As it was a very busy time in our office, and because of the absolute confidentiality and respect we have for everyone that comes to Next Step, I kept my distance ~ simply smiling at them through the window in my office as they passed by.  I knew they were in good hands ~ God’s.  I said a prayer that the Holy Spirit would speak through Laverna and that His love would be evident to this young couple.

About 45 minutes later, I heard Laverna check with our nurse manager, Mary, about the availability of our ultrasound room.  Jenny’s test was positive ~ a baby was growing and had been for at least eight weeks, I gathered, because that is the beginning stage that our nurses will do an ultrasound on a positive pregnancy test patient.

After the ultrasound exam and some additional time in the counseling room, the threesome walked down the hall and Laverna and Jenny stopped to look at maternity clothes.  I noticed her boyfriend standing right outside my office holding a string of ultrasound photos looking a bit overwhelmed.  Our eyes met and I walked over to him.  I simply asked him how he was doing and he replied, quietly, that this was a lot to take in.  We engaged in a very short, but to the point, conversation.  He is 18 years old, he is very scared to tell the families about the baby, he doesn’t have any other children, he can’t afford a baby, and he loves Jenny.  I asked him about his relationship with Jenny’s family and he said it was good.  Not knowing anything else, I did my best to reassure him that everything would be ok, I confirmed with him that his is now a father, and I told him that he has the strength to do the right thing for his family.  I told him that we have a wonderful group of supporters that are very kind, caring and eager to help. Then I gently touched his shoulder and told him that we would be praying and that God will guide him.

That is when I witnessed the first hug.

Jenny, with tears in her eyes, walked towards Laverna and gave her a really sweet hug ~ a touching and emotional hug.  The kind of hug that is given when there are no words to fully explain your gratitude.  The kind of hug that says “I needed you and you were there for me.” The kind of hug that says “I now have hope.”  Before the couple left the office, there was a second hug even more beautiful than the first.  Honestly, it was amazing ~ God was there, and it was amazing.

I thought about how differently this could have turned out if Jenny had gone to a planned parenthood type clinic.  I thought about how it was providential that she came to Next Step.  I thought about how blessed we are to have Laverna Sebranke as one of our volunteer nurses.  I thought about you, our partners and champions, for your constant prayers and support.  I thought about how young Mary was when she gave birth to her baby.  I thought about love, true love, true honest pure love.  I thought about how we are surrounded by God’s love.

One song that we both really like is called Courageous and it is by the group Casting Crowns.  This song is geared towards men and it challenges them to make a commitment to win the battle ~ from the battle of the heart to the battle of the hand.  This song is about making a stand.  It’s about ending the war within our minds.  It’s about refusing to sin and to be courageous.

One afternoon as the song ended, I smiled at Dave and said ” You know they are talking about you, not me.  You were made to be courageous ~ you’re the man.  I can just be timid and quiet and shy.”  He smiled right back at me and said “ya, right, as if!”

Dave’s right ~ and it doesn’t pain me at all to admit that.    God has equipped us to speak on behalf of the unborn.  He created and designed all of these children and they have a divine purpose ~ just as we all do.  God knows us ~ inside and out ~ and He knows how we are most effective.  For some of us, as with our nurses here at the clinic, He has given the gift of education and knowledge so that they may properly address the medical questions or concerns a patient has.  For others, as with our volunteers that sort and fold the donated baby clothes, He as given the gift of organization.  Still, for others, such as with our volunteer, Sheila, who isn’t available during office hours to work in the clinic, He has given the gift of time in the evening to work on mailings and other projects from her home.  The one thing all of the people involved with Angelorum/Next Step Pregnancy Services have in common is compassion.  Compassion to helping those in need.  Compassion to saving the life of the baby.  Compassion to truly care about the soul of the abortion minded mother.  Compassion to speaking the truth out of love.  Compassion to ending the atrocity of abortion.

God is calling you.  He wants you to be courageous.  He is urging you to take a stand.  He is prompting you to make a commitment.  Please listen, think, pray and respond.

Joy & Peace,     Kathy

The month of December, 2011, will forever be remembered of by us at Next Step as a month of many Christmas miracles.  The outpouring of material supplies, monetary donations, prayers and Christmas cards that we received from from YOU was amazing.  We would like to thank all of our Angels, especially ~

The parishioners at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Mill Creek for Christmas Giving Tree donations
The parishioners of St. Mark Parish in Shoreline for Christmas Giving Tree donations
The parishioners of St. Alphonsus Parish in Ballard for Christmas Giving Tree donations
The members of Queen of Angels FIAT (Faith-In-Action-Team) in Port Angeles
Assumption Catholic Church in Seattle
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bellevue
Holy Family Catholic Parish in Kirkland
Catholic Cursillo Group of St. Brendan Parish in Bothell
St. Brendan Respect Life Group in Bothell
The Free Methodist Church of Lynnwood Knitting Group
The Lynnwood Food Bank
The Students of Brighton School in Lynnwood
The Lynnwood Senior Center Knitters
The Knitting and Crocheting group from Alderwood Community Church in Lynnwood
and all the other groups and individuals that contributed to our Christmas miracle!

Meet Sean, Lindsay & Shannon Mullins!  Their mom, Denise, has been on the Angelorum Board since its inception in 1998 and their dad, Kevin, is our IT volunteer.
Denise & Kevin hosted four parties this holiday season and they asked their guests to bring diapers or baby wipes in lieu of gifts.  This fun idea resulted in 850 diapers and 1200 wipes!

Thank you for taking the time to read my first Blog ~ it only took me five days to write it!  Considering my age and my complete ”not too sure of how all this computer stuff really works” mentality, I don’t think five days is too bad, and as I mentioned earlier, may you be blessed abundantly by our loving God in 2012!   Kathy Dizard

Today a frightened, unmarried young woman came to our office and had a positive pregnancy test ~ a child was conceived and is developing in her womb. She doesn’t know who the father of her baby is. Her family has recently moved to our state and she doesn’t know anyone so she feels isolated, lonely,     and depressed. Her mother and stepfather have always told her that if she came home pregnant, she would be kicked out of their house ~ clearly not the best of circumstances to have a baby and she knows she can legally end the life of her child ~ but this would not be the best she could do for him. As she walked out of our office across the dark parking lot to catch a bus, it began to snow. While she was waiting, I took her a scarf that a supporter handmade for just an occasion as this. Noticing the tears in her eyes as she wrapped the scarf around her neck, I prayed that an angel would appear to this mother, rejoicing and announcing that the birth of this baby is great news and a reason for the whole world to celebrate!

Of course we know that every baby is reason to rejoice and celebrate ~ just as we know that every abortion is cause to mourn. Until abortion is a thing of our past, there will be no peace on earth. Until the indifferent and uninformed stop killing their innocent offspring, we will not have comfort and joy. If we heard a siren every time a baby was aborted, there would never be a silent night. As we approach the Season of Christmas, let us remember these little ones, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and let us place them in the arms of Mary so that they may know how it feels to be held by the same arms that embraced our Savior. God does not make mistakes, people do. He does not abandon us, we walk away from Him. Please pray that God and sinners will be reconciled and that the hopes and fears of all the years are met in Him. Let us pray for each other that we may continue to put on our armor and face each day with faith, courage, and confidence as we persevere in truth and love ~ because this is the best we can do!

Kathy Dizard

Wondering what the perfect gift would be for that person that has everything?  You can give the gift of life by making a donation to Angelorum in their name!  Call or email Kathy at 425 329 4569 or kathy@angelorum.org and she will send a personalized appreciation card announcing your gift.