Sat, 19 May 2012 19:31:12 -0500WeeblyMon, 02 Apr 2012 16:25:49 -0500http://staffhouse.org/1/post/2012/04/march-birth-at-staff-house.htmlCongratulation to our young resident who recently gave birth to a healthy 7 lb. 1 oz. baby girl born the end of March.  Mother and baby are both healthy and doing well. 

Because this young mother received consistent and early health care throughout her pregnancy, she didn't suffer any of the potentially devastating complications of pregnancy.  She did have a Cesarian delivery because the baby was breech, but is recovering quickly from the surgery.  

Thank you for your prayers and support. 
]]>Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:31:09 -0500http://staffhouse.org/1/post/2011/10/reopening.htmlThank you for your generous gifts that have made it possible for STAFF House to reopen.  We are excited about our house parents, Paul and Teresa Grubbs, who moved into the house last week and our relief house mom, Peggy Haskins, who will be on the job soon.  We are looking forward to our first young woman moving in and helping her through this difficult time in her life.  In the days ahead, we will post stories about our house parents, our relief house mom, and Mumfest and the Chili Festival.  

None of what we do would be possible without your support and we want you to know how grateful we are that you dug deep even in this stressful economic time to give us the opportunity to continue serving these precious young women and their babies.  You are answered prayers.
]]>Thu, 12 May 2011 08:08:16 -0500http://staffhouse.org/1/post/2011/05/a-young-mothers-story-part-2.htmlI can't say that everything was wonderful as soon as I got to the home, but I immediately felt the warmth of their love and acceptance.  Against my will, I began to enjoy living in the house.  The house dad was awesome. He was gentle and kind.  He lead the daily devotions and prayed with us.  I had never known a man that loving and caring.  The house mother taught me how to cook, clean, and take care of myself.  The two girls who were there before me treated me like their sister.  We became very close.  We shared chores and worked with the house parents.  While we worked, we talked about everything.  They helped me with my homework and talked me through the home sickness I felt.  We had family meals together- something I had never done.  We went on picnics and to softball games; we even played kickball in the yard.  Even though I was going through grown up changes, it is the time I remember as my childhood.

I resisted all the attention the house parents tried to give me because I was so full of anger and hurt.  They kept loving me and working with me until I started to heal.  My mom and I reconciled and I forgave my boyfriend even though he never knew.  I learned that I am worth loving.   I accepted Christ and learned to walk with him. 

I decided to place my baby girl for adoption.  I got to meet the parents that adopted her.  On the day that they came to take her away, my house parents both stayed close to me.  They helped me so much when they told me how proud they were of me for making such a loving decision for my little girl.  We had a beautiful ceremony the day the adoptive parents came to take my little  one home with them.  I placed my precious baby in her new mother's arms.  The adoptive parents brought a gift for me and a card thanking me for making them a family.  We all hugged and cried.  When they were gone, my house parents took me out to finish the ceremony.  They had blown up balloons and I wrote a wish for my daughter on each one.  Then we prayed over them and I released them and my daughter to God for his special care.   

I went back to live with my mom until I graduated.  She remarried and we moved here.  I finished high school and went to trade school.  I became a dental hygienist, got married, and had two beautiful sons.  I send cards, letters, and gifts to my little girl and I get pictures and letters from her.  I am the good mom I am today because of my time in that loving home and my faith.  My house parents and I stay in touch still and I am closer to my house sisters than  I am to my step brother and step sister, maybe because of our age difference.  I just know that the bonds of love that we built in that home will last a lifetime. 

]]>Wed, 11 May 2011 15:25:39 -0500http://staffhouse.org/1/post/2011/05/a-young-mothers-story.htmlFirst, we want to say thank you to the many of you who responded to our website launch.  We are so blessed by your generosity and out pouring of love.  One young mother shared some of her story in an email response to the website.  When I contacted her to ask if I could share it with you, she told me the rest of the story. Over the next few days with few changes (names and specific places), I will tell her story. 

How glad I am to hear that there is a place like STAFF House in New Bern now.  I remember the way I felt holding that positive pregnancy test stick in my hand at my friend's house.  I thought my life had ended at 16.  I don't know where I would be now if my mom hadn't found the maternity home I stayed in during my pregnancy. 

My dad left my mom and me when I was three so my mom had to work all the time.  My mom and I had gotten really distant after dad left because when she wasn't working she was angry or too tired to talk or do anything.  I spent every minute I could with my boyfriend or my best friend who lived next door to keep from being alone.  After a while, my boyfriend and I took our relationship to the "next" level and I found myself unexpectedly pregnant.   

I remember my best friend asked me what I was going to do.  I couldn't think.  I could only cry.  I waited weeks before I told any one else.  I decided after about six weeks to tell my boyfriend.  What a shock I got when I told him.  He was hateful and hurtful.  He called me the nastiest names and told me I needed to take care of it.  I knew what he meant, but it was not what I wanted.  I begged him to change his mind, but he just said he needed time.  I guess he still needs time.

The worst day came when a customer at the beauty shop where my mom worked asked my mom if the rumor she heard about me being pregnant was true.  My mom came home so mad.  She asked me if it was true.  I guess my face told her because she started yelling at me and told me I had to have an abortion.  I was so confused and hurt.  I cried and cried.  Mom cooled down in a day or so.  We talked for the first time in a long time.  I told her how mean the kids were and how depressed I felt.  She decided the best thing for me would be to go away until after the baby was born.  She couldn't afford to take care of me and the medical bills she knew I would have.  Neither of us wanted me to have an abortion.  Mom started looking online for a place and found what looked like a nice maternity home in our state.  

I thought it could not get any worse, then came the day I was to leave and suddenly my world turned upside down.  The reality that I would have to leave everything I knew and everyone I loved to go live with strangers sank in, hard.  I was miserable.  I didn't speak to my mom the day I got on the bus to go to the home; I didn't return her hug either.  I know I hurt her deeply. (to be continued)

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