Yes. I am talking to YOU.

I can’t believe it has almost been two months since I published my first book, “Full Heart Empty Womb:  How I Survived Infertility … Twice”.  Honestly, it feels like it has been a lifetime ago.  Outside of a few blog posts and FB updates, I haven’t really been able to devote the time I would like to in order to promote my book.  Right after I published FHEW, I enjoyed a wonderful, busy Christmas with my family.  When January rolled around I was neck deep in various activities for my kids.  Yes, I see the wonderful irony that I am having difficulty finding the time to promote my book about Infertility because I have been busy with my children!  I am not complaining a bit.  What a fantastic “problem” to have J

Since I am self-published, everything lands squarely on Stephanie Greer’s shoulders.  This is truly a grassroots effort.  There is no PR or marketing person.  It can be a bit intimidating and often overwhelming, but I am pressing on.  It is my desire to be able to book several speaking engagements in order to get my book more visible to those that need it.  I am trying to cast my proverbial net wider to reach the people who need it most.  I have made some good headway in that goal.

On April 18^th, I will be speaking at a women’s conference at my church, Forest Hills Baptist Church (more details to come as they are available).  I am doing a breakout session titled “Courage Through Infertility” and am extremely excited about the opportunity.  I hope that this will lead to other opportunities to share my story and lessons I learned.

This week I was ready to dive into my first official event.  I teach preschool part time.  My wonderful director, Windy, arranged for me to speak to interested moms on two separate days.  It was a perfect, safe place for me to take my training wheels off so to speak.  I was nervous but excited.  I am not a stranger to public speaking.  My first career was in sales.  I led meetings and training sessions all the time.  I would present all sorts of products to CEOs, CFOs, and doctors.  But there was something about standing up and pretty much selling myself and my story that was pretty intimidating.  Eric, my husband, had a pretty good laugh at my expense.  “You literally wrote a book on this, Steph!  What is there to be scared of?”

He was right.  But still I was up in the middle of the night fine tuning my notes and perfecting my contact sheets.  I wanted everything to be just right and look professional.  “Can they tell that this was just something I doctored up on Microsoft Word??  Where is the marketing department when I need one!”  I easily convinced myself that I was in over my head.

Then I got this email.  I am convinced that this was encouragement straight from above.  God was telling me not to get discouraged.  I was on the right path.  It may not be easy, but I was headed in the right direction.  After a lot of prayer, I was headed in His direction.  I ran into our bedroom and shoved my iPhone in Eric’s sleepy face.  “Good morning.  I love you.  Can I go to this?  Please?  Please?  Pppllllleeeaaasssseeeee!!!!”  To which he quickly replied, “Of course.  That is the perfect opportunity for you.”  Ten minutes later I was registered and ready to go.   I cannot even tell you how PUMPED up I am to be able to go to this event!

My first day at my event at my preschool was perfect.  My goal was for two people to come.  Look.  I have realistic expectations.  I am a stay at home mom three days a week.  Those days are like GOLD to me.  Every second is precious.  As soon as I drop off my kids, it is my to do list versus the clock.  I even hear the “24” theme song ticking quickly in my brain most days.  I completely understand that taking an hour out of that precious time isn’t something that everyone would do... especially if you didn’t know me or have any interest in Infertility.  But praise the Lord …  Six people did.  Yes!!  I TRIPLED my goal J

I thoroughly enjoyed speaking and think it went well.  The ladies were engaged and enjoyed themselves.  People think that hearing someone talk about Infertility would be down right depressing.  I assure you that there were more laughs than tears and even the tears were happy ones.  Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on the way you look at things), I take after my kids in some ways.  I find it impossible to be completely serious for any long period of time.  I try to lighten the mood with my humor whenever possible.  The highlight of the session was at the end when one of the women said through tears that I had said exactly what she needed to hear.  Humbled doesn’t even begin to express the emotion I felt.  God used me to speak to someone.  That’s pretty awesome.

My stupid pride… and my bruised ego … would like to just end it with that wonderful experience.  But I had a second day to get ready for!  Today I went in with a goal of one person attending.  Look.  I was being realistic again!  I don’t teach on Wednesdays so not as many of the parents even really know me.  The few moms that do know me had already told me that they attended a Wednesday Bible study.  So I sat next to my pretty book table.  Stared at the clock.  Then I played on Facebook.  Stared at the clock again.  Texted Eric. 

When the room was still empty five minutes after I was supposed to start, I realized that maybe I overshot my goal by one.  I wiped a humiliated tear and started to pack up my things.  As I was cleaning up the room, I berated myself.  “How could I think that this could be the start of something?  Could I really do this over and over and be disappointed?  It would be so much easier on me, my family and my little fragile ego if I let life go back to the way it was.  I am already spread too thin.  I forgot Ella’s Science test last week for Pete’s sake!!  I have already met all my personal goals for my book.  I helped myself heal and have helped several others.  Maybe I should just let it be at that.”

What??!!  Whoa.  How quickly I forgot that encouragement that God gave me only two days ago!  No.  Siree.  Bob.  Humiliated tear dried and replaced by a determined Steph.  Drop kick the devil and his negative thoughts to the curb.  Because you know what?  The devil doesn’t waste his time on people that aren’t a threat to him.  And I am.  I serve a big and mighty God that can do BIG things.  Even with little old me. 

I know from feedback that I have gotten that this book will help countless more people.  It provides hope to people who feel like they have no hope.  And not just hope to people who are dealing with Infertility today.  I have heard from people who suffered through the pain of Infertility years ago that this book provided the understanding that they needed and ultimately healing for them too.  Many of my friends that had a front row seat to my pain, shared that they had no clue what I had really been going through.  After reading FHEW, they felt like they understood my struggle more fully. 

Honestly, every woman has a stake in trying to understand Infertility better.  Whether you have been through it yourself or have a friend that is dealing with it, it is relevant to all women.  Believe me, if you know it or not, everyone has friends that are dealing with it.  It is so widespread but NO ONE talks about it.  But I will.

So back to my title.  Yes.  I am talking to YOU.  I am ready to come a talk to your book club, Bible study, women’s group, or just group of girlfriends.  I am just as comfortable in a Fellowship Hall with a casserole and sweet tea as I am in a living room with wine and cheese.  I am centrally located in Nashville, TN.  If I can drive it, I will be there.  Give me an excuse to take a drive sans kids with just me and my latest Audible download!

I am happy to do a book overview like I did with my preschool mamas.  I can come to a book club with people who have read my book to discuss further.  I would love to help others learn more about Infertility and how they can be give support to those dealing with it.  Maybe you just want to increase what I like to call your CQ (Compassion Quotient)!  I can work with any ideas you have.

So action time.  Get a group of gals together.  Get a few dates.  Email me at fullheartemptywomb@gmail.com to get on my calendar.   Want to know another simple way to help these grassroots grow?  It’s as simple as a click - - Like or Share www.facebook.com/fullheartemptywomb on Facebook.  The people who need it will see it and appreciate it.  And if you made it all the way to this plea ... I appreciate you.