1. family and parenting
2. children

“ Now choose life so that you and your children may live …” Deuteronomy 30:19
News from Judy Weber, CEO
They came back for help!
Did you ever feel overwhelmed as a new mother or dad? After many sleepless nights and a
constantly crying baby, did you sometimes feel like you had been stretched to the limit and did
not know how or if you could keep going for many more days? Did those feelings make you feel
guilty because, after all, other people have been coping with this since Adam & Eve? I believe
that these are very normal feelings that many of us have experienced and have somehow moved
past, often with help from our families and friends, to become confident parents. Almost all of
our clients, after receiving counseling and education, have gone on to parent their children
successfully. Yet for some new parents, the situation actually is overwhelming. Recently, we helped a young teenage
mom choose life for her baby. She had no job, no skills, no money, no insurance and no experience. She was living
with her mom, who worked fulltime. We presented adoption as an option to her as we always do, but she wanted to
parent with her whole heart. We educated and prepared her for parenting, but it is hard for an inexperienced young
woman to truly understand how challenging parenting can be. After the baby was born, her peer counselor would
call to check on her and reported that she was becoming increasingly frustrated. At the end of three months, she
returned and admitted that she was not ready to be a parent at this time in her life. She now wanted to talk about
the option of adoption. We are not an adoption agency, but we gave her referrals to several lawyers and agencies so
that she could pick the best one for her baby and herself. She soon learned that the Lord had already prepared a
wonderful Christian couple to adopt her three month old baby.
Two years ago, we served a couple with twin toddlers who gave birth to another baby. The mother did not
believe that they would be able to handle three young children and talked about making an adoption plan even
during the pregnancy. However, before the new baby was born, they decided to try to parent. After three months,
they returned and wanted to pursue making an adoption plan for the infant. While they both adored the twins,
neither of them had bonded at all with the new baby. The baby showed no signs of mistreatment, but was not
being nurtured. A medical doctor had been involved and treated possible post-partum depression in the mother.
This couple began working with an agency and selected a family to adopt the new baby. The family who adopted
this baby, just like in the previous story, is praising the Lord for answering their prayers.
These situations, although rare, reflect another whole aspect of what we do. I believe that they give evidence of
the wonderful job our staff and volunteers do in building the trust of our clients, so that they feel safe in coming
back to us even when they are struggling. They have learned that we are a safe place of help and hope where they
will not be judged or condemned. They have been fully educated about both life-affirming choices of parenting and
adoption. I cannot know if either of these situations would have led to abuse or neglect, but I do know that the
Lord heard and answered the prayers of the faithful staff and volunteers who ministered to these clients, the
frustrated parents, and the families waiting and praying for a child to adopt. At First Coast Women’s Services, our
primary mission is to help abortion-minded and abortion-vulnerable women and men choose life for their babies.
However, our job is not done once that decision is made. We are called to educate and support these families with
the love and grace that the Lord has extended and continues to extend to each of us. Thank you for your very
important partnership with our work as you pray and give. Please contact me if you would like to meet with me
personally to learn more about our specific needs.
Joyfully serving,
Judy
Adoption as an Option … a powerful testimony
“I called him Sawyer ; They named him Timothy” My Road to Adoption
By: Maggie
When all this began there were a few things I knew for a fact. I was
pregnant (again)!, although slightly in denial. My relationship with my
boyfriend was not good. And I did not want another abortion. That’s
right, another. I had an abortion earlier in the year and regretted it. I had
driven past the FCWS sign a million times, it’s on a main road between
me and my boyfriend’s house and across from OB/Gyn and it’s talking
to me. It says, “Late and Worried?” Sounded like something I needed to
check out. I set up an appointment and went in for an initial pregnancy
test. The woman told me what FCWS was all about. Abortion was off
the table. I was hopelessly unemployed and in a really dark place, so I
was in no position to have a baby and all the responsibility in four short
months. The first counselor I saw asked me if I’d ever thought about adoption. I knew nothing about adoption. So
I asked to be set up with an adoption counselor. I met her that next Tuesday and her name was Kakie, although it
could have been “Angel”. She was my guide, she was my rock, she was the answer, or I should say the help I needed
to answer the big question of “what do I do?” I met with Kakie every Tuesday and Thursday and she gave me
“homework” and we talked about everything. The homework would come in extremely handy. I figured out how
much a baby costs per month and how I couldn’t afford to keep him. Yes, by this time I found out it was a boy, and
despite myself, he was healthy. Kakie had helped me realize he was my miracle sent from God and helped me realize
what I wanted for him. Plain and Simply: I want to do what’s best in Gods eyes for HIS child, through me. This was
God’s child, not mine. He was coming into this world and, although I wasn’t ready, there was a couple somewhere
out there that was very ready for this baby boy, whom I called Sawyer. And they were waiting for me to come into
their life. So FCWS and Kakie explained legal OPEN adoption, which is what I chose. In picking out a family for
Sawyer there were a few things that were 100% certain. They would be Christian, I would pick them and they would
pick me, and I would receive annual pictures and letters through the next 18 years.
I chose a family, Tim and Gina. I received a nice booklet that they had put together about themselves, and a few
days before my due date they came to town so they could be here for the miracle to arrive. You have to understand,
by this time I loved Sawyer with all the heart. He was actually 10 days late and I had convinced myself that is was
because he wanted to spend a few extra days with me. But he belonged to Tim and Gina. They were his parents. At
12:06 am on Labor Day, I went into labor. My boyfriend (who by this time had become supportive, and loving and
everything I knew he always was - after a rough patch) took me to the hospital. I called Kakie at 6 am when my
water broke and by 8:05 am he was in my arms. He cried out his first breath, Kakie cried, I cried, his adoptive mother
Gina was by my side the entire time. It was really a special and beautiful moment we all shared but by 8:30 am, I was
being rushed to emergency surgery. I was bleeding to death because my blood wouldn’t clot. The last thing I
remember my OB/GYN saying was, “Maggie, we have to remove your uterus”. When I awoke, a hysterectomy had
been performed. It hit me like a ton of bricks, I could never have my own child. But little did I know that would be
of little concern at that time. That night my heart stopped, my organs shut down and I was put on life support,
breathing tubes, the whole 9 yards. I bled enough and received enough blood transfusions for 3 people. I was in
ICU for 10 days. Tim and Gina came to see me several times, they were amazing. As was my angel, Kakie, from
FCWS. My boyfriend never left my side. Finally the day came to sign the adoption papers with the attorney.
Knowing full well I could never have another child, I still believed Tim and Gina were Sawyer’s parents. And because
I had done my homework, I knew I was making the right decision for him, so I signed the papers with peace in my
heart. I had called him Sawyer, they named him Timothy. I love receiving pictures and updates of little Timmy each
time they arrive. Without regret, none what-so-ever, only peace and happiness remain. I’ve found it and so has he.
Ephesians 1: 4-5 : For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he
predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will ...
Upcoming Spring Events
“Women Helping Women”
Benefitting
First Coast Women’s Services
Beach Center
Friday April 17, 2015
Guest Speaker: Megan Alexander
TPC Sawgrass
Shops open 10am -3:30pm
Lunch served at 12:30pm
Event Ticket $30.00
Purchase tickets online at www.fcws.org or call Romy Medrano
at (904) 549-6100.
For Sponsorship opportunities call Karen Whalen at 549-6104.
Dinner & Silent Auction
Benefitting
First Coast Women’s Services
Clay County Center
Friday April 24, 2015
Guest Speaker: Julie Ziglar
Thrasher-Horne Conference Center
6 pm Silent Auction
7 pm Dinner and Program
Event Ticket $30.00
Purchase tickets online at www.fcws.org or at Clay Center.
For Sponsorship opportunities call Karen Whalen at 549-6104.
This Mother’s Day will you ...
By participating in our Baby Bottle Campaign!
Will you give the gift of life to unborn children?
Your participation in the Baby Bottle Campaign will help provide free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds,
peer counseling, education materials and Bibles to over 1,929 women. We need your help again
this year. This is a great opportunity to get involved in your church, work place or community by
distributing baby bottles to others. By putting spare change in a baby bottle you can help us offer
women hope to choose life for their unborn babies.
Our kick-off date is Mother’s Day. For instructions on group participation or to order your
baby bottles; contact Romy Medrano at 549-6100 or email [email protected].
To print an order form, visit us at www.fcws.org. Can’t do it Mother’s Day? No problem. Just call
us and schedule a convenient time for you.
ADOPTION: THE ONGOING JOURNEY….LOVE…JOY…SECURITY
The world of adoption is filled with stories of many wonderful, ongoing journeys. I want to share with you three aspects
of each adoption journey that provide a common link for all families and children who have traveled this adventurous
path: the journey of love, the journey of joy, and the journey of security.
The Bible tells us that Moses, Esther, and Jesus were adopted. The mother of Moses, Jochebed, loved her son very
much and because of that love, she placed Moses in a basket in the river with the hope that God would protect him and
keep him safe. Her love for Moses allowed Jochebed to “let him go” so he could live a better life than she could provide.
This is the same ongoing journey of love that birthmothers make when they select families to adopt their children.
Adoptive families experience this journey of love, too, as they open their hearts and homes to children. When Moses’
sister, Miriam, saw that Pharaoh’s daughter loved the baby and wanted to adopt him, you can imagine the joy she felt
when she ran to tell her mother that Moses was being adopted.
Likewise, today’s adoption is an ongoing journey of joy for the adoptive family, for the birth family, and for the child
because each person benefits from the love and security that are the result of that journey.
The adoption journey is also one of ongoing security. In Romans, Galatians and Ephesians, the Apostle Paul tells us
about adoption. He says that we are adopted by God, that God intended to adopt us, and that He gave us His Spirit so
we could call Him “Abba Father.” God makes us His heirs.
In today’s adoptions, the adoptive parents make the decision to adopt and love a child, which allows the child to call
the parents “Mommy and Daddy.” Adopted children become full heirs in their new family, just as we are heirs in God’s
family. They hold a secure, permanent place in loving families.
Adoption, then, is an ongoing journey of love, joy, and security. We are grateful to all who have embarked on this
wonderful, adventurous journey. May God bless each birthmother, each child, and each family as they continue to
travel the exciting road of adoption.
Bill Blacquiere, President, Bethany Christian Services
Used with permission www.bethany.org
Adopted and Famous ...
Dave Thomas
Adopted at six weeks old
Faith Hill
Adopted as an infant
Nelson Mendela
Adopted at nine 9 years old
Thank you Baker County!
A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors!
The Life-Fusion Dinner and Live Auction in Baker County was a huge success with 160
attendees. Scott Klusendorf encouraged individuals to stand for LIFE and support the life
giving services of FCWS in Baker County. He shared his message on S.L.E.D, (stands for
Size, Level of Development, Environment and Degree
of Dependency) which helps others understand the
value of every life.
The event raised over $35,000 for the Baker County
Center which will help them continue to provide free
confidential services. We would like to thank all the
sponsors and those who donated auction items for the
Live Auction. Thank you Baker County attendees for
supporting First Coast Women’s Services and making
an impact in the community.
Sponsors
The Davis Companies
Shorstein & Kelly, P.A.
Trijon Contracting, Inc.
Country Federal Credit Union
Liberty National Life Insurance
Owen & Associates
Walmart DC 6099
Brian Adams Homes
Cogburn Bros. Inc.
Ed Fraser Hospital
FSI Mortgage - Cyndi Ray
Hagan Ace Hardware
Hickman Site Prep, Inc.
State Farm Insurance - Satterwhite
Ministry Update
Baker County Center
474 South 6th St.~ Macclenny FL
Beach Center
224 N. Third St. Jacksonville Beach, FL
FCWS Statistics (all centers)
2014
Total Number of Client Visits
5197
Number of New Clients Served
2011
Ultrasound Appointments
666
Hope Program Clients “Earn while you Learn”
333
Men Mentored
277
Babies Saved from Abortion
732
Adoption Clients
14
Gospel Presented
513
Abortion Healing Assistance Clients
19
Mandarin Center
11215 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL
Clay County Center
105 Old Jennings Rd. Orange Park , FL
Abortion Healing Assistance …
Hope & Healing Ministry … Mentor s suppor t women
We are thankful for the 24 volunteers that God has placed in this
ministry to help other women receive healing and forgiveness from
participating in a past abortion.
who have lost a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or early
infant death.

We held 4 “Forgiven and Set Free” classes last year

19 ladies completed the Bible study

23 babies were honored by their mother s.
If you need to talk to someone about this ministry
please contact Cathy Ivancik at [email protected]
Men’s Ministry … has increased by 50% in men’s visits.
It is very important to reach out to the men that
come in with the women and talk to them about
their crisis. During the mentoring process we are
seeing more men step up into their God-given
identity. Last year, eight men made a profession
of faith. Our goal is to have a male mentor at every time slot. If
you are interested in mentoring other men please contact Jerry at
[email protected].
Last year we had our first class and
now have 6 mentors that can support
and encourage women one-on-one
through this grieving and healing time.
If you are interested in “Hope & Healing”, please email Cathy
Kleine at [email protected].
Ultrasounds … make a difference !
81% of women who are abortion-minded or abortion -vulnerable
when they come to us, choose life. The ultrasound monitor can
even increase the choice. When a women sees her
unborn child on the sonogram, she will choose life
85% of the time. When a man sees his unbor n
child on a sonogram, 98% of the time he will
choose life because God has created men to be
the protectors of life.
Prayer Texting ….
Prayer is very important in our ministry and has made a difference in the number of babies that are saved from abortion every year.
We now have over 1200 people who are part of our Prayer text team. We send a text asking for prayer for our clients who come to
us at a critical time when they are trying to decide what to do about their unplanned pregnancy.
If you would like to join our Prayer Text Team - please do the following:
1) On your cell phone - go to text messages (SMS)
2) Enter: 59769
3) Then go to subject line and enter 4life first and last name zip code
4) If successful you will receive the response message below :
Thk u for joining FCWS text message prayer team.
5) After joining you will receive prayer texts
6) You will receive a prayer text to pray for a client in need
7) Please DO NOT respond to prayer text. We will send prayer results when we receive them.
8) If you have any problems joining please call us at (904) 262-6300.
Spring 2015
First Coast Women’s Services
11215 San Jose Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32223
Visit Us at www.fcws.org
Heartbeats
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S.POSTAGE
PAID
Jacksonville, FL
Permit No. 2655
Mark your calendars: For details visit www.fcws.org!
Friday Apr. 17, 2015
Beach “Women Helping Women” Event
Friday Apr. 24, 2015
Clay Denim & Diamonds Dinner & Silent Auction
Sunday May 10, 2015
Baby Bottle Campaign Begins
A special thank you to Drummond
Press for printing our newsletter!
Board of Directors:
Ken Atlee
John Brent
Marla Newman-Budde
Jeffrey Cox, Treasurer
Eric Griggs
Bob Hendricks
Leila LeVan, Secretary
Diane Peed
Foster Shepherd
Bonnie Sleiman
Ellsworth Summers
Keith Townsend, Vice Chairman
Julie Van Voorhis, Chairman
Dave Wilbert
Cheryl B. Williams
John R. Williams Jr.
Judy Weber, CEO
Top Needs
Volunteers for Mobile Center
Host a Baby Shower
for
First Coast Women’s Services
OR
Summer Maternity Tops,
Shorts, Jeans and Dresses
Diapers Size 1
Wal-Mart gift cards
Donate Summer Maternity Clothes
Please help give our clients hope by donating baby
items. A list of needs is provided on our website at
www.fcws.org. Our staff is available to speak at your
baby shower upon request.
Call us at 262-6300 or email [email protected].
Planned Giving
Leave a Legacy of Support for
the unborn with a Gift to
First Coast Women’s Services.
Contact Nancy Kelley, Director
of Development at (904) 549-6101