Harbor Life Ministries

It’s two hours from Norwalk to Columbus, Ohio (a little longer than the Celina to Columbus trip) but even so, two of our family’s children have great Christian doctors in Worthington, a north-Columbus suburb, so it’s a trip we continue to make at least once every three months. Sara, Natasha and India went along this time on a planned overnight excursion.

We met up with some other family members and friends, then doctor visits and, finally, just hung out. After a second straight day in the car, however, everyone was very tired. We made a quick trip to the mall, but it was very quick; then to dinner where we had Chinese; and swimming; and finally at 11:00 off to bed.

Sleeping arrangements at somewhere other than our own home is always a challenge. Who sleeps with who?? Very interesting how they come to that arrangement.

Charlotte had her regular doctor’s visit Thursday. Although her due date isn’t until October 3rd, her doctor had reasons to get her admitted to the hospital and possibly start inducing labor.

Charlotte has been in good spirits throughout the past few weeks, even though her feet have been swelling, causing discomfort when she walks or stands.

Charlotte’s mother Rebekka, after getting the news via phone call, arrived yesterday on a flight from California. She is staying at the hospital with Charlotte, allowing me to come home, get some sleep, and see everyone here.

I am now heading back to the hospital. Please pray. The word is Charlotte is now 3 cm dilated, they have broken her water, and hope is that things are on their way now… We have called the adoptive parents…

Both Charlotte and India will be going to the Ob/Gyn today, although India will not get to see the doctor yet. Charlotte has already made one visit and met with the new patient coordinator, filled out the necessary paperwork and gotten the “Now that your pregnant….” brochures and booklets, so she will get to actually have a doctor’s visit.

Sara will be going to Sandusky today for Job Corps orientation.

Hanna blessed everyone who got to know her during her stay at Harbor House, and she was gracious enough to share with world a story of God?s redemptive love:

Dear Harbor House,

Hi. My name is Hanna and I?ve found myself pregnant at only 14 years old. At first, I couldn?t believe what had happened. I never though that could happen to me, but I?m sure that?s what most pregnant teens think.

But it had happened, and now I had to accept it. After the first 5 months of only telling the baby?s father, my dad noticed that my tummy was growing. Hmmm? I wonder why?

After both of my parents had found out, my mom started looking for a maternity home for me. The first name on the Google site was Harbor House. She called and talked to Karla. My parents knew I had to go somewhere for the rest of my pregnancy. They knew staying at home wasn?t the best for me. My parents didn?t want me all the way in Ohio, so they took me to Ventura, California, where I had extended family.

One of the miracles God gave me was Tami Anderson in Ventura CA. She lives just a couple of blocks from my aunt?s house, so it was no problem for me to go over there a couple of times a week. After meeting Tami, my aunt found out that Tami?s husband Gary was a youth pastor at Community Presbyterian Church. My aunt had been trying to get my cousins to go to that youth group for years, and now they would, because I was.

On my first doctor?s visit with my Ob/gyn doctor, my aunt and I found out that for years Dr. Lara had only worked with epileptic pregnant women. Me having epilepsy and being pregnant, this was literally a gift of God. Dr. Lara also had a team of a neurologist, and perinatologist who helped her with epileptic pregnant women. This was also very exciting. Dr. White, the pediatrician I went to, didn?t accept the insurance that I have. But he?s a strong Christian man and said that helping pregnant teens was a passion of his. Also, that he wouldn?t charge me for doctor visits. Again, another gift from God.

Lisa, who was my birthing instructor, heard of my situation and volunteered to give me Bradley method lessons free of charge. There?s God just one more time.

Once we realized that I wouldn?t be able to go to school, we looked up home-schooling programs and found A Beka. My grandpa is a retired teacher after teaching for 20 years and he was thrilled to help me. One more gift in list of gifts from God.

God also game me the miracle of Karla, a birthmom herself, to help me with all my thoughts and feelings as a birthmom. Actually, I think Harbor House in general is a miracle to me. About two years ago I bought two stickers for my Bible, and in November of ?07, I barely saw that in the corner of the stickers they say ?Harbor House Gifts.? God was showing me that He already knew that I would enter the program two years before I even got pregnant.

God has given me so many gifts and shown his miraculous power to me in so many ways. I really hope everyone could experience all the gifts and miracles that I have through God.

- Hanna H.