Teresa and Willie’s love story
Real couples really do use NFP, and we asked them to tell us their NFP story. We will be sharing them here on the blog — the good parts and the struggles. Each of these couples is writing their own love story, and have chosen to do so by following God’s plan for marriage.
Here is Teresa and Willie’s story.
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Were you initially skeptical about NFP?
Yes! At the beginning as a newly engaged couple I had very irregular cycles when we learned about NFP through pre Cana classes through our church. At the retreat, I was actually on the pill (we were abstaining but they were prescribed by my doctor as the “only” way to treat abnormal cycles), and I threw them away right then and there. I confessed to Willie in our shared prayer journal that I couldn’t take them anymore and that I wanted to trust in NFP to lead us. I was so surprised to find in his journal entry that he felt the same way and was all for the natural method — no artificial hormones or scary side effects for his wife-to-be!! I believe God had his hand in that lesson for us that day.
How was your class experience and teaching couple?
Very helpful and truly informative. It helped to hear from real live couples who were so open to sharing their experience with us.
Has anything surprised you about using NFP?
Yes, that my husband now knows just as much about my cycle as I do!
Who participates in observations, charting and interpreting?
I chart using an app and he can check in to see the status. Willie also assists with cervix checks and we always pray together to discern each month if we’re open to another child or if now would be an appropriate time to abstain.
What changed your mind about contraception and caused you to choose NFP?
We didn’t realize there was any other way! We only learned about it through our pre-cana classes. We loved everything about it: no side effects, no chemicals or hormones, and the union of husband, wife and God.
What changes have you seen in the dynamics of your relationship (if any) since starting natural family planning?
We communicate so much more about the real needs of our family. We don’t have the chance to hide anything from one another because everything is out in the open. We know where we are in the cycle at all times.
Did you and your spouse ever disagree on NFP? How so? How do you work out those differences?
There were times when I was ready and open to new life and Willie was not. Once we had the chance to pray together about it we were better able to understand where the other was coming from. We’ve always had complete confidence in the method.
Does practicing NFP help you better understand the Church’s teaching on contraception?
Yes, we are better able to share with others why the church is right in it’s teaching. The union is sacred.
Do you have an NFP love story to share? Contact Ann Gundlach at CCL at 800-745-8252 ext 1033. Or share this story with someone who needs to hear it!
New from CCL! Your Love Story: A Guide to Engagement and Marriage by William Turrentine. Learn more at www.ccli.org/yls.