who are actively living out the Quiverfull Lifestlye.

The Quiverfull lifestyle is a movement among conservative evangelical Protestant Christians. Roman Catholics and some others might refer to the Quiverfull position as Providentialism. Those who hold this position do so not in an attempt to simply have large families but to leave in the hands of the Lord God Almighty His sovereignty and authority over the womb. The distinguishing viewpoint is to eagerly receive children as blessings from God, abandoning all forms of contraception, including natural family planning and sterilization.

This post will seem "carnival-like." It's purpose is to highlight the testimonies of those who have joined thus far. There is some amazing, encouraging, heartbreaking, and hopeful reading contained within these links. Whether you hold this position or not, live it out or not, there is no doubt that if you read the testimonies you will see God at work and be blessed. There are a few short snippets here, be sure to click over and read the testimonies!

Like my husband and I, there are many people we know who have traveled the route of reversal. After having been "fixed" as the world calls it or "broken" as we call it, after all things were working correctly until the surgery. The Lord has changed their hearts; revealing this to them through the Word and the Spirit. This revelation leads to repentance. Repentance not only in word but also deed – having actions of confession and repentance that places this physically not just spiritually back in the hand of God. This typically is in a hope for more children but more importantly to honor and glorify the Lord and to proclaim His sovereignty.

Becca at Mission of Motherhood writes about their journey of vasectomy and reversal. Her husband also gives his testimony on the subject at Mission of Fatherhood.

Cindy at An Army for the Lord gives here testimony about dealing with Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome and the road to reversal. Cindy also shares about the pain of loosing a child. There is heartache for some who follow the Lord in this area of their life. Yet, there are many who continue to trust in the Lord even if they must endure the loss of one of these little ones.

Melissa at Getting into the Promised Land... shares about this transformation in her life after loosing a child. She says: "I think this was one of the starting points of really turning my life over to God. Although a known possibility, the loss was so unexpected. The acceptance of God's plan for our family became a needed comfort and an easy source of solace to turn to in my sorrow. "

Christi from Where the Creek Meets the Lake says through blessing and through loss that, "God is so good and merciful."

Then there is Lisa from the Beehive Buzz. This lady just lost a precious child on Christmas Day. She has been blogging through this trial. Lisa is an amazing lady! Even though there is great mourning God is there with her and she is a blessing to share how He comforts and walks her through this.

Leah from Reformed Farmer's Wife shares her story with us. She speaks of how God showed her, even as a young teenage girl, that He was in control of everything, even a woman’s womb and how the Lord taught here through watching her parents correct a mistake they had made.

Nataly at Sheepy Hollow Farms gets to the heart of being quiverfull. She shares, "But I think being quiverfull goes deeper than having an excuse to have many children. For us, it isn't an issue of how many children will we have. Rather, it's a question of whether we are truly trusting that God can and will provide for us or are we trying to put God in a box and take control of our own lives? To us it's really surrendering to God's control over every aspect of our lives."

Jacque from Seeking Rest in the Ancient Paths answers the following questions. Is There Such a Thing As Too Many Arrows in Your Quiver, Blessings, Children?? - How About To God??

The Wilkinson's over at Simple Living Alaska discusses what she calls QF Deficient Christians and here talks about how full a quiver really is. They also share about their journey to becoming Quiverfull.

Jolene at Life's Journey says, "It is not simply the desire to have a large family. It is purposing to give God control over *every* area of our lives, specifically over our fertility."

MomofMany at KidsrGifts writes about her and her husband's view of children and how God is in total control.

Sandy over at The Daily Poop puts it plainly. She say, "God has given us exactly what He wants us to have. This is not how we would have planned it for sure, especially 5 years ago when we started our family. But what do we know? Nothing..that's what. God's plans are awesome and His ways are perfect. So who are we to say that He can have only so much of us and not our family size?"

Alicia from Ambient Solace was one of the first members on the roll. She shares how God has been causing growth in her life. I quote a portion here, "There have been several questions my husband and I have been confronted with regarding our lives in general and several areas specifically. Those questions have been: "What does the Bible really say about this?" (involving much study and prayer), "Do we truly believe the Bible to be 'breathed out by God' [2 Timothy 3:16]?", "Do we believe God?", "What are the implications of believing God about this?" and finally, "Do we live like we believe God?" Or, maybe the final question is actually, "Are we willing to live like we believe God?"

Robin from Heart at Home thinks over the blessing and challenges of being quiverfull. While having dinner with her six youngest children she says, "Midway though the meal I realized and announced, “If I practiced birth control, I would be the only one at this table right now!”

Amy from Raising Arrows actually has her journey written out in four parts. God has brought her family through great trials as of late consisting of some serious medical issues their youngest child. She is dedicated to giving God the glory in all things. Read her testimony here: Part 1, Part2, Part 3, and Part4.

Sherry over at Large Family Mothering is the mother of 14 children. She shares about having been in the man's world, the US Army, having a grandmother in her misguided kindness, offer to use her great-grandmother's wedding rings to pay for me to be "sterilized", and ultimately finding true freedom in motherhood!

Tracy at Lines from the Vine discusses how being quiverfull is never the life that she would have chosen for herself, but how glad she is that God had a different plan. She also points out that having a large family is easy, it is a lot of work. It's not enough to have the children God will give you- you must train and teach them as well.

Jennifer at HomeKeepingHearts shares her Quiverfull Story and how the Lord provided a husband with the same beliefs. She also writes about the peace that God brings when we allow Him to truly be Lord of all in this article, "Lord of All or Not at All."

Labels: Carnival, Quiverfull, Quiverfull Carnival