Leslie Ludy on Standing For Life by Ellerslie

STANDING FOR

Life.

gaining God’s heart for the unborn BY LESLIE LUDY

...it is not the will of your Father who is in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish. Matthew 18:14

No material from this issue may be copied, reproduced, or distributed without express written permission from The Church at Ellerslie.

the fall of 2006, when Hudson was almost two, I became pregnant with our second child. Excitedly, we told our son he was going to be a big brother. We an-nounced to friends and family that a new little Ludy was on the way. We tossed around ideas for baby names. We calculated the due date. Life rolled along, and we happily anticipated the new addition to our family. And then one morning, our excitement came to a screeching halt. I woke up with several alarming symptoms, and I had the sickening suspicion that I had miscarried my baby. An emergency visit to the doctor confirmed my fear. The life that had been growing inside of me had abruptly ended.

For the next twenty-four hours, I was in a daze of shock and disbelief. I wasn’t quite sure how to process such a sudden, unexpected loss. I didn’t want to fall apart emotionally. I had a young son to raise, and a husband and ministry to tend to. I made up my mind to be strong, keep a stiff upper lip, and move on. After all, as the doctor reminded me, I could always get pregnant again. And the life that had been lost was only six weeks along in development, not even yet resembling a baby. I hadn’t felt the baby kick, heard the heartbeat, or seen the ultrasound. At this early stage in the pregnancy, it wasn’t really a devastating tragedy; it was just more of a disappointment. Or so I told myself.

It WAS a big deal. A little life - precious to God - had been snuffed out. But for some reason, there was a growing despair in my soul over losing the baby. Some nights I laid awake in bed, nearly suffocated from an inexplicable emotional pain. Many weeks went by, and I did my best to ignore the grief in my heart and simply keep moving forward with my life. I thought the best way to honor God through the situation was to accept what had happened with a resilient attitude and not let it slow me down. Yet the grief continued to amplify just under the surface of my emotions. Finally one day, I could not contain my sadness anymore. I laid across my bed and wept uncontrollably, grieving for the child I would never meet

this side of Heaven. It was the first time since the miscarriage I had even allowed myself to cry. For weeks I’d been telling myself that what happened was “no big deal.” But now, I was coming face to face with the true reality of the situation. It was a big deal. In fact, it was a horrible tragedy. A little life - precious to God, formed in His image, shaped by His hand - had been suddenly snuffed out. I thought about the words of Scripture: “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13) “...from my mother’s womb you have been my God.” (Psalm 22:10b) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you...” (Jer. 1:5a) To God, the baby that had perished was not just a barely-developed fetus or blob of cells and tissue. It was a priceless human child and a masterpiece of His creation. It had its very own heartbeat, its very own DNA, and its very own destiny - a destiny that had been abruptly cut short before it had a chance to be fulfilled. God was weeping over the untimely death

of this precious child. The best way to honor Him through this loss was not to shrug off the pain and move on, but to allow myself to feel what He felt and care as deeply as He cared. Once I finally allowed myself to grieve for this little life - to see what God was seeing, to feel what He was feeling - everything changed. Since then, my life has never been the same. Eric and I had a ceremony for our little lost child. We named the baby. We wrote letters saying goodbye. My heart was still sorrowful over what had happened, but God began to work a deep healing within my soul. He also began to work something else within my soul - the ability to carry His burden for the weak and vulnerable; to weep over children being orphaned and enslaved; and to grieve over the countless unborn lives being snuffed out before having a chance to fulfill their God-given destinies. Eric and I had been working in full-time Christian ministry for most of our married life. But in the midst of so much busyness,

weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d begun to overlook the orphan, the needy, and the vulnerable. Through our own tragic loss, God awakened us to the cry of the 143 million orphans around the world. (The number has now increased to 163 million.) Our hearts were gripped by the cause of the 27 million human slaves in the world (a large majority being girls and young women imprisoned by the sex-trafficking industry). He burdened our hearts for the abused child soldiers in Uganda, the destitute and starving children in Liberia, and the persecuted street children in Brazil.

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s womb. Psalm 139:13

Furthermore, He opened our eyes to an injustice no less grievous than all of these heart-wrenching dramas; an incomprehensible travesty happening not halfway across the world, but right down the street from us and in nearly every city across this nation - countless women being targeted, manipulated, deceived, and exploited by a cunning, money-hungry machine known as the abortion industry. And millions of innocent, helpless lives being ruthlessly snuffed out at the hands of abortionists, without the ability to defend themselves. As I grieved for the unborn baby I had lost, I began to catch a glimpse of God’s overwhelming, heartbreaking grief for the precious babies being deliberately aborted right down the street, and all around the world. I had always been “pro-life,” but as God worked in my heart through this experience, the issue of abortion became far more than a box to check on my voting ballot once every few years. Now, I began to carry the very burden of God for the unborn, feeling at the very deepest levels of my soul the inestimable value of each precious life created by His loving hand. From that point forward, it became one of my greatest life missions to stand for life, and to become a vessel in God’s hand

to defend those who could not defend themselves. It was a passion that led to the adoption of our next two children and the decision to spend a large percentage of my time, energy and ministry platform working on behalf of vulnerable lives around the world.

If we will not open our mouths for these helpless ones, who will? In Proverbs 31:8 God calls us to stand for those who cannot stand for themselves; and those who are being mercilessly killed without even a voice to cry out in protest: “Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die.” Who are these speechless ones He is referring to? Who are these helpless victims appointed to die? The answer is more obvious than most of us realize. In addition to the millions of orphans and

vulnerable children all around this world, there are millions of threatened unborn babies all over America. And just like the orphaned and abandoned children, they are desperately calling out for advocates to rescue them. In the United States alone, 23,000 babies were killed just this week at the hands of abortionists, and 1.2 million babies are murdered within their mother’s womb each year. One in four babies conceived in America is surgically aborted. What’s more, abortions outnumber live births in at least 14 U.S. metropolitan areas. And these horrifying numbers are only growing every year. If we will not open our mouths for these helpless ones; if we will not take up the cause and fight for life, who will?

Many of us have wished for a worthy cause to give our lives to.

Abortion in America is not just a disturbing political issue. It is a silent gen-ocide. It is a crisis of unfathomable, epidemic proportions. Many of us have wished for a worthy cause to give our lives to. We watch inspiring movies about heroes of history past, like William Wilberforce who poured out his life to end the slave trade in his day; and we long to be part of such a noble adventure. But few of us realize the opportunity we have sitting right in front of us. We do not live in a time of peace and harmony. We live in an era where innocent lives are being slaughtered in mass quantities, and an entire generation of young women’s lives are being ruthlessly ripped apart through the deceit of evil men. As Christian young women, we must gain the heart of God for the unborn. Many of us choose to steer clear of the abortion issue because it seems too political, too emotionally charged, and too confusing. We aren’t really sure what to do about it. We don’t feel like we can make much of difference anyway. As a result, we do nothing. We shake our heads at the sadness of it, but we fail to fulfill God’s sacred call to open our mouths for the speechless and defend

Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die. Prov. 31:8

those helpless lives who are appointed to die tragic deaths. I would like to challenge you to rise up; to stand for life; and to become God’s hands and feet to the weak and vulnerable lives that have no voice to cry for them and no advocate to fight for them. We were chosen for such a time as this, and no matter how helpless you might feel, remember that the God of the Universe stands for life - He is the Author of it. When we stand for life, we stand with our King. And the strength of Heaven backs us up when we carry God’s burdens and fight God’s battles.

HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO BEGIN: CHOOSE LIFE If you find yourself unexpectedly pregnant, don’t allow panic or confusion to blur the issue of life. No matter how desperate the crisis, God has a solution. He cares about

the life growing inside of you, more than you can possibly imagine. And He cares about you, more than you can possibly imagine. The culture we live in is deceptive and cunning. Pro-choice organ-izations, such as Planned Parenthood, are not the wise, caring counsellors they claim to be. They do not have your best interests at heart - and they certainly do not have God’s interests at heart. They are not there to provide good, solid wisdom and a clear understanding of your options; they exist

remember, God can take whatever the enemy means for evil in your life and turn it into something beautiful. All you must do is lay your life in His hands. Note: For an inspiring example of how God turned a crisis pregnancy into a testimony of His faithfulness, read Bexâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story in our Sisters of the Common Life section on page 22. If you are close to someone who is considering abortion, get on your knees and fight on behalf of this priceless unborn life. Lovingly exhort your friend to choose life. Offer to go with her to visit your local crisis pregnancy center. Be her advocate - and be an advocate for the life within her. Your influence and prayers can mean the difference between life and death.

only to take your money and ruin your life. If you have any uncertainty about choosing life when faced with a crisis pregnancy, I strongly exhort you to surround yourself with loving, supportive Christians who stand for life. Visit your local crisis pregnancy center, or visit www.optionline. org to speak with an online counsellor via phone or live chat. They will provide you with hope, encouragement, and options that honor the Author of life. And

For more information about crisis pregnancy centers nationwide, simply visit www.heartbeatinternational.org, www. care-net.org, or www.heartlink.org. If you or someone you love is hurting from a past abortion, these organizations can also provide a Christ-centered path toward emotional and spiritual hope and healing. Their services are free and confidential. NOTE: if you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and are struggling with questions about choosing life, please feel free to email our setapartgirl office for additional resources and encouragement.

OPEN YOUR EYES Become aquatinted with the battle for unborn lives. Take some time to listen to Eric’s amazing sermon entitled THE AUSCHWITZ WITHIN. Visit Life Project USA at their website www.lifeprojectusa. com, and watch the powerful trailer for their new film on life. Watch the gripping DVD entitled Blood Money, which exposes the deception behind the abortion industry and the strategic exploitation of young women to fill the greedy pockets of abortionists. Visit their site at www.bloodmoneyfilm.com. These resources are eye-opening without being grotesque, and will fuel your passion to fight on behalf of the defenseless lives being ruined through the business of abortion. I also encourage you to read Frank Peretti’s book, Prophet (see my book recommendation on page 113), and Francine River’s book, Atonement Child, for a powerful glimpse of the spiritual battle for life.

PRAY Don’t underestimate the power of prayer. Several of our Ellerslie students have regularly gone to the local Planned Parent-hood (abortion center), not to picket or demonstrate, but to simply stand spiritually against the evil through

persistent prayer. I recently heard the incredible testimony of a woman who ran several abortion clinics for many years. Through a series of Divinely-appointed circumstances, she became convicted of her sin, gave her life to Jesus Christ, and did a complete about-face both spiritually and practically. She now fights on behalf of the unborn and exposes the evil agenda of the abortion industry. Such stories remind us that the faithful prayers of the saints can lead to mighty victories - one life at a time.

STAND Volunteer at your local crisis pregnancy center or support them financially. Become involved with a ministry that supports unwed mothers, such as www.birthmothers.org. Reach out to single mothers in your community. Provide practical and spiritual help for families who have chosen to stand for life through adoption or foster care. Become a spiritual mentor for teens and young women in your church or community. Talk to them about issues of life, and ask them pointed questions about how they are handling their sexuality. Point them toward Truth. Be someone they can turn to for answers in a crisis situation.

Take a stand against Planned Parenthood. Visit the website Expose Planned Parenthood for specific ways that you can help expose and de-fund these enemies of life. Also, be aware that Planned Parenthood evangelists often walk the streets of college towns or hang out in public areas such as airports to solicit support and promote their ideals. They cleverly hide their abortion agenda behind lofty proclamations about “protecting women.” Do not be fooled by their lies. Speak up for what you believe. And if you see them deceiving a young girl, look for an opportunity to share Truth with her. At the very least, pray that she would protected from their dangerous manipulation.

These ideas are merely a starting point. If you make yourself available to become a voice for the voiceless, God will guide you in what steps to take. He cares more about these precious lives than we ever could. And His eyes are searching to and fro throughout the earth, looking for someone to care as He does. Are you willing to take on His burden? “That innocent blood be not shed in thy land...” (Deut. 19:10 KJV)

Life.

SUMMARY OF RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE: AWAKENING TO THE ISSUE OF ABORTION: CLICK HERE FOR ERIC LUDY’S SERMON THE AUSCHWITZ WITHIN www.ellerslie.com/Eric_Ludy_Sermons/Entries/2011/1/16_The_Auschwitz_Within LIFE PROJECT Go to www.lifeprojectusa.com BLOOD MONEY FILM Go to www.bloodmoneyfilm.com

PRO-LIFE HELP & RESOURCES: www.heartbeatinternational.org www.care-net.org www.heartlink.org www.optionline.org www.birthmothers.org

TAKING POLITICAL ACTION: www.exposeplannedparenthood.net

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MEET REBEKAH “BEX” ROHN a.k.a. “tummy mommy” LESLIE LUDY’S NOTE:

Bex is one of the most heroic young women I’ve ever encountered. Through she has experienced intense trials in the past several years, she has allowed God to give her great triumph and victory through them all. Her life is an amazing testimony of God’s faithfulness - and her amazing sacrificial love for her son is one of the most powerful things I’ve ever witnessed. I know you will be blessed by her testimony here, and to read even more the story of little Kipling Joel Anthony’s (a.k.a. Dubber’s) adoption into the Ludy family, click HERE.

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Him and have Him indwelling my life. In the past several years, since moving to Colorado, the Lord has taken me from a mediocre Christian and is now teaching me what it means to live my life for Him, to be poured out for “the least of these,” to not care for my own well-being, but only for the things of His heart and for His glory!

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT HOW YOU CAME TO KNOW CHRIST AND CHOOSE A SET-APART LIFE FOR HIM.

I was brought up in a Christian home, so I was familiar with the concept of Christ from a very young age. I accepted Christ as my Savior as an early teen but did not really know what it truly meant to follow

AFTER GOING THROUGH A DIFFICULT STRETCH IN YOUR LIFE, YOU FOUND YOURSELF PREGNANT AT EIGHTEEN. WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR STRUGGLES AND FEARS DURING THAT TIME?

My first reaction was “AAAHHH!” After calming down a bit my thoughts became slightly more coherent, but no less anxious -

How am I supposed to do this? How am I supposed to tell my parents? How do you tell someone this kind of news? My church is going to have a hard time with this; will they still talk to me? What about Tony(the birth father)? How am I going to afford this?” Though I still saw Tony almost every day (we worked together), we never talked through things. It was hard just to keep myself together to do my job. I couldn’t go home to a quiet, safe place; my parents were in the middle of a messy separation.

HOW DID GOD WORK IN YOUR LIFE AND HEART DURING THE PREGNANCY?

Growing up I had not seen very many people living a life for Christ out of love; most were driven by fear. I did see a few that were definitely seeking the face of God,

but it was not common. After I became pregnant, the Lord led me to Colorado, where I began meeting more people living for Christ out of pure love for Him! This really started my thinking about my personal relationship with Him. A precious Christian family took me under their wing (the McConnaughey’s - now on staff at Ellerslie). I lived with them during my pregnancy, and each week they led a Bible study that I attended. Through that teaching, God opened my eyes to truth in His Word. Talks with women who walked with Christ inspired me to deepen my relationship with Christ. After my move to Colorado something that I really struggled with was the thought, “What guy would ever have interest in me after this?” I remember that one day I was really struggling with this and a friend called me up. “I don’t know if this is even an issue for you, but I just want you to know that this doesn’t mean that you won’t ever have a man in your life. You are a

fir

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rst meeting Eric Ludy great girl.” I began to be reminded of the fact that I was loved by an everlasting, unconditional, unfailing Love. I have become secure in this Love. I am not plagued by the thought of never being in a relationship due to the past. My focus on Jesus Christ should not be distracted by preoccupations with an earthly relationship. I simply entrust this area to Him knowing that He is fully capable of satisfying all my deepest heart desires! After Kip’s birth I attended some of Eric’s Discipleship classes. I

also attended Leslie’s setapartgirl weekends and read her books more in depth than before. The Lord began to show Himself to me more and more. In the three years I have been in Colorado, I have come to know my God more than ever before. In me, He has grown this love for the Lord and a desire for Truth.

CAN YOU SHARE WITH US WHAT LED YOU TO CHOOSE ADOPTION FOR YOUR BABY?

It was really the work of God. In the beginning, I had not even considered adoption. After discussing the option of adoption with a few people, I realized it could be the way that I could give my son all that I wanted him to have: the stability of having a mom AND dad, family vacations, and a chance at doing things I knew would not be possible if I chose parenting. I knew I could parent - I had access to a

lot of resources in the community for material services. I could work and get child care. However, that was not the lifestyle I wanted for my son. It became very clear that I was to make an adoption plan.

THE LORD WORKED SUPERNATURALLY IN CONNECTING YOU WITH THE LUDY’S AND BRINGING ABOUT A BEAUTIFUL ADOPTION STORY. CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE?

Early in May of 2008, Ruthie, a friend from North Carolina who had moved to the area, invited me to attend a church service with her. She told me it was the church that Eric and Leslie Ludy attended, and that she had heard all sorts of cool things about it. I had read a couple of the Ludys’ books, so they seemed like almost celebrities

to me. We arrived to hear Eric and Ben (a leader there) sharing their vision for the church and community. After the service, one of the girls we had met introduced us to Eric. Yes, Eric Ludy himself was standing in front of me and I was actually shaking his hand! He started asking me about why I had come to Colorado. Over the course of the conversation, I finally told him that I was actually fourteen weeks pregnant. Eric began to encourage me. I don’t even remember much of what we talked about, but I do know that then and there, something within me softened. He asked if I was going to parent or place Baby. I told him that I was leaning more toward parenting. And then he said something that caught me a little off guard. “I want you to know that if you decide to place this child, Leslie and I would count it a great privilege to adopt your baby.” Okay…so maybe he is just being nice, I thought. Several weeks later I saw Eric and Leslie again at church. I was showing them the ultrasound

Bex & the Ludy Family pictures and chatting about the fact that I was walking in the direction of an adoption. Eric asked what agency I had decided to work with; when I told him it was Hope’s Promise he got this look on his face. Come to find out, Eric and Leslie had just made an

appointment with Hope’s Promise. The rest of the night all I could think was, What if? No, it couldn’t be that they would adopt my baby. This would just be too easy. I really was drawn to them and thought it would be wonderful if they would adopt, but I wanted them to bring

it up. The next day they called and we went out to lunch that week. God must have had quite the smile as we sat at that table in Mimi’s talking about what this was going to look like for them to adopt my son!

WHO WERE SOME OF THE PEOPLE OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELPED YOU (SPIRITUALLY AND PRACTICALLY) AS YOU WERE MAKING THE DECISION TO CHOOSE ADOPTION FOR YOUR CHILD? HOW DID THEY WALK THROUGH THE PROCESS WITH YOU?

It was the aunt of a close friend that first brought up the adoption option. After that, I just started talking with my close friends (mostly the McConnaugheys), my

counselor (Denise) at Life Choices Pregnancy Center, etc. Denise set up meetings with two adoption agencies. After meeting Beth from Hope’s Promise, I decided I would meet with her more to learn about what the process of adoption looked like. She explained closed, semi-open, and open adoption to me. The McConnaugheys went to these meetings with me, offering support and advice, and praying for me as I walked through looking at all the options. I remember sharing with my older sister Hillarey that I was walking through an adoption plan. She was so encouraging and supportive every time we talked! Beth soon became a big part of things. We met often and talked through a lot. We talked about how it would be difficult to place my son, what my reasons were for doing this, and legalities of the process.

Beth was always there to remind me that this was my decision, and that I would be supported in whatever I chose to do. Then came time to tell Tony I was pregnant. I think that was one of the harder things to do during the process. I called him, we chitchatted, and then I had to break the news. It was a lot for him to take in. I mentioned adoption; he hit the roof. We decided to talk after a few days. The process of getting Tony involved and talking to him about adoption took several weeks. Beth also played my advocate in calling Tony and issuing parental rights relinquishment papers for him to sign. After Kip was born I eventually heard from Tony and he told me he thought I had made the right decision. Through all of this my â&#x20AC;&#x153;support teamâ&#x20AC;? was always there encouraging me to

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seek the Lord, give me hugs, let me cry, rejoice with me, seek out answers to tough questions, and pray for me.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO OUR READERS HOW AN “OPEN ADOPTION” WORKS? HOW OFTEN DO YOU SEE KIP

AND WHAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP DO YOU HAVE WITH HIM? Open adoption means the birth family and the adoptive family stay in contact through letters, pictures, visits, etc. Open adoptions can look different depending on the families; for the Ludys and me, it is a very open adoption.

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I see Kip about every two weeks or so. He knows I am “Tummy Mommy”, but he calls me “Bex”. I take him on dates sometimes; I like to spoil him a little bit! Some people have asked, “Oh, so you can just do whatever with Kip, whenever?” No, I am not his parent. I have relinquished all rights. Open adoption means I simply have the privilege to be a part of his life.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT BEING KIP’S “TUMMY MOMMY”?

The honor and privilege of being a part of his life and watching him grow. Our special dates. We have a lot of fun throwing rocks in the lake, sharing lunch, and being adventurers together! Simply being around him is amazing!

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A YOUNG WOMAN WHO IS UNEXPECTEDLY PREGNANT AND UNSURE WHAT TO DO?

Get plugged in! There are crisis pregnancy centers, birth mother ministries, and other organizations that can help you find doctors and midwives, counseling, housing, WIC (a special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children), and the list goes on. Women in this field of ministry are in it to help you! Don’t be afraid to go to someone; let them come alongside and support you during this difficult time.

IN ADDITION TO SHARING YOUR TESTIMONY AT

PREGNANCY CENTERS, ADOPTION TRAINING CLASSES AND AT ELLERSLIE, YOU’VE RECENTLY BECOME INVOLVED WITH A MINISTRY FOR BIRTH MOTHERS. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS? Just this year I have become involved in the local branch of Birthmother Ministries (www. birthmothers.org). This is a faithbased, nonprofit organization that was started by an adoptive father that saw a need for birth mothers to have one-on-one support. Birth mothers matches any woman that faces an unplanned pregnancy with a birth mothers “Friend” (a trained, loving volunteer) that provides emotional, practical, and spiritual support. Friends meet these moms where they are, listen to their situation, love on them,

and personally connect them to the services needed.

WHAT PRACTICAL THINGS CAN OUR READERS DO TO REACH OUT TO PREGNANT TEENS AND SINGLE MOMS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES?

Get in contact with local crisis pregnancy centers to see if there are volunteer opportunities in reception work, counseling, material services, or fundraising. Also, some high schools have special programs for pregnant/ single moms; see if there is a way to throw a shower for these young moms. Loving them and reaching out to them can make such a lifelong impact in their lives. *

Life.

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BOTH ARTICLES WERE ORIGINALLY PRINTED IN THE JULY/AUGUST 2011 ISSUE OF SETAPARTGIRL ONLINE MAGAZINE. www.setapartgirl.com

Open your mouth for the speechless. Proverbs 31:8