Circumstances sometimes make the best of news seem like the worst of news. This was the case for this married couple Marsha* & John*. They were already unemployed and living with his parents, and now dealing with the burden  a pregnancy would add to an already stressful life. They came to our Pinellas Park Center unsure what to do. They met with their Life Coach who shared that although things were already difficult, God had a plan and He would provide.

A few days later her Life Coach followed up to see how Marsha was doing and was greeted by a now happy and excited couple. Marsha had seen her doctor and discovered that she was 20 weeks along and chose life for her baby boy. Praise the Lord! When they shared the news with John’s parents they received love, support and excitement from the grandparents-to-be. Marsha’s mother is also very excited and plans on moving back to the area to help with the baby. Praise God for the out pouring of joy for this precious child!

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There are some clients who just break your heart when they walk through the door and 15 year old Amanda* was one of them. She came in with her only real support, her Great Grandmother who she lives with. She has no relationship with her parents and the father of her baby had made it clear that he wanted her to abort. Amanda was extremely broken, angry, hurting, and very abortion vulnerable!

After learning from her Life Coach about all the resources, classes and support provided through the Pregnancy Center, she made a decision to parent. Praise God! At first it was a struggle, yet after much encouragement she began to change and made attending the classes her priority.

Amanda’s attitude changed as she learned, grew and realized that she wasn’t just a number to us or to God, but that she truly is valued. Her whole countenance began changing as her confidence grew because of the loving care she was receiving through the Staff and Volunteers at our Center.

There are those clients who just make your heart glad when you see the changes the Lord works in them. Amanda went on to complete all her classes and even brought in her baby girl Daisy* to say thank you for all of the support and encouragement we provided for her and her Great Grandmother. And we thank you, our partners, for helping Amanda through your prayers and support for the ministry!

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My adoption experience began with the  loving care I received at the Pregnancy Center and with making the most important decision of my life, accepting Jesus Christ as my Savior! From there He gave me the strength, even at 7 months pregnant, to leave my abusive boyfriend. Everything after that just seemed to fall into place.

My heart was opened to ideas I was blind to before, including adoption. That aspect had never occurred to me until my mom brought it up. I thought it was abandonment, but Christ laid it on my heart to pray about it, to my utter disapproval. What’s worse, He won, as always.

A couple weeks later I was sitting at Panera, eating a sandwich with my Case Worker & signing papers! And a few days after that I had a family picked out. Everything with us just clicked, they were perfect. In fact I was so touched by their kindness I asked the adoptive mother to be in the delivery room with me, and she cried.

Three months went by and my beautiful baby boy was born. That’s when I knew placing him in the arms of another would be the hardest thing I would ever do. Yet when his new family held him I knew God’s hands were on them and everything would be alright.

Two days later Christ placed another idea on my heart, begin an adoption support group and I said, “Lord send me!”

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* Where indicated Client names are changed to protect their confidentiality. Zelie is not in one of the stories featured.