God’s Gift

Hello all! It’s been a long time since I’ve posted, but I have some exciting news to share. I am pregnant!

For many of you, this is very surprising news. It was for me too. As you know, I am only 21 and just about to graduate college. Having a child was far from what I was expecting to do after I graduated, but nonetheless God has different plans for me.

I know many of you also have many questions, so I am going to answer the major ones.

1) How many weeks are you? When are you due? What are you having?

Currently I am 13 1/2 weeks. My expected due date is September 15, 2018 just 15 days before my birthday. I do not know the gender yet, but I should be finding out within the next few weeks (I’m hoping for a girl 🤞🏽)

2) What does your family think? Does your family know?

Yes, my immediate family knows and they are very supportive. My mom was actually the first person I called when I found out, and she was nothing but supportive and even told me Congratulations. She has helped me so much through this journey.

3) Who’s the baby’s father? Does he know?

Me and the child’s father are not together and never have been. We are friends and he is very aware of the situation. He is very excited for the baby, and he plans to be involved.

4) Have you thought of baby names?

Yes, I have! I am open to suggestions though if you have any!

5) What do you plan on doing after you graduate?

I still plan to get my Masters and get an “adult” job. I have a lot of options and am still looking through all of them, so I can make the best decision.

6) What were your initial thoughts when you found out you were pregnant? Did you think about abortion or adoption?

When I initially found out I was pregnant, I cried. I honestly was devastated and thought I failed. I came from a teenage pregnancy and didn’t want to go through the same struggles my parents did. I wanted to be married and be a stay at home mom. I wanted to be very well off financially and have had time to see the world. I thought my life/dreams were over. I had become just like everyone else. I knew there was going to be so much judgement and I couldn’t stomach the thought of people looking at me and being disappointed. I didn’t want to be that pregnant girl. My first thought was abortion. I felt so hypocritical and it went against all the morals I believed as a Christian. I struggled a lot. I wanted to runaway from the possible judgment I would face and the thought of ruining a child’s life. I didn’t want to raise a baby alone or with a man I didn’t love and who didn’t love me. Millions of thoughts flooded my mind and I couldn’t decipher what was the right thing to do. I literally prayed and read sooo much of the Bible during that time. That was when God spoke to me and gave me clarity. It was when I read Ruth that I was convinced that this child is not mine, but God’s and he has a specific purpose for them. God chose me to be this child’s mother and he knows our plans. God, just like with Ruth, will provide for me and work things out for not my benefit, but for a greater purpose. Ruth had a choice to take an easier road or endure hardship. She chose hardship and God rewarded her for it. The same way God will do for me, for us. God is good and he knows what’s best. So through that clarity, I opted out of abortion and adoption.

7) Do you still go to Church? Does your church know? What does your church think?

My church is very aware of the situation and they have helped me out tremendously. I honestly do not know how I could have navigated these past few months without their love and support. Mission Church has been such a blessing to me and I am forever grateful for them.

All in all, this pregnancy, although unexpected, has been such a blessing to me. I honestly can see why God allowed it to happen the way it did and the timing. With all the people that have come into my life so far and the connections I’ve built, I truly see the hand of God at work.

I would love to answer any questions you have, hear any comments you may want to share, and any advice you want to give. I am grateful for this opportunity and excited to share my journey with you.

Stay blessed always.

– Alicia Xo

As an extra treat, here are some sono pics ❤️