“I remember the day like it was yesterday. I woke up with this awful feeling, knowing something was off. I just had a strong feeling I was pregnant. I pulled out my phone, googled ‘abortions,’ and proceeded to call. Every single call I made was a dead end, everyone was booked, and no one could get me in that day. I did not want to wait another day. I was working out a plan in my head  that if I did receive confirmation I was pregnant, I was willing to have an abortion immediately.

I was so desperate, I scrolled back up to the option of Hope Pregnancy Center, one I skipped over earlier because of the name. I called and the lady on the phone said they COULD get me in immediately. Within an hour, I pulled in to Hope and as I walked up, right next to the front door, a plaque caught my eye. I knew I didn’t have enough time or care to stop and read it, so I went inside. Within minutes a lady came out and took me to a private room. I was so nervous but still determined as ever that I would get confirmation, have an abortion and not ever have to think about this again. As I sat with my volunteer, I began to weep. I wish I could paint a picture of what my mind was experiencing with the heaviness and oppression I felt. My volunteer obviously saw and understood why I was there. She prayed for me when I sat down and then prayed again after I received confirmation I was pregnant. I wept, she prayed. I’m pretty sure she prayed with me five times during my appointment.

Surprisingly, the nurse could get me in for an ultrasound immediately. I went into the ultrasound room. The nurse could sense my heart because she began to pray for me. As I laid down, she began to scan me, taking measurements and looking on her screen for what seemed like a lifetime. As she turned the screen on for me to look at the images, I was so surprised. Seeing the baby on that monitor, I was changed. It changed me. She printed off images of my baby before I left that day, and I still have them sitting on my mantle at home.

I walked out so happy that day. I was excited and had joy in my heart because of what I had seen and heard. On my way out, the plaque I didn’t have time to stop for on my way in caught my eye, so I stopped to read it. It said, ‘May all those who enter these doors find hope in Him. Children are a gift from God.’ Psalm 127:3.”

Isn’t it amazing to find hope in the midst of difficult times? What’s even better is Danae’s story doesn’t end there. She continued to return to Hope each week to participate in parenting classes and be encouraged throughout her pregnancy. In September, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Carter Alan. We cannot make the decisions for mothers to choose life, only they can. However, what we can do is love, comfort and support those experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Your support makes the possibility of life change possible.

Danae says, “Because of Hope, I chose life.”