Natalie recently called our Center asking about abortion information.  In tears, she explained the reasons why she could not have another baby at this time and that “she had to have an abortion.”  We counseled her on the phone and encouraged her to come in for pregnancy test verification and ultrasound.  Her friend, Lauren, who was a past client of LifeCare, also encouraged her to come see us before she had an abortion.  She came in that day and after we verified that she was pregnant, she stated she was planning on taking the abortion pill.  We educated her with options to help her make an informed decision, read abortion pill booklet to her explaining the process and risks, and offered our support and services.  Because she was only at 5-6 weeks gestation, we encouraged her to come back for ultrasound in one week (to make sure she could see her baby’s heartbeat).  She allowed us to pray for her before she left, and our staff continued to pray for her, along with a follow up phone call. 

Client Testimony: Rebecca's Story

“When I came to LifeCare I was in a bad situation. I was depressed, not eating, and I wasn’t living well. I was facing an unplanned pregnancy, lost my job, and the father of my children went to jail. I felt unwanted and a failure. When I come to LifeCare, the volunteers love me and pray for me. It has worked tremendous miracles in my life. I prayed to recommit my heart to Christ, have been feeling closer to God and now have more faith. I am thankful for my baby girl, Esther, and all the support I receive from LifeCare.” ~ Rebecca & Baby Esther

I happened to be in the waiting room at LifeCare and met a young woman who had recently delivered twins, a boy and a girl.  It got even better than that; she had delivered girl twins five years earlier.  I was so impressed with her handling of her situation. The babies were very content and squeaky clean and smelled so good.  She was thankful for LifeCare and was taking full advantage of what was offered her.

She visits LifeCare because she’s in need of something.  Many times she doesn’t know what it is that she needs.  She’s made lots of decisions that she thought would fulfill her needs but they’ve all backfired.  Here she is, scared, and she may be pregnant, after having given herself away many times in the name of love.  The present relationship, that she thought was love and would last, seems in jeopardy.   We often see this young man with her at first but when reality sets in many times he becomes absent.

This is when LifeCare does its best work.  When a young woman is trying to figure out what she’s going to do the thought of abortion may come to mind.  Through the counseling process we’re able to find out what she’s thinking and begin to help her make good decisions rather than detrimental ones.    As she is encouraged to come in once a week, hope becomes part of her life.   Most of the time, she chooses life for her baby.  Then she must decide if she will parent or place her baby for adoption.   We provide a wonderful support system which includes regular one-on-one counseling sessions and a weekly support group meeting that has in it those who’ve already placed and those who are waiting to place. 
As is obvious the majority of our clients choose to parent their babies.   This is when we enroll them in our Teaching, Loving, and Caring Program which is earn while you learn experiences.   Mommy dollars are given to them to shop in our Baby Boutique as they have sessions and classes teaching them about God’s truths, their physical/emotional well-being, parenting, birthing, life skills that help to form families (this especially includes the young men who will participate), healing from past abuses, and post abortion healing.

So, she came to LifeCare not really understanding her needs.  As she walks with us as many as 21 months (through the pregnancy and until her child is a year old) many of her needs have been met.   She has had a life-changing experience and hopefully knows Jesus as her Savior which will benefit her life forever.

My granddaughter is participating in Florida Virtual School as part of her home schooling.  She’s a senior this year and was chosen to be on a panel for the state discussing school choice.  She did a wonderful job of sharing the positives of virtual school.  She was quoted in the newspaper today.   Can you imagine what a proud Grammy I am?

This started me thinking about how delighted God must be with us in those times when we do well.  He also loves us when we make mistakes.  He loves us so much that He engraves us on the palms of His hands.  Psalm 31:15-16 says, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?  Though she may forget, I will not forget you!  See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”

LifeCare is all about teaching young women of God’s love and how as mothers we need to exhibit His kind of love as an example for our children.

Brandon Center:

We are celebrating our first week of providing life-affirming ultrasounds in this new year! In July 2012 we raised funds to purchase an ultrasound machine and began our journey of becoming a medical clinic under the license of Dr. Ignacio Armas, our Medical Director.

I feel like Max Lucado, writer, is one of my best friends.  I’d like to share some of his words from his book, “Grace.”

Together for Life 2013

“Choose life so that you and your children may live, that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.”  Deuteronomy 30:19, 20

The Quest ~ Mentoring Fathers

Dallas, a new father, received his certification of completing 6 weeks of The Quest. Through discovering God’s plan and purpose for his life, how to be a godly man, husband and father, Dallas made the decision to surrender his heart to Christ! “Thank God I got saved!! John was very influential in my life and growing closer to God.”