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Month: November 2015

Looking Back With Thanks In Our Hearts

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The following is an excerpt from the speech shared by Ruth Tisdale, Executive Director at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), given at the ministry’s annual banquet. Here, Ruth shares the heart of Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) – how we continually work to reach women who feel they have no other options or help, women who are truly hurting and need the love and compassion that we can give them.

You . . . You were instrumental in changing women’s lives! Your gifts, your prayers, your time does make a difference for life.

By the end of September, 2014, about 54% of the women that had found and contacted us were at risk for abortion. By the end of this September, that number went to 64%. However, by the end of last year, 56% of those that we performed pregnancy tests on were at risk for abortion. And this year, after our marketing efforts, 84% of the women we performed pregnancy tests on been at risk for abortion. That is exactly why we are here.

Part of our strategic plan this year had us looking not only at the marketing, because we want to make sure women in need find us first, but we also looked at the operations of this ministry. We wanted to see what kinds of things do we want to enhance so that women would know they are not alone. We upgraded the look of our offices, we’ve added a live chat to our website, and we even hired someone from the National Affiliate of Pregnancy Centers to come to Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) and do a special training on talking about abortion. We want a woman’s experience at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) to be like nothing she’s ever experienced before. And we want her, when she leaves our doors, to know that she has been in a very special place.

As you can see, we have so very much to be thankful for this year. And as we enter this season where our hearts are turned to thoughts of giving thanks, we indeed find ourselves in deep gratitude for all who have had a part in helping us reach hurting women. All that we have accomplished, and all that we have reached have been because of your efforts and God’s abundant blessings. As we look ahead to 2016, incorporating even more changes that allow us to reach a greater number of women, we ask for your continued support and prayers.

We do, indeed, have much to be thankful for!

Twenty-Eight, Married & A Family . . . But Not Ready For A Baby

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*Jackee is  willingly giving us permission to share her story so that others can realize there is hope in the midst of a difficult situation. All client experiences with Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center) are kept with the highest confidence. The stories that are shared come from the real-life experiences that our clients, staff and volunteers had during their unplanned pregnancy.

*Her name has been changed but her story is true.

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Pregnancy was NOT in my plans
I am 28-years old, married, and have a 2-year-old son. The beginning of 2015 came with promises of a year filled with accomplishment of many goals. I was studying at college and I was to graduate this year. I had started my own family business … and it was growing like I never imagined. But at the beginning of February, I realized I was pregnant. I felt like my whole world collapsed. It was the worst news at this moment in my life. I felt like this wasn’t the right time for all the plans I had for my life and I didn’t realize what God wanted. I was blinded and angry at myself. The very same day we figured out that I was pregnant, I looked online for abortion options. I found a clinic that provided abortions, but the cost was too high and we did not have that kind of money. So I decided to search (more) online and found several places, and Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) came up with some others. I went to their website and began to read about my options. I wrote down the address and went to their office the next day.

I thought I knew what we should do
My husband went with me to that appointment and the first thing I told the receptionist was that I wanted information about an abortion. I felt like my entire body was shaking because of the decision I was about to make. She had us go in with a Client Advocate . . . We went in to a very cozy room which made me feel so much more at peace, though my nerves continued to shake. When we began talking to our Client Advocate, we let her know our situation and that we definitely wanted to have an abortion. She asked us many questions and slowly but surely, I began to realize what we thought we wanted wasn’t the right option at all! Our Client Advocate spoke to us with words that came directly from God. She touched our hearts and helped us to realize that the decision to abort was not the best option. She also helped us to understand that though I felt like my life was falling apart right now, God had allowed this pregnancy to happen, and He had a purpose for it, even if I didn’t understand at this time. That day, I felt God’s mercy over me.

That day, I simply arrived at the right place, at the right time and I met with the right person.

A wonderful change of my plans
I broke down and sobbed with our Client Advocate, allowing me to let go of all my fears. When we left that day, my husband and I couldn’t get over how thankful we were for God leading us to this place. If we had not gone to Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), I think that we would have aborted our child.

In conclusion, I want to express how grateful I am that there are places like Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) in a country where abortion is completely legal. Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) is there, daily fighting for the mothers, helping them see that there are other options besides abortion.

Additional stories of women and families who didn’t feel that having a baby was in their plans at that time:
Nicole’s Story – Unplanned Pregnancy & Abortion
Jason’s Story – Choosing To Parent

If you are pregnant – and don’t know where to turn for help – we are here.
You don’t even need to talk to anyone on the phone to schedule the appointment. Schedule your appointment online – at your convenience and when you are ready.

We will be here for you!

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Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) – All The Help We Desperately Needed

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John and Tanya are  willingly giving us permission to share their story so that others can realize there is hope in the midst of a difficult situation. All client experiences with Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center) are kept with the highest confidence. The stories that are shared come from the real-life experiences that our clients, staff and volunteers had during their unplanned pregnancy.

Their names and parts of their story have been changed to protect their identity, but their story is true.

When my partner and I found out that we were expecting – unexpectedly – we really didn’t know where to turn.

Having a baby was not in our plans.

We weren’t ready in any way; emotionally, financially or mentally. This was not a good time, and we simply believed that this was not the right thing for us.

Once the shock wore off a bit, we decided to do some research into what our options were. It was through online search that we found Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center). Not really knowing what to expect, we made an appointment to speak to them, thinking almost up to the time we left to meet someone that we would not go. However, it felt like something was propelling us toward them, so we went – walking in the door with great apprehension and our minds definitely not made up as to how this would turn out.

The next 30 minutes made a huge difference in our lives. After meeting with a Client Advocate there, we were immediately put at ease. Our Client Advocate was warm, helpful and not judgmental in any way. She gave us facts about all of our options.

But most importantly, she helped us see that, by being a part of the larger family there at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), we would not have to go through anything alone.

We left, knowing that we had friends who would be beside us every step of the way. We also left, having made up our minds to keep this baby, and learn along the way – with others and with help – how to care for it.

We learned much over the next several months at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid). Most helpful to us was their Bridges Program (to read more about that, click here) and how this two-year program helped provide not only for our physical needs (like diapers and wipes, formula and clothes), but also gave us a place to learn how to parent, to connect with others in our shoes, and to gain valuable knowledge that could help us as we deal with the trials of life.

Through the next couple of years, we attended many Bridges meetings. Each time we attended, we earned “dollars” that could be spent right there at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid)’s “store,” which contained the items we desperately needed for our baby. We went through a study called “Love and Logic” that provided knowledge for us to be able to work with each other as we raise a child. To this day, we use the principals taught in that study. Most of all, we received support. We always had someone there for us to talk to, to give us help and advice on parenting, and to make sure we knew we weren’t alone.

When we first started at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), we had no idea how much the program would affect our lives. The amount of help and care that we received from their volunteers and staff has been wonderful. We felt like family from the moment we walked in their doors. Words cannot express how grateful we are to have been a part of this program. We would not change a single thing about the way they worked with us. Being a part of Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) (and their Bridges Program) is something we will take with us for the rest of our lives.

Without this program, we don’t know where we would be – and are grateful to have been a part of it.

Additional help if you or someone you know is expecting:
Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center) has additional programs to help. To learn more, check out these posts:
Our Bridges Program
Our Journeys Program
Our Labor & Delivery Program