"In September I found out I was pregnant again by my first child’s father. For most people, this would be a time of joy and excitement, but it was the opposite for me. I was already struggling to raise my two-year-old by myself. I knew that parenting two children alone was going to be more than I was ready for. So, I thought my only other option was abortion.

I had two numbers for crisis pregnancy centers. One was written as a seven-digit number, the other was a three-digit number plus the word ‘PRAY’. So I called the one that spelled ‘PRAY’, thinking I was going to schedule an abortion. I spoke with the lady at the pregnancy center for several minutes before she asked me what I thought I was going to do about my pregnancy. I just kept saying, “I can’t parent.” I couldn’t actually say the words, “I want an abortion.” I was trying to get her to ask me if that was what I wanted, but she never did. Instead, she asked me if I had considered adoption. I knew that abortion was wrong and I knew I couldn’t support two children on my own, so adoption seemed like my only way out.

I researched abortion procedures and the adoption process. After seeing the difference, I knew what my decision would be. But I knew that my friends and family would persuade me to keep the child with promises of help and support. So, I needed to find a supportive environment. The pregnancy center helped me to find Lifehouse, and they set up a phone meeting for me with Mrs. Joan. After I spoke with her and found out about the program (and all of the rules), I decided to make a visit to see this place for myself.

A few weeks later I met with Lifehouse staff and made arrangements to move in. I moved to Lifehouse in October with my first child. I had to wash about five loads of laundry immediately because I was a smoker. The staff went through all of my things to make sure I wasn’t trying to smuggle anything in. They made me feel at home. I started looking for a job, and I also started counseling and began working on my adoption plan. I found a job in November and started school in January. I picked the family that I wanted to place my child with in February and I gave birth in April. Everything just fell right into place.

I stayed at Lifehouse for a few months after giving birth, and in September I made the decision to leave. I am still very involved with the Lifehouse program. My school is paid for by the Lifehouse Scholarship Program, and I still go to counseling and keep in touch with many of the girls I met there. I have many strong relationships with the people at Lifehouse … some sister figures and some mom figures, and even a few grandmother figures. Lifehouse is my family and they are always there for me, no matter what!"