Memorial Day

By Rayma Zugel
     Lead Center Director

We are coming up on Memorial Day. A day set aside to honor all those that died while serving our country, or have died since. But what is the history behind Memorial Day?

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day, from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths, and flags. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers. In 1873, New York was the first state to designate Memorial Day as a legal holiday. By the late 1800’s, many more cities and communities observed Memorial Day, and several states had declared it a legal holiday. After World War I, it became an occasion for honoring those who died in all American wars and then was more widely established as a National holiday.

In 1971, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act and established that Memorial Day was to be celebrated on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington Cemetery each year with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave.

It is important for Americans to take time to remember the sacrifices that bought their freedom. As of May 1, 2018, 624,031 Americans have died in all the wars that the United States has taken a part in, including Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve that continue on in our war against terrorists.

For anyone that knows me, they know I have a special place in my heart for all Armed Services since my husband is a Vietnam Veteran. And I will never take away from the honor that is due to those that willing gave their life, or were willing to do so by going to war, to fight for the freedoms we enjoy today. But I also want us to remember the 45,151,389 lives that were taken by abortion (2014 statistics given by Guttmacher Institute). These lives will never get a chance to celebrate Memorial Day. These lives will never get the chance to experience the freedoms we have.

So this year for Memorial Day, remember those that fought for you and I, but also remember those little lives lost before their time. ❤

What's It Worth?

By Sue Chess
      Executive Director

Janet came into my office with a big happy grin and said happily “that was fun!”  She had just been with a client, so suspecting a great story I said, “Tell me more!”  Janet went on, “My client just told me her time with us is the highlight of her week.”  When I asked her to explain, Janet said that the client described losing her home during Hurricane Irma because the apartment building where she lived was destroyed by floodwater.  All of her things were gone and then she found Care Net.  The connections she needed were reestablished and she began taking parenting classes to rebuild her baby supplies.  Over time she has developed a close mentoring relationship with her volunteer as she has come in each week. This was what she meant by highlight.  But, it was not JUST the much needed stuff, but also the love and acceptance she’s found in “this place.”   Janet and I both had tears in our eyes as we reflected on our grateful client’s gift to us today.  This kind of feedback makes it all worth it.  Knowing the investment of time is not only saving lives but rescuing lives in so many other ways as well.

As we’ve just come through Volunteer Appreciation month, it has been pure joy to focus on the amazing people God has filled our Stuart and Port St. Lucie Centers with.  Trying to describe the hearts of love in our Centers leaves all of us a bit speechless—they really ARE that good!  So, when we came across an article describing the “Value of Volunteers in 2017” of course I read it! 

Did you know that there is a way to put a value on their work?  Until reading this article, we’d been measuring their worth way too low!  According to nonprofit leadership network Independent Sector, the estimated value of an hour of volunteer work rose to $24.69 per hour in 2017. 

Imagine hiring someone to teach, sort donated baby items, lead classes, peer counsel, enter data, solicit donations, provide ultrasounds, schedule medical staff, provide STI testing, and process a bulk-mail.  Now imagine paying them $24.69 per hour/per person for all of these services on a budget that’s already stretched thin! 

Our volunteers sign in and out when they come to Care Net.  This keeps our insurance company happy, but it also gives us how many hours have been donated.  We tracked 4900 hours in our two Centers in 2017.  At $24.69/hour it would have cost us an incredible $120,941.00 just last year to pay our Volunteers.

 

Janet’s story at the beginning measured the “eternal metric” of what the investment into our client’s lives accomplishes.  The Independent Sector has measured the “earthly metric.”  Either way, we’ve managed to show you just how deeply in debt we are to the wonderful men and women who do so much here at Care Net.

The next time someone tells you they volunteer, tell them “thank you,” would you?  They really are “a work of heart!” 

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.

Keep In Touch!

By Rayma Zugel

     Lead Center Director

“Keep in Touch.” We’ve all said it…when leaving school, a job, moving away from your home. “Keep in Touch.” But what does that actually mean?

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms says:

~To maintain contact with another person, especially at intervals so as to remain up to date with each other’s lives.

~An informal parting phrase, especially with someone one isn’t likely to see again anytime soon.

We say it, but do we mean it?  Do we do it? I’ll be one of the first to admit I am terrible when it comes to keeping in touch, and yet when I do, it can mean the world to me as well as someone else. I have a friend back home in Michigan that I rarely get a chance to talk to, and yet every time we do it’s like we’ve never lost touch.  More often than not we end our conversation by saying, “Let’s do better about keeping in touch.”

At Care Net we ask each client we meet with if we can keep in touch by way of an evaluation. They get the chance after meeting with a Peer-Counselor to evaluate us and then give us (or not) permission to keep in touch, or follow up with them. I have heard more than once, “You called me just to check on me?” Why yes, yes we did. We want to keep in touch with our clients.

Kevin shares how when he kept in touch with a client the client stated, “The appointment was the confidence builder he needed” to be a good Dad. Keep in touch.

Another way of saying, “Keep in Touch” could be, “Remember Me.” In Luke 23:42 the thief on the cross next to Jesus said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” What was Jesus’ response? In verse 43 He said, “Truly I say to you today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Jesus, as He is on the cross, after being beaten and ridiculed…after being stripped of His clothing and nailed to the cross. His thoughts were on the man crying out to be remembered by Him.

As we look towards Holy Week and prepare to commemorate the death, burial, and then celebrate the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, let’s remember to “Keep in Touch”…with each other and with the One who loves you so much He died for you.

"Hey, It's Time To Talk!"

By Willow Sanders

      Director of Student Services

Funny how that phrase does not startle us as parents as much as this one:

It’s time for THE talk.

However, eventually the time will come. Unfortunately, in our fast-paced culture the need for that “talk” will come sooner than most of us would like. We do not have to dread it though. Honestly most of us probably have dreaded that time for a few major reasons:

            It was handled about as awkward as things get for us as children.

Times are different and that difference can be a win in our column as parents. There is access to information that just was not available to our parents. We can Google sites and read books that can really make us prepared instead of have us stammering for words. Focus on the Family has a great layout in the “God’s Design for Sex” series.  https://www.amazon.com/Full-Set-Design-Revised-Paperback/dp/B00O5DIVTU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1520006866&sr=8-3&keywords=god%27s+design+for+sex+series%2C+4+book       

We still see them as not ready and do not want to awaken anything before it is time.

Consider this scenario: You go to get a late night snack, say a bowl of cereal. You think you have all you need for the time that is at hand only to open the fridge and realize NO MILK. You pass the store regularly, you open the fridge daily yet what should have been obvious to deal with is ignored until the need is great. So goes that way in many households when it comes to the topic of discussing sex and sexuality with our children. Anne Marie Miller, in her book, 5 Things Every Parent Needs to Know about Their Kids & Sex sets out to do just that: get parents prepared and knowledgeable on the “Talk” at any age of development. Check it out at http://5thingsbook.com/  

We don’t want to share our past choices and seem hypocritical.

Let me reassure you there is NO ONE better suited than you to guide your child through this journey. With every other area it seems vying for our children’s hearts and minds, Passport 2 Purity http://www.familylife.com/passport2purity puts the conversation back where it should be: in the home. Check out their materials as they aim to build heart-to-heart communication between you and your pre-teen while laying a foundation of purity that will prepare them for the turbulent years ahead.

This journey is not for the faint of heart but once we are centered to play offense, we will be ready to stand strong in defense of our children, families, and communities.

You were called to this!

You shall be equipped for it!

We believe in you!