Forgiveness is Key

Repeat everyday:  "Today I am forgiven", until you believe it.  For over ten years, guilt and shame ruled my life.  I was angry, had low self-esteem, and I was really suffering.  

I realized that God forgave me and it was okay (necessary even) for me to forgive myself.  I had to set myself free.  Every day is not always easy but, after fifteen years my bad days are more rare.  

Forgive yourself and know that your story can be used for something greater!

When to Seek Help

It is said that 1 in 3 women will have an abortion at some time in their life.  I'm not sure how accurate the statistic is but, I know that I personally know quite a few women who have.  While not all women experience negative effects, there are lots of women who suffer in silence.

My Story

I was a naive, scared 20 year old who was worried about what would happen if my parents found out and feeling pressured by my boyfriend to "get rid of it because we had no money".  It did not even cross my mind that there could be serious consequences.

I thought it was going to be a sigh of relief and back to business as usual. I never bargained for the deep depression, sadness, years of guilt, and isolation.  Not even a little bit.

It was not until years later that I realized just how much my abortion had affected my life.  I was literally unraveling.  I was so angry, my relationship was a disaster, and I was obsessed with having a baby.  I felt like I was constantly fighting an internal battle and it was quickly getting the upperhand.

It took numerous therapist visits, prayers, support group visits, sleepless nights, journal and blog entries but, I finally begun to find healing.  Fifteen years later, I still have days where it's hard but, I have come a LONG way and I have learned to embrace this journey rather than relish in the sadness and thinking of what could have been.

If you have had an abortion and are experiencing  any of the following there is hope.  Please seek help.

• Relationship issues
• Depression
• Isolation
• Trouble sleeping- nightmares, insomnia
• Anxiety
• Guilt

There is a purpose for your pain and there is a beautiful life waiting for you despite your past.  I'm living proof!

Resources that can help:

Abortion Recovery Network
National toll-free hotline at 1-866-4-MY-RECOVERY (1-866-469-7326)

Option Line
1-800-712-HELP (4357)
www.optionline.org

What is JadenLove?

Hey, loves!  Thank you for stopping by my new page, JadenLove.  This project was born after a strong tugging on my heart for a few months now and I finally decided to give it a go.

I wanted to be able to share my own post-abortion experience--the grief, depression, hurt, and isolation that I secretly dealt with for over 15 years, while also letting other women tell their own stories.  But, I also want this to be a place where women can find hope and healing, while still feeling free to openly honor their angel babies.  

One thing I learned in therapy was how to grieve for my angel baby. You're probably like, who needs help grieving?

Well, I did.  I had the procedure done and then it was back to work, school, and church like I had not just gone through the most physically and emotionally demanding two days of my life. But, it caught up with me eventually in some of the worst ways.

I had no ultrasound pictures, no name, no clothes, nothing to remember my baby by.  It made coping with my decision so much harder. I always had a feeling that I was having a boy so, I gave him the name Jaden.  I also nicknamed him, my Jaden love, which became the inspiration for the blog name.

This has definitely been a journey that is not over yet, honestly I do not think it will ever, but I have many more good days than bad ones now.  God has been good to me and I hope that my story encourages another woman recovering from the guilt, flashbacks, and shame to forgive herself and know that realize that she is worthy of healing.

Feel free to reach out to me if you want to just talk or would like to share your story at: myjadenlove@gmail.com.

Have a blessed week!

What is JadenLove?

Hey, loves!  Thank you for stopping by my new page, JadenLove.  This project was born after a strong tugging on my heart for a few months and I finally decided to give it a go.

I wanted to be able to share my own post-abortion experience--the grief, depression, hurt, and isolation that I secretly dealt with for over 15 years, while also letting other women tell their own stories.  But, I also want this to be a place where women can find hope and healing, while still feeling free to openly honor their angel babies.  

One thing I learned in therapy was how to grieve for my angel baby. You're probably like, who needs help grieving?

Well, I did.  I had the procedure done and then it was back to work, school, and church like I had not just gone through the most physically and emotionally demanding two days of my life. But, it caught up with me eventually in some of the worst ways.

I had no ultrasound pictures, no name, no clothes, nothing to remember my baby by.  It made coping with my decision so much harder. I always had a feeling that I was having a boy so, I gave him the name Jaden.  I also nicknamed him, my Jaden love, which became the inspiration for the blog name.

This has definitely been a journey that is not over yet, honestly I do not think it will ever, but I have many more good days than bad ones now.  God has been good to me and I hope that my story encourages another woman recovering from the guilt, flashbacks, and shame to forgive herself and know that realize that she is worthy of healing.

Feel free to reach out to me if you want to just talk or would like to share your story at: myjadenlove@gmail.com.

Have a blessed week!