FROM THE HEART
News from Choices of the Heart Network NEW ! RESS ADD
MAIN OFFICE 133 Ganttown Rd. Turnersville, NJ 856-374-2833
Choicesoftheheart.com
CHOICES THRIFT BOUTIQUE 132 Ganttown Rd. Turnersville NJ 08012 856-256-1234
MISSION STATEMENT To protect the unborn by empowering individuals in the Delaware Valley to make healthy life choices
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Starry Night
'
Winter 21
To whom will you compare me? Says the Holy One Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens; Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Isaiah. 40:26 When the three wise men came from the East to Jerusalem, they were looking for the King of the Jews. They saw His star and went to the capital of Israel. Where else would a king be born? The wise men would soon learn that God’s ways are not readily apparent. “And You oh Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” Matt. 2:2 The star led the wise men to the to where they never expected a King to be born. A small insignificant town.
Looking back over 25 years since Choices of the Heart’s inception God led me in ways that were also not apparent. I thought the struggles and trials, in leading a ministry, were hindrances and a result of my failures. Today I see that those struggles and trials were the things that kept us in a place of humility and reliance on God. As the star led the wise men, God leads us. He was weaving a beautiful tapestry, one that I could not readily see. He was using volunteers, pastors, businesses, and donors who would all play a role in defending the sanctity of human life. THEY are Choices of the Heart.
For the first time this year during our gala, we gave a donor tribute. The tribute was a light show where 3000 stars were to be put up on the screen to represent each life saved over the last 25 yrs. This tribute was planned to be the highlight of the evening. It was very powerful. It was also not to scale. The producers were not able to give me exactly 3000 stars. They were however able to give me many more.
At first, I was disappointed because
it wasn’t what I had initially envisioned. The above verse in Isaiah spoke to me. Lift your eyes Rita and look what I’ve done! Once again, what I thought was a mistake was God at work. God revealed to me that each star on the screen was not representing just one life saved it was representing generations! The children saved 25 years ago are now themselves having children. I was only thinking of the one child born but God was showing us the future generations who would be born. Our children and their children’s children are here because God has moved in the hearts of faithful friends of this ministry!
During this Christmas season let us remember that as the heavens are higher than the earth, so His ways are higher than ours. The one born in a manger; gives names to the stars. He ordains our steps. All things were created by Him, for Him and through Him.
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
If you missed our event you can still watch it by visiting choicesoftheheart.com
Rita Reyes Executive Director
2021 Gala Thank You!
What an amazing turn out and celebration we had for our 25th Anniversary Event. We
are forever thankful for all of those who participated and came.
If you missed our event you can still watch it by visiting choicesoftheheart.com
Our New Home! A 2 Year Capital Campaign
Renovations on our new home at 133 Ganntown Road
Welcome our new Medical Advisor Dr. Gerald Burke
have begun. Donors interested in making a capital campaign donation can fill out the response form on the next page.
Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Psalm 127:1
ut bo e a uir Inq se ou n h pe r o ou 22 20 er int W
Make
us a part of your year-end
giving!
Choicesoftheheart.com
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come the old has gone
2 Cor 5:17
Response Form
My Year-end Gift Name:_______________________________ Address:_____________________________ City:__________________________________ State:________________________________ Zip: __________________________________ Phone:_______________________________ Email:________________________________ I am interested in making a year-end gift
Cancelled
Scheduled for an abortion 4 times... It would take a miracle!
I received a call from a woman in distress named Kristen. Kristen immediately started asking me questions about abortion. The phone calls from Kristen began to come regularly along with her admission to scheduling and rescheduling three different abortion appointments. Kristin was overwhelmed and torn on her decision about her pregnancy intentions. Every time she called I answered every question thoroughly because she knew very little about her options and pregnancy. She called several times over the course of a few weeks but the last time we spoke she was finally willing to
of $_______ toward the capital campaign. I would like to become a monthly partner for $_______________. I would like to make a 90 day pledge of $____________. I would like to schedule Rita for my church or small group.
come into the office before making any decision about abortion. Praise God my prayers were being answered!
Interested in volunteering
In her initial appointment. I learned that she had serious relationship issues going on. She was separated and currently in an abusive relationship and there was no room for a baby in her life at this time.
What was most difficult was that she longed for a child
for many years. I brought to Kristen’s attention the mental anguish an abortion would cause. Also, that this pregnancy may be the only one she is able conceive. Kristen was in her late 30s, so her age was a factor as well.
Kristen left her first appointment at Choices of the Heart still very determined to abort. She told me she was not ready to eliminate abortion as an option. I was able to get Kristen to come in and see me for weekly care counseling. She came in over a three-week period. During each time we would talk about the things she could change
COMMENTS:_____________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ Choicesoftheheart.com
to successfully carry and raise her baby. I was able to share bits and pieces of my own unplanned pregnancy with her and what God was able to do with my obedience. Kristen was filled with fears. She was also filled with “what ifs”. The enemy was trying to take over. We continued to pray as a staff for her mind to be renewed.
On her fourth appointment she came in with a box full of a dozen donuts and a huge smile on her face. She was literally glowing! I brought her into the counseling room and before we could even begin our discussion she pronounced loud and proud her
Let's Celebrate!
decision to parent! She cancelled her last scheduled abortion appointment and did not reschedule! An emotional, scared and abortion determined mother became a mother filled with joy, excitement, and confidence. It happened because God was at work, and we never lost faith in His ability to change lives.
We are celebrating
When closing out our last session she described the way she felt as “empowered” which happens to be part of the Choices mission statement! What an honor it was to
over 3,000 lives saved
see a client make such an amazing change in her life. To see a woman, go from fear filled to empowered! God is good and He will bless Kristen for choosing LIFE!
Courtney Garaguso - Client Advocate
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Prov.4:23
in 25
years!
25th Anniversary Event The Stars of the Night!
Our babies
Evangeline & Joelle adopted 2020! See their story on choicesoftheheart.com
108 Greentree Road Suite J,K Turnersville NJ 08012 y a d ot m o c .t r a e h e ht f o s e c i o h c @ g n i d n u f l i a m E n g i a p m a c el t t o b y b a b 2 2 0 2 s hcruhc ruoy tuoba gnikniht trats ot emit eht si woN
ItsBaby Bottle Time!
'