Newsletter Summer 25 Final by choices4me

News/Summer25

In Someone Else’s Shoes

By: Megan Rhoades

A positive pregnancy test – for some women, this is one of the greatest moments of their lives! They immediately begin planning and dreaming for the baby growing in their womb. They comb the internet looking for fetal development information, start picking out names, shop, and have baby showers! It is a blessing from God! As followers of Jesus, we understand that life begins at conception and that we are “knit together” by our glorious Creator. For others though, a positive pregnancy test can be a confusing, devastating and downright terrifying event. Not all pregnancies are planned or a time of joyful celebration. We may say, “I would never consider having an abortion,” but when personally faced with an unplanned pregnancy, the decision is often no longer so “black & white”.

Have you ever imagined stepping into the shoes of a woman contemplating abortion? The general assumption is that women who have abortions do so because they don’t want to be inconvenienced, are selfish, or can’t be bothered with a pregnancy or for that matter a baby. In some cases, these are true statements. But the majority of the women who choose abortion make that decision from a place of overwhelming panic, fear and desperation. That’s how I felt when I decided to have an abortion. I’ve talked to dozens and dozens of women considering abortion or who have already had an abortion and the general consensus is that we all felt the same…trapped.

So, who are these women? They are girls from our youth group at church, students at our local junior high, high school, and college. They sit beside us at church and work with us in ministry. They could be our sister, daughter, niece, granddaughter, mother, neighbor, co-worker, or even our best friend. They are not part of any particular economic class,

VOLUNTEERS don’t necessarily have the time; they just have the heart!

It doesn’t take a lot of time to make a difference in someone’s life!

Call your local office today!

race, age, or living in a specific part of town. They are all around us.

If we are pro-life then we must honestly ask ourselves if our actions truly help the cause for life or if they hinder the cause. We read in 1 Corinthians 13:1, “If I speak in the tongues of men or angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” Do the words we speak, our bumper stickers, Facebook posts, t-shirts, letters to the editor, and protest signs reflect God’s love or are they essentially a clanging cymbal that causes others to shut their ears and their heart to the truth?

As someone who has had an abortion, may I tell you that sometimes these actions, no matter how well meaning, are often deeply hurtful. They build a wall that separates you from truly being able to help those facing a crisis pregnancy or living with a past abortion. If someone in our life faced an unplanned pregnancy, would they feel safe coming to us for support and guidance or would they hide from what they perceive as our condemnation and judgement?

How do we season our passion for the Sanctity of Life with Christ’s love? I think we must ask ourselves what would Jesus do…what would He have us do? Perhaps God is calling you to pour into the lives of the young women you come in contact with; get involved with the young people in your family, school, church, and neighborhood. We can be the hands and feet of Christ as we prayerfully and actively come alongside a single parent or a woman experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, helping them in tangible ways. As followers of Jesus, we should never try to scare women out of having an abortion; we should love them into giving their child the gift of life.

YOUR CHOICE... Does it still trouble you?

Our post-abortion recovery program offers a safe and nonjudgmental place for you to begin the healing process and be honest with yourself about your experience and the impact it has had on your life.

Call: 217-345-8000

Suzanne came to the center with a unique situation. She had been to the local health department in search of a car seat and they gave her the information to contact us. When Suzanne called she asked if we could set an appointment and get a car seat for her nearly 1-year old child. We made an appointment and did a normal “Material Needs” appointment to help with an immediate need. After talking with Suzanne for a short time, we discussed Choice’s Earn While You Learn (EWYL) program. Her first statement was, “Why didn’t anyone ever tell me you were in Casey?! I never babysat, fed a child or changed a diaper before I was a mother.” Suzanne signed up for EWYL and walked out with a car seat. She has been faithfully attending classes 1 to 2 times a week and states that she loves to learn and then shop in the Baby Store. Suzanne just wants all the partners of Choices Pregnancy & Health to know how much she appreciates all you have done to allow her to participate and learn here at Choices as she learns about parenting toddlers, the value of home health, and financial management. ~GayLynne

One mama came to us wanting an abortion. She already had two children, both of which were still breastfeeding. “Alice” isn’t from America, but came here hoping to better her life and the life of her family. Alice told me she didn’t want to have to take her baby back to a hostile and dangerous country. She didn’t really want to have an abortion, but based on her circumstances she felt that it was her only choice. She didn’t communicate with me much for a month or two. When she finally came back in to talk, she shared she HAD decided to keep the baby, but ended up having a miscarriage. Her heart was broken from the loss. My heart hurt for her knowing all the agonizing emotions she had endured. I offered to pray; we prayed together. It was the next time I saw her she was smiling and said, “Cali, I’m so thankful you have been praying, I have so much peace and I’ve been doing so much better knowing you’re praying. Thank you.” My heart was filled knowing God has been working on her heart and she has HIS peace. ~Cali

Robyn called the center frantic and explained that she is pregnant and cannot have another child on her own! Her only support person was telling her to abort the baby, which she was planning to do. Robyn told us she had the abortion pills in her hand. I asked her if she would be willing to come into the office and talk to us before she made her final decision. When she walked through our door she was shaking. I feared that she had already taken the first pill and started the abortion process. I started her appointment with a hug (this isn’t a typical thing we do, but it’s amazing how a hug can put someone at ease). Through our conversation she explained that the abortion provider she spoke to didn’t’ go over any risks or side effects with her. We talked it over some more. During that time, the Lord pricked Robyn’s heart and she cried, “I can’t do it. I cannot abort this baby.” Robyn is due in September and we are honored that she is allowing us to walk beside her on this journey. Robyn got more than she bargained for when she came to Choices. She found the positive, loving, healthy support system she needed. All glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! ~Tammy

Spring is here and as we watch the earth come to life with new growth we see in our center the lives of our young mommies growing as well. April has 5 children under the age of 6 and is just learning that not only is each one of them made lovingly by God, but so is she! Although April has come into our center for material needs before she has never been able to come in for Earn While You Learn classes while she was trying to work. Life has not been easy but said she has always felt welcomed and supported at Choices and she loved coming here. Recently April got a part time job in the evenings so that she can be at home during the day with her children and still earn a paycheck. She is a sweet young mom who wants better for her children so she called Choices to start parenting lessons and has been coming in faithfully to learn and grow. I am so proud of her as a mom and a young woman as she pushes forward to make a better life for herself and her family. ~Janice

All client names have been changed for confidentiality

This spring has been a productive time for the Life Choices program. Using the Success Sequence program, we’ve reached nearly 100 students in our region with the “save all sexual activity for marriage” message! Schools like Shiloh, Martinsville and Casey-Westfield have been receptive to this message, and teacher and student reviews have been positive! In addition to serving public schools, we’re now reaching out to faith-based schools and church youth groups. As we continue to bring the Success Sequence to area teens in ’25-’26, encouraging them to make positive, healthy choices that lay a foundation for their future success, we can’t thank you enough for your continued prayers and support. ~LeAnn

Choice Bits & Pieces

Things to think about, pray about, and give thanks!

2025 IL March for Life

Four of our Choices staff marched in the 2025 March for Life in Springfield this spring! Over 2000 concerned citizens attended and peacefully marched and prayed for the leaders of our Illinois is being marketed as the abortion capitol of the US!

Choices 2025 Fundraising Dinner is coming!

October 4th “Our Memory Lane” in Casey

Watch our Facebook page @partnersofCPH for more details

IN MEMORY:

Gifts were given to honor some precious family and ministry partners who have traveled on “home”.

1.1 Million Abortions

The most accurate, current and complete compilation of abortion data shows over 1.1 million abortions took place via licensed providers from July 2023–June 2024, according to new analysis compiled by the Charlotte Lozier Institute. This establishes a baseline number of recorded abortions nationwide.

This analysis is the first to collect abortion totals from different types of abortionists and examine which estimates are the most complete and definitive.

While this is the best estimation of total abortions taking place in that timeframe, researchers cannot definitively calculate how many abortions occurred because there’s no federal abortion reporting requirement and there’s no verifiable way to track certain abortions, such as abortion drugs mailed into the U.S. by foreign abortion organizations.

Our Casey Office is now looking for a new Client Services Director as GayLynne feels it is time for her to retire. We are going to miss her!

Now we are praying for the one God has chosen to step up quickly!

Top two qualifications:

1) Must love the Lord with all her heart.

2) Must have compassion like Jesus for the lost and broken.

If He is calling you – call us today! 217.345.8000

Karen Easton

Pam Harmon

Shannon Barnett

Planned Parenthood to close 8 abortion facilities citing federal funding cuts. Pregnancy Help News

This sounds like “good news” and it is but something you need to know is that over 60% of abortions are now done via the “pills” which can be obtained without an appointment or even a Doctor.

That is why the Nurse’s role is VITAL to our ministry. RN or RDMS required. Inquiries please call our Admin office 217-345-8000

“A new study, showing that the abortion pill is 22 times more dangerous than the FDA has recognized, should prompt major changes in its regulation” , Jor-El Godsey, president of Heartbeat International said. The findings should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and the public. This groundbreaking study confirms what women and the pro-life community have long known: the abortion pill is not safe,” Godsey told Pregnancy Help News. “Women deserve care, not careless risks disguised as healthcare,” Godsey said. “The FDA must act swiftly to reinstate commonsense safeguards for the abortion pill or reconsider its approval altogether.”

“Women’s lives and health are far too valuable to be treated as acceptable casualties in the rush to expand chemical abortion,” he added.

THINGS

OUR

BABIES NEED

• Enfamil Formula (Infant & Gentlease)

• Diapers: 3, 4, 5

• Wipes

• Infant car seats

• Pack–n–play’s

Kim Elliot “Choosing Life After Rape”

Cali, Janice, Veronica and Lisa

IL 61920 If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please call your local office to be removed from our mailing list. More

This Mommy has had a difficult time of it as she has had to deal with the heart-breaking consequences of making wrong choices. She is now drug free, sober and making good choices for herself and her baby! Choices is so blessed to be a part of her support system as she moves forward in finding how precious she is to the Lord!