Volume 19 Issue 3

Metro News
I was shocked and confused, Ive been on medical assistance for years, and its never been cancelled. As we left the clinic, I heard a sidewalk picketer call out: You have other options! Choose life and adoption! I looked him right in the eye and said, Let me keep this baby. He started to give me a dirty word but couldnt speak. He tried to talk again, but couldnt utter a word. Finally, he said, I dont care what you do. After that, I began to ask The very next day my pharmacy God to lead and help me. I also called me to pick up a prescripbegan to read my Bible more. tion. I told them my insurance was canceled. They checked and One day, a co-worker told me said, Its back in place today. that when she was 19, she made At that moan adoption plan for her ment I knew daughter. She told me I had lots God was of choices as to how to make an involved. adoption plan for my baby. Even so, we made another abortion appointment However, I kept asking my boyfriend to let me keep the baby. He said we couldnt afford a baby. I cried and begged, but each time he said no. The night before the abortion, I slept with the Bible on my stomach asking for God to protect this baby. Morning came and I prayed for God to change my boyfriends heart. With no tears this time, I started to look at adoptive family profiles that had kids already. There was one family in the bunch that didnt have kids but I chose to look at them anyway. The profile contained a picture of the adoptive mom, holding her pregnant tummy as if hugging her child. I was drawn to her because of the pain I could see on her face. There was another pictureof her and her husband holding that same baby after he was born prematurely and had passed away. I remember feeling like I wanted to take their pain away.
Directors Corner

September 2011

Metro News is a semi-annual publication of Metro Women's Center, a 501(c)3 organization. This publication is provided free of charge.

Biblical truth saved my childs life

A client testimony by Temeka
This past year, I had not read my Bible much; it was on the shelf, under some clothes. But one day, I opened it to a page filled with genealogies like Azariah son of Zadak, which made me think, I wonder who is going to have a baby? I knew it wasnt me because my boyfriend was unable to have more children. I didnt understand why I was reading this. The next day I got a pain in my chest area. I thought, Oh, no! because I had felt it when I was pregnant before. I thought about what I read in the Bible earlier and realized that I was the one having the baby! Sure enough, I was pregnant. When I told my boyfriend, he said, Dont panic. Youre just late. My boyfriend wanted me to get an abortion. We went to the abortion clinic and the receptionist said, You cant have an abortion today; your insurance is cancelled. If you have $600, you can get it done, but otherwise, no.

Inside this issue:

2 2 3 4 4 5 5 Minnesota loves adoption Annual event invitation Gifts, prayer & praise Amazing Grace update Clients learn the word Client testimony (cont.)

Board of Directors
Dave Sebald, President Jennifer Moreau, Vice-President Lindsay Tuttle, Secretary Diane Eliason, Treasurer Jon Baxter Clare Erickson Pastor Floyd Lunde Laura Martin Pastor Chuck Raichert Pastor Jeremy Stephens Center Staff Colleen Tronson, Director Tupee Garsinii, Administrative Assistant
Printed courtesy of Nystrom Publishing

Continued on 5)

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Directors Corner
by Colleen Tronson Colleen@MetroWomensCenter.org
I have been enjoying gardening this summer as the flowers and vegetables show themselves. It brings me lots of joy! The brilliant reds, yellows, and purples in my garden make me smile and give me something new to discover each morning when I leave for the Center. There are so many plants now that the weeds are being overpoweredthat makes me even happier! This summer has been a wild one filled with challenging issues to pray through. While it was not as smooth as I would have liked, these thorny times have provided me with opportunities to examine what was growing in the soil of my heartand to do some internal weeding of my own. Just like in my garden, I am happier when theres a greater flowers-to-weeds ratio in my heart. But, more often than I care to admit, I find weeds where I would rather find beautiful blooms. When clients come to the Center, they often have hearts full of weeds that need to be pulled with care, concern, and kindness. Recently, I have found myself reacting with abruptness and frustration. These reactions expose my own heart need for pruningouch! My goal for the next growth season in my life is to cultivate more fruit of the Spiritso there is less room for those pesky weeds of impatience and irritation. I truly want to respond to our clients in God's way, not my way. Maybe, like me, you have pesky weeds in your life. If so, like me, you can apply Gods Word to them and experience growth and change. As believers, God has begun a good work in us and I am confident that He will complete itPhilippians1:6. See you in the garden!

Minnesota Loves Adoptiononline scrapbook

The Adoption Option Council of Minnesota, is working to share information about adoption in Minnesota. The Council has created an online, living scrapbook to capture the lifechanging stories of love that define adoption. This special project will help Minnesotans better understand adoption as an act of love. Celebrate domestic adoption stories but recognize the way all kinds of adoptions are important in Minnesota. own story on this online scrapbook and tell your family, friends and colleagues about this special site.

Share personal stories of birth To read the newest stories, we families, grandparents, invite you to like the Council adopted persons and families. on Facebook. Reflect on how adoption has had a positive impact on the lives of many individuals.

The Councils Minnesota Loves You can view the scrapbook at: www.MinnesotaLovesAdoption.org Adoption scrapbook seeks to and spend some time reading provide a forum to: each of the moving stories. Capture adoption journeys in The Council needs more stories. stories, letters, poems and Please consider sharing your photos of Minnesotans.

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September 2011

Gifts in memory & honor, praises & prayer requests

MWC praises God for:
new volunteers coming to help at the office. discipleship of those who pray to receive the Lord.
Now safe in the arms of her Lord, Pat Carlson loved to make quilts for MWC moms and babies.

MWC asks prayer for:

churches in Minnesota experiencing financial and spiritual struggles. housing for pregnant women with children. women who are trying to make decisions regarding parenting or adoption. fathers of babies to protect the lives of their children. spiritual refreshment from the Word of God annual dessert buffet and auction, November 3, 2011. physical, spiritual and emotional protection for staff and volunteers. discernment as to the right property, price and location for the Amazing Grace Home project.

Pennies pile up!

Since the beginning of the Change for Life baby bottle campaign in 2004, more than $6,400 has been provided through loose change from MWC ministry partners! Churches and individuals fill baby bottles with change and return them to the Center; these funds are placed in the Amazing Grace Home capital campaign fund. For information about becoming a Change for Life partner, please contact MWC at info@metrowomenscenter.org. Thank you for helping MWC change lives!

parents who choose life over abortion for their children. babies born who were at risk of abortion. opportunities to share Christ with clients. gifts of diapers, car seats and baby items for clients. clients excited to memorize Gods Word. parents who choose adoption for their children and those who open their homes to adopt children of all ages. financial provision for the Center and Amazing Grace Home project.

In Memory of:
Patricia Carlson by Heritage Baptist Church by the Carlson family Bob Wehmhoff by Rodney & Venice Wetterlund

In Honor of:
Grace Tuttle Dorothy Grandia Cheryl Tuttle Meg Flaming by Lindsay Tuttle

Jacque Noy by Susan Jirele

Recent Developments, September 2011

Since September 2010 an additional $56,312.58 has been donated for the Amazing Grace Home (AGH), bringing the Capital fund balance to $267,208.38 as of August 31, 2011. A recent gift of stock from a generous donor added $3,900 to the fund. The chart, at right, shows fund growth through 2011. The AGH Policy & Procedure Operating Manual and Resident Handbook are completed and will be reviewed and refined by the Board in the coming months. The Board is actively pursuing leads on existing homes in the Twin Cities area. Several homes have been viewed, and an offer was made on a property in June but was not accepted. Please continue to pray for the Lords leading as to the right location, price, and property for the AGH.

400000
350000

300000
267,208.3

250000
210,895.60

200000
94,366.29 140,510.79 37,255.72

150000
16,104.3

100000
50000

0
Fund Growth Sept. 2003 - Aug. 2011

46,722.11

165,325.95

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September 2011

HOPE program participants learn the Word

Nora, pictured at right, is one of MWCs HOPE program participants. She recently took on the challenge of learning Bible verses in exchange for points. She has learned 20 Bible verses and is excited to use her points for baby items such as diapers, clothing, and other items. Participants in the program, both moms and dads, do a variety of tasks to earn points. Among their choices are working a job, going to school, attending classes or church, watching videos, doing Bible studies, and receiving regular pre-natal care. Volunteers listen to the memory verses and then assist the clients in gaining insights about what the verses mean and how they can apply them to their lives. It is exciting to see MWC clients desire to hide Gods Word in their hearts. Stella, pictured at right, has also been hard at workshe learned 29 Bible verses! With her points, Stella earned a new car seat, formula, blankets and other accessories. This program is a great way for MWC to affirm the good things clients are doing to improve their lives. If you would like to become a mentor volunteer, donate to this program monetarily or provide baby items, call the office at (763)533-8642.

Take note
Constant Contact
To keep you informed about the ministry of MWC, the Center sends email newsletters. The newsletter is posted weekly and will come directly to your inbox. To sign up, go to MetroWomensCenter.org, click the Contact Us button on the left side of the screen, and enter your email address in the Join our mailing list sign up box. Questions or comments?
lindsay.tuttle@metrowomenscenter.org.

United Way reminder

Consider MWC during your corporations United Way campaign. You can choose to donate to any qualifying agency. Metro Womens Center is not endorsed, supported by, nor in any way related to Greater Twin Cities United Way. If you wish to use the Donor Designated Option, write in Metro Womens Center, 6418 Bass Lake Road, Crystal, MN 55428.

In her own words (continued from page 1)

When I met this family and told them that my due date was June 1st, the mom began to cry. She then explained that the date she found out she was pregnant with her deceased baby had been June 1st. This was a sign to me that these were the right people for my baby. About a month before my baby was born, I began to get scared about the whole situation. One morning, while standing in my kitchen, I began to speak to God. I told him not to give me any more signsI wanted Him to speak directly to me. I even yelled out, God, why wont you talk to me? I want a clear answer! died, and the other lived. The grieving mother tried to switch the babies, and a conflict arose. King Solomon was summoned to settle the dispute. He proI stormed into my bedroom and posed cutting the baby in half, picked up my Bibleit opened but the biological mother to some verses about humility. protested. The King knew who God was now speaking directly was the real mother by her to me. I flipped sacrificial response. I now more pages and knew that I was supposed to landed on release my baby to this family. 1Kings 4:1-19 that genealogy page I invited the adoptive parents to from before. I be present when my daughter, turned back one page, and my Larkin Leneta, was born (we eyes fell on 1Kings 3:16. named her together). I spent three days with Larkin, holding This story is of two women her close, loving and savoring who both had babies. One baby every precious moment. The last day we were at the hospital, while I was holding Larkin, I told the adoptive mother, I give my baby over to you. Its your turn now to fill the shoes as mother. I am blessed to have a family that is open to having me visit my daughter and to be part of her life as she grows up. Larkin is now three months old and though I miss her every day, I know this is what God wanted me to do. I take great comfort in knowing that I had a part in helping my adoptive couple become loving parents.

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The purpose of the Metro Womens Center is to educate the community about pregnancy alternatives so that informed decisions concerning the outcome of a pregnancy can be made. The Center places value on human life from conception forward and seeks to offer a compassionate Christian response to the needs of those confronted with unplanned pregnancies. In presenting the love of Christ through its ministry, the Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, financial or marital status. The Centers services are free of charge.

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