Full of Surprises

In early April, Mary, a thirty-year-old with a nine-year old child, came to ThriVe Orlando after several missed appointments (initial appointment made due to Vitae’s digital marketing efforts on behalf of ThriVe). From the start, she made it very clear that she was abortion-minded and had no desire to parent. During her initial visit, Mary told the patient advocate she thought she was six weeks gestation. However, during her ultrasound, she saw something she didn’t expect. Her baby was seventeen weeks and three days old! At the sight of her ultrasound, she was enraged, stormed out, and refused to finish her appointment. The ThriVe staff immediately began to pray. They prayed Mary would find hope and not believe the lies she was likely telling herself. They prayed for a change of heart to save the life in her womb, something only God can do!

The ThriVe staff did not have much success connecting with her during follow-up phone calls, but they never stopped praying. Finally, Mary returned their call! Through that conversation, ThriVe staff learned that Mary had a change of heart. Mary didn’t believe she could parent her child, but still wanted her child to live. She made the courageous decision to ask for information on adoption. Mary told the staff she was taking prenatal vitamins and was trying to stay healthy for the baby.

God changed her heart, and she chose life! A few months later, Mary contacted ThriVe and asked them to send her ultrasound information to her adoption agency. This story shows that hearts and minds can be changed.

Mary’s courageous decision to choose life for her baby through adoption provides great hope and encouragement.

*Names and minor details changed to protect privacy
(Story provided by Aaryn Marquardt, ThriVe, Orlando, FL)