In all the construction excitement - I don't want to MISS the MAIN THING!

I had "missed" the morning client sessions last Wednesday, arriving to work after my physical therapy session,  just as 2 volunteers and staffers finished their prayer time wrap up.  There was definitely a "joyous spirit" in the air as they filled me in on the details.  I need to share that "story" as well... Here's the part I can share with you now -

The mother of the young woman (seen earlier) came to our door last Wednesday afternoon and burst into tears as she thanked us for being here – and for speaking Truth to her daughter.  Mom explained that she had offered support to her daughter as her boyfriend (of several years) threatened to abandoned her if she didn’t have the abortion.  She offered her daughter all the support she would need to carry her baby to term – but she refused to listen or see that having this child wasn’t the end of her life.

“My sister called this morning and told me that my daughter was coming here.  She thought this was an abortion place – so I looked you up on the internet.  I saw what you are all about, and I started praying that you would be able to reach my daughter in ways that I could not.  I know that God doesn’t make mistakes, and that He has a plan for my daughter and this baby.  Thank you so much for being here, doing what you do.  I am so grateful that you reached her.”  Sobs of relief came, and none of us would ever be the same as we reflected on what God had done.

There will be a birth day celebrated this summer, because prayers were answered and a young mother’s heart was opened.  And because pro-life advocates and supporters poured into the ministry of Another Way Pregnancy Center.  We are here because of YOU!

I wish that every day would be a day of celebration at the Center, and that more would come to know and trust in the plans of the Lord who loves us, each one of us, in spite of our mistakes. 

I am confident that more opportunities will come to us as we move in 2012.

As I think back on 2011, and the birth of our first grand baby in February, I think about all the joy we’ve experienced and all the love we have shared.  Our lives are richer because of this little guy. I cannot imagine our family without him.

One of our greatest joys as grandparents is watching both our son and his wife mature as they give of themselves for the care of this little one.  Not all parents make this transition well; these two appreciate the teamwork it takes.  And they’ve left behind their “childish ways” to “do what it takes” to care for their son.  What a blessing they are to us!

I think about those, even in my family, who are parenting alone.  How very difficult it must be, and how much courage and commitment it takes, to do what needs to be done each and every day, because there is no one else to parent their little one.  So many of our clients are single moms.  If only we could reach women before they commit themselves physically to a man who hasn’t committed to a lifetime of disciplined, decisive, selfless love...  Opportunities for ministry abound!

In a somber moment Christmas morning, I thought about women who would be thinking of their lost child this Christmas Day, what might have been had they made another choice.  I think about the sadness and regret that floods the soul – and how “doing what they thought would make things better” only left a huge dark hole in their spirit – that never seems to totally go away.  It makes me grateful for ministries like "Healing Hearts" that reach out with the Word of God and His gift of forgiveness that breaks the chains of oppressive guilt and pain.  Referring to (and sometimes hosting) post-abortion ministry is an important part of pro-life work. 

My thoughts also think about the bin on my desk with letters, profile folders, and cards that regularly come to the Center from couples who are longing for a baby to love and call their own.  If only they could reach a woman who was carrying a child but not ready or able to parent.  If only they would be so blessed to be selected to raise that child…

I looked around our breakfast table this Christmas and grateful for the LIFE that we have and share as a family.  My heart reflected again on the BIRTH we celebrate.  I was suddenly struck by the thought that the Son of God, Maker of the universe – found it “good” and “worthy” to come to meet us through fetal growth and human birth.  Think on that.  God Himself came to us through pregnancy and birth!  That's amazing!  Totally PRO-LIFE! 

God proclaimed human life worthy of HIS LOVE with the BIRTH of His Son - JESUS - as a newborn baby!

Yes…I know – it’s the same story every year – but somehow it struck me differently this year.  Maybe because I am still struck by the number of churches – faith communities – that refuse to engage in the greatest moral issue of our day.  How can we love and serve the Giver of Life and not engage in protecting human life?  (We rescue animals - for goodness sake!  We prosecute people who misuse / mistreat dogs. Highways are reconstructed to save turtles...)   How can we call ourselves followers of Jesus and NOT do something to offer something better than abortion - the scraping of human life from the uterine walls of a woman - who finds herself in a life crisis?  Are we not more loving than that?  Isn't LIFE love worthy? Aren't we all better off when we protect the very fiber of humanity - human life?

Abortion has done NOTHING to make our families stronger, our schools safer, our bodies healthier. It is death, the polar opposite of LIFE, void of hope, possibility, and LOVE.  Abortion says "no" when life says "yes".  It is a "choice" that has robbed our nation of millions of lives and opportunities for compassion, love, and peace that comes with making loving choices.

Once again I am humbled that God would use folks like you and me to extend His love to a hurting world.  A world that hurts so much that aborting our offspring is considered an option – even an acceptable and protected “choice”. 

A new mother in her early 20's was dead set on abortion last Wednesday.  But love won. 

Love spoke prayers, listened, understood.  Love offered real options.  Love made a gift bag ready with diapers and baby toys that someone (was it you?) donated - a gift bag that brought the reality that this is a child to it's mother - and tears flowed from her eyes as she proclaimed, "I am going to have my baby!"

This is the work that you do with your prayers and your gifts.  This is one baby that will LIVE because your actions proclaim that LIFE is LOVE WORTHY!

It's celebrations like this that compel us to do more to reach more; we look forward to 2012!

With gratitude for Grace,

Karen

It's happening! Construction started this week  on our new location. What a mess! Dan Myler, General Contractor (pictured above) reminded me that to bake a cake, you must first break the eggs! Today, FMG Concrete Cutting broke the cement  to move the underground plumbing, while other labors worked on "demolition" - taking down old drywall and removing non-load bearing walls.

What's happening today is a BEGINNING.  How we "finish" is up to our supporters - large and small.

We could open with the basics - as the contract is currently written - to reflect the financial resources we presently have.  No break room plumbing, cabinets, countertop, refrigerator.  No sink in the "future ultrasound room", no cabinets in the bathrooms, vinyl base trim, etc. and we finish as we're able.

We could open without a sign announcing our location to the community (relying on word-of-mouth to help those in crisi find us), or open with a sign pointing to ANOTHER WAY!

Or we could finish strong - ready to compete with our well equipped, well funded counterparts who offer "finishes" (granite, chrome, ceramic) that reflect the wealth of the abortion industry, while void of a child's future rich in LIFE, HOPE and LOVE.

I understand that some of us are making sacrifices to make ends meet in today's tough economy. Know that you can join us with your prayers for protection, provision, and God's wisdom!  Pray for our clients, current and future, that they would give themselves a chance to follow God's plan and purpose, and to know His blessings!

I am grateful to many of you who have gotten us this far - nearly $25,000 raised so far! We would not have started without you!  

There's a finish line ahead, and we've got a distance to go... a project and goal that was thwarted with delays and obstructions (like shoulder surgery and physical therapy) that greatly slowed the fund raising efforts in November and earlier this month. Would the Lord allow His plans to fail because of my physical delays? No way! 

I also see the shopping carts at Costco filled with non-essentials, and lines at the malls (still) and soldout Ford Field...  I know that many more of us do have resources to invest - and I believe that MANY are prolife and just need to be given the opportunity to win hearts and save lives by investing in the future of this ministry.

To you we extend an opportunity to JOIN US - to help us FINISH STRONG in this relocation project*.  This move will bring the option of LIFE to more men and women who have conceived new life - without plans or resources to parent. It will bring greater opportunity for women in crisis to learn of their options beyond abortion - when life is already complicated by lack of resources or broken hearts and dreams. She needs to know that there is HELP and support, and a pro-life Christian community that cares and will help provide direction, support, and material goods throughout her pregnancy and the first year of her child's life.

It's not too late to help us finish strong! Please give generously today.  Your generosity will promote LIFE for many years to come.

For the Next Generation,

Karen Jewell, Director
Another Way Pregnancy Center

In the meantime - there are lots of photos in our photo gallery - thank you Ed from Impactphotosales.com.  This is the first time we've had a professional photographer - Ed really "captured" the event.  Thank you Ed Krasinski for donating your services to us!

Joe Nelson did a GREAT job putting together our Banquet Video this year, and then running the multi-media presentations, incuding sound and lights.  Not having a script until the very very last minute made things very stressful - but Joe pulled it off.  THANK YOU JOE!

Rachael Sobie put togehter the slide presentations for both our tribute to our volunteers, and our dinner slide presentation! 

The decorations captured our theme and were absolutely gorgeous. Thank you Cindy Smith and Kathy Julien for your fine creative talent!

There are MANY more to thank...it's been another 12 hour day and I am heading home.  Please check in throughout this week as updates will be made!

God bless you!

For LIFE -

Karen

Twenty two (22) babies born – or due to be born – between September 1^st and December 31^st. 

Imagine: The diapers, formula, sleepers, car seats, hats, blankets, love!  Imagine the hormones, anticipation, preparation, joy! 

And dare I say it?  RELIEF!

Thanks to you – we are ready, and making ready for more!  Amidst the banquet preparations, new volunteers to interview, train and equip; decisions to be made on the buildout; and preparation for our future move; we are ready to meet and greet, encourage, teach, love, support, and if needed – gently challenge the men, women, grandparents, aunts, teens and friends that come to us for information, education, pregnancy tests, direction, hope and real help in their season of need.

Thank you for allowing us to join you in your efforts to impact the culture for Christ, and to make a difference in the lives of others and in our collective future.

We are here for you too – representing your values, commitment and love.

It’s an honor to be on your Team.  We thank our God because of you.

And I just have to tell you - we are really enjoying all the NEW BABIES here!  Sometimes it's hard to do anything else but HUG THEM BABIES and encourage our new moms!

LIFE.

What a GIFT!