My father was a pastor and raised me with Christian values. I had a very tender heart for God when I was young; but by the 11th grade, the circumstances in my life began to change, and I began to change. I was angry with life. Everything was going wrong. All of the circumstances I was going through made it easy to leave God out of all of my choices. Four years later, I became pregnant and had to face the reality of all my decisions.

The same friends I partied with said, "Just go get a drink, have an abortion and we will still be partying when you get back." I didn’t want to talk to my parents because I felt I had already disappointed them so much. They had never said that, but I believed it. I so desperately wanted them to love and approve of me. I didn't want to talk to my boyfriend, Buddy, either. I felt like this was all my problem. However, I found out very quickly that Buddy didn't see the baby as a problem — he saw our baby as a life. 

Overwhelmed with fear, I was determined to have an abortion. I began calling every abortion clinic looking for the best price; whereas, Buddy began calling lawyers, police and anybody he thought might help to stop the abortion. Buddy quickly learned that since Roe vs. Wade, He had NO VOICE and He had NO CHOICE.

Obstacles
Fortunately, God had put obstacles in my way to slow me down and make me think. He also put stepping stones to direct His path for me.

Buddy was my first obstacle. He wanted to see his baby born, even if that meant parenting the child himself. The second obstacle was money. I had to move fast, as the cost of my abortion was going up weekly and was now up to $600. I was working in the hot sun laying sod for a landscaping company to get the extra money.

My final obstacle was Vicki. As I entered the abortion clinic with my large wad of cash, Vicki stopped me and kindly said, "Are you sure you want to give them your money? God does not want you to do this." I had already been warned by my friends about Vicki...she had been protesting in front of this abortion clinic for 27 years.

Determined, I went in and gave them my money. During the ultrasound, I asked to see the picture of my baby. The nurse said, "Why would you want to see it? It is not even a baby yet," and she turned the screen away. I was then taken to another room with about 30 other girls. We watched a video to prepare us for when we returned in 24 hours for the abortion. When Vicki saw me coming out of the clinic, she asked if I had I given them my money? I said, "Yes, but they didn't let me see my baby." Vicki saw I was upset and immediately called to arrange for a free ultrasound at the Women’s Resource Center two doors away.

Stepping Stones
Vicki now became my first stepping stone towards a righteous choice. My second stepping stone was the Nurse Manager at the clinic, Deanna, who lovingly talked to me about the dangers of abortion and my options such as adoption and parenting. She said they would stand with me, but the main thing she said that I really heard was that even at 11 weeks God already had a plan for my baby’s life and He had a plan for her at 1 year…5 years…and even 50+ years. She did my second ultrasound that day. But this time, I was shown my baby's little heart beating, her hands and her feet while Deanna lovingly talked about this little miracle forming in my womb. I cried and cried as my heart was changing, and I was bonding with this tiny life within me. I took the picture home and called her 'my little Gummy Bear.'

My next stepping stone was the director of the clinic, Susan. I knew I would need to tell my father, but I was so afraid and ashamed. Ms. Susan had said she would go with me and encouraged me to face my circumstances. She sat beside me as I told my father. Tearfully, he reached his hands across the table, took my hands in his and told me how much he loved me.

Fears
Buddy was thrilled, and I moved forward until a great fear fell over me. What if I had a child with Down Syndrome? What if God would punish me for wanting to have an abortion? The "what ifs" consumed me.

But God knew my fears! I went to an event that featured Deidre Pujols, wife of the baseball all star, Albert Pujols, as its keynote speaker. I love baseball, so Deidre had my attention and she became Stepping Stone #4. As she shared her crisis pregnancy story about how her daughter, Isabelle, was born with Down Syndrome and how much she loved and cherished this special child, I felt my heart change again and my fears melt away. Deidra had given me strength and God's view of life. I now looked forward to having my baby. God was in control.

Celebrations
I married Buddy and we are the proud parents of our baby girl, Marleigh Marie — born perfectly healthy — on November 29, 2006! Thank you Vicki, Deanna, Susan, Deidre and volunteers and supporters of the Women’s Resource Center. And most of all, thank you Jesus, for giving me your beauty and taking my ashes.

Joy visited Women’s Resource Center.

Faces of Option Ultrasound Index

All Pregnancy Medical Clinics in the Option Ultrasound Program provide limited obstetrical ultrasound as medically indicated.  Clinics are licensed to operate under the supervision of a physician, using only trained sonographers. Focus on the Family does not endorse the use of ultrasound outside of a medical clinic setting and does not endorse the use of ultrasound for non-medical reasons.  Patient referrals are made to physicians for follow-up diagnosis and care as needed.