Ali + Justin’s Story

*Ali and her boyfriend *Justin had discussed in the past that if she were ever to get pregnant, they would get an abortion. However, although this pregnancy was unplanned, Ali started to notice a growing attachment toward the baby - her baby - even at this early stage. She felt nervous to tell him that she was now questioning the decision to abort... and when she did tell him she was pregnant, he did not take it well. A friend whom Ali confided in told her about Thrive Medical Clinic, and she called us to make an appointment for a confirmation ultrasound. Once the ultrasound was completed, Ali said, “Well, that just solidified my decision.” She made up her mind to raise her baby, with or without Justin’s support. We quickly sent out an anonymous prayer request email to our supporters on her behalf. During that week, so many of you prayed for her! The following week, Ali shared that she had told Justin about her resolve, and he, miraculously, responded so much better than expected! As a first-time dad, he was relieved when he heard about the practical help we were offering, including a dresser packed full of brand new baby items that a local church had donated. We wish you could hear Ali express her gratitude for having a safe place that has made her feel valuable and celebrated. What wonderful support this little family, and so many others, experienced because of your work behind the scenes, your prayers, and your donations!

*Names and photo changed to preserve confidentiality.

Lucy’s Story

*Lucy came to her first appointment at Thrive with tears in her eyes. This pregnancy came as a surprise and felt impossible to her for many reasons. Her partner *Mike had responded to news of the pregnancy by immediately pressuring her to abort due to financial limitations. She also expressed her own concerns about the pregnancy, such as the strain of taking care of two-under-two with little-to-no help from a support system that didn’t exist. Yet she felt serious concerns towards having an abortion. She wrestled with the truth that this was a unique, irreplaceable life. She told us she was afraid that her mental health would be dramatically impacted by an abortion. Though she expressed being pro-choice, she kept stating that she felt she didn’t have a choice; abortion was something she felt she simply had to choose for those around her.

Mike came with Lucy to her ultrasound appointment, and we were able to hear his concerns and offer many relevant resources. We sent several anonymous prayer request emails on behalf of this family, and the Lord heard every single prayer you lifted to His ears. Lucy eventually shared with us that they had made the decision to raise their baby girl. She shared that she felt empowered every time she came to Thrive, and that the resources we offered were the practical support they needed in order for her to feel like she finally had a good choice in front of her. Although there were still sacrifices to be made, she decided her daughter would be worth every single one.

We are grateful that God led Lucy to Thrive, and that her community rose to action with both prayer and practical support. You helped turn this pregnancy from a source of stress and anguish into something to be celebrated and cherished forever.

*Names and picture changed to preserve confidentiality.

Amy's Story (Video)

“Every Sunday I got dressed for church, but I couldn’t bring myself to go… It was on repeat in my head; “single, pregnant, sinner”… I felt like I didn’t belong there. Now I see that was a lie.”

When Amy became pregnant unexpectedly, fear gripped her heart. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing her baby to abortion, and yet she didn’t think she could provide for another child on her own. Watch Amy's story of overcoming fear, shame and isolation, and how the body of Christ came alongside her to help empower this precious family to thrive.

Your support is helping more women and children like Amy and her kids thrive. Give a gift to empower abundant life right here in your community!

Emily's Story

Emily* came to Thrive Medical Clinic completely overwhelmed, with a child in her arms and another on the way. She also carried a heavy burden of hurt and distrust from a painful past relationship, and it was taking a toll on her current one. To help her physically prepare for her baby’s arrival, we gave her maternity, postpartum and baby supplies, and connected her with other local resources. She also met with a Thrive Mentor on numerous occasions to mentally, emotionally, and relationally prepare for this next season as a mom of two.

Through her continued mentorship, she’s received critical tools to help restore trust and unity in her relationship, and has gained clarity and confidence with parenting and communication skills to create a more healthy, stable, and joyful home. During these conversations and prayers with her mentor, Emily’s guarded heart became tender as she opened up to God’s love for her and His beautiful plan for her life. The support she’s received from Thrive has been transformative in her life. This is the impact of your prayers and support!

*Names and images are changed to preserve confidentiality.

Karli's Story

Karli* first came to us seeking information on abortion to gain a better understanding of her options. When she saw her active, beautifully developed 13-week baby on the ultrasound screen and heard the precious heart beating, she smiled and said, “I think it’s a girl.” She quickly felt that getting an abortion would be wrong and wasn’t what she wanted anymore. Throughout her pregnancy, what started as a quick visit to just pick up some baby supplies, gradually grew into visits with regular deep conversations with our staff.

One of our Thrive Mentors had it clearly placed on her heart that - in addition to the practical maternity supplies, baby clothes, diapers, car seat, and dresser Karli was able to receive from Thrive - one of the most valuable gifts she needed was someone to listen to her. Seeing Karli grow more comfortable - confident that she is genuinely loved and cared for - has been so beautiful! She’s begun opening up more and more, and recently allowed one of our mentors to pray with her over a heavy challenge she’s been going through.

Seeing this steady transformation in Karli’s life and being able to help and encourage her has been such a humbling experience for our staff. It is beautiful to see God currently working in the details in her life, reminding her repeatedly that she is seen, loved, and that she and her child are not forgotten.

Oh! And she’s having a girl. :)

*Names and images are changed to preserve confidentiality.

Nora's Story

When Nora* got a positive pregnancy test, her first reaction was that she needed an abortion. Carrying a pregnancy to term and raising a child were both overwhelming things for her to think about, and the concept of being a mom at this time in her life just didn’t seem realistic. The only people she had spoken to about the pregnancy so far were abortion providers, and it seemed like getting an abortion was the clear thing to do. But after telling her partner about the pregnancy, she felt unsure.

Nora heard about Thrive Medical Clinic through a friend and decided to schedule an appointment with us to confirm her pregnancy. While at her appointment, she bravely and honestly talked about how confused and torn she felt about what to do. She openly acknowledged how difficult any pregnancy decision she came to would be, but also how pleasantly surprised she was by seeing the support from those around her.

When it came time for her ultrasound scan to be done, Nora was able to see her beautiful child for herself - with its little head, body, legs, and arms. The baby’s heart could be clearly seen, strongly beating away; and, gradually, Nora started to become more excited about being this child’s mom. After the ultrasound, she expressed how things seemed much more real and asked good questions about her options and the types of support available.

Seeing the process of her mind cautiously go from shocked confusion to genuine excitement about parenting was absolutely incredible. Without anyone pressuring her, God simply worked to shift Nora’s perspective in a beautiful way as she took the time to process and learn more. It was such a joyful day when she shared that she made the decision to parent this child!

We’re grateful for each of you who prays and supports our patients in so many ways. These women, men, and babies are being given the chance, hope, resources, and support to choose life in a safe and loving place - and that is absolutely priceless.

*Patient names and photos are changed to preserve confidentiality.

If you were touched by this story and want to help provide the solutions, resources and support for women like Nora to choose life for their precious babies, we invite you to make a donation. Thank you so much!

Katelyn's Story

Katelyn* came to Traverse City with her child and no support or family in the area. After she became pregnant again, she made several abortion appointments, but each time something kept her from going through with it.

She finally made the decision to keep her baby, but was feeling entirely overwhelmed. She came to Thrive Forward in her last trimester because she heard that we offer free baby supplies. We were delighted to meet her and gave her maternity clothes, a postpartum and newborn gift bag, and we just so happened to have one unclaimed dresser fully stocked with baby items that we gave her that same day.

Before she came in, she knew she was meant to have this baby, but the thought of it seemed so daunting and hard to grasp. But the tangible love and support she received that day made all the difference; she felt hopeful and had confidence in her ability to thrive as a mom of two.

TMC supported Katelyn throughout the rest of her pregnancy and she continues to participate in regular mentorship sessions with one of our Thrive Forward mentors. Katelyn received a Bible with her dresser, and her mentor has been able to share comforting Bible verses with her. She has also been very receptive to discussions around God’s power during times of uncertainty and fear, and His incredible love for her.

*Patient names and photos are changed to preserve confidentiality.

If you were touched by this story and want to help provide the solutions, resources and support for women like Katelyn to choose life for their precious babies, we invite you to make a donation. Thank you so much!

Rowan's Story (Video)

Rowan already had an abortion scheduled when she came to Thrive Medical Clinic. She was living with an abusive boyfriend who had convinced her that she was incapable of being a mother and abortion was their only option. Her world was consumed by darkness and she felt hopeless. But after a close friend recommended that she call Thrive Medical Clinic, everything started to change... 

Right now, your donations are helping more women like Rowan, and more babies like Wilber, thrive. YOU are making all the difference!

Ava's Story

By Jasmine Bower, Patient Services Director

*Ava reached out to us after getting multiple positive pregnancy tests at home. She called saying, “I thought I knew what I wanted to do, but now I’m not sure.” We were able to schedule her for a free consultation and confirmation ultrasound to verify her pregnancy, and when she came in, she opened up more about what she was going through.

She and her boyfriend had broken up just before Ava found out she was pregnant. When Ava got the positive pregnancy tests, she told her ex-boyfriend along with some family members. She said that she didn’t initially know what to do, but then began to experience pressure from multiple people around her trying to persuade her that abortion would be her best option. So, Ava scheduled an appointment to get a medication abortion.

Ava came in to TMC for her ultrasound appointment just two days before her abortion was scheduled to happen. During her options consult, she cried as she expressed her fears about being a single mom but also her conflict in not wanting to abort her child. She talked about someone God had put in her life who was encouraging her that she was capable of carrying this pregnancy to term and felt that she might somehow receive the support she needed.

After discussing her pregnancy options, Ava went in for her ultrasound. She measured just over 8wks along, and her beautiful baby could be seen clearly...heart beating away. Seeing the scan, Ava let herself laugh with joy a little as she watched the scan and expressed that she actually was beginning to feel excited!

She said, “Seeing the baby, I’ve made up my mind to parent. I wish that I came here weeks ago when I first found out I was pregnant. That was super lonely to go through, and coming here was the encouragement I needed.”

Ava canceled her abortion appointment, and we were able to help her get set up with some helpful community resources. She also gratefully accepted our offer to gift her a dresser filled with essential baby supplies.

When the time came for Ava to receive the dresser, she let us know that she is having a boy! Once Ava came to pick up her dresser, she started crying as soon as she saw it. She expressed how thankful she was and that it was so much more than she expected. She shared that, since making the decision to parent her son, things have gotten much better, and she is genuinely feeling the support of those around her.

Ava’s story and her courage and determination to be a good mom to her son blows me away! Seeing the way that God looked out for her and is now working on her behalf through amazing individuals in this community is such a beautiful reminder of the loving, miraculous, and personal God that He is. It also makes me overwhelmed with thankfulness to everyone who has given, prayed, and volunteered for TMC so that Ava and her son were both given this chance at life.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10

*Patient names and photos are changed to preserve confidentiality

Brooke's Story

By Jasmine Bower, Patient Services Director

After getting a positive pregnancy test, *Brooke made an appointment for an abortion. She felt conflicted about what she should do regarding her unplanned pregnancy and wanted to talk things through, but she also faced serious pressure from individuals encouraging her to go through with her abortion.

After making the abortion appointment, she chose to come to TMC to get a confirmation ultrasound, ask questions, and verbally process in a safe and private setting. Brooke openly expressed the conflict she felt inside and said, “Honestly, I want to keep my baby; but I know it would be hard. I think I’d regret getting an abortion, though.”

When Brooke saw her baby’s heartbeat on the ultrasound machine, she said she felt “protective” of the life inside of her and said, “I know I need to do what’s best for me and my child.” She courageously canceled her abortion appointment and, for the first time, allowed herself to feel excited about being a mom!

She is now being surrounded by beautiful support and practical help that she didn’t even know existed originally.

Brooke has repeatedly expressed so much appreciation for this ministry and the support she is receiving from so many in the community... “If it wasn’t for this place, getting to talk to someone, and seeing the ultrasound, I’m convinced that I would’ve been coerced into having the abortion.”

Praise God for what He is doing through both of these lives! And thank you for providing this brave mom and her little one with the chance they needed to thrive and know how incredibly valuable they both are.

“I am so, so glad I came here. I feel like I have the information and resources I need to make the best decision for me.” - Brooke

*Patient names and photos are changed to preserve confidentiality

Jenna's Story

By Catherine Swaffer, Patient Care Advocate

Jenna came to Thrive Medical Clinic for an ultrasound certain she was pregnant and convinced neither she nor her boyfriend were prepared to care for another child. They had a medical abortion appointment scheduled for the following week.

She shared with me that she and her children live with an abusive boyfriend. Jenna also suffers from major depression and most days can barely get out of bed, much less find a way to leave her boyfriend. After already having had several previous abortions, Jenna seemed very comfortable with this solution to her unexpected new problem.

As the ultrasound started, it became obvious that this baby was much further along than she imagined. Initially, Jenna covered her eyes, tearing up. She was one day short of 14 weeks and the baby was quite active.

The humanity of this well developed baby suddenly caught Jenna’s eye. Suddenly she said, “I can’t do it. I can’t do that to this baby.”

God’s presence is often felt during these patient visits, but especially when vulnerable, broken women come in thinking abortion is the only answer. It’s a profound grace to witness the change of heart that often happens.

After Jenna decided to choose life, she felt that adoption was the best option. She said she could not manage another child right now, but she could consider adoption. Praise God!

Jenna was happy to receive referrals to Christian support groups for pregnant mothers and post-abortion support.

Please pray for Jenna as she navigates the adoption process, pursues healthier relationships and finds healing.

*Patient names and photos are changed to preserve confidentiality

Maya's Story

By Jasmine Bower, Patient Services Director

So many times, we don’t get to hear what happens to our patients or the little one inside of them after they leave our clinic. Well, in 2021 I met with a girl who has been on my heart for months.

*Maya came to us emotionally overwhelmed. She was experiencing common pregnancy symptoms and wanted help to know what to do. We did a pregnancy test for her, which came back positive, and I was able to sit down with her and hear her heart. Maya cried as she shared honestly about how she felt: relationships in her life, her age, her health, and being afraid of being viewed as a “failure” by others all made an abortion seem like the best option to her. Maya shared that in her past relationships with guys, she just felt used for her body and didn’t feel that she was valued. She began to panic that her current boyfriend wouldn’t love her enough to stay with her, and she was terrified of parenting alone.

We were able to do a confirmation ultrasound for Maya, which showed that she was six weeks along – just far along enough to see the tiny growing baby inside her, its heartbeat, and take measurements.

After her ultrasound, we were able to talk more about Maya’s fears and her deep worth. She allowed me to explore all her options with her (abortion, adoption, and parenting), and we talked about what they would look like for her, both now and down the road. Maya did have someone close who didn’t want her to go through the emotional pain of abortion. She encouraged Maya to parent and was eager to be a support for her. I was able to introduce Maya to multiple beautiful resources that would be a huge support to her if she did decide that parenting was what she wanted to do. We spoke truth and love to her, trying to help her see how not-alone she is. But we also made it clear that this was ultimately her decision, and that, no matter what, we care about her and will be here for her. Maya was very appreciative and said that this was a “safe place for sure,” but left no indication of what her decision would be.

Not until eight months later did we hear any sort of update from Maya… and it absolutely made my week. It’s crazy how much can change in eight months. Well, Maya let us know that she is doing well and that she gave birth to a beautiful, healthy boy! Not only is she now parenting her son, but she plugged herself into some amazing support and surrounded herself with loving, Godly people who are walking her through motherhood.

I can’t help but praise God for His compassion and for orchestrating so much for the sake of this baby boy and his mom, despite all the attacks of the enemy. I am so thankful for the prayers and gifts of this community and the way God’s faithful hand uses each of them. He sees all the details that we can’t and is the only One who can save.

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” – Jeremiah 32:27

*Patient names and photo are changed to preserve confidentiality 

Kaylee’s Story

God recently brought us a young woman who came in already decided that an abortion was what she needed.

When *Kaylee arrived, she shared that, although she had hoped to be a mom someday, this seemed like a terrible time to bring a new life into the world. Kaylee was very open and shared with me about how she came to her decision and how torn and alone she had felt while making it. She said she felt bad about choosing abortion but thought that this would be the most responsible choice for this time in her life. She told me about some people in her life who were trying not to sway her decision, but she assumed they hoped that she would choose abortion, and she wanted to please them.

Kaylee hadn’t told most people, especially her mom, that she was pregnant. She and her mom were very close, and Kaylee knew that news of an abortion plan would break her mom’s heart. I tried to encourage her to consider confiding in her mom, since she would otherwise be keeping a heavy secret long-term from someone she loves dearly. Kaylee started to tear up, and said, “It has been a lot to sort through alone and has felt heavy not being able to talk to people about it.”

During the ultrasound, we were able to clearly see her tiny, 7-week-old baby. Kelly, our sonographer,gently pointed out the baby’s heartbeat and the fetal development taking place. Kaylee responded with surprise and referred to her child as “baby” several times throughout the scan. She then looked at me and said, “Wow... I think I’m undecided again. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

After the ultrasound, Kaylee was open to learning about her parenting, abortion, and adoption options. It was clear that she had never felt good about choosing abortion, and that she needed to be encouraged by hearing truth and being cheered on. She left encouraged but undecided and said that she would seriouslytalk with her boyfriend about their options again. I encouraged her to please reach out any time she needed to talk and reminded her that she is not alone.

When she left, I quickly sent out a request asking our prayer warriors to pray for her courage, hope, and love for this baby to grow, and for the same to be true of her boyfriend who would be such an essential piece of her decision-making process.

Sadly, we often aren’t able to hear what happensto the women, men, and babies we see here once they leave. But the following week, we got the best voicemail ever... Kaylee had reached out to let us know that she and her boyfriend had decided to parenttheir baby! She had also told the news to her mom, who responded with excitement and support. Kaylee repeated how appreciative she was and accepted our offer of a dresser filled with newborn items for when her baby arrives.

It cannot be overstated that God is so good! Thank you for praying for this ministry and our patients, and thank you for providing Kaylee with a place to learn, be loved, heard, and to see her baby for herself.

“I cannot thank you enough for today!” - Kaylee

*Patient names and photos are changed to preserve confidentiality

Krystyn's Story

For the first time EVER, a patient is sharing her personal experience and introducing you to her beautiful daughter. Get your tissues!

Kay Hall - My Journey to Restoration

Kay experienced two unplanned pregnancies - one ended in abortion, the other in adoption. Until 2017, she had remained silent about her abortion. She feared that if she told her friends and family, that she would be met with shame and judgment. "Instead, I ran into a life of freedom. A life where I could pick up and take the shame off." This is the story of how she overcame her fears, and gave her story over to God so that it could be used for good and help others face their past, and allow healing and restoration to begin. 

If you have an abortion in your past, and have not yet found the courage to tell your family, or would just like to talk to someone who understands - please contact Kay! She would love to meet with you. 
Email her at:  micoachkayhall@gmail.com 

Let Hope and Healing Begin! 

To share your own story, go to: www.friendsofpcc.org and contact us. We will even film and produce it for you, just like Kay's story! 

Music by: www.bensound.com