She came for help with diapers, but found freedom!
Melody* was engaged to be married and preparing to blend their family. They were not planning to add any additional children to their family, as she was nearly 40 and thought that season of life had passed. Reading the positive pregnancy test was a complete shock and could not have come at a worse time. Melody was not working due to a severe accident, her fiancé was not getting very many hours at work, they were at risk of losing their housing due to the income loss and they were barely able to provide for the children they already had.
A friend suggested that Melody come to Choices for support, help with material things for baby and community referrals. When we met with Melody, she shared how overwhelmed she was feeling. She didn’t know what to do because of all the challenges she was facing. We listened and offered help through our Earn While You Learn Program for parenting education and assistance with many of the material items needed for mom and baby, as well as referrals for other community resources for areas Choices cannot help with. Melody was so thankful!
She shared that she was determined to have this baby because she’d had an abortion several years ago and could never do that again. "Abortions will mess you up mentally", she tearfully said as she shared about her past abortion and the weight she’d been secretly carrying for years. We shared that we have a post abortion program that uses a biblically-based study designed to help women heal from the emotional and spiritual heartbreak of a past abortion. She sighed and said, “That sounds amazing! I didn’t know anything like that existed.”
We first focused on her immediate needs of preparing for the arrival of the baby she was carrying and helping her address the other pressures of her situation. We assured her that we’d walk with her as she worked through the pain of her past abortion when she was ready. Melody continued coming to Choices for parenting classes in our Earn While You Learn program. We built a relationship with her as we helped her prepare to welcome her precious baby boy, celebrated with her when he was born and walked with her as she navigated unexpected health and family challenges. One day, she let us know she was ready to deal with the pain of her past abortion.
…
Soon, Melody began meeting with a few other post-aborted women to work though the Surrendering the Secret study. As Melody began to share and unpack the story of her abortion, she shared that it hadn’t felt like a choice at all. She never made excuses, but said she had felt trapped by the effects of years of abuse from family members who failed to protect her and later from other relationships, challenging circumstances, pressure to abort, a complete lack of support, and lots of fear. Fear that she wasn’t enough…fear of trying to raise a child alone when she was barely able to take care of herself…so many fears. She could not see beyond her circumstance and bought into the lie that abortion is the answer when you’re in a bad situation or aren’t ready to be the parent you want to be.
She regretted her choice almost instantly, and was not prepared for the emotional toll that it would take on her. The intense feelings of guilt and shame sent her spiraling. Satan had whispered in her ear that it would be okay to have an abortion until she did it, and then he used it as a weapon to tear her down and build a wall to separate her from God.
Thankfully, our God is greater! HE worked in Melody’s heart as she worked through the study and dug into Scripture. He gently wrapped her in HIS goodness and reminded her that she is loved and wears a crown of splendor! She began to see the true character of God and was able to accept His forgiveness and release part of the hurt that had held her in bondage all these years. Melody just thought she was coming for help with diapers, but God had a greater plan to help her find freedom!
YOUR
Does it still trouble you? 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 today: 217-345-8000
Recently, Jen came in for a pregnancy test. After seeing her positive test, she said she had to have an abortion. Fear was written all over her face – it was overtaking her. Fear of not being able to be there for her child because of her own heartbreaking upbringing. Fear of not completing her goal of finishing school and getting her degree. After I shared the truth of abortion, tears just streamed down her face. Jen couldn’t say a word, she was just in shock. Jen had her ultrasound, but was still very quiet and didn’t share much about what she was thinking. As far as I knew, she was going to have an abortion. She fell away from us after that appointment. I reached out, but didn’t hear from her. I left her wrapped in the Father’s Arms, praying one day she would show back up. About a month later, SHE DID! She said she decided to carry her little one! We rejoiced for Jen choosing life. I’m looking forward to one day seeing Jen be the best mama she can be! ~Cali
Not long ago, I had a client well into her second trimester. She shared a video of her ultrasound and the baby waved at the camera! Waved! With its little hand! When the video had finished, my client started sobbing, and said that she and the baby's father didn't work out, and she was now thinking of aborting the baby. I kept my composure, but inside my spirit was screaming, no!!!! She talked. I listened, and waited for the Lord to give me direction. God is so faithful. He took it from there. God showed my client how in love with her baby she already was, and that provisions were possible with the help of this ministry. God also showed her how she WASN'T alone. He has placed people in her life who love her, and we aren't going anywhere. By the time you read this, we will have welcomed that little baby girl, who was so excited to be alive, she waved!! All glory to God our Father!! ~Tammy
This year’s Mother’s Day was especially sweet for a very special mom in our center. Last Summer, a young mom came in needing to complete lessons for DCFS in order to get her son back into her care. Choices walked along side Lori as she did the lessons and worked to make changes to be the best mom she could be. As Lori faithfully came for her Earn While You Learn appointments, I listened, watched, and celebrated with her as she met milestones and goals she had set. I watched her not only work on her parenting plan and sobriety, but grow in her faith and be baptized as well. Lori got a job and her own apartment and quickly went from supervised to unsupervised visits and then to overnights. The week before Mother’s Day, Lori’s son was able to return home for good. Lori said that she could not have done any of it without God and those that God has placed in her life. We are very proud of all that Lori has accomplished in such a short time! God had her wrapped in HIS love! ~Janice
As I have been training in this position, one client stood out to me and instantly melted my heart. This wasn’t Kiera’s first pregnancy. She already was a busy momma and was striving with all her might to raise her family on her own. I could see the weight in her heart, anxiety and fear that the thought of having a new baby in the home was creating. When she first came in, she hadn’t fully decided what she was going to do. The weight of her circumstances was too heavy. After hearing all her options and learning how Choices can be a support system for her during this pregnancy, she felt a little more at ease. As we shared, Kiera’s anxiety and fears had calmed. As she got ready to leave the office, she said, “I just like that I can sit on this couch and be heard.” I knew God brought me here for a reason. During that interaction, I was so overwhelmed by the love that is shared with clients in these offices. I am excited to start living the calling that God has prepared me for and to share who He is in my interactions with the girls. ~Dawn
All client names have been changed for confidentiality
Area schools are counting the days until summer vacation! It’s been a busy one for us, for Choices Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) Program has served approximately 400 area health education and science students in grades 6-12! God is working, and I can’t express enough thanks for your continued prayers and support. Our SRAE program is a respectful, non-explicit, abstinence education program with positive and objective messaging that provides youth a clear path forward to a healthy and successful future. Our curriculum meets Illinois and Federal Learning Standards. Students enjoy the videos, activities, and group discussions. Teachers and administrators who we’ve worked with have wonderful things to say as well. Please help us spread the word to area teachers & school administrators that our services are available and are free of charge. Thanks again! ~LeAnn
Donations were given
In Honor Of
Katie Barr
Chris Bugle
Georgia Horsley
Dotty Jordan
Bonnie Leuck
Cathy Cearlock Slover
Maryanna Smith
Jan Townsend
In Memory Of
Judy Barr
Elaine Colbert
Sally Elam
Pam Harmon
Beverly Heflin
Leona Muessman
Mary Pankey
Evelyn Perkins
Welcome Nicole, Kendra & Dawn!
Finding a permanent location for our Mattoon office has been a topic of conversation and prayer periodically over the last few years as we realized we were beginning to outgrow our current location. Our current location has been a great space for us, but as we’ve been able to serve more women and families in the Mattoon area, we simply needed more space.
In the fall of last year, our board prayerfully decided it was time to actively begin looking for a new location. A short time after making that decision, we received an unexpected invitation. Rural King Realty, LLC, which is an affiliate of Rural King, invited us to view a building they were willing to donate to us, if it would fit our needs. We are excited to announce that our Mattoon location will be moving to 402 Richmond Avenue East once renovations are complete!
We’ve prayed for you & the Lord is faithful to answer!
Nicole is our new Nurse Manager. She oversees our medical services. She brings 20+ years of experience working in women’s health. She had been praying for God to use her gifts… He answered her prayer as well as ours!
Kendra is our Nurse
Sonographer She too was praying for God to give her more of a job to use her gifts as a nurse & be able to be open about serving Christ! Again, God showed off by answering our prayers abundantly!
We are still in awe, and were so humbled by the generosity of Rural King Realty! The new building is not just an upgrade to our office space, but represents the physical manifestation of God’s provision for this ministry. He has ALWAYS been faithful. He heard our prayers and answered in a way we didn’t know was coming! God miraculously worked out all the details, as He ALWAYS does.
We are excited to see what is ahead for this new space, as we seek to make it a place of abundant service. We are currently remodeling and have contractors and volunteers in and out! It’s an exciting time!
If you feel called to help, please reach out to Tammy in our Mattoon office at 217-234-3312, and she’ll get you connected with Brian Murphy, one of our incredible board members who is overseeing the project!
Dawn felt God’s calling to serve here several years ago, but the timing just wasn’t fitting with her season of life. When she had the time, God opened the door for her to be our new Casey Client Services Director!
Annual Fundraising Dinner
September 19th McKenna-Yost Convention Center, Mattoon Watch our Facebook page @partnersofCPH and your mail for reservation info!
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please call your local office to be removed from our mailing list.
“I didn’t come here for my faith, but God saw me and I knew I needed Him! Even on the hard days, I know He still has a plan and blesses me. So thankful I found Choices!” ~Makayla
Wrapped in the Father’s Love!
Students from Beyond Us Ministries gave our Charleston office a nice outside Spring Cleaning!
Broadway Christian Church held a Mother’s Day event and people who attended brought items to help fill our Baby Boutique!
A small group from West Union Christian Church switched over seasonal clothes in Casey!
Maranatha Baptist Church held a bake sale to help raise funds for our new Mattoon Building! THANK YOU!
East Side Nazarene in Mattoon dropped by a goodie basket to say thank you for supporting the community!
Charleston (left) & Paris (below) both had new waiting room updates! Thank you to Bob Bugle & to Bell Ridge Christian church for putting in many hours to make our centers more welcoming!
Ladies from Providence Church in Mattoon put together Mother’s Day bags to make our mamas feel extra special!
Mackenzie
Jerlan
Westyn
Breck