Bloom Where You Are Planted

By Traci Bolden
      Center Director - Stuart

I always look forward to flying, especially when flying alone, because it gives me the opportunity to meet different and interesting people.  You never know who you might encounter.  Sometimes it is hard to begin a conversation with the person sitting beside you, especially when their body language clearly is saying, “Don’t talk to me.”  So breaking down those walls can be a challenge.  If you are like me, typically quiet and reserved, it can be an intimidating obstacle to overcome.  I personally do not believe in coincidences, so trusting that God has purposefully placed that person in the seat right next to me makes it easier.

Each client that comes into Care Net is truly unique.  Yes, their stories may be similar, but they come from all walks of life.  We meet them with open arms.  Sometimes there are walls up that seem impossible to penetrate and attitudes that walked in by themselves, but it is our goal to be able to begin to tear down some of those walls so we can earn permission to speak truth into their lives.  We do not force our faith on anyone, but instead we offer words of encouragement and prayer.  In 2 Corinthians, Paul talks about “the fragrance of Christ.”  We can have that same fragrance wherever we go, as we quietly manifest Jesus’ love.

Here at Care Net, we wholeheartedly believe that each client who is seeking our services, although they may not know it, is a divine appointment.  God creates the opportunity for us to meet their physical and/or emotional needs, but more importantly their spiritual needs as well.  That one encounter may be the only opportunity we get to share the Gospel and we do not take that lightly.  The neat thing about sharing the Gospel is we don’t have to worry about the outcome.  Whether those we introduce to Christ accept Him or reject Him is not up to us, but obedience in sharing is.  There are times we just plant seeds that are watered elsewhere, but oh what a blessing it is to be able to participate.  Deuteronomy 31:8 tells us, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

When we share with our clients what Jesus did for them and the life he wants to offer them, it can change their perspective.  We don’t have to be afraid because we share with confidence knowing that Christ has already gone before us.

So don’t be discouraged.  Never give up.  Bloom where you are planted.  What you do has eternal significance in God’s eyes.

...All Because of a Baby Bottle

By Nanette Maldonado

    Community Liaison

Give the GIFT of LIFE by filling Baby Bottles!

How can a baby bottle filled with loose change bring life into a situation and create a heart change all at the same time?  Last year, I received a hand written letter attached to one of the bottles returned that shared a precious memory I hold dear to my heart.  A memory from a grandmother’s time spent with her grandchildren gathered around the dinner table one evening that changed the face of that family’s future!

 

Here’s what happened…

This grandmother decided to take part in the Baby Bottle Boomerang.  The grandmother placed a baby bottle at the center of the table before eating, and as she served her family one person at a time, questions about the baby bottle began.  Meaningful conversations took place and a change in their hearts occurred.  Inspiration and faith were birthed out of God’s truth for his created miracle in the womb.  Not only did her grandchildren feel more important and loved by God, but they also felt more love for LIFE!  Those precious conversations and the prayer that ended their time meant far more than they could ever have anticipated.

 

This is what that teachable time did for that family…

It demonstrated the power of love in Jesus Christ and it instilled identity of LIFE in them.  It also promoted action from the insight that they had gained.  Their hearts were moved to exchange their faulty opinions for life giving donations.  A powerful exchange!  I’m sure glad that the pro-family message was shared around that table, and that the youngest generation of that family will take a stand for LIFE in the future…all because of a baby bottle centered on the dinner table.

Have you ever participated in the Baby Bottle Boomerang Fundraiser?  It’s really one of the most effective fundraisers in Pro-Life ministries today.  It always amazes me how a baby bottle filled with loose change can bring so much HOPE to our clients and to our Centers!  This fundraiser is a win and here’s why:

• It increases the important message of love and hope for abundant life in our communities.
• It elevates the awareness level in our communities about the numerous ways a center like ours helps, by providing free and confidential counseling, free pregnancy services, resources, and so much MORE!
• It raises funds!
• It gives all ages an opportunity to participate!

 Here is how you can get involved…

Contact us for detailed information about the Baby Bottle Boomerang at 772-828-3168 or, if you attend a church on the Treasure Coast, ask your church leaders or your Care Net Liaison how you can get involved and help!

Our Baby Bottle Boomerang begins on Mother’s Day
with the distribution of bottles and ends with the return of the filled bottles on Father’s Day!!!

Thanks for getting involved and thanks for giving!

My Unforgettable Experience with Abortion

**Content could be considered graphic in nature.**

I remember being an OB/GYN Resident working my Triage (OB ER) shift. A fairly young woman came in that evening complaining of prolonged vaginal bleeding. I do not remember her name. Her exact age escapes me, perhaps early twenties, but I will never forget her face nor her story.

When she was taken to the room by the nurse, she was quiet but concerned. The nurse filled me in on her complaint of vaginal bleeding for the past 2 days. The patient told the nurse that she was confident that this was not her period, but offered no other information.  I went in to see this young woman and noticed that she was pretty quiet, guarded, and concerned.  She also appeared unwell; slightly flushed but pale. I spent some time speaking with her about what was wrong and why she came in that day.  She repeated her explanation of bleeding and some pelvic pain.  She offered no other history.  We then agreed on an exam.

During her examination, I found a large amount of very dark and clotted blood. Most notably, her exam exhibited signs of trauma.  Upon conclusion of the exam, I questioned her further. She then disclosed that she was pregnant – she believed early in her second trimester – but had an abortion 2 days prior.  She did have some bleeding afterwards which concerned her, but the provider and “nurse” told her it was fine and to call back if she had further concerns.

She stated that her bleeding became much heavier and she began to have pelvic cramping and cold sweats. She returned to that office the following day but was turned away. She was told that there was nothing that could be done for her there. They recommended that she seek medical attention in the ER if she became worse.  She told me that she figured that if they weren’t concerned about it, then she would give it some more time.  As she continued to bleed and have pain, she decided that something was wrong. She told me that no one close to her knew about her procedure so she came into the hospital by herself.

Upon further examination and ultrasound, we found that she had a horrific complication from her procedure – which was likely to have been a D&E (Dilation and Evacuation). She had some remnants of fetal parts, still in utero, and lacerations to cervix and upper vagina – likely from evacuation of the other fetal parts. She had prolonged hemorrhage and infection that was difficult to repair and reverse. Without quick and wise judgment, her condition would become quite morbid, if not fatal. We agreed that a hysterectomy would stop her bleeding, get the infection under control, and hopefully save her life – which it did.

It pained us to perform a hysterectomy on such a young woman, but with this complication, that was all we could do. Thank God, she fared well through her recovery. I imagine that this is just one of many cases of such a tragic, never-ending story.  Just as sure as I am that this experience will never leave her, I also will never forget her.