Volume 21 Issue 1

Metro News
Megan Wright joined us this summer for her college internship from Liberty University. Megan experienced one-on-one advising with clients by working through decision-making packets about parenting or adoption. She even got to be present at the birth of a baby! Megans family is now housing a former AGH resident in their home and that is making a big difference for mom and baby!
Directors Corner Fetal Pain at 8 Weeks Purity Ceremony Prayer & Praise Its Just A Take Note
rd

August 2013

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

Volunteersserving to make a difference

Shannon Fure has served as the coordinator for our resource room, Blessingdales, for the past two years. When she and her family moved to Fairmont this summer, Libby Owens gladly agreed to take over. Libby is doing a great job organizing donations from Kids Rack and from others who generously donate baby items. Alicia Rouse (center) served Shannon and Libbys passion for Tuesdays and Thursdays at the organizing makes a difference! Amazing Grace Home this past winter. She graciously assisted the women with Bible studies, practical help, and friendship. Alicias quiet, steady presence was helpful as the women learned how to work through conflict resolution issues and to communicate with one another and the staff. Alicias sharing of her time made a difference!

Inside this issue:

2 2 3 3 4 4 5

23 Annual Celebration of Life

Board of Directors
Dave Sebald, President Jennifer Moreau, Vice-President Lindsay Levang, Secretary Diane Eliason, Treasurer Jon Baxter Clare Erickson Pastor Floyd Lunde Laura Martin Taylor, and other rescued kids, are living reminders that they were not blobs of tissue but real human beings who are now grown up and heading off to college. It feels pretty incredible to wrap your arms around a baby saved from abortion. But when you look upliterallyinto the face of that same young man and get a hug from him, it is the best! Pastor Jeremy Stephens Center & Home Staff Colleen Tronson, Executive Director Andrea Cross, Administrative Assistant Keith & Meredith Henderson, AGH House Parents
Printed courtesy of Nystrom Publishing

MWC babies graduate

This spring, Colleen had the joy of attending two graduation celebrations honoring babies that were rescued from abortion18 years ago! Jennifer, pictured at right with her son Taylor has a seizure disorder. When she became pregnant, she was advised to abort due to some medication she was taking. Thankfully, she chose life.

Page 2

Metro News

August 2013

Directors Corner
by Colleen Tronson Colleen@MetroWomensCenter.org

Minnesotans must be doing something right because the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) published a report attempting to discredit the good work of Minnesotas Resource Centers (PRCs). The NARAL report complains that PRCs promote the myth that women experience postabortion syndrome (PAS). They say PAS is not a valid problem because experts have not listed it in the Diagnostics and Statistics Manual (DSM). One pro-choice website states:

she would be able to properly handle her babys death and that any distress she experiences is due to previous emotional instability. The women I see in my office for post-abortion help, weeping with regret, are not emotionally unstable; they are grieving, and their distress is most certainly not a myth.

the risks of abortion in order to delay or mislead women who are seeking abortions. MWC provides information on fetal development and abortion methods via the stateapproved booklet If You Are Pregnant. By depicting the stages of fetal growth and explaining abortion methods and the associated risks, this booklet has encouraged many women to chose life. The real reason for NARALs angst is that PRCs are a huge threat to the business of abortion. In 2008, Nancy Gibbs of Time magazine cited the evidence that the quiet campaign for womens hearts and minds conducted in crisis pregnancy centers around the country, through phone banks and websites, is reducing abortion rates. Proving again that women need support, not abortion.

I dont need a DSM listing to validate her pain or to help me figure out how to help her; I need my BIBLE! Just as David could get no relief from his sin until he repented (Psalm 51), postThe most reliable indicator of whether a woman will experience abortive women (and men) feelings of distress after an can find the same relief abortion is her emotional through Gods Word today.
stability before the abortion.

The NARAL report also comThey are wrongly blaming the plains that PRCs provide inwoman by saying that if she accurate medical information had been emotionally stable about fetal development and before she had an abortion,

Unborn baby feels pain 8 weeks after conception

The neural circuitry responsible for the most primitive response to pain, the spinal reflux, is in place by 8 weeks of development. This is the earliest point at which the fetus experiences pain in any capacity. And a fetus responds just as humans at later stages of development respond; by withdrawing from the painful stimulus.
Maureen L. Condic, Ph.D. University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Before the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice. Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives. May 23, 2013

Page 3

Metro News

August 2013

Gifts in memory & honor, praises & prayer requests

In Memory of:
Evelyn Westphal
by Rodney & Vernice Wetterlund by Anonymous Donors

We praise God for:

new volunteers helping at

We ask prayer for:

men and women to chose

MWC and AGH.

babies born who were once

life over abortion for their unborn children this year.

parents who are making

Vonne Jenson
by Rodney & Vernice Wetterlund by Anonymous Donors

at risk of abortion.
opportunities to share Christ

Mary Carson
by Plymouth Industries, Inc.

with clients.
gifts of diapers, car seats,

decisions regarding parenting or adoption for their unborn children.

physical, emotional, and

In Honor of:
Ron & Dorothy Grandia Grace Tuttle Jon & Cheryl Tuttle Craig & Reve Levang Meg & Jake Flaming Paul & Amy Levang
by Chris & Lindsay Levang

meals, bus cards, Bibles, and baby items for clients.

staff members at the Center

spiritual protection for those involved in this work, and for their families.
spiritual refreshment from

and Home who work together with a spirit of cooperation, compassion, and humility towards one another.
real growth and change in

Thank you to Keith and Meredith Henderson for their loving service as resident house parents at AGH this past year. Our AGH family motto as become, Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape. After 11 months of operation, AGH residents have given birth to seven babies: five women are parenting and two have made adoption plans. The residents have ranged in age from 18 to 24; represent Asian, African American, and Caucasian ethnicities; and have diverse economic and spiritual backgrounds. Please continue to pray for our team as we begin to add support staff and rework our policies and procedures.

the Word of God for staff and clients.

discernment as decisions

our clients and in ourselves.

people who give sacrificially

are made about hiring a Case Manager at AGH.

smooth transitions as new

of themselves over and above what is requested.

the right people who come

staff come to serve at the Center and AGH this fall.

journey mercies as staff

forward at just the right time for specific tasks.

members travel this fall.

AGH women benefit from purity ceremony

I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine. Songs of Solomon 6:3
Women entering the Amazing We desire to: Grace Home are offered an honor God with your bodies opportunity to examine their Flee from sexual immorality. All sins a person commits are outlives in many areas. One area is side the body, but whoever sins Gods plan for physical sexually, sins against their own intimacy. After reflecting on how body. Do you not know that your the misuse of this intimacy has bodies are temples of the Holy affected their lives emotionally, Spirit who is in you, who you have physically, and spiritually, the received from God? You are not women see evidence that your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with change is neededfirst in their your body. 1 Cor. 6:18-20 hearts, and then in choices they make about future relationships. renew our minds for good As a result, AGH regularly hosts purity ceremonies to encourage these positive changes. David and Kate Haight generously donate silver purity rings for each woman. During the ceremony, the following four principles about purity of body, mind, eyes, and heart are affirmed:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of Gods mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Godthis is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Gods good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 turn our eyes from darkness The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew 6:22-23 guard our hearts Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

The women are presented with their purity rings, and a prayer of commitment is offered. After the ceremony, one women stated bluntly, I know I have been settling for less than Gods best in this area of my life. I am now able, by Gods grace, to wait for His best for me.

Page 4

Metro News

August 2013

It Was Just A By Paris E. Moore

God never ceases to amaze me. Only he could have used my friend and her respect for life to reach me. I had no idea how dead I was inside. How broken and silent my emotions became when he or she died. But there I stood a mess at best. It had been at least ten years since I saw that ladybug riding in on a co-workers vest. My friend noticed the ladybug right away. She reached out to save it that day. But to no avail, another co-worker was quicker and he smashed that ladybug, that's when they began to bicker. "After all it's just a bug", he said. "Youre wrong! Life is life it's all precious. That ladybug was a thing of beauty and didn't have to die today", was her reply. She left that room in tears. She was so upset. I didn't know the death of a ladybug could cause such distress. I followed her down the hall. "Are you really crying?" I called. "After all its just a bug!", I said. I tried so hard to see her face. I could not believe that such a trivial, insignificant act, the killing of a thing like that, could touch a person so deeply with pain. It caused me to think. I tried to remember when I held anything so precious that I felt as though I could cry me a river. But I couldn't. It had been so long ago that I remembered cryen. This moment was rapidly becoming uncomfortable. As though I had lived through it before. This was making no sense. After all its just a bug! I left her alone and went back to work but I knew in my heart that something about this moment was tearing me apart. The phrase, "it's just a" began to stand out. It didn't make sense until one day while watching TV. I saw a lady bathing a baby. That's when it hit me. All of a sudden my heart no longer felt empty. I felt a warmth wash over me as I began to cry. I finally allowed myself to remember the life that I once held inside. He or she must have been beautiful and precious too. And like the ladybug was also a gift to us. But I didn't know that it was okay to let the baby stay. There were stronger influences in my life that caused me to believe that way. I esteemed them highly and trusted their advice. After all "its just a" there it was again. Its the phrase that nullifies the significance of a thing. "It's not really a baby its just a blob of tissue", was the response of the lady in the clinic that we went to. Surly she knew what was true. They all reassured me that abortion was the right thing to do. The arrangements had been made and I finally gave in. I agreed to allow the place that was supposed too support life become a tomb. But its most commonly referred to as a womb. Words and relationships became very empty places after that. The people, that I previously highly esteemed, and I continued to interact but there was really no more to it than that. Many years had gone by when I invited Jesus Christ in to my life. I was carrying so much regret, guilt, grief, and sorrow but I had to accept responsibility for my actions no matter the price. So I did. After all it was my ignorance that caused my baby to lose its life. So I had a long talk with Jesus. I repented. That's when I asked God to resurrect my emotions. Turns out they died with the baby during the abortion. It didn't bring my baby back and I knew that I would never forget again. As time went on I learned to let go of the pain and allow myself to enjoy something as simple as listening to the rain. I looked out of the window today and saw a ladybug flying my way. I felt a smile forming on my face, my heart felt warm, and full of grace, and I knew for sure that my baby was with God. They were letting me know that its okay to feel again and love. And I received it. And I cried. And I thanked God.

Pennies pile up!

Since the beginning of the Change for Life baby bottle campaign in 2004, over $8,000 in change has been provided for the Amazing Grace Home. These funds are used to provide for the ongoing operating expenses of the Home. To volunteer or to become a Change for Life partner, call (763)533-8642 or email: info@metrowomenscenter.org.

Take note
Constant Contact
To keep you informed about the ministry of MWC, the Center sends email newsletters. The newsletter is posted bi-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.

Page 5

Metro News

August 2013

Defend ~ Restore ~ Shelter

Life
Metro Womens Centers 23rd Annual Celebration of Life
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Guest Speaker

Pastor Bruce Henry

Special Music

Steve and Michelle Douglas John Stephens

Plymouth Creek Center

14800 34th Avenue North Plymouth, MN

Silent Auction Fancy Dessert Buffet Program Annual Meeting

5:30 - 6:45 p.m. 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. 8:30 - 9:00 p.m.

All auction proceeds benefit the Amazing Grace Home. Like Metro Womens Center on Facebook for a complete listing of auction items after November 1.
Parking at Plymouth Creek Center Is free and the facility is handicapped accessible. No childcare facilities available.

6418 Bass Lake Road Crystal, MN 55428

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 4608

23

rd

ua Ann

l Ce

leb

n of ratio

Life

In Info

side

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or arranging a presentation, contact MWC at:
Phone: (763)533-8642 Fax: (763)533-5307 Email: info@MetroWomensCenter.org Visit MWC on the web at: www.MetroWomensCenter.org

www.facebook.com/metrowomenscenter

Would you like to go paper-less? If you would like to receive Metro News electronically and not through traditional snail mail,

email the Center at:

info@metrowomenscenter.org, We will remove your name from our paper newsletter list and add you to our Constant Contact email newsletter. From time to time you may receive other mail from MWC. If you do not wish to continue receiving any communications from MWC, please notify the Center. Thanks for your help!

Yes, I want to invest in the work of Metro Womens Center and the Amazing Grace Home. Please accept my contribution to MWC/AGHs life-affirming work:

Name and address to send acknowledgement card: ______________________________________ Name ______________________________________ Address ______________________________________ City ______________________________________ State Zip

______________________________________ Name ______________________________________ Address ______________________________________ City ______________________________________ State Zip

______________________________________ Phone ______________________________________ Email

______________________________________

My donation: amount:________ ___ one time ___ monthly ___ annually My Information:

The purpose of the Metro Womens Center is to educate the community about pregnancy alternatives so that informed decisions c oncerning 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.

My gift is in memory of : in honor of:

Contributions are tax-deductible. Thank you!