Sometimes meeting other, larger families changes a couple's mind about things.

(Mar. 29, 2010) The Gardiners are a military family that has moved every year or two for most of their marriage. They had three children in three and a half years, and both Scott and Renee felt their family was complete.

“Large families are not accepted by society in general and military housing typically is not large,” Renee said.

But seeing larger families among the homeschooling community changed their thinking, and they had two more children. With five children ranging from ages 10 to 18, they no longer seek pregnancy but remain open to the possibility that God may choose to surprise them with another child.

John and Kim Derrick, Nashville, TN

The Derricks have been married for 12 years and have six children, ages 1 to 11. Kim always believed in having as many children as possible, but the situation changed.

With John teaching in public school, and Kim in nursing school, and Catholic education to pay for, the Derricks now are postponing pregnancy. It was a wrenching decision - one that required a great deal of prayer.

“This has been so hard for me,” Kim said. “It pains us to not have another child just as much as it pains those who are devastated when they find out about an unintentional pregnancy.” But they believe that “NFP is a gift from God and His way of providing for us.”

The above article appeared in the March/April 2010 issue of Family Foundations. To receive the magazine, sign up for a membership at Couple to Couple League International.

Natural Family Planning Classes Taught

The next series of classes in northeast Illinois will begin Sun., April 18, 2010 at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Gurnee, and will be taught by Edmond and Sharon Harrigan, 847-231-0567. To register, and for a list of classes throughout the U.S., go to the CCL Central class locator. Or go to the Chicago CCL’s Classes by Location and Maplinks.