Stories

Penny's seventeen year old mother came to the clinic for a pregnancy test. When she found out she was pregnant she was devastated. God placed her with a very special lay counselor - a woman who herself had been pregnant at seventeen. They talked for a long time and the lay counselor shared her story and encouraged the young mother to believe that God had a plan for her baby's life. When Penny's mom got home everyone was upset. They saw this baby as the end of all her mother's dreams. They pressured her hard to get an abortion. She remembered what the lay counselor had said and how she had offered hope. She stood firm in the face of a great deal of pressure.

After Penny was born, everyone changed. They fell in love with the chubby, bright eyed little girl. Not one of them could imagine life without her! "If you had not been here I know I would have aborted," says Penny's mother. "All I hung on to when I was being pressured was the counselor's story and how all these years later she was so happy she didn't abort. I thank God you were here for me. Thank you!"

          Kasey's mom was pregnant and despondant. She had one child and knew how hard it was to raise her. Another one was out of the question. Her mother was adamently against adoption. She came to the clinic to confront an organzation she saw as the enemy. She left with a very different understanding realizing that it was the perfect place for her daughter.

          Kasey's mom came to LHWC and then moved into Hope House. Through the clinic she was counseled and consoled. In Hope House she was safe and loved. She chose the family for her baby - one that had two other children so Kasey would have a big brother and sister.

          During the Blessing Ceremony Kasey's mother and grandmother gave their blessings to the adoptive couple. Kasey's grandmother sees her regularly and is a welcome guest in the adoptive family's home. She is one of our most avid supporters

Casey's mom found herself in the worst situation of her life. She was in a strange town and had just been abandoned by her boyfriend. She was also two months pregnant. She was accepted at the women's shelter and went to a woman's clinic about the pregnancy. "Look at your situation. You have no choice. You need to abort," the nurse said. "We'll even provide transportation." She didn't want to abort but things looked hopeless. Until she found the brochure for Living Hope Womens's Centers. LHWC had just opened its doors and she was one of the first clients. She was placed with a family and received counseling about her options.

She chose adoption. She chose the couple, met them and knew that that they were the perfect parents for her little girl. It was the hardest thing she ever did to place her baby in their arms and walk away. After the adoption the center was still there to help her. She moved in with another family, then got a small apartment of her own. During her pregnancy she had accepted Christ as her Savior. Shortly after the adoption she met a young Christian man and eventually they married and were blessed with three children. When things looked so bleak she never dreamed they would turn out so well! But at that time she didn't know God and His great love for her!

In the last newsletter we shared about a fourteen year old girl who came to us hugging her teddy bear five months pregnant. Almost a year later we are saying good-bye but she is definitely not the same little girl.

Dawn delivered her baby in December and placed him for adoption. Wanting to continue school at Blueridge she moved in with Dinah and Mike. She and their 16 year old daughter became instant "sisters." Dawn quickly made friends (lots of them) and fit right in with the waves of teens who regularly hung out at their house and raid their refrigerator. She became deeply involved with White Mountain Bible Church youth group. During this time she matured emotionally and spiritually into the young woman to whom we now say good-bye.

Dawn would like to share her feelings about this past year:

"When I first came to Hope House I was very nervous and scared. I felt really alone. I wanted to parent my baby even though I was only fifteen. I had to take classes at the clinic. I agreed grudgingly to go through classes on adoption. At first I resisted. But, I thought long and hard about what I learned and realized I couldn't be the mother my baby needed. I saw that I was still a child myself and that I needed a mom. I wanted him to have both a mommy and daddy. I wanted him to have a home and a family. It was the hardest thing I ever did to place my baby for adoption but it was the best for him - and for me.

Time seemed to drag during my pregnancy. Now, I can't believe how fast it's gone. I am a different person. I am much closer to God. I know who I am and how much I am loved and worth. I have learned to deal with my feelings in a constructive way. I've learned that the best choices aren't always the easiest. I am committed to second virginity and will share with anyone why abstinence is the best choice.

I know God loves me because he placed me in a family where I am loved and accepted. It will be hard to leave but I know that what I found here will impact my entire life. I want to say a special thank you to all of you who support this ministry with your prayers and your donations. I can't imagine where I would be if I had continued in my old lifestyle. I am a new person because of this ministry and you helped make it possible! Oh yeah, I still sleep with my teddy bear!"

Cerrina's mom was only 16 when she became pregnant. She was in rebellion and hard for her grandparents to handle. She came to the Hope House feeling abandoned and rejected. As God so often does,He took what she considered her worst circumstances and made them her best. She blossomed, grew and actually loved living there. She took parenting classes and went to counseling. Through this process she resolved so many issues and learned how to be a good mother. Today she is just that!

Tiffany's life was almost ended before she was born. Her mother had been at a party and was brutally raped. To her horror she conceived. She went to an abortion clinic in Phoenix and while laying on the table waiting for the abortionist to begin changed her mind! She got up and walked out but didn't know what to do. She made a second appointment but couldn't keep it. Then she called Living Hope Women's Centers. Through our ministry she received counseling, support and help with adoption.

The couple who adopted Tiffany were so grateful her mother chose Life for her! They didn't care who the father was - the baby God gave them was precious and an answer to their many prayers.

Karin's mother came to our Springerville clinic set on getting an abortion. Her mom and step-dad were adament that she abort. After an hour with the director, who knew from personal experience the pain of abortion, she changed her mind. She called the director later that day telling her that she had no choice, she had to abort or be kicked out of her home. We had an opening at Hope House and she came and stayed with us. She wrestled with the idea of adoption wanting so badly to parent but knowing she could not. She finally chose adoption and changed the life of a couple who could not have children.

Karin is alive and loved because of God's grace and our ministry.