WAITING ON GOD Tiffany Fennell and Her Family’s Story By Joanne Bell Wright
ministry paired a mentor mom with an expecting mom who guided the expectant mom throughout her pregnancy, providing emotional, mental and physical support.
T
iffany Fennell received a diagnosis few are ready for and even fewer receive at the tender age of 21: ovarian cancer. She and her yet-to be husband were still only dating as students at Mississippi State University. The last thing on her mind was having children, so she took her doctor’s advice and had a complete hysterectomy.
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starting families. Her desire for a family grew within her but she knew she could not have children of her own. She and Keith examined adoption and multiple avenues but left with uneasy feelings or dead ends.
The two eventually married and for many years neither gave any thought to having children. Their busy lives were inward-focused and self-absorbed. The two traveled, spent generously and did as they pleased. Their focus was climbing the proverbial corporate ladder.
They daily sought the Lord in prayer, deciding that they would leave the outcome in His hands. Tiffany and Keith knew they would have to remain open and faithful to follow His leading. God revealed His plan and their patience was well-rewarded after waiting seven long years. A plan greater than they had ever hoped to imagine was about to unfold, and it was better than anything they could have orchestrated on their own.
As her thirtieth birthday came around, Tiffany noticed many of her family and friends were settling down and
Tiffany was working at a local church that had a ministry for unplanned pregnancies called Lifesavers. This
WOMAN TO WOMAN WITH JOANNE : THE MAGAZINE • Issue 24, May/June 2019
A young girl came through the ministry alone and searching for answers. She did not know what to do with her unborn child. Her mentor mom mentioned there were plenty of couples who would love a child but could not have one of their own. She referred her to the Fennell’s as an example. The pregnant girl began to pray about her options and decided on adoption. After she sought the Lord’s guidance, the girl contacted Tiffany and asked if
