Heartbeat International Conference

This past week, I had the privilege of going to the Heartbeat International Conference in Ohio. It was a once in a lifetime experience.

I was able to meet with women and men from all over the country from all different backgrounds for one common purpose: how can we best save women and children from abortion?

It was incredible to see all the people who are big time leaders in their pregnancy help centers, put aside their pride and become open to listen. They were open to listen to advice from others who have been working at crisis pregnancy centers for years.

There was a great sense of humility during every session. On first night we experience how Focus on the Family operates. They hosted a webcast starring Abby Johnson who used to work for Planned Parenthood for 5 years, and saw a sonogram that totally changed her heart and her job.


In this picture, is one of the women from Focus on the Family. She was so sweet and down to earth. She told me all about her job and I was able to tell her what I do. This was a great start to an awesome conference!

Counselors All Over the World

The Heartbeat International Conference I was able to go to in Ohio consisted of many different opportunities.

It provided me with detailed instruction on how to be a better pregnancy counselor.

One of the classes that I went to was a lesson on post abortion syndrome. It explained what the woman experiences after she has had the abortion emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally.

The conference was not only about learning new counseling tactics, but also about networking. I was able to meet many people from all over the country who have the same mission as I do.

They came from all different backgrounds. I made connections with people in Michigan,South Carolina, Minnesota, New York, and many more. They told me how they run their centers. It was quite interesting to see how different they work and how I work .

In this picture are people we met from Spain. They were very fun people. We discussed different ways we could visit each others centers; in NYC and Spain!

The connections were many, while the counseling instruction was helpful. It was a great conference. And thanks to the opportunity of networking, who knows if I might someday be saving babies across the world!

A New Gal

Guten Tag! I herald from the creosote-scented, purple mountainous preserves of Arizona. A subtle, dry desert garden, Arizona is known for its desert blooms and its oven summer season. I am looking forward to a humid August in the urban areas of the 11th state in the Union. New Yorkers, who reside in the Grand Canyon State in the wintertime, are known as snow birds; I am a Phoenician and a Diamondback. I am delighted to intern with EMC on the front lines of the urban Pro-Life movement in New York.

As a young, urban Phoenician, I read Dr. Harold O.J. Brown's book, Death Before Birth. The absolute: life is sacred from conception to natural death, left an indelible impression on me. This impression led to action. I am a long-time Arizona Right to Life volunteer, a 40 Days for Life participant, and a pro-life volunteer client service coordinator.

Clients, who are either contemplating an abortion or who are experiencing the side effects of an abortion, remain in my thoughts. There is hope for the broken hearted; there is freedom from the hurt and the pain, for He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147).

I, recently, read Abby Johnson's Unplanned. When I am not reading great pro-life testimonies, I read classical literature in English and in German and explore National Parks in the Southwest.

It is my desire, as an EMC intern, to give hope to clients contemplating an abortion.

Pro-Lifers Around the World Unite!

For my very first days as an EMC Intern, I had the unique blessing of attending Heartbeat International's 40th annual conference. Talk about formation! I had some hesitation about stepping out into the world of pro-life outreach (on the streets of New York no less!) without extensive training and experience, but since God was in charge, things couldn't have been arranged more perfectly.

If you are familiar with the annual March for Life in Washington D.C., I can make a comparison between the two of the overwhelming experience of unity, love, and support that attending such a large scale pro-life function can invoke. Though we didn't have hundreds of thousands at the conference (I'm not sure how the Hyatt would have accommodated them...), we had hundreds and that spoke volumes. There were 14 internationals present, representing Denmark, Spain and Uganda, just to name a few. I met some of these lovely people and received so much encouragement hearing about how they are serving the needs of pregnant women and new moms in their countries. There are new ideas and approaches blossoming into existence all the time! The Holy Spirit cannot be outdone in inspiration and zeal, especially when it comes to preserving the lives of God's most vulnerable and innocent creations.

While I was being amazed by their work however, they spoke in wonder about all they were seeing us do here in the U.S.! They were incredibly impressed and empowered by what they witnessed. We recognize the incredible suffering that is being inflicted on our country by such widespread abortion, but it is also vitally important to maintain our spirit by recognizing all the gifted servants God has raised up to work for the cause and the work that is being done. It is all truly a miracle and will continue to exhibit even more miraculous results as the battle intensifies.

Getting back to the formation, which was so much more than I could have hoped for, this conference would be hard to beat in its educational presentations! Nearly every topic relating to pro-life work and the needs of women was represented by a key-note speaker, a workshop, or an exhibition booth. We were blessed by such speakers as Abby Johnson, Teresa Tomeo, Fr. Frank Pavone, and Shawn Harper. After attending the 3 days of the conference, I feel much more equipped to step out into the streets of NYC and share the love of the Lord with those who are awaiting the light of his truth.
May God strengthen us and may we remain faithful!

Heather; Life Affirming Specialist at Your Service

This past week we celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Heartbeat International at their conference in Columbus Ohio. What a joy it was to come together with people from all over the world! We all share a common goal; to help pregnant women in need and save children from abortion.

I was even more excited to receive the title of Life Affirming Specialist at the conference! From Heartbeat's website: LAS is a professional designation developed specifically for those serving faithfully in the pregnancy help movement. The LAS designation indicates that the holder has participated in on-going training on the latest information surrounding pregnancy, abortion, abortion recovery, client programs, sexual integrity and related, life-affirming issues.

Heroes Amongst The Fallen

We call people like Martin Luther King Jr.

and Abraham Lincoln, heroes. They are.

However we also need to remember people like

Sacagawea, women who choose to face the world

and do what it takes to overcome their difficulties.

Sacagawea led an expedition of men over what is now called

the Oregon Trail. She did this with a newborn

baby on her back. And she was a teenage mother.

One of our clients came in asking about a pregnancy test, but really just needed someone to talk with. She has a daughter already, but her daughter lives in Ohio. This mom has been though it all; physical and verbal abuse, unplanned pregnancy, drug and alcohol addictions. She went straight from jail to rehab, before coming to us. She is working hard at turning her life around because she wants to be a real mom to her daughter. She is working full time and taking any extra hours her employers will give to her. This mom is an amazing woman.

Yes, she struggles everyday with addictions. Yes it is true, she can't be with her daughter right now. However she has set goals for herself, and is asking for help when she needs it. This mom is an example of a hero. She is actively choosing life for herself every day. And she is putting the thought of a life with her daughter before the "easy" ways out.

She, like Sacagawea is a hero. She is doing the hard things and loving a child at the same time.

Saved Baby at Dr. Emily Today

A fellow sidewalk counselor named Jowell and I were standing in the back of Dr. Emily abortion facility this morning when two girls came out of the clinic. As we later found out, one of them already was scheduled for the abortion later in the day - they were just going to the corner store to pick up a few things. They looked like they spoke Spanish so Jowell started to speak with them.

The two of them were sisters and Jowell found out that one was a little more than eight weeks pregnant. She told him she never had an abortion before and was actually quite ignorant as to what goes on during the procedure.

So Jowell got them on our bus and continued talking to them. Shortly after our ultrasound technician performed an ultrasound. After the pregnant woman came out of the ultrasound room Jowell asked her, "Did you hear the heartbeat?"

She said "Yes."

And for her that was all it took. Then she realized that she would rather go through the ordeal of figuring out everything with the boyfriend and family than destroy her child and his or her heartbeat. She knows it will be difficult, but it will be worth it - and EMC will be there to support her through the entirety of her pregnancy.

The Walk

What most people don't ever see about the abortion issue, I have seen on a regular basis. Anyone could see it if they would only look. It's hard to see, but it happens in plain sight.

I'm talking about the walk. She walks in the clinic as one woman, and comes out as another. The truth is that she's sad, scared, lonely, and heartbroken. She has decided to abort her child. Though she hasn't done it yet, and there is still hope in that. The aftermath of abortion is completely different.

Some are emotionally numb, trying desperately to put it out of their mind. But you can't just evict something from your consciousness. Instead it's hidden away, in a box, on a shelf in the back of the mind; ready to return when you least expect it. I have seen women with dead eyes, sad eyes, regret filled eyes leaving the abortion clinic. Crying, crying; weeping on my shoulder. Unable to believe what they have chosen, wishing they could turn the clock back just a few hours.

They walk differently, you know. Some times a slight limp, yet others barely able to stand, barely able to walk. Leaning on the arm of their boyfriend. Stopping every few minuets to take a breath. Tears streaming down their now pale cheeks.

This my friends is what abortion does to women. I have seen these things before and I witnessed them all again today as I sidewalk counseled. This is part of why we work. To prevent this from happening, and if we can't prevent it, we offer help for healing in the aftermath.

A Beautiful Choice

I was blessed with a beautiful story. She came in for a pregnancy test at EMC's South Bronx center. She had been considering abortion, as most girls are when they come in. I was with another client when she came into the center. She sat in the waiting room with her best friend and watched a non graphic educational video about the two most common abortion procedures and risks and complications. Normally we wait until the client is in our counseling room, but one of the staff members had put it on for another client's friend.

By the time I saw her, she changed her mind. She walked into the counseling room with me, sat on the couch and proceeded to ask me detailed, well thought out questions. We talked about the procedure and she informed me she would never choose that option. She asked "why anyone would trade the risk of all those complications for a dead baby?" I didn't have an answer to give her.

Although she understands how difficult it will be to raise a child and do all the things she wishes to, she believes she will. Her family is going to support her in any way possible. She called her Godmother while she was with me and told her Godmother what her decision was. I saw for myself how close her family is.

This young girl amazed me. Even though she had made the mistake of having sex outside of marriage, she was willing to learn. To learn, and to take responsibility for her choices.

They said she was too old to have a baby

A few days ago I had the privelege of speaking with the type of woman with whom I rarely speak. She was forty years old.

If there is any stigma worse than 'teenage pregnancy' - it may be a single older woman. After all, they are supposed to 'know better.' This woman was basically embarrassed that she got herself into the predicament without knowing the father too well.

Anyway, the woman just needed encouragement. She already had gone through a horrible abortion experience and utilized the healing process of Rachel's Helpers, and was mad at herself for even considering it again (when she came in she was undecided on what she wanted to do). I was so glad that I could offer her friendship and compassion.

In the end, the actual obstacles to a pregnancy were mostly practical. I connected her to the Sister's of Life who have a very large network of those willing to volunteer with things like child care, which is exactly what she wanted.

While not quite as old as Sarah in the Bible when she concieved Isaac, I hope this woman will eventually find the joy of a new baby.

Abortion Leads to More Unwanted Pregnancies

A few days ago I was speaking to a woman who was very abortion minded. She had the standard obstacles with regards to her pregnancy. For some reason or another, the conversation led me to ask, "Well what would you do if abortion were illegal."

Her answer was memorable, she simply said, "I wouldn't have sex."

The side of the debate that says there is no correlation to highly available abortion and unwanted pregnancies' only position would be not to believe this woman and other women like her. But I do. She said it very matter-of-factly and point blank.

And of course it makes sense - with the conscious or even subconscious realization that there is a way out in case there is a 'mistake' - a new human being coming into existence, more unwanted pregnancies arise. The history of the pro-choice movement in America simultaneously producing more unwanted pregnancies is further evidence of this.

Of course to defeat abortion the truth of human sexuality must surface, but conversely, if we can curb the 'abortion as the way out' mentality through legislation and education - it will help promote the truth of human sexuality.

Most Important Part of Mother's Day

On Mothers Day of this year, EMC Interns had the opportunity to team up with the Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust; a group of pro-life youth from California. We did a lovely and worthy project here in the Bronx.

We purchased many bouquets of flowers and made "Happy Mother's Day" cards for the women we saw at the abortion clinic in the Bronx.

We wanted to do this for various reasons. One being that we simply wanted to honor and show appreciation to the mothers of our time. Without mothers, there would be no nurturing. There would be no maternal characteristics to bring into the world. Mothers are the source of this.

Another reason we wanted to distribute flowers to the mothers we saw,

was because we wanted to take whatever focus they had and gear it towards the fact that they are capable of producing one of life's most miraculous and precious creatures: a baby.

There are many things running through these women's minds. Things such as my career will be jeopardized, I am not even sure about my relationship with the father, what are my friends and family going to think.

There is a lot to think about in these types of situations.

But the most essential one, is the thought of the life on a new human being. All the others are important in their own way, but they don't compare to the thoughts on the life or death of a human being.

There were some other people there that day who did not like our idea so much. One of whom was the "escort" who works for the abortion clinic. This is a picture of him yelling at one of our young persons from the survivor group.

He used many profanities and raised his voice. We just kept loving on the women despite his words. It's important to stay focused on what the most important part of Mother's Day is. Thank you for reading.

Abstinence v. Anguish

As tears were streaming down her face, she told me she had only been sexually active for less than a month. She was scared and felt alone. Her boyfriend had been going out with her for two years, and she had only just given into the pressure. Now she sat in front of me, terrified that she might be pregnant.

Over and over again, I see the fear of being pregnant. In our world every mom is at risk of feeling like a baby is something to fear. I wish I could help every woman to understand, a child is a blessing not a curse. And yet how can they understand when all they can feel is fear? Our God is not a god of fear. He is God of power and strength, mercy, compassion and love. Out of our fear, we commit great sins against God. These women consider killing the Image of God, simply because they are afraid.

This girl made it two years before she gave in! I encouraged her to choose wisely, to wait for marriage before giving anymore of herself away. She listened to what I said, and she agreed. Being like "everyone else," wasn't worth the pain and fear she had put herself through. She told me, "Never again." She decided that day to choose abstinence. She chose safety and patience. Armed with those she will find there are still men out there who truly care about her. Who don't want her to suffer and feel alone. Who care enough about her to wait and encourage her to wait for them.

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones." And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them. (Genesis 50: 20-21)

Facing The Facts

Throughout the ages, America has been a haven of justice and freedom. We have fought against the oppression of tyrants. We have lobbied for equality in our own country, both for women's rights and against the injustice of racism. America refused to turn our heads away and ignore the horrors of Hitler's regime. There are times We the People disagree. Nevertheless, through the years we have pulled together and fought injustice where we found it.

In the world this very day, a distressing system has been put into place. All over the world, what we as a people have refused to allow in the past is becoming acceptable in the present. Women's rights are being trampled. Racism is running rampant. Yet Americans are closing their eyes and their hearts.

How can we pick and choose what wrongs we will right? Will we forever ignore that which we assume will not affect us? At times, the truth may be ugly. At times, we may want to shut our eyes and turn away. However, it is knowing the truth and refusing to ignore injustice, which make us who we are. True Americans. So sit up straight and face the facts. It can be done.

The fact is: The injustice has a name. Abortion. Whether "Pro-Choice" or "Pro-Life" there are facts, which must not be ignored any longer.

The fact is: The injustice is being covered up by handy slogans and misleading propaganda. So few people are taking the time to search out the truth, yet it is staring us right in the face.

The fact is: One of women's greatest enemies is abortion. Medical World News reported a study in which ninety-nine mothers were informed of the gender of their children. Fifty-three of these pre-borns were boys and forty-six were girls. Only one mother chose to abort her boy, while twenty-nine chose to abort their girls. The statistics are overwhelming. Over and over again, women's rights are being overthrown by abortion.

Did you realize polls show more women than men affirm the un-borns’ right to life. In fact, “the most pro-abortion category in the United States (and also in other nations) is white males between the ages of twenty and forty-five.” More specifically, “the group that is most consistently pro-choice is actually single men."

The fact is: It is time for men to take responsibility for their own actions, and for us women to refuse to be lumped together as if we are incapable of taking care of our families and ourselves. Is this not what the women of the past fought for?

The fact is: Abortion is geared towards the minority races. What most people call Abortion could also be called eugenics. Abortion is used in many countries as a population control. Why do we believe it will be different here?

Whether we think about Hitler or abortion, the fact is: They both do the same thing in the end. When all is said and done, millions of innocents are being slaughtered. Women's rights are suffering. Racism is being ignored. But not for long. Throughout history, Americans have said, "enough is enough", to injustice.

Why does Planned Parenthood and its supporters think this will be any different? America will stand up for the truth once again. We will see and share the truth, and we will stand for Change. The question is will this generation go down in history as heroes? Or will this generation be known as Those Who Shut Their Eyes?

Together Eternally

The moment a child is conceived, the mother is also conceived. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.

-Author Unknown

Last Sunday mothers were the main focus of many people’s lives. At EMC, mothers are our focus everyday. Each time a child is conceived, a mother’s heart begins to beat. With each beat comes fear and worry, but also joy and love. As the chemicals in the mother’s body begin to fight for life, so her heart wages the war for her child’s life. As this world tells her she made the biggest mistake possible, God tells her she is part of the biggest adventure possible.

Even when a woman has had a child before, she still becomes new every time she conceives. She may already be a mother, but she wasn’t a mother to this precious one. It is amazing to me how my mother could look at each of her children and whisper, “you are my favorite,” and not be lying. It is amazing to me to see how a woman’s heart breaks when she chooses herself over her child.

I saw this in a woman’s eyes as she told me she knew what she wanted. She knew it was a baby, and she knew she would regret killing her baby. Her heart was wounded, but still fighting. Yet her mind and the world’s lies were winning. I don’t know if I will ever know what happened. I don’t know if someday I will turn the corner and see her child’s face. But I do know she will always be a mother. I just don’t know how long her child has in this life.

Happy Mothers Day!

At Expectant Mother Care we believe in the value and beauty of motherhood. We know that moms work tirelessly to inspire, and instill values in their children. They are truly the unsung heroes of our time! From the EMC family to your's; Happy Mother' Day!

Fruits of Our Labor

One of the best parts about working at my job is seeing the results of our labor.

It's one thing to see the fruit of my labor, and something else when I get to see the fruits of the others I work with.

One day this past week I was assigned to work in Brooklyn. Linda is our director there. As I was walking through the door, I saw her with a woman and a baby.

There were smiles everywhere.

Even the other clients who didn't know who this baby was or belonged to were filled with a subtle peace. It's interesting how a perfect stranger can positively impact your life.

This particular client was one that Linda had last year. All odds were against Linda. There was a major language barrier. She spoke very little English. Also, the woman initially wanted to get an abortion. Linda did not give up on her.

She tried everything in her power in attempts to communicate with this woman. Whether that included a sonogram, a conversation, or a picture to show, Linda tried all that she knew to do in order to save this baby.

She succeeded!

This mother could not have been any happier with her decision to bring her daughter into the world. Praise God for giving Linda the perserverance and wisdom to carry out His will. Thanks be to God! Thank you for reading.

Help is Waiting to be Utilized

I stood outside of Dr. Emily abortion clinic today. Up until eleven am, I had talked to around ten girls.

I was able to catch up with a couple that walked out of the back entrance. At first, they ignored me. I'm not sure they knew what I was saying, or that they were interested at all. But I was persistent. I walked with them down the sidewalk.

Finally I was able to get their attention. She abruptly turned towards me and said, "I didn't do it". I said, "You didn't do what? Get the abortion?" She said, "Yeah. I couldn't do it." I said, "Are you lying to me?" She said, " I swear on my life. I couldn't do it. I have done it before and I just couldn't go through with it."

From there, I told her that we can and will help her. I told her we can give her free sonograms as well as other services, but that she needed to come in and do a consultation so that we knew her specific situation. We need to get to know her and establish a relationship.

After I told her what helps we could give her, she was very impressed, extended her arm to shake my hand, and stated her name. I told her mine. She took the pamphlet I gave her with the list of our centers on it.

Glad I could be there to expose the help that awaits to be utilized. Thank you for reading.

"This is your baby, and you're my baby"

A few days ago a nice 18 year old girl came into our office on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens and just wanted to talk. She knew that she was pregnant and she desperately wanted to keep her baby but just wanted further confirmation via one of our free self-administered pregnancy tests.

She was weeping and afraid of what she would do in her future - college, family, etc. She just needed somebody to encourage her and point out the fact that yes this will change her life (having a baby), but her baby is not the enemy to her happiness or fulfillment. Luckily, in addition to the emotional support I was giving her, she had a very supportive mother.

The highlight of my talk with her was when she called her mom while I was present. I could hear her mother give one of the best lines to a sad and afraid daughter I've ever heard.

She said, "We can do this, and you can keep your baby, because this is your baby, and you're my baby."

What great encouragement from a loving mother. Unfortunately most girls do not have this kind of support. Lets hope and pray that mothers, or rather, grandmothers, will offer their children the kind of nurturing care best provided only by them.

The LOVE option.

"There are three choices. Parent, Abortion, and Adoption."

These words are a part of my everyday life here at the EMC Brooklyn office. However the choice of adoption is one that is always suggested but rarely ever seriously considered. Today was a special day.

This woman came in early. She was not interested in discussing pre-natal development. She didn't want to hear about the risks associated with abortion. She was very certain that she "knew it already". However, after speaking to her about her 18 month old son, I learned that she had considered adoption before. She knew about the process and said that she had gone through the preliminary steps while she was pregnant with her first child... but had decided to parent!

Now here she sits. Pregnant. Wanting an abortion.

"I caught it early enough. It is what I have to do. I think I am only a month along..."

Turns out her baby is 14 weeks old. The initial shock of this knowledge physically made itself manifest on every inch of her face. She sobbed in my arms. I felt her emotions flood my soul like a tsunami wave hitting a wall. After some time and a few phone conversations she was calmed enough to talk. "No way am I going to have an abortion... not this far along... " She asked me about adoption and about places that could help her to learn more about the specifics of this option. I helped set her up with Bethany Christian Services for a consultation.

This woman showed the depth of her heart. Her openness to even consider adoption gives me such hope! I am honored to have worked with her. I was present to see her conscience awaken and her heart embrace love... that is not selfish, that is kind, that does not seek its own interests.
Her journey is far from over, but I will rest assured that she will choose life for her child. God bless her and her discernment.

Nice to Meet You!

My name is Ambrosia, and I'm 18. I was homeschooled for most of my life.

I have three living younger siblings, but there are 9 of us total. I came from Maine, and being in a city is quite an experience!

I want to do all I can to help. I want to be on the frontlines, looking into the eyes of the women who need help. I want to know that if a woman did not know she had other options, It wasn't because I chose to not help.

I think what excites me most about this opportunity is how well it fits my dreams. I have known for years that helping women and children this way is one of my biggest passions. I want to do so much. I have seen already the pain in a woman’s eyes as she goes though the pain of losing her child. A single friend of mine had three children on contraception. She miscarried the first two. I sat with her for seventy-two hours as she lost the third, a little boy, at eighteen weeks(LMP). I will never forget the pain in the maternity ward that weekend.

Since then I have become even more passionate about being Pro-life. I never want a woman to ask me why I didn't care about her enough to warn her. I wish no woman ever felt she had to put herself through this horror.

Bin Laden and Pro-Life Reflections

Now that Osama Bin Laden is dead there is a sort of bitter sense of finality. Of course his most infamous act was the murder of 3,000 innocent American civilians on September 11, 2001. Immediately after I heard about this on Sunday night I began to think of the pro-life movement.

Every day, about 4,000 innocent human beings are killed through abortion. That's more than 9/11. In New York, we greatly surpass 9/11 numbers of casualties every couple of weeks.

After 9/11 the country was united. In the face of such atrocities we stood for what was right. And yet now there is hardly any such response to the fact that America is aborting its future. In Bin Laden - the enemy was clear, however for the crime of abortion, the enemy is more hidden. The enemy in the abortion issue is The Enemy.

Abortion could be ended if we zeroed in on The Enemy like the military zeroed in on Bin Laden. For all of the despair the Enemy causes we must fight it with hope; with darkness - light; and with loneliness we can fight The Enemy with love.

Only when the enemy is defeated will the abortion issue be settled, and will there be a semblance of justice for those innocents killed.

Educate the Community and You Can Change the Culture

Many of you know about the front line, lifesaving work of Expectant Mother Care. But you may not be aware of some of the other aspects of our Pro-life work. There is definitely a community outreach aspect to EMC. That could clearly be seen as we led the fight against the Anti-life Bill 371. We held rallies and petition drives to mobilize the people of NYC. But that is just one instance.

When a 37 year old mother of four died from a botched abortion in Queens, EMC interns and staff took to the streets, holding a candle vigil and educating the community about the dangers of abortion.

EMC Interns are often called on to speak on high school and college campuses in the New York City area. Personally I have had the oppertunity to speak at Cardinal Spellman Highschool on several occasions as well as St. Raymond's All Boys Catholic School and Fordham Universty, just to name a few.

So you see, part of our work is to go out and engage the community in a attempt to change the culture.

It's Not Her Choice, It's Theirs

I woke up from a nap today with a text that read "i am getting an abortion".

It was a great way to wake up. When I counseled her last week, she told me over and over that she did NOT want to get the abortion. I texted her back "No. No you don't have to. Please. Can you call me right now?"

She didn't call right then. We texted back and forth for the next hour. I texted her things like, "Don't listen to them. You told me a day ago you didn't want to do it. What's different about today?" Also, "You are a strong independent woman. You make your decisions apart from them. We will help you . You don't have to do this. You don't".

She kept fighting it. But I figured, if she wasn't really still struggling with the decision, she never would have texted me to begin with. She would have just done it.

She's in the most unreal place. She has EVERYONE she cares most about in her life, forcing her-pressuring her to get the abortion. They are telling her that she is going to ruin her life if she keeps her baby or makes an adoption plan. Prom is coming up, and she's not going to want to be pregnant for that. Not only are they not listening to her when she has repeatedly told them she doesn't want to get the abortion, but they FORCE her to do what they want her to do. It's no longer her choice, it's theirs.

A choice ? It doesn't sound like she has a choice to me. A lot of people talk about how "pro choice" they are. They have no idea.

What they don't understand is that when you work with women like this, it's not about choice. It's about survival. Survival emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually for everyone. Choice has nothing to do with it. Even when you fight for her right to get an abortion, she still has this struggle, does she not ?

You have to ask yourself: what decision can I make that I can live with?

After working with countless post- abortive women, I have found abortion is NOT something women find they can live with. That is why I told and counseled my client to do what her heart was telling her already- which was to keep her baby. That and the fact that my Father in Heaven has commanded that we keep our offspring as well as not kill.

After about another hour of talking on the phone, she started to sound more hopeful on having the baby. I told her that she is a strong woman, and that she just needed to hold on a little longer. We are meeting at one of our centers tomorrow. She is going to call me in the morning as well. PLEASE PRAY. Thank you for reading.

Called from sleep...

Yesterday was my first day at Dr. Emily's abortion clinic in the South Bronx in over three weeks. I was long overdue for side-walk counseling. There is something about being a vessel for God's Mercy at the last possible moment of decision... when the women are walking into the clinic!

I was joined this day be several "prayer warriors" and fellow counselors. It was such a blessing!

One of the counselors that came arrived told me that she was new to the movement. I was so excited to see her. She had the passion and zeal of a fresh soul looking at the clinic not with eyes of monotony or commonality but with compassion, mercy and distaste. It was beautiful to see her! She told me that she was awakened from sleep and knew that she needed to be here at the clinic.
"I'm not sure why I am here. What can I do anyway?"
Just then we learned what she could do.

As we were walking from the back of the clinic around to the front we were stopped. A woman with three kids spoke to my new friend in Spanish and told her that the girl that had just walked by was looking for the clinic.

Being fleet of foot is one of the most important things sometimes. But yesterday, being able to speak Spanish was critical. My new friend got this young woman's attention and walked with her and spoke with her... distracting her from the clinic. Though this girl didn't want to talk that much, at least she didn't walk into the clinic!

My friend now knows why she was awakened from sleep. She was supposed to be there at that exact moment to speak to this girl. Regardless of the outcome... she obeyed God's providence!