Betty & Peter: An Answered Prayer
My name is Betty, and my son, Peter, is three months old.
When I first found out I was pregnant, I was both happy and afraid. I had experienced a pregnancy loss before Peter, so I would cry at the thought of losing him. I was also worried about finances because I didn’t have a stable job at the time.
Thankfully, I had the support of my partner, Rafael, and my family. Rafael had heard about Choices and encouraged me to learn more. One day, we went to the Mesa Center together to find out more about the resources they offered.
What I remember most about my first visit was the environment. Choices was calm, loving, and peaceful. Everything seemed designed to give pregnant mothers peace of mind—which is something we really need.
The staff at the Mesa Center was beyond kind. They explained everything, from the classes to the resources and everything in between. I also loved seeing all the baby items in the boutique, especially the handmade things. Seeing them made me feel like my baby would be deeply loved and supported there. I even enjoyed seeing other parents coming in and out for their classes.
I always knew I wanted to keep my baby. But Choices helped me feel more confident in becoming a mother.
The classes have taught me so much. Now that Peter is three months old, I’ve learned about breastfeeding, how to hold and care for my baby, understanding baby language, and so much more. Choices has guided me and walked alongside me from pregnancy into motherhood, and I feel more prepared than I ever have.
The practical resources have made an incredible difference, too. The baby items, diapers, classes, and Baby Bucks have helped relieve some of the financial pressure we experienced.
One experience I will never forget happened shortly after I came home from the hospital. I didn’t have a breast pump, so I called Choices. At first, they told me they didn’t have one available.
I hung up the phone and prayed to God for help.
About fifteen minutes later, Barb from the Mesa Center called me. Someone had donated a breast pump, and they wanted to save it for me.
I started crying on the phone. I had taken an unpaid leave of absence, and finding the money to purchase a breast pump would have been very difficult for us. Thankfully, I had enough Baby Bucks to get the pump.
I thanked God for that financial miracle and provision.
