Embrace Grace & Embrace Life in 2022
By: Patrice McLaughlin
Embrace Grace and Embrace Life started back up in January of 2022. Each year, we walk alongside ladies who are struggling with being a single new mom, we call them Blooms. This name is given to these young ladies in the program because they will bloom in knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of God’s grace.
Five single moms joined us for the journey this year. We were so grateful to have Embrace Grace/Life alumni, Jaelleysecia come to the table with first-hand experience and knowledge as a single mother to share her journey and encourage the Blooms.
In February, we celebrated sisterhood with a “Galentines Day” brunch with Embrace Grace Alumni. It was exciting to see smiles and hear laughter as we enjoyed yummy food and treats. It’s a pure joy to see all the Blooms from years past come back with their precious children, full of life and thriving.
In one meeting, we welcomed Elder Mike Lopez and wife Julia as they shared their journey of an unexpected pregnancy and wisdom on finances. Some GHOP prayer warriors then came to individually pray over the Blooms as we worked through true surrender. Just like Moses met with the Lord in the Tent of Meeting, a sacred space was set up for each Bloom to meet with the Lord, sit with him, and wait to hear from Him. This night was truly the highlight of the winter Semester. Hope was restored, grace was embraced, and fullness of life was on the horizon. One mom who struggled accepting her new life, pregnant after divorce and grieving her future, found peace in our sovereign God and chose to trust the Lord with her future.
Embrace Grace began in August with new leadership, new Blooms, but the same purpose: to walk beside these young ladies who chose LIFE for their unborn child. As we engaged with this group of young ladies and their stories unfolded, we realized prayer would be our backbone and lifeline for breakthroughs in each of their lives. It was so evident, God intersected their paths with Embrace Grace for such a time as this. He moved mightily week after week. He provided miracles and healed the sick and the broken.
One Bloom, Amina shared she was the sole believer in her family. She showed up every week ready to hear from the Lord. Her newfound faith encouraged the leaders that God was revealing himself to her.
Another Bloom named Elizabeth came seeking support being a scared new mom, trying to finish her senior year of high school. With the pressures of life all around, she wanted to find hope and cling to the good.
These Blooms, connected through friendship, adoption, and pregnancy would come to start a new life. It was a privilege to see the church give so graciously to these ladies by providing all kinds of practical needs while guiding them to the way of the True King.
Every year we host one of our favorite events called Princess Day. Talk about transformation! From the time the Blooms walk through the door until the end of this day, she is filled with hope, she is encouraged, she feels (and is) beautiful. Why? Because she is treated like the Princess that she is. Every need is met, she is clothed in beauty, she realizes her worth, she is crowned Daughter of the King, and her smile is from the depths of her soul. It’s a beautiful day!
This year was no different for the two Blooms, Lendy and JuleeAnn, who were able to attend. Their glow and their smiles were priceless! In the thick of the semester, the enemy came to try to do his best but we continued on our knees in prayer for the battle of these precious souls. Our GHOP leaders were invited to pray over these Blooms, breaking chains, and setting captives free. We even had a prodigal daughter come back. We ended the semester with a beautiful display of God’s grace with a baby shower for all five Blooms.
In December, artist Stephanie Eargle presented each Bloom with a portrait, to commemorate their crowning moment as Daughters of the King. We also dropped off gifts that the GCC Middle School students shopped for, to show her God’s love. Praise God for the mountain tops and the valleys. He is faithful.
