"All mommy wanted was to see me with her own eyes!"

"Katie"
Katie was no ordinary visitor to Las Vegas. She had flown in specifically for a late-term abortion, having received a referral from an out-of-state abortion clinic. As she drove by our offices, she saw the sign for FREE ULTRASOUND -- WALK-INS WELCOME! But she already had an appointment scheduled for her "procedure" and needed to get there. This was going to be a long 3 days in Las Vegas.

At the abortion clinic they measured her "pregnancy" at 23 weeks and 2 days. “Hmmm,” thought Katie, “seems a little short of what I was told before.” Remembering the First Choice sign she had seen, Katie decided to see what “that other place” would say about how far along she was – and perhaps they would not charge as much either.

Katie walked into First Choice a little timid and not really sure what to think. She met with one of our client advocates. As they talked, we found that Katie had come from a neighboring state for a late-term abortion. She was planning to stay in town, traveling back and forth between the abortion clinic and a hotel, for the 3 day procedure and then return home.

Katie revealed she had a little child at home, and it didn’t seem like the 'right' time for a baby. She also revealed she had been to her home city’s abortion clinic on more than one occasion. Now, how did she wind up all alone, hundreds of miles from home, for something so horrible and hard? Katie secretly wondered, "What am I doing?!"

As they talked, the ultasonographer tapped on the door. It was time for the ultrasound exam. Katie was amazed at the images of her baby. No one before had really shown her what her baby looked like. First Choice also showed her a life-size model of her baby's true size, weight and development. No one had shown her that either. Her ultrasound revealed a baby at 24 weeks and 2 days. That's 6 months!

Faced with the truth of her baby's life in the womb, his size and development, along with what would be done during the abortion, Katie found herself reconsidering the 'timing' of her baby.

Katie confided that she had been praying and wondering about the timing of it all. The client advocate shared some of her own life’s story with Katie. Katie began to realize that God loves her – God is the Giver of life – and that He never makes a mistake. If He doesn't make mistakes, then the 'timing' of this baby must be ‘right’ instead of wrong! There is no 'wrong' time for a baby – it's so out of our hands! And there is no 'right' time to take a baby's life.

Katie did not return to the abortion clinic. Instead, as she left First Choice she went straight to the airport and got on a flight home. She wanted to hug her child and prepare for the birth of her next precious gift. What a gift God had given her! Not only had He entrusted her with another precious baby, but He had heard her every prayer and had answered her with love, hope and truth! My, how different this Christmas will be.

“Mackenzie”
Katie came to First Choice on a recent Friday evening – not as a client – but to pray with a local church’s youth group. About 50 young people came into our center and prayed for the center, our clients and our enemies. They also listened to a short talk from Olaf, our Chairman. Little did Katie know that her prayers were about to be answered!

Mackenzie came to First Choice thinking she needed an abortion. Mackenzie took a pregnancy test which was positive. She met with Deb, one of our client advocates. They spoke, discussed the choice at hand, reviewed literature and watched a video. Because we could not immediately schedule an ultrasound exam, an appointment was scheduled for a few days later. After all, perhaps Mackenzie was worrying for nothing! Maybe her pregnancy was not even viable, in which case she would not even “need” the abortion. The hours and days crept by. While waiting for the ultrasound exam, Mackenzie found herself thinking more and more about what she and Deb had discussed. Deb had said Mackenzie's baby was a gift from God, that God gives life, and that He never makes mistakes. "That makes sense," thought Mackenzie. After all, the baby was not in her plans!

Shortly before the ultrasound exam, Mackenzie confided in her friend Katie. Mackenzie explained her predicament and told Katie of her plans to abort. And how, somehow, she had wound up at a clinic that does not even provide abortions! Mackenzie shared with Katie that even though she hadn't planned the pregnancy, she now realized her baby was NOT a mistake.

Soon, Katie and Mackenzie figured out the common link – that this “First Choice” Mackenzie wound up at was in fact the very same center Katie had prayed at. They were in awe! Mackenzie immediately realized that it had all a divine plan. She understood that God really did He had heard her prayers.

Katie brought Mackenzie back to First Choice for ultrasound. Before reentering our doors, Mackenzie had already decided that she was to choose life for her baby. Now, instead of hoping for a miscarriage, Mackenzie really hoped her pregnancy was viable! What a change of Our ultrasonographer Pati was able to capture adorable 4D images of Mackenzie's baby.




"Jenna"
When Jenna came to First Choice, she already knew she was pregnant and about 5 months along. She had a burdensome secret, too. Single, pregnant with her second baby, barely an adult, Jenna had been diagnosed with HIV about 3 months prior. Her boyfriend had been given the same diagnosis. Jenna wanted one thing from us – to know if there was a chance her baby would be born without HIV.

After meeting with Jenna and assessing her status, we provided Jenna with information and scheduled a future visit for the ultrasound. The client advocate inquired if Jenna would like us to pray for her, and Jenna said “Yes!” In the midst of a wild and crazy day, all of us at First Choice gathered together in the consulting room to pray over Jenna.

We created a circle with Jenna in the middle. After getting Jenna’s permission, I briefly shared her situation and asked if anyone felt moved to pray over Jenna and her baby. One of our new men volunteers, not familiar with the situation, felt so moved. Once we finished praying, one of my staff also prayed with Jenna in her native tongue.

A few days later, Jenna came in for her ultrasound. As Jenna came in, Pati (our Ultrasonography Director) could not get over how different she looked! She appeared transformed! A burden had been lifted – from the inside. The ultrasound showed a darling little 22 week bouncing baby!

I have since wondered many times what must have been going through Jenna’s mind. There is a stigma that goes along with telling people you have HIV. I cannot even imagine the terror she must have felt when she was given that news. She came into First Choice wanting information on HIV, pregnancy and her baby. She did not come to First Choice looking for an encounter with God! She did not come to First Choice expecting to be embraced with a love that was not afraid – not afraid to touch her, not afraid to cry with her, not afraid to feel her fear and her pain, not afraid to come alongside and face her demons, not afraid to intervene on her behalf. She did not come to First Choice expecting to be loved – just the way she was, right where she was at – with nothing expected in return.

"Josephine"
About a year ago, Josephine came to First Choice. Pregnant with her first baby, she’d been advised to abort because her baby was deformed with anencephaly (a condition wherein the neural tube fails to close, resulting in the absence of a major portion of the brain). Either her unborn daughter would die in the womb, or if the pregnancy continued, the baby would die shortly after birth. Doctors and nearly everyone were telling Josephine that she needed to abort. And quickly!

Although she was not allowed to see her baby on ultrasound, there was incredible pressure applied to get her to end the pregnancy. They told her she was selfish. They said this baby would have no life, and that she had no right to put the baby through this. They declared that abortion was the merciful thing to do. It went on and on. During this time, Josephine was also told that she and her husband would never be able to conceive a healthy baby.

Against this backdrop, Josephine came to visit us. She wanted to keep the baby for as long as possible, believing this was God’s will. She believed that God gave this baby to her, and it would be up to Him as to when the baby would be taken away.

We first referred Josephine to a local agency, however, the agency was limited in their scope of services. After meeting with Josephine and her husband, it was clear that there was nothing they could help with in a case such as this.

We then contacted a home in Missouri which specializes in such cases. This was a safe environment where Josephine could go to live for the remainder of her pregnancy, or if she delivered, until her baby passed away. Unfortunately, the home was getting ready to close for a few weeks. Their director was taking her first vacation in 5 years. They referred us to a center in Texas. But unfortunately, that referral did not work out either.

Things were indeed discouraging for this family and for us. We felt helpless to help this family who wanted so much to do the right thing, so much to honor the baby and God. Josephine and her husband gritted their teeth and waited.

For a while, we stayed in touch with Josephine and her husband. Along with one supportive family member, we were the sole encouragers for Josephine and her husband during this most difficult time of their lives. We were able to affirm for them that God is the only One who authors life and death. We also helped her understand that, even if her baby was born and only lived a short time, she would have the rare privilege of holding her baby for her baby’s entire life! But we were helpless to do more. After several weeks, we did not hear from Josephine or her husband again…

Until just last week! Josephine came in to First Choice to thank us for helping her through that difficult stage of her life. She had given birth to a live baby girl, who lived only a few hours. But in those precious hours, her little girl had received a lifetime of love. Josephine had indeed had the rare privilege of holding her baby for her entire life.

Josephine was so thankful that she had chosen to continue her pregnancy! She thanked us profusely for all we had done. And God is great – Josephine is now six months pregnant. All testing reveals a healthy pregnancy and baby!

We do not know why some babies do not develop perfectly in the womb. But we know God’s will is perfect. And we are called to trust Him, to love Him and to obey Him – in all things, at all times, in all circumstances. We thank God for the courage of Josephine, her husband, and their little baby girl.

"Renee"
Renee came to First Choice Pregnancy Services thinking we performed abortions. She had 2 little girls already, and this baby was not in her plans. She was uncertain of her future and already felt too overwhelmed with life. She was struggling with finances and food and everything – let alone the time it takes! This was such a shock. Another baby just was not an option right now!

Renee’s boyfriend was opposed to abortion and so did not accompany Renee to First Choice. While at First Choice, Renee chose to watch a video you wouldn't see on TV – it shows an actual abortion – and we require a release. And although it made a lasting impression on Renee, she still felt abortion – as hard and heart-breaking as it would be – was her only choice.

Cindy, our client advocate, explained to Renee that even though her pregnancy test was positive, it did not necessarily imply a viable pregnancy. Approximately 1 in every 4 pregnancies ends naturally. Renee was about 6 weeks pregnant, and the abortion price would not change until 12 weeks. Cindy suggested that Renee give herself “the gift of time.” Waiting a few days for her ultrasound would not cost her anything financially or physically.

But what if her pregnancy was not viable? What if she did not even need an abortion? Then she would save the money, the physical risks and especially the emotional cost. Renee decided she would come back to First Choice and have the ultrasound. It was free after all, and this First Choice clinic had nothing to gain from her.

As Renee lay there on the ultrasound table, she refused to look at the TV monitor above her. Our nurse Kathleen performed the ultrasound and patiently encouraged Renee to look, but Renee declined. She just wanted to know if the pregnancy was viable or not. That way, if it was, it would be easier to do what she needed to do. A short while later, Kathleen said to Renee, “You don’t have to look, but I really think you are going to want to see what I am seeing here.” Finally, Renee reluctantly gave in to her curiosity. And when she looked up, she immediately saw it – saw them! Two babies! There are two heartbeats! “I’m having twins!” Renee thought. She was overwhelmed! The tears began to flow.

The pregnancy was very difficult for Renee. She lost a lot of blood and was hospitalized. But for a transfusion, she almost died. For her twins' sake, the doctor tried to prolong the pregnancy to 32 weeks, then 34 and finally 36. Renee delivered darling little boys on September 3, 2008. Healthy and weighing in at an astounding (Stephen) 5 lbs 6 oz and (Samuel) 5 lbs 12 oz!

Today, as I talked with Renee, she confided, “The staff at First Choice helped me. They guided me in the right direction. They gave me very good advice.” Then Renee added, “If it weren’t for you (First Choice), I would have aborted. Thank you everyone at First Choice!” Renee added, “If you are thinking about an abortion, think twice. Get an ultrasound … AND … be sure to look at it!”