God Speaks:True Stories of God's Interactions with Real People: Treasuring Grace's Inspiration and The Story of St Francis

 The book "Treasuring Grace" was inspired by a dream in which co -author Tracy Roberts feels that God spoke to her and directed her hand in the writing of the story. Many people feel God's special influence in their lives in direct or indirect ways.  This recurring column seeks to bring you some of their inspirational stories.

by Tracy Roberts

I have to admit that Many times when I share a story about hearing "God Speak" I begin with, "Now don't think I'm crazy but..."  Why is that?  Maybe because not many people talk about it, or because what we hear doesn't always make sense logically.

Think of St. Francis of Assisi.  He was told to rebuild the church.  Thinking it to be the physical building he began to build.  Again he heard "repair my church".  Eventually he knew God was calling him to repair the church body, the people.

We want to make sense of the supernatural.  Ephesians 3:20  states, "Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us,..."

The power at work within us:
Luke 11:9 begins with "And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 

It goes on in verse 13 to say, "If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"

So why am I surprised to hear his voice?  I pray the prayer the Holy Spirit often.  Ask and we shall receive.

Believe,
Tracy

(Read more about Tracy's inspirational dream for the book Treasuring Grace on the updated About the Book tab)

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of us your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love.  Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth.

O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructs the hearts of the faithful, grant, that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolations.  Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

The Story of St Francis

For those of you unfamiliar with the story of St. Francis of Assisi and his conversations with God, please enjoy the below excerpt from the story of his life from Catholic.org.

Francis grew up a wealthy and spoiled child in France. He spent his youth getting everything he wanted, enjoying all the finer things in life, wild parties, money, and was spoiled at every turn.
Eventually War came to the town of Assisi who took on a neighboring area of Peruga. As Francis was wealthy, he did not have to fight, but after a time he was kidnapped and taken for ransom by the opposing forces. He was held for a year, but never lost his happy attitude and returned to Assisi as carefree as he was before.

"The experience didn't change what he wanted from life either: Glory. Finally a call for knights for the Fourth Crusade gave him a chance for his dream. But before he left Francis had to have a suit of armor and a horse -- no problem for the son of a wealthy father. And not just any suit of armor would do but one decorated with gold with a magnificent cloak. Any relief we feel in hearing that Francis gave the cloak to a poor knight will be destroyed by the boasts that Francis left behind that he would return a prince. 

But Francis never got farther than one day's ride from Assisi. There he had a dream in which God told him he had it all wrong and told him to return home. And return home he did. What must it have been like to return without ever making it to battle -- the boy who wanted nothing more than to be liked was humiliated, laughed at, called a coward by the village and raged at by his father for the money wasted on armor. 

Francis' conversion did not happen over night. God had waited for him for twenty-five years and now it was Francis' turn to wait. Francis started to spend more time in prayer. He went off to a cave and wept for his sins. Sometimes God's grace overwhelmed him with joy. But life couldn't just stop for God. There was a business to run, customers to wait on. 

One day while riding through the countryside, Francis, the man who loved beauty, who was so picky about food, who hated deformity, came face to face with a leper. Repelled by the appearance and the smell of the leper, Francis nevertheless jumped down from his horse and kissed the hand of the leper. When his kiss of peace was returned, Francis was filled with joy. As he rode off, he turned around for a last wave, and saw that the leper had disappeared. He always looked upon it as a test from God...that he had passed. 

His search for conversion led him to the ancient church at San Damiano. While he was praying there, he heard Christ on the crucifix speak to him, "Francis, repair my church." Francis assumed this meant church with a small c -- the crumbling building he was in. Acting again in his impetuous way, he took fabric from his father's shop and sold it to get money to repair the church. His father saw this as an act of theft -- and put together with Francis' cowardice, waste of money, and his growing disinterest in money made Francis seem more like a madman than his son. Pietro dragged Francis before the bishop and in front of the whole town demanded that Francis return the money and renounce all rights as his heir. 

The bishop was very kind to Francis; he told him to return the money and said God would provide. That was all Francis needed to hear. He not only gave back the money but stripped off all his clothes -- the clothes his father had given him -- until he was wearing only a hair shirt. In front of the crowd that had gathered he said, "Pietro Bernardone is no longer my father. From now on I can say with complete freedom, 'Our Father who art in heaven.'" Wearing nothing but castoff rags, he went off into the freezing woods -- singing. And when robbers beat him later and took his clothes, he climbed out of the ditch and went off singing again. From then on Francis had nothing...and everything. 

Francis went back to what he considered God's call. He begged for stones and rebuilt the San Damiano church with his own hands, not realizing that it was the Church with a capital C that God wanted repaired. Scandal and avarice were working on the Church from the inside while outside heresies flourished by appealing to those longing for something different or adventurous. 

Soon Francis started to preach. (He was never a priest, though he was later ordained a deacon under his protest.) Francis was not a reformer; he preached about returning to God and obedience to the Church. Francis must have known about the decay in the Church, but he always showed the Church and its people his utmost respect. When someone told him of a priest living openly with a woman and asked him if that meant the Mass was polluted, Francis went to the priest, knelt before him, and kissed his hands -- because those hands had held God. 

Slowly companions came to Francis, people who wanted to follow his life of sleeping in the open, begging for garbage to eat...and loving God. With companions, Francis knew he now had to have some kind of direction to this life so he opened the Bible in three places. He read the command to the rich young man to sell all his good and give to the poor, the order to the apostles to take nothing on their journey, and the demand to take up the cross daily. "Here is our rule," Francis said -- as simple, and as seemingly impossible, as that. He was going to do what no one thought possible any more -- live by the Gospel. Francis took these commands so literally that he made one brother run after the thief who stole his hood and offer him his robe! 

Francis never wanted to found a religious order -- this former knight thought that sounded too military. He thought of what he was doing as expressing God's brotherhood. His companions came from all walks of life, from fields and towns, nobility and common people, universities, the Church, and the merchant class. Francis practiced true equality by showing honor, respect, and love to every person whether they were beggar or pope.

Read more at Catholic.org

image : Some rights reserved by profzucker

Treasuring Grace Book Club Questions Chapters 12 -14

Hey Book Clubbers!  We hope your summer is going great and that you are enjoying your summer read thus far. Here are your discussion questions for Chapters 12 through 14.

In Chapter 12, what does Alyssa think that a “picture with Grace” means?

Well, it certainly doesn’t mean a picture with her little sister who doesn’t exist.  She doesn’t really know, so she assumes that she’s supposed to look graceful or not fall off the swing or something.  Of course, given Alyssa’s habit of practical jokes, it probably wouldn’t strike her as too odd to be admonished to behave before the picture was even taken.

 

Scott doesn’t think he’s a good father.  Have you noticed any examples of this?  Do you agree with him?


SPOILER ALERT:

Questions with authors insights

In Chapter 12, what does Alyssa think that a “picture with Grace” means?

Well, it certainly doesn’t mean a picture with her little sister who doesn’t exist.  She doesn’t really know, so she assumes that she’s supposed to look graceful or not fall off the swing or something.  Of course, given Alyssa’s habit of practical jokes, it probably wouldn’t strike her as too odd to be admonished to behave before the picture was even taken.

 Scott doesn’t think he’s a good father.  Have you noticed any examples of this?  Do you agree with him?

Very early on he credits Liz with their success in raising the kids.  He mentions that if he travelled more they might benefit enough from his absence to earn scholarships.  He contrasts Jake’s Eagle Scout rank with his own failed attempt at Cub Scouts.  His father’s abandonment weighs on him, and he worries that it might be genetic.  His driving fantasy about an early Swanson explorer is telling.  He insists that Liz could do nothing unforgivable, but he could.

 

When reading a new book, especially one with any first person narration, the interesting thing for me is deciding who I can trust.  Is what they say or think supported by their actions or the actions of others?  Clearly Scott can’t be trusted when talking about himself.  He’s a good Dad.  He calls from the road.  He sacrifices for them.  He’s present with them in talking, joking, and playing.  He speaks highly of their mother to them which is a great example of love and gives them stability. It was also important to the story that Scott be a good father.  He couldn't be demonized, allowing readers to conclude that he drove Liz to the abortion.  No, they were a relatively happy couple who were good to each other but failed to address the issue with good communication and focus.  Through a mutual combination of avoidance and willful ignorance, Liz got the abortion, not fully realizing the implications or long term effects.

Start Reading Chapters 15 and 16

China's One Child Policy: How Can This Be True?

China is well-known for its offensive One-child policy and here is just another testimony of that fact from a speaker at the Victims of Communism Memorial event held in Washington DC earlier this June. Continue reading below to hear more about the forced abortions and other disgraceful policies in China.

The Most Violent Policy Against Women and Girls in the World

Posted on June 25, 2012 by EI

“The coercive enforcement of China’s one-child policy causes more violence against women and girls than any other official policy on earth and any other official policy in the history of the world, ” according to an expert speaking at a memorial for victims of communism.
Reggie Littlejohn, president of Women’s Rights Without Frontiers, spoke at the Victims of Communism Memorial in Washington, D.C. on June 12. She described a recent case — one of many reported cases — of forced abortion in China:

Feng Jianmei was beaten and dragged into a vehicle by a group of Family Planning Officials while her husband, Deng Jiyuan, was out working.  The officials asked for RMB 40,000 in fines from Feng Jianmei’s family.  When they did not receive the money, they forcibly aborted Feng at seven months, laying the body of her aborted baby next to her in the bed.
Feng Jianmei is not alone.  The Chinese Communist Party estimates that it has “prevented” 400 million lives through its brutal One Child Policy.  Every one of these 400 million snuffed out lives is a victim of communism.

Read more by clicking here...

Making Whole: Line Drawing: Tree

by Diane Steinbach

"Making Whole" is a bi monthly column focusing on art therapy to help heal inner trauma or promote healing and personal growth.

The tree image is a profound symbol. We plant a tree to memorialize big events: births, deaths… We stand in awe at the roots of giant Sequoias trees or Redwoods and witness them as testimony to the very power of nature or God.

Trees are perfect in all their imperfections, just like us; in fact, it is their very imperfections that make them interesting and complex. The organic shape of the bark, the knotholes, the scars, the twists and turns of the branches, our eyes are transfixed.

Imagine yourself as a tree.  Using a pen, marker, crayon or pencil, draw your tree. 

Once done, look at your tree. Does it look full and thriving or dying off? Is it scarred or smooth? Does the tree represent how you feel about yourself?

What could you do to nourish or improve your tree? What does the tree need? Over time, do more tree drawings and strive to nourish and care for the tree that you create. Feed the roots and protect them. Allow the tree to have foliage and provide shade. Add more things to the surrounds of the tree, a sun, grass, and animals… provide a glorious environment for your tree – you- to thrive and heal.  

Diane is the author of: Art As Therapy: Innovations, Inspiration and Ideas:, Art Activities for Groups: Providing Therapy, Fun and Function and A Practical Guide to Art Therapy Groups

image:

License

Some rights reserved by Dan Morelle

Treasuring Grace Book Club: Discussion Questions for Ch. 10 and 11

Hello again book club members! We hope you are ever -more engrossed in Treasuring Grace and enjoying your summer read. Below are the discussion questions for Chapters 10 and 11, with the authors insights in the Spoiler Alerts below.  

In Chapter 10, how is Liz ’s subconscious trying to shake her from her delusion?

 

In her dream, her grandfather is telling her to go back to reality and that Grace is gone. She’s also hurting herself by squeezing the pin which should be drawing her attention to the pin and what it represents.

 

 

In Chapter 11, after Jake jumps back in the car, Alyssa says that he should become a doctor.  Can you think of a reason why he is objecting to this?

SPOILER ALERT

In Chapter 11, after Jake jumps back in the car, Alyssa says that he should become a doctor.  Can you think of a reason why he is objecting to this?

He says that there are things a doctor has to do that he couldn’t do.  He’s referring to abortions.

 

There are other very subtle references to abortion that could easily be missed.  Did you notice any in the book so far?

Well, these are subtle, and I would strenuously object if I was reading the book and being graded on it.  However, earlier in Chapter 11, Alyssa concludes that Jake is adopted and Scott agrees.   Liz asks, “Scott how could you deny your own son?”  Before that, at the end of Chapter 6, Scott decides to direct Alyssa’s jokes toward Jake with the narrator concluding: “Paternal instincts sometimes lost to the drive for self-preservation, even when it was just to avoid a little difficulty.”  That is unfair on a number of levels.  It is very subtle to recognize, but it’s also, in many cases, an unfair characterization of a father’s reason to pursue an abortion.  However, at times in addition to the ignorance that it’s a life and the enormity of that implication, there can be an element of selfishness. 

Read Chapters 12 -14

5 Life Affirming Things My Mother Taught Me

by Diane Steinbach

My mother was a joy. She was funny, creative, loving and giving. We didnt always get along, especially as I entered those teenage years, and then again, when I went from one bad boyfriend-choice to another, but she always had an affable way about her that meant I could always come back no matter what was said.

I was crushed... beyond words when she died after a 2 year battle with cancer.

Even during her battle she had a sense of humor. She loved life, and although she only had 2 children, my sister and I, she also had a foster son for a short while, and wished she could have had more.
It was not to be.

However...her light shone brightly and even before I looked around that crowded church when we all said our final goodbyes I knew her life touched many.

She had hoped to share her special ways... her sense of humor, her joy of life, with others, and so it is with that thought that I share with you all some bits of wisdom she taught me.

1. Always have fun with what you are doing. If you are smiling and having fun, that fun will be contagious. People who see you, will begin to feel better and happier even if they are blue.  Share your happiness.
2. Reach out to others.  If you see someone who looks lost or confused, try to help. Even if you don't know the answer, two confused people feel stronger and less afraid than one confused person. You will make a friend for life, or at the very least help alleviate the stress from someone in that very scary moment.
3. Don't try to be the center of attention. Step back and let others sparkle. The satisfaction you get when you support your friends and watch them succeed ...well, that is better than being the center of attention yourself.
4. Be a caretaker to living things. Always stop to help out an injured animal or stop someone from hurting any living thing. Life is energy, and energy is all around us. We are all caretakers of nature and should treat all life with respect.
5. Love freely. Always return love given to you, and give love to those who need it. Love is free and heals our souls. It is the light within you...let it shine.

God Speaks: Real Stories of God's Guiding Hand...

The book "Treasuring Grace" was inspired by a dream in which co -author Tracy Roberts feels that God spoke to her and directed her hand in the writing of the story. Many people feel God's special influence in their lives in direct or indirect ways.  This recurring column seeks to bring you some of their inspirational stories.

"John's Story"

“ I remember it was a Dark street with a lot of people walking, looking for something.  Jesus looked at me and asked “what do you see John?

 I said, “I see a lot of people who look poor and need help.”

Jesus said to me “you’re right, these are my children. What they are looking for is help.” A tear came to my eyes because I could not help his children.

I saw next to this street a series of brightly lit yards and nice sidewalks leading to the doors of churches. Each one was beautiful, covered with gold and embellishments, filled with followers. At that time that gave me hope in my heart.  

 Jesus said to me “John, look.” and some people came out with food and gave to the street people and then they were walking back to their church’s very happy with what they have just done.

They were being followed by a few of the people. Now, they were not dressed nicely and they asked if they could come in, they wanted to belong to the churches on the block but they didn’t know or look right for the church they were asking to enter and after a while the doors were closed and no one enter from the street. 

Now it was raining and terrible weather outside and I ask Jesus what happen? He said to me “Is it the children in the church or the children in the street who need to learn?”

Just after he said this I didn’t have time to ask him enough questions when a chariot landed right in front of us.  The doors opened and the doorman held them open then all the Church doors opened and the people inside came out to see what was going on.  They quickly jumped into the chariots, pushing the people who were on the streets off.

 As the last car was being filled Jesus reached out his arm, saving the last seat for me and said “John, do you wish to go with them? 

I waited for a short time and said “I don’t deserve to go Jesus I am not worthy” and I backed away from the car I turned to Jesus and ask if he was going he said “No John, My children need to learn and there is still time” and then The Chariot lifted off the ground and soared into the sky. 

A bright light began to build in the sky and the people in the chariot were excited because they were going to Heaven. Suddenly the bright light turned into a hot and fiery Volcano, and the Chariot rode right into the middle of it, with all the Church people inside.

 After I saw what had happen I didnt know what to say, so I asked, “how do we enter into heaven Jesus”. 

As tears ran down my face and I found my self kneeling in front of him for I was one of those people doing what was being ask of me. No more but no less. In my heart I know I was doing works just to get my place in the chariot to heaven.

As Jesus leaned down to me he asked me to stand.  As I look through my tears I could see we were no longer on the street.  It was still raining and windy but in front of us was a rocky mountain with water running down it and a cable like off a crane but it was frayed he told me to grab the cable and put my hand on it and said “John this is the only way.”

 So I started to pull my self up the cable it was ripping through my skin on my hands and the sides of my feet were bare and the rocks did not help much.   

 “The road to heaven is not easy John it takes a lot of hard work and must give your body and soul to your work” that was the last thing I head from Jesus.  

  As I was squeezing through a tight hole I could see at last a bright light and I felt peace falling through the hole onto me. My hand was ripped up and bleeding but as soon as it reach the light it was healed and then I woke up feeling the pain in my hands and turning on the light I could see little cuts all over my hands. I fell to the floor and prayed.   The next morning I showed my wife and told her of what the dream was and where I thought the cuts came from .”

Have you been touched by God or inspired by a dream? Share your story with us here.

Treasuring Grace Book Clubbers! Discussion Questions for Ch. 8 and 9

Hi Treasuring Grace Book Club Readers!

We hope you are enjoying your summer read of Treasuring Grace. If you havent started, its not too late to enjoy all the cool author insights and discussion questions, so start up a book club group and get reading!
For those of you who are staying on schedule here are your book club questions for chapters 8 and 9.

In Chapter 8, how can you explain Liz’s choice of seats for the trip and her explanation for sitting there?

 

You’ve seen Liz and Scott together for several chapters. What observations do you have about their relationship, especially as it relates to their children?

 

In Chapter 9, why do you think Jake is so worked up about Alyssa’s feigned interest in Drew?

 

Why does Liz’s expression cloud briefly at the end of Chapter 9?

SPOILER ALERT:  

Discussion questions with authors insights:

 

In Chapter 8, how can you explain Liz’s choice of seats for the trip and her explanation for sitting there?

 

Liz initially states her reason clearly: so that Grace can see the horses. Alyssa didn’t hear her, and as people frequently do, Liz didn’t simply repeat her statement. Instead, she said that she wanted to be near each of her children, which was plausible. Alyssa’s teenager response about togetherness was easy to ignore, and could have just as easily been attributed to an empty window seat as to a bigger person sitting in the middle.

 

You’ve seen Liz and Scott together for several chapters. What observations do you have about their relationship, especially as it relates to their children?

Outside of a few jobs and note cards, their relationship is almost entirely sustained by their children. Their conversation is about them. Their activities include them. Liz even sits in the back of the truck when the seat could easily slide forward to give Jake more room. The loss of Grace created the void between them, but Jake and Alyssa prevent it from getting bigger.

 

In Chapter 9, why do you think Jake is so worked up about Alyssa’s feigned interest in Drew?

Jake is a good brother, and of course he doesn’t want his sister involved with someone who moves from girl to girl and brags about his conquests.  He also fears where an unwanted pregnancy may lead.

 

Why does Liz’s expression cloud briefly at the end of Chapter 9?

Liz is deluded.  But even in her fantasy, she sees herself as unsuitable for guiding her happy, mischievous daughter through life’s difficult decisions.  

Start reading chapters 10 and 11 for next week!

Making Whole: Art Therapy Process: Mandala

by Diane Steinbach 

Welcome to our first Making Whole Column. This will be a bi monthly column focusing on art therapy to help heal inner trauma or promote healing and personal growth. As an art therapist I have helped people connect with art medium to  express themselves for decades and our hope is that you can use it in your own personal way for healing, relaxation or to help work through stress. As time goes on all the Making Whole posts will be gathered together on a separate Page for easy reference.

Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning “circle” or “completion” and has been part of artistic expression in many cultures for hundreds of years. Considered  a valuable  tool by some of the very founders of Psychology like Carl Jung, the use of the Mandala as a path towards healing and a means of reflecting our own inner thoughts and nature make it  ideal  to use in art therapy.

The Mandala is basically a circle with artwork contained within. A perfect way to provide structure to a basically unstructured, guided art process; Mandala can be used over and over again to help work through inner thoughts and feelings.

Begin by drawing a large circle on a piece of paper.  Begin thinking about your path, your journey through life thus far or however you are feeling at the moment.  Use colors and lines within the circle to represent your inner soul, your inner thoughts, chaotic or organized, the mix of happiness, relief, guilt or remorse you might feel.  Anything you do is acceptable. Divide your Mandala into parts to represent different aspects of your emotions if you want.  Just follow your instincts and create in a free and unplanned way. Whatever you are feeling at the moment will guide your Mandala.

Your Mandala can be done with paints, crayons, and markers, anything that allows you to create in color freely and easily. You should create in a relaxed state or in the hopes of expressing whatever emotions you may be experiencing at the moment. By placing your images and thoughts into the Mandala you can release them from your own mind and lower your bodies stress and anxiety levels.

Once you have completed your Mandala look at the colors, shapes, use of lines and overall effect of your work. Write down any connections you feel between the emotions and thoughts you were feeling or thinking while creating your Mandala. The insights you gain can further help you towards your journey of healing.

Keep a Mandala journal, where you can “doodle” into the familiar circular form anytime you feel uneasy, anxious or upset. 

Image: 

License

Some rights reserved by Gerlinde Hog-Aden

A Secret Revealed: The Development of the Human Face

I remember a story about how we, humans, got that indentation under our noses and over our lips. The story goes that before we are born, an angel tells us to keep the secret of heaven to ourselves when our souls go to earth-- get born, and the angel presses her finger to our lips, creating that impression.
Well, science once again dispels the myth. lol... but that's okay.. it's still interesting, and shows how quickly the fetus becomes a person in the womb.  Check out this video from the BBC.

Shining the Light: On Baby First Site: Educational Website for Baby

Hi friends,
I recently posted a note about our new Resources for New Moms tab on our TG home page, but I wanted to call your attention to one of the links, because I know you won't have time to check them all out.

Baby First is a nice little website that could be an invaluable resource for those who home school, or want to give their kids a head start with some early learning at home.

It offers free videos, lessons and games that support learning of all the basics... colorful and bright, your little ones will be both entertained and educated.

There is plenty for Mom and Dad as well, including some resources for online books for kids.
Don't have a small tike? Please share this resource with someone who does.
You'll find them here:  Baby First TV

image:

License

Some rights reserved by OhKyleL

Treasuring Grace Book Clubbers! Discussion Q's for Chapters 6 and 7

Hey Book Club Members! We hope you are enjoying Treasuring Grace as your summer read! Below are your discussion questions for chapters 6 and 7.


Questions:

In Chapter 6, where does the granola bar come from that Alyssa finds?

 

In Chapter 7, Liz reflects on the teaching position that she didn’t get.  What part of this wasn’t true?  

SPOILER ALERT:

Questions with Authors Comments and Insights

 

In Chapter 6, where does the granola bar come from that Alyssa finds?

Liz imagined that she gave it to Grace, but she just left it on the floor of the bedroom.

 

Is there anything in the story that gives you a hint that Grace isn’t real?

It’s pretty subtle, but nobody but Liz ever interacts with her.  When Liz interacts, Grace never actually does anything.  Liz just sees her doing things.  The narrator never says that Grace does something.  It’s always through Liz .  For example, Liz bent down to hug and kiss her, but she didn’t bend down and hug and kiss her.  It’s always her intent or what she saw but not what actually happened. 

 

In Chapter 7, Liz reflects on the teaching position that she didn’t get.  What part of this wasn’t true?  She didn’t have Grace to help her through the disappointment.  The loss of Grace was the reason that the disappointment was so bitter.

Start reading Chapters 8 and 9!

Announcing the Resources for New Moms Tab

We are really excited to share a new development on our Treasuring Grace Ministries Blog. Part of our mission here is to support those who have chosen to accept the role of Motherhood (or Fatherhood) in spite of what may be difficult circumstances. Our new Resources for New Moms tab is part of that commitment.

You'll find it at the top of our blog page, and if you click on the tab you'll find links to a continuously growing list of online resources that can help get you both information and real help when you need it.

Places like Birthright.org are there, which can help pregnant women get counseling and information as well as pregnancy tests and support throughout your pregnancy.

You'll also find awesome information and links on practical stuff like how to get free diapers and baby care products, free downloadable baby books, and a really great website to help support early childhood education.
We will be adding to this resource list on an ongoing basis, so if you have a resource you'd like to share, please let us know so we can link it up for everyone's benefit.
Spread the word!

  VJ8PW777T2QS

image:

License

Some rights reserved by *Ann Gordon