“Around this time last year, I thought my story would be so different.

My name is Jennifer, and I have 3 children, ages 13, 10, and 8 months. In December, I celebrated 3 years clean from drugs and alcohol. However, in July of 2021, after attempting to fill the God-sized hole in my life with a man, it led to an unplanned pregnancy.

When I saw those 2 pink lines, I felt the Lord speak adoption over my spirit. I know what it’s like to come home from the hospital with my baby, so I didn’t know how God could put something like that on my heart to just give my baby away. But I know the faithfulness of the Lord, and if that’s what He was leading me to do, I chose to obey.

But still, not wanting to disappoint my family, I considered abortion, thinking it might eliminate the tough situation I found myself in. I had 2 abortions in the past before I developed a relationship with God, so I know the aftereffects mentally and emotionally that can bring. I knew deep down abortion wasn’t right. The true desire of my heart was to somehow be able to parent my baby.

I reached out to a friend that went to a Love Life partnering church, and she connected me with Sara, who works for Love Life. I was still considering abortion at this point and was not sure what I was going to do.

After speaking with a friend who said, “Abortion is absolutely not an option,” and seeking other Godly counsel, I was ready to face whatever consequences came with telling my family that I was pregnant. After telling my family, I decided to continue to pursue adoption for my baby.

I chose a family I had known for 9 years that now lives in Montana to be the adoptive family for my child. We went through all the preparation to give my baby up for adoption until I was 8 weeks from my due date and found out the biological father objected to the adoption, causing it to fall through completely. The following weeks were filled with constant ups and downs and lots of questioning God, and whether He was truly the faithful God I thought He was. But once again, He came through for me.

My mentor attends a Love Life partnering church, Venture Church, and together they planned a baby shower for me literally the day before I was unexpectedly induced. They built an addition to my parent’s house so that Nova would have her own room. They’ve been there every step of the way.

Nova Ruth was born on 2/22/22- she truly is my angel baby!

Since Nova was born, God has opened doors that only He could open. I was given the opportunity to piece together my past, addiction/recovery, and unplanned pregnancy and give a voice to other mothers through the SUN Project, an OB clinic that works to improve trauma-focused care for pregnant women.

I am currently enrolled in training to complete my Peer Support Certification, and I am an online student working toward my Associate’s Degree in Psychology. I was recently given the opportunity to mentor another mama whose story is very similar to mine and who is walking through some of the same things I have. She gave birth to a healthy baby boy on November 2nd.

A verse that I believe fits our story is 1 Samuel 1:27- I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. I’m not saying my choices were ok or that this has been an easy journey. I stepped outside of God’s perfect will for my life, so there are tough things that come with that, but the Lord takes every situation and turns it around for good.

Thank you to everyone involved with this ministry in every capacity, from praying to donating to volunteering. You make it possible for women like me to choose life for their babies and be shown the love of Christ. Thank you for truly being the Church and helping keep families together.” – Jennifer