August 2022

You’re invited to join us!

TED

In this world you will have trouble; but take heart, I have overcome the world. John 16:33
50 years of prayer were answered when the Supreme Court said, “NO to ROE.” If that’s not reason enough to
celebrate, here’s another … the Women’s Pregnancy Center is 35 years old this year! Imagine the number of
hearts that have been encouraged in our community because Jesus saw fit to invite each of us unto Himself
and into His service … such is the favor of God.
As a non-profit medical clinic offering services to our clients free of charge, our Annual Fundraising Banquet
is essential to meeting our budget needs. We hope to once again fill the Alerus Center Ballroom for LIFE.
Our guest speaker, Melissa Ohden, is the survivor of a failed saline infusion abortion. Despite the initial
concerns regarding Melissa’s future after surviving the attempt to end her life at approximately seven months
gestation, she has not only survived but thrived. A social worker and author, Melissa is the founder of
The Abortion Survivors Network, the only healing and advocacy organization for abortion survivors.

Please reserve your seat by September 5th!

Unable to join us? Please consider a donation using the enclosed envelope,
by accessing our Venmo, or by visiting our donor website:

www.friendsofgfwpc.org
 Celebrating Full Circles—
with Executive Director, Jill Chandler

The reward is great when God brings things full circle, and we are “awake” to see it happen. Honestly, make sure
you are paying attention!

I was at the annual Heartbeat International Conference in March, talking to another Director friend who was
tending a book table in the Conference Hall. Upon hearing Heartbeat President Jor-El Godsey’s voice opening the
morning session, I scurried into the very full banquet room. Looking around at all the tables, I noticed one single
chair in the back and quickly inquired, “Is this seat taken?” With a big smile, I sat down just in time to share my
name and a little bit about myself. The introductions continued around the table.

Then it happened. The woman directly to my left reached over, touched my arm, and said, “Where did you say
you are from?” As I leaned in to answer “Grand Forks, ND” our eyes met and connected in a God-moment in the
making.

Her voice was shaky as she said, “I was a pregnant teen at Central High School in 1997. I went to a place in down-
town Grand Forks to find help. A family member would have likely paid for an abortion, but I chose life.”

She pulled out her phone … scrolled through her pictures and stopped on the image of a strapping young man.
“This is that baby … my son … my only child. He just graduated from college with a double major and is working
on his master’s degree in engineering.” Showing a family picture she said, “My husband adopted him when he
was a little boy, and we have a wonderful life.”

It was a glorious moment. We dabbed at our tears and hugged.

Now Laurie works at a pregnancy resource center in Rapid City, SD, helping other women choose life. She’s come
full circle. Isn’t that just like God?!

Women’s Pregnancy Center has been serving our community for 35 years. I celebrate those who fought the hard
fight in the beginning—those who applied the pressure to rid our city of its only abortionist in 1987—the volunteers
who served and covered expenses—and those who built and painted the walls so that my new friend Laurie had
somewhere to go. The debt of gratitude owed to our founders does not escape me, and I dwell on it often.

When I returned to Grand Forks after the conference, I was eager to meet with Helen Nelson, one of WPC’s
founders. I shared with her what had happened at that back table. I wanted her to know that the counseling Laurie
received that day in ’97 was still saving lives today!

Legacies lead to places we can’t even imagine. To be sure, I have my own

full-circle story with Helen. Years ago, I hosted a “neighborhood” Bible
study in my home. Long story short, I was new to learning and with
nothing brilliant to add to the discussion, I figured that hosting the group
would be my contribution. Helen was good to stay late and offered so
much extra encouragement. Her wisdom helped me grow in my faith.
Little did we know that she was actively preparing me to lead the ministry
she devoted so much of her life to. We couldn’t have known that 20 years
later I would be leading the WPC team … but God sure did.

Plant those seeds, friends … give it all you’ve got. God is drawing full
circles … and He draws us into the center of them.

Jill & Laurie, 3-30-2022

For the Love of Blakely—By Leanna Ihry

On the nights of her senior prom and her 18th

birthday, Kendra Moffet was home snuggling on the
B is for
couch with her infant daughter. Her grandparents had told
her they would babysit little Blakely so she could go and Blakely
celebrate, but for Kendra, there was nowhere else she
would rather be. “I always choose to be home with
Blakely. She is my everything and I can’t imagine my life
without her,” Kendra remarked.

It was Kendra’s junior year of high school when

she first learned she was going to become a mom. She
was in a relationship with her boyfriend at the time, and
Maclaine Kendra
even though the baby was unplanned, she was certain
adoption and abortion were not options to consider. “I
On December 20th, 2021, Kendra’s little Christ-
knew right away I wanted to parent. I had wanted to be a
mas miracle arrived. Tamara said Kendra was a natural
mom since I was a little girl. And although I didn’t plan to
mom from the start. “The way she interacts with Blakely,
become a mom so young, I knew I wanted to keep my
it’s just beautiful. She hasn’t just done the minimum for
baby,” Kendra explained.
this little girl, she does absolutely everything she can to be
Even so, Kendra felt alone and scared. “I ended up the best mom she can be,” Tamara smiled.
confiding in my one friend, Maclaine, and she told me
After Blakely’s arrival, Kendra and her boyfriend
about the Women’s Pregnancy Center. She made the
broke up, but Kendra continued to persevere. She
phone call, got me an appointment and came in with me,”
finished her senior year of high school and graduated with
Kendra said.
a 4.0 grade-point-average.
Women’s Pregnancy Center [WPC] Director Jill
“It’s been fun to celebrate all that Kendra has
Chandler remembers that day quite vividly. “When Kendra
achieved. When we met for pictures in the park the day
came through our door, she was in the company of a
before graduation, I had to fight back tears. The beauty
friend who didn’t want her to feel alone. The support I saw
that God allows us to see day to day at the Center can be
from Maclaine warmed my heart, and I was reminded that
overwhelming at times. Kendra has been a big part of that
in our greatest times of need, true friends come through
beauty. She is a great mom, and she’s dedicated to
for us. They help us see past the fear to navigate the chaos
making a very bright future for herself and Miss Blakely,”
of heavy and trying times.”
Jill remarked.
As the weeks went by and her baby continued to
With continued support from her grandparents,
grow inside of her, life “on the outside” was not easy for
her “family” at the WPC and her friend Maclaine, Kendra
Kendra. She and her boyfriend were not getting along.
will attend Northland Community and Technical College
Kendra says her mom was not supportive and even kicked
this fall on a full scholarship. All the while, she is working
her out of the house. “The only people I had were the
full-time and raising the love of her life, little Blakely.
people at the Women’s Pregnancy Center, a couple of
friends and my grandparents,” Kendra said. “I am determined to make a better life for her than
I had growing up. Having Blakely has shown me I am
Early on in Kendra’s pregnancy she had been
stronger than I ever thought. Everything I do and every-
paired up with WPC mentor Tamara Wynn to walk along-
thing I have been working for is for her,” Kendra said as
side her and help navigate the journey of pregnancy.
she smiled and bounced her beautiful baby girl on her
“Kendra was a rock star,” Tamara said. “She was so dedi-
lap.
cated to her parenting classes through the Earn While You
Learn Program. I am so proud of her.” She encourages anyone who is experiencing an
unplanned pregnancy to reach out to the WPC. “I always
“I wanted to learn everything I could about being feel loved and supported. It was a place to turn when
a good mom. I didn’t have that growing up, and I wanted sometimes I felt I had nowhere else,” she said.
to do better for my daughter,” Kendra continued.
 Meet our New Mentors … This is Their “Why”
Leanna Ihry … I was drawn to the Women’s Pregnancy Center because I have always had a heart for vulnerable
women and children. I believe we are created to go out and make disciples of all nations! To me, that doesn’t
necessarily mean traveling across the world to be a missionary. There are so many ways to help women, children and
families right here in Grand Forks. Lifting these women up to show them the hope and love of Jesus Christ is one of
many reasons I love mentoring at the WPC. I want them to truly believe they were created for a purpose and God has
a beautiful plan for their life as well as for their unborn child and children.

Polly Rohrich … Mother Teresa answers it best:

"Are we there, are we there to receive them, is
the Mother there to receive the child?"

Katie Pinke … I prayed about being a mentor and felt God calling to find a way to make it work into my life. I did my
training in January 2022 and then waited for remote clients which I now have two. We meet weekly by video and
also can meet in-person as schedules allow. I feel blessed by the work and ministry of Women’s Pregnancy Center
and my volunteer work as a mentor is a role I hope to continue to grow into for many years to come.

Thank you for honoring your loved ones and our ministry!
In Memory of:
3 Aborted babies by Anonymous
Aborted & still born babies by Kirk & Lori
Motl
Angel by Lucian & Karen Boll
Helene Arnason by Paul & Deb Arnason
Paige Dyan Avery by Chad & Kelly
Grassel
Gertrude Biggs by Paul Biggs
Jane Comeau by Bill & Kerry Marti
Leonard Czech by Charles & Marie
Hotvedt
Kevin Donnelly by Neil & Colleen Reuter
Howard Drewlo by Dick & Myrna Thorsell
Don & Denice DuFault by Roger & Clare
DuFault
Charles C. Fritsch by Anonymous
Pam Frost by Chad & Karla Frost
George & Kathleen Geatz by Tom & Mary
Geatz
Stan Guler by Dennis & Ann Sondreal
Carol Ann Guttu by the Guttu Family
Anne Hager by Al & Kim Hager
Gerald Holweger by Kenny & Pat
Lindgren
Norma Jean Hotvedt Iacono by Charles &
Marie Hotvedt
Dena Hushka by Charles & Marie Hotvedt
Sabrina Jennings by Mark & LeeAnne
Daucsavage
Louis Kadlec by Louis & Sharon Kadlec
Clarice Kennedy by Don & Carla Kramer
Kenneth, Charles & Jane by Greg & Janet
Devillers
Jim Knox by Mark & Nancy Knox
Marvin & Marie Kozel by Mark & Debra
Misialek
Margie Kulberg by Joel & Brandi Franzen
Don & Pat Larson by Mark & Nancy Knox
Bill Lind by Robert & Ann Phipps
Orlan Loraas by Anonymous
Felipe Ruiz Maravilla by Maria Miles
Shawn Marshall by Charles & Marie
Hotvedt
Ernest Misialek by Mark & Debra Misialek
Traci Ost by Delores Fast
Evelyn Pelarski by David & Claire Pelarski
Vangie Holmberg by David & Claire
Pelarski
Kent Peterson by Dennis & Ann Sondreal
Tobias Peterson by Anonymous
Corrine Ricord by Bonnie Dominguez
George & Tim Sattler by Al & Kim Hager
Martin Schulz by Dennis & Denise Schulz
Judd Sondreal by Chris & Ellen Dingle
Tim Stevenson by Charles & Marie
Hotvedt
William & Olivia Stromsodt by Nick &
Laura Stromsodt
Eris Super by Bev Snyder
Joye Thompson by Bev Snyder
Bobbi (Barbara) Trontvet by Marvin &
Virginia Asp

In Honor/Celebration of:
Monica Beauchane by Kristi Korsmo
Braaten
Becky Bengtson by Arlen & Vrenda Holm
Christian Boen by Arlen & Vrenda Holm
Christmas gifts for WPC family by Delores
Hackenberg
Chelsea Dowe & Akinley by Anonymous
Families that received WPC support by
Bernadine Carney
Grandchildren by Richard & Aida
Wakefield
Grandchildren by Mark & Carol Egeland
Grandchildren & great grandchildren by
John & Ida Belcher
Harriett by Greg & Janet Devillers
Suzi Howlett by Bev Snyder
Judith Kavalski by Paul & Leah Reitmeier
Love Kids by Mitchell & Amanda Love
Rudolph Kucher, 100 yrs old by Wayne &
Joan Novak
Taylor Narlock by Ellen Strickler
Sam Noland & HollyAnn Carlson
Marriage by Paul & Janet Aakre
Our 45th Wedding Aniv. by Ron & Connie
Peck
Robert Plutowski by Roger & Clare
Dufault
Molly Rieth by John & Pat Rieth
Riverside Christian School by Maureen
Sundby
PTL!...Overturn of Roe v. Wade by
Maureen Sundby
Roe v. Wade overturned by Allen &
Clarene Wasness
Sacred Heart Community by Harry & Jane
Kram
Mary Beth Schuiteman by Kevin &
Christine Higdem
Don Snyder by Bev Snyder
Sandy Tiedemann by Ellen Strickler
Rosemary Wold by Patricia Ann Griggs
 Boutique
Wish List —
Diaper Wipes!!!
Diaper Bags
Size 4, 5, 6 Diapers
It’s worth noting …
Pack & Plays
We help women and men in many stages of pregnancy decisions. We
support new parents as they venture into the first two years of
Pack & Play Sheets
parenting. Oddly enough, we are often maligned by those in the Potty Chairs
“abortion camp” for the help we give.
Recently, we were targeted online by computer generated, negative
reviews. It’s bad enough to have “one-star ratings” left by people who
have never even been to our Center … but how bad is it that they
Clinic Staff —
aren’t even real people?
Jill Chandler, Executive Director
Allow me to share the key words that REAL CLIENTS seeking our STI Carmen Walker, Office Manager
and pregnancy services had to say on our July—Exit Surveys when Kathy Dostal, Financial Manager
answering: “What did you like best or least about the services you Betsey Horken, RN, Nurse Manager
received?” Nicole Novacek, RN
Shawn Snyder, RN
Here’s a hint … the larger the word, the more times it was mentioned.

Dr. Eric Pearson, Medical Director

Dr. Jody Treuer, Radiology

Board of Directors —
Matt Fischer, Chair
Joel Downs, Vice Chair
Joe Martin, Treasurer
Nicole Morris, Secretary
Dr. Alyssa Hoverson Schott
Michael Ritland
Debbie Korsmo
Kim Keller

We don’t encourage our medical clients to leave online reviews.

Their privacy is much more important to us than “stars.”
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