We need adoption stories!

“Minnesota Loves Adoption”

living scrapbook of adoption love stories in Minnesota

In celebration of adoption, the Adoption Option Council of Minnesota* (AOCM) is creating an online, living scrapbook that will capture those life-changing stories of love that define adoption in our state. This special project will help all Minnesotans better understand adoption as an act of love.

The “Minnesota Loves Adoption” scrapbook will open on Mother’s Day 2011 and will be recognized in many ways throughout the year. Please help AOCM celebrate adoption by encouraging people to share their adoption love stories. Specifically, the scrapbook stories will:

 Capture adoption journeys -- in stories, letters, poems and photos -- of Minnesotans.

 Celebrate domestic adoption stories (children born in the United States).

 Share stories of birth families, grandparents, adopted persons, adoptive families, friends and supporters.

 Reflect on how adoption has had a positive impact on the lives of individuals, families and communities. To submit a story, please keep in mind:

 Each adoption story is unique and emotionally powerful, including joy, pain, delight and grief. Please share your story honestly, in your own words, keeping a focus on the loving outcomes and the positive impression you want to share with others who may consider adoption in the future.

 Keep your story to about 300 words long and include photos and/or a short video clip. Only your first name will be used unless otherwise requested.

 Submit your information to jenny@aoci.org. It will be reviewed and formatted to fit the scrapbook.

 You will be asked to sign a consent form, giving AOCM permission to share your story.

*Formerly known as the Adoption Option Committee Inc.

Announcing the new T-shirt design for the 2nd Annual Amazing Grace Walk

This design is a combination of two designs - one from Glorianne Ensminger and one from Brittany Ledgerwood.

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Save the Date

Here is information for our 2nd Annual Amazing Grace Walk:

3rd Day at Regions Hospital – 40 Days for Life

What a blessing to be out again in front of Regions Hospital praying for the end of abortion at that location and around the world!


We were joined yesterday by new warriors, Nadia, Ellianna, Cheryl, two ladies from Stillwater, and many others!


It was cold, but sweet fellowship and a SmashBurger on the way home made everything better!

Refining Fire

A dear friend recently shared this with me, and I was moved by it. Maybe it will be a blessing to you, too!

Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.' This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study, and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'

He smiled at her and answered, ' Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

God LIGHTs Up This Electrician’s Path

Anybody have a job for this guy? He lives in Fairbault, took a stand to not work at new Planned Parenthood clinic being built in St. Paul. God bless him for his conviction!

Read his story here.

Thanks to the Lord for Great Gifts!

The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes,
but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker.
~Helen Keller

Thanks so much to all of our donors who share their resources with us to help women in crisis! Today is only Monday, and already my heart been encouraged by three different events!

First, we received two cases of Bibles from the Gideons today. This organization gives Bibles free of charge to anyone who would like to give the Word out. If you would like to donate to the Gideons, go to www.gideonsinternational.org. Our Bibles come from the Coon Rapids office.


Secondly, Naomi Pietenpol, Ambassador Baptist, sewed some double-flannel receiving blankets for our new moms as a high school project. Thanks so much for the blankets! That was a very sweet gesture!


And finally, we received a wonderful gift of $475 from Brist Chiropractic & Naturopathic Nutrition Center. Dr. Brist and his staff sponsored a spinal health day at their clinic where patients received spinal health care in exchange for a donation to Metro Women’s Center’s Acacia Fund. The Acacia Fund is MWC's fund to provide items for our clients that we cannot get elsewhere such as car seats, bus cards, utility bills, special formula emergencies, ultrasounds, or other client needs related to their pregnancies. The fund was set up in honor of the Brist’s daughter, Acacia, who passed away as an infant. Thank you so much for providing for our clients in this special way!

THANKS FOR THESE BLESSINGS!