Interview With Residents!

What it’s like to live in our home…

How long have you lived at New Beginnings Home for pregnant women?

Just over a month
3 weeks
2 weeks

What are your thoughts on the staff members at NBH?

They are amazing, all of you guys are very caring and helpful, easy to get along with, laid back, fun to be around.

You help us do whatever we need to do and that’s really helpful.

How are you being supported through your pregnancy?

You guys get us to all our appointments, and by providing a stress free home and somewhere to feel comfortable, and helpful counseling.

What is the best part about living in the home?

I like living in community, especially this house, it’s fun. And I love our one on one meetings with staff.

There is always something to do and people to talk to. 

What is the hardest thing about living in the home?

Missing family probably because I’m used to living with them.

I don’t know, it’s pretty easy.

The hardest thing for me was getting used to having a roommate because I’ve never had one before. But it’s easy now.

Were you nervous before moving into the home?

I was afraid of being away from family, I thought it would be more like other group homes that you hear about where the staff have to be there instead of want to be there, which isn’t the case with you guys. I was a little nervous, the first day was the hardest because I’m used to being away for short time but always being with people I knew… so my first night here I cried a little, but after that it was totally fine and no more nerves, I love being here.

My first night was strange to be in a different place.

My first night was exciting and I wanted to be here and we went to a concert together on my first night.

What would you say to a young woman facing crisis pregnancy?

There’s a lot I would say… um, I think making sure you’re in a better (safe) place, no matter if its where you want to be or if its your decision. Now you have to make the best possible case and making that your priority, because its not really about you any more, you need to take care of the baby now.

To be honest when I first found out I was pregnant I was thinking about abortion, but then I learned about what abortion really is and I saw pictures and knew I couldn’t do that.

Also to someone thinking about abortion… really think about the long run… because giving that baby a chance to live doesn’t mean you have to be the parent, there is always adoption and even though that’s a hard choice at least adoption is giving life. Every life has a purpose and plan from God from the moment of conception.

If people are pushing you to get an abortion, remember this is your choice, that’s when you need to stand up for yourself… for me people kept telling me to get one and I felt pressured, but it’s not about other people, listen to yourself. 

Do you recommend a woman in crisis pregnancy apply to live at New Beginnings?

Oh ya, for sure!
Yes, I love this place.
Definitely, this is a great home.

Fun While Fundraising!

Victorian Country Christmas

Looking great, ladies!

The ever dapper Miles Musick, director of New Beginnings.

Stephani and Kevin ready to sell some raffle tickets!

Our audience participated by drawing the winning tickets!

And the winner is....

The Sweetest Thank You

As a house parent of New Beginnings Maternity Home, I can share honestly that this is one of the hardest yet most rewarding positions I’ve ever held. Some days are emotionally really hard, while other days the vigorous routine of dishes, laundry, appointments, and cooking can take all my energy and leave me digging deep to keep smiling. Still more often than not I’m filled with purpose and passion for the young women in my care and the tiny lives they carry! I am blessed beyond belief… I don’t need to be thanked or praised for this – everything good in me is from my God! However this particular thank you was one of the sweetest. A young woman that recently moved into our home made us all cards to show her gratefulness. 

No Agenda, but LOVE

How NBHomes views the choice between adoption and parenting.

Our God is an incredibly creative God who has masterfully woven each individual with care and purpose.

This is also our perspective when considering the pregnant women that come to live in our home. Each young woman is unique and we honor them for already making one of the toughest decisions of their existence thus far: the choice to carry the baby within them to term and give the gift of life to that child.

The next decision is also life changing and comes with lifelong implications: to parent or place for adoption. Here at New Beginnings we come alongside these women as they navigate their way toward a decision. We hold no preference or expectations over them! This is completely their choice and we will support them wholeheartedly because we’ll know they are making this choice after great care, contemplation, education, and prayer. We stand firm that the best choice is one the mother comes to on her own. After all, this choice will be one she must be satisfied in forever.

A birth mother is always going to be a mom who has made the most selfless, sacrificial, loving choice! And a mother who chooses to parent is also a mom who has made the most selfless, sacrificial, loving choice!

Neither path will be easy; while both demand a great love. Our birth mothers are given extensive quality care and counsel during pregnancy and after placement. Our parenting mothers are also supported with mentorship, material assistance, and access to a variety of local parenting support.

 “… With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matt 19:26

Stories from VCC 2014

A grandmother thanked us for our services that supported her granddaughter 15 years ago! She now has a happy healthy great granddaughter.

At this time last year our lovely Starr, volunteered at Victorian Country Christmas while still pregnant and living at New Beginnings and this year while volunteering she shared her story of God’s grace over her and her son who is adopted by a family she chose for him and how New Beginnings Homes are changing her life for God’s highest and best now as she lives in House of Hope.

A woman listened to Starr share her story of pregnancy at age 16. She donated and then leaned in to whisper… “I also had a baby at just 15 years old – thanks for what you are doing for young moms.”

A young mother who found herself in crisis pregnancy just over 2 years ago expressed how she understands a woman’s feelings in that difficult situation… her baby is now 18 months old and her child’s father is now her husband. She said she can’t imagine getting through without the strong support system she had and thanks us for our work with young pregnant women and gave a donation.

The winner of a raffled New Beginnings Home quilt 22 years ago stopped by the booth to share her love for our ministry and how she enjoys telling the story of the quilt while sharing about NBH.

A woman with a beloved 3 year old grandson stopped by to buy a raffle ticket and shared about her family’s story – her son and his girlfriend were just 15 when they became pregnant. At the time it was devastating and a very difficult situation, but she is so proud of her son who is a great father, completed high school and is providing for his family. She expressed her joy being a grandmother and couldn’t imagine life without him.

Sharing about New Beginnings Homes was such a blessing to all who volunteered! It was very encouraging to hear from several healthcare workers from various hospitals around the Puget Sound area that are aware of NBH and are happy to refer their patients to us that are in extra need.

Game Night @ NBHomes

Never a dull moment at the New Beginnings kitchen table. Our current favorite game is Dutch Blitz! 

Exciting Chance to WIN

This year our ministry is raising support and awareness by selling $3 raffle tickets to enter a drawing to win this beautiful, locally crafted quilt!

All proceeds will benefit New Beginnings Homes. Just click HERE to purchase your raffle tickets OR VISIT US at the annual Victorian Country Christmas event held December 3rd-7th at the Puyallup Fair. 

Be sure to share this opportunity with your friends and explain how New Beginnings Homes mission has been to place value and give hope to women and babies in our region for over 30 years. We walk out our mission through mentorship and housing programs that assist a wide variety of women and children including unplanned pregnancies, single moms & moms placing for adoption.

May your Christmas celebrations be blessed!

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Movement Matters

The brisk Autumn air can be bone chilling here in the Pacific Northwest, so every chance the sun is shining and bringing a hint of warmth we try to take advantage! One local venue for getting in a good workout is this sweet spot pictured below. We enjoy the sights and sounds of this park setting while walking the track around a beautiful pond.

Here at New Beginnings Homes regular exercise is a priority! Each woman in our care has opportunities weekly to visit a local gym full of amenities like aerobic classes, pool, and cardio machines.

The physical health of each woman we serve is just as important as any other aspect of whole person wellness. We are so thankful for the partnerships in our community that make this available to our residents and the staff of New Beginnings Homes.

WinterJam 2014 with NBHomes

Gotta love live music!

Ready for a New Beginning!

Thousands worshiping the Lord at the Tacoma Dome. #winterjam

Every so often it’s a blessing for everyone when a planned household outing includes a Christian concert at the Tacoma Dome!

"I Believe" essay by Starr

Starr is a birth mother who placed her newborn son with a loving family! She is 17 and lives in our House of Hope while attending High School. She recently turned in this essay for her English class:

“When I was growing up I was never honest with myself in who I really was as a person. I allowed everyone around me to tell me that I was not good enough or I that will never amount to anything and for the longest time I believed those lies. Because I believed them I became extremely insecure about myself, and I felt uncomfortable in my own skin, I believe you should always be honest with yourself and about who you truly are as a person. It was extremely hard to stand up to the people that were teasing me and talking about me behind my back because I thought no madder how hard I tried to change or speak up it would  not make a difference on how I was treated or viewed. There is more to a person just than there looks, a person’s looks can be here one day and be gone the next but your character and your hart will still be there. You never know what type of background a person is coming from, there could have been some tragic occurrences in their life that were not their fault, but yet people decide to degrade them for something that is not in their control without even getting to know them as a person and not as object. I remember a moment in my life when I allowed the closest people in my life to call me fat, ugly, and not worth anything, and because those lies were constantly spoken over me I quickly stared to believe them. When I became pregnant at the age of fifteen I was asked to leave my home, when I left I moved to a christen based maternity home were the house parents were telling me that I was beautiful , smart , loving, kind , caring, and precious. When I started to hear these truths about myself at first I did not believe them but over time I did start to think that I was worth something and that I was someone amazing and awesome and worth talking to or someone to be around and spend time with. I know exactly how it feels to be put down and be ignored and because I know that I will always speak truth and speak positive words to other people and about myself. That is why I feel you should always be honest with yourself and who you are as a person.”

What an honor to walk alongside this young woman! We thank you for your continued prayers for Starr and all the women and children we serve.