I think its safe to say that most of our readers are against abortion and cannot understand how a woman can choose to have one.  That is unless we personally, a close friend or family member has come face-to-face with an unplanned pregnancy. In a case like this the abortion issue becomes much more personal and a lot less abstract.

     Take for instance, *Elizabeth. Elizabeth was a mess when she arrived at Eden... she couldn't stop crying. She had an appointment for an abortion and planned to get it done that week.  She came to the Eden Clinic for information about abortion procedures. After learning the facts she cried even more, and she changed her mind! She was scared to death to tell her parents though. Offering support we asked her to call her mom while still at the Clinic, and she did! 

     I'm pretty sure Elizabeth's mom, who is a pastor's wife, was theoretically against abortion until a few days ago when she received a phone call from her daughter that shattered her world. The words, "Mom, I'm pregnant," hit her like a ton of bricks.       

     Needless to say, mom spun out of control and was reasonably upset. She said things to her daughter that would never reveal she was a pastor's wife. Her fear of what others would think was quite obvious. She kept telling Elizabeth NOT to tell anybody that she was pregnant.  Mom began to tell how this pregnancy is going to affect her father's position as a pastor, his influence, and his relationships with friends. Mom said that her father would get fired - after all, he's a pastor!  How will the Christian college she attends receive this news? What reflection will this pregnancy have on her extended family and her church family? Mom put a lot of pressure on Elizabeth and instilled a lot of fear. She couldn't hold up under the pressure of her mother and opted for abortion in the end.

     When abortion touches our lives it becomes  a personal issue, not just an abstract idea. Parents of teens, even Christians who have been against abortion will sometimes choose it for their  daughter rather than face family or friends. Please be in prayer for Elizabeth and her family because the outcome of this choice has only just begun.

     And may we all extend the hand of grace to those who find themselves in this situation. Please, let us help you! The Eden Clinic will give you and your family the support and resources needed to get through a difficult unplanned pregnancy. We know it won't be easy, but we do promise a lot of prayer and support that will help you make the best possible choice for your family - secrets are never good.                                           

                            ~Linda                                                                                                                          

  *Name Changed

Help young women choose alternatives to abortion by supporting the Eden Clinic at EMPOWER WOMEN     

FIRST QUARTER STATISTICS    

Although we cannot always know the outcome of our patients choices or the impact we may have. Here's a little data to give you a glimpse of our work - remembering we cannot measure the value on ONE life.

Pregnancy Tests                          30

Ultrasounds                                 52

Abortion-Minded/Vulnerable           15

Chose to carry over abortion                     9 

STD testing and treatment             33

Pregnancy Wellness visits             23

Post-abortion visits                         5

~BABY BOTTLE PROJECT - Between Mother's Day and Father's Day (May 8 thru June 19)

~RUN FOR YOUR LIFE -  Sept. 2011. We plan to make this run/walk quite different this year -details will be coming!

~VOLUNTEER TRAINING - Thursdays, Sept. 15, 22, & 29, 6pm to 9pm

 Want to put Bibles in the hands of women who need

the Truth? It's simple!

1) Purchase the Bible

 for $5.99 at Mardel's ONLY in Norman.

2) Sign the "From" line

on the dedication page at the front of the Bible.

3) Give it to the store associate and an employee/volunteer at the Eden Clinic will pick it up and personalize it for one of their clients.

So far there have been 22 Bibles purchased for the Eden Clinic. Thank you so much for helping us get the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (BIBLE) into the hands of women who so need it.

Ryan Polk, Chair