When we had our first ultrasound at Zoi and found out that we were having twins, we were so excited! During my pregnancy, my brother was using drugs. One day, when he was under the influence, he set our house on fire. We had to move into a hotel because of all the damage to our home. This was a very hard time in our lives. We were struggling because everything was lost in the fire, and we had nothing.

My babies were months from being born and I didn’t have anything for them. Zoi was there to help me. I became actively involved in their Parenting Program, learned how to be a great parent, and was able to get many things that I needed for my babies. Zoi was like a God send to me. I felt supported and welcomed there.

The father of my babies began drinking alcohol excessively. This was extremely hard on our relationship, and I was worried about him being a good father figure to our children. Also, at one of my OB appointments I learned that one of my twins had Spina Bifida. My doctor told me that I had three options. The first option was to do surgery on the baby in utero and put a patch on his back, but he didn’t recommend it since I was pregnant with not just one but two babies and this could put the other baby at risk. The second option was to abort the baby with Spina Bifida. This was also risky and could cause me to lose my other twin as well. The third option was to keep the baby, but he told me the baby would most likely struggle for the rest of his life. None of these options sounded good to me. I didn’t know what to do, so I cried and then I prayed. Ultimately, I decided to make an appointment for an abortion. Even though my partner didn’t want me to have an abortion, he was willing to support me in my decision if that’s what I wanted to do.

The day before my abortion appointment, friends of my mom who were Christian came over and prayed for me and my baby. I felt the Holy Spirit touch me and remember that day like no other. When I went to my appointment the next day, I told the doctor I didn’t want to go through with the abortion. He did an ultrasound and noticed that my baby with Spina Bifida seemed to be improving and was moving more. He said he had never seen anything like this before! I told him that we had been praying for a miracle and he said to me “It looks like the prayers are working!” I was so happy to see that God didn’t want me to abort my child and instead had saved him.

I also prayed to God that the father of my babies would stop drinking. My prayers were answered. He is now one year sober and I couldn’t be happier. Now my babies have a wonderful father figure who is both loving and caring. My babies were born via C-section on 5/5/22. They were healthy looking babies with such perfect little souls. My twin with Spina Bifida underwent surgery at CHOC the same day he was born and is now doing well. I named him Angel. He is my “miracle baby” and I owe it all to God for saving him.

I’m also truly thankful to Zoi for all their help and support during my pregnancy and after my babies were born. All of the baby items I obtained through their Parenting Program as well as the donations I received after the fire and the many gifts I was given this past Christmas have been such a blessing to me and my family. Thank you, Zoi, for being there for me when I needed you the most. I am truly grateful!