Testimonios

Surrendering the Secret Bible Study

Teleconference Call

Testimonios

God Connects Hearts and Threads Lives

I had a wonderful opportunity to co-lead a Surrendering the Secret Bible study via conference call with Toni and Jane.

I have done these studies for years but not in this format. It was such an amazing experience, and we saw God quickly connect our hearts with the women in the group even though we didn’t meet face to face.

Each woman’s story helped another, and trust was built. The women were so transparent, and we saw God’s hand throughout as He threaded our lives together.

Personally, I was so encouraged by seeing God’s immense love for each of us and how He desires for us to be healed from the pain and shame of our past abortions.

He walked with each of us so tenderly through this healing journey bringing His truth and light. Somehow new life was born within as God gave each of us unique purpose where there was once deep pain, shame and guilt.

I am so thankful to be a part of this ministry where I see God’s grace, forgiveness and freedom experienced!

My hope and prayer are for many women to take a courageous step and begin this transforming healing journey.

Julie Cruz

The Conference Call was a God Send

Over this summer I was able to participate in “Surrendering the Secret” (STS) phone conference Bible study.

In the past, I had been on Toni’s Sunday’s conference calls, so this wasn’t new to me. The Sunday conference calls are topical in nature and were a great support for me and my walk with the Lord. I learned so much on these conference call sessions and was excited to join in on the STS study.

Our STS study was on Thursday evenings and lasted 1½ hours. We had some amazing girls in our group, and over the course of the weeks I grew to love them and pray for them. I was in awe of what the Lord was doing in their lives.

It’s amazing to see the healing in others and connect with women that were wounded the same way I was, from a past abortion.

The phone conference Bible study was so convenient because it allowed me to be at home and not have to travel. Many of the women were about 1 hour away.

This study reminded me of how the Lord can bring healing to hurting women that desperately need freedom from the chains of shame and brokenness. I had taken the class several times and this was the first time I did it via a conference call on the phone.

God was in our midst and He was able to walk us through those areas that needed light and truth. I’m so thankful for Toni’s heart and desire to bring this study over the phone so anyone can join and distance is not a factor.

Praise God for He is Good and Mighty to Heal.

God Bless, Sharon

God Is Preparing Us to Be a Voice

I have been a part of the My Ashes to Beauty abortion recovery for a few years now. Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in the Surrendering the Secret Bible Study. When I embarked on this journey, I felt confident that I was in a good place with my abortion recovery and was looking forward to a little more healing.

This study was via conference call, once a week at a specific time, which made it very convenient and accessible for me to participate due to my busy schedule.

As I began this study, I realized I was just beginning my healing journey. I was taken to the deepest part of my soul which for 19 years I had locked my secret away so tightly. I walked through my ever-erupting emotions in a safe place for the first time ever in my life and was able to honestly share my story, shame, guilt, miedo, disgust and pure hatred of myself because of what I had done to my child. As we all shared our stories and our heartbreak, I could see the healing taking place.

When we speak of unspeakable things, we are released from the bondage and hold it has on us, and we can begin to heal.

My healing journey was beginning, I was grieving, crying, having trouble sleeping and anxious, but as I continued the study I was smiling, laughing and had peace in my heart for the first time.

I was able to come to terms with what I had actually done, found forgiveness and have peace that my child is with my Lord in heaven, and one day I will be reunited with him.

We all have different reasons and circumstances as to why we made the choice to abort our child or children, but there is healing available to each and every one of us.

I believe that as each of us is healed, God is preparing us to be a voice for our children and all the children that have been aborted.

I am excited for the opportunity to be used by God to help other women in post abortive, prevention and anywhere He leads me.

Rhonda Bouchlas

I Received Significant Healing

Back in April, I was desperately searching for some help with my abortion healing and recovery.

I had fallen into a deep depression that I couldn’t get myself out of. I had covered up my abortion for 2 years and told no one about it.

Luckily, I found Toni, who graciously welcomed me into her Sunday conference call, as well as the Surrendering the Secret Bible study during the week.

The Surrendering the Secret study was more intimate with only a few women. The study was about 2 months long, and all of us held each other accountable to be on the call every week.

The Bible study conference calls were something I looked forward to every week. I knew that every week I was able to talk with people who cared and understood what I was going through.

We went through the readings and questions, diving deep into the core of our trauma. This wasn’t an easy process; it was emotional to get through.

Every week I gained more clarity. I can honestly say that by the end of the study, I received significant healing.

This bible study was a blessing that God gave to me, and I will never forget it.

Erika

Passionate About Changing Lives with Teleconference Venues

My abortion experiences occurred when I was a teenager and young woman, around the time that Roe v. Wade was passed and Planned Parenthood grew into the abortion business it has become. I hadn’t thought about these tragic events much anymore. I had been a victim of rape at the age of thirteen and continued with a rebellious, unchallenged lifestyle without God in my life or much supervision, throughout my teen and young womanhood years. This led to my secretive, deadly choices, without counseling or telling my parents or friends.

During the spring of 2019, I began a “Surrendering the Secret” (Pat Layton, 2008) Bible study group, as part of an abortion recovery requirement for consideration to become a counselor at a local First Care Women’s Clinic crisis center.

At first, I attended weekly sessions with a group of women at a church about an hour away from my home. When I started a new job, the work hours conflicted with this group. I contacted the director of the study group, and she connected me to Toni Weisz and her weekly teleconference group.

This was the best possible scenario. I am so grateful God made this possible. It was convenient to drive home and join the call and participate in comfort and privacy. I could even have my dinner as we began our class, since our phones were on mute as we proceeded.

Toni and the co-facilitator, Sharon, were comforting, gave wonderful guidance and made the whole experience easy and fulfilling. There were two other women in my group, who were wonderful to spend time with as well. We each listened to each other, timing was perfect and we followed along in our books and the format Toni designed with Scripture and discussion.

As we reached the end of the eight week series, we gathered for a memorial service during the seventh week, prepared by Toni and Sharon at a private home. This was touching and comforting. We enjoyed a light lunch meal and fellowship. It was joyful to meet everyone in person for the first time and chattered (as females do) about experiences, ideas and future plans for our personal healing and ministry to help others.

I highly recommend the teleconference format and look forward to participating again and leading groups myself. It is not only a great option for women (and men) who don’t live near each other and have hectic lives filled with family and work. It is private option for people who are uncomfortable meeting in public places for this personal subject.

These study groups are not readily available at churches and other venues, which is something we all feel passionate about changing so that more lives can be touched by this healing ministry and the loving forgiveness of Jesus. I am grateful to Toni, Sharon, First Care Women’s Clinics, Surrendering the Secret author Pat Layton and the other women I spent time in study with.

Nanette Gordon, Boca Raton, Florida August 24, 2019

Abortion Recovery

Sunday Teleconference Call

Testimonios

I Now Have a Healthier Perspective on Who I Am in Christ

En 2017, Toni asked me to join in the conference calls to encourage the women who were struggling with the life choices they had made and were sometimes continuing to make.

These include abortion, substance abuse, unhealthy relationships and many other life choices that keep us from growing in our walk with Jesus.

Each week the facilitator discusses a topic which includes godly principles along with scripture to get us thinking on how we can relate to that particular life choice or past hurt that we need to heal from and how God can bring this healing into our lives.

We then have opportunity to share as she opens the call to all participants who feel comfortable and would like to share what is on their hearts and minds.

My experience from participating on this call has been so incredible! I have not only been used of God to encourage and build other women up, but I have grown in my walk with the Lord as we pursue the discussions.

God is using this ministry to bring healing I didn’t realize I needed and a deeper understanding to my life experiences.

It is giving me a healthier perspective on who I am in Christ.

Luces

Mi historia

Toni's Journey

friend of God, wife, mom, advocate

Life is a journey, and we all get to have our own story...

Mi historia de aborto (Audio)

por Toni Weisz

Haga clic aquí for the Spanish Version

I was in shock and disbelief when I went to the women’s clinic near the college I was attending in Ohio. My period was late, but I never expected to hear the words, “You’re pregnant.” I didn’t know what to do first: yell, cry, or run away. I did know, sin embargo, that I couldn’t tell my parents. I was “the good, quiet one” in the family. If I told them I was pregnant, the mask I had created and been wearing for the last nine years would fall off and be destroyed. Lord knows I kept wearing the mask until I was 50, but that’s a story for another time.

It was Thanksgiving, 1980. Like most college students, I went home to visit my family for the holiday. Being home during Thanksgiving was always a very busy time. My brother was one of the stars on the local high school football team, so of course we attended the big game. We all loved watching my brother play.

While a few of us were gathered in the kitchen that Thanksgiving, my mom asked, “Guess who’s pregnant?” I held my breath for a few seconds, heart racing. I had no idea how she could have found out. Then again, I believed my mom had eyes in the back of her head; it was uncanny how much she could find out. Still holding my breath, the conversation continued. Mom answered the question she presented and said, “Your Aunt Kathy.” Aunt Kathy was standing in the kitchen with us during Mom’s announcement, so I kissed her on the cheek and congratulated her. That was a close call, a little too close. I needed to do something about my pregnancy, and I would, when I returned to school.

The night before my planned abortion, I drank and used heavy drugs. By the time my appointment rolled around I was terribly hung over. As I drove myself to the clinic I thought, "Esto es Loco. What am I thinking? I should have had someone drive me.” Clearly, at that point I was not thinking much of anything.

When I arrived at the clinic, which was very upscale, they asked me if I had eaten anything. “Yes”, I replied. The woman behind the counter said, “You can’t have this procedure today because you ate something.” I was so discouraged. I asked the woman if she was sure. She responded in the same way and added that as per clinic policy, I would not be allowed to have my abortion that day. I couldn’t believe it. It was the beginning of December, well into my second trimester.

On the drive home, the city was desolate. It was 7:30 AM on a Saturday, so no one was on the road. I felt so alone, and now frantic. I had really messed things up this time. I could not have this baby.

For starters, I believed that my child would be severely deformed because of the heavy drugs, alcohol, and smoking I was doing. On top of that, I couldn’t let my parents know that I was pregnant outside of marriage. As for the father of the baby, well, he didn’t have much to say about the situation. He basically allowed me to make the decision on my own.

I decided to make another appointment, this time at an inner-city clinic. You can probably guess that it was not as nice as the previous clinic, but I was prepared this time around and ate nothing before the procedure. The date was December 10, 1980. It was a very sad day in my life, one I will always remember.

Up until then, my past was littered with the debris of unhealthy relationships and people pleasing. For years I suffered silently, feeling unloved, rejected, and unworthy of love because of it. As if that weren’t enough, I was about to plunge head long into the throws of deep, dark despair. Depression, loneliness, suicidal thoughts and bouts of uncontrollable crying became my life.

If I could have stopped my 21-year-old self from making that decision, I would have in a heartbeat. It was one of the worst decisions I ever made. As a result of this abortion wound, I would continue to make bad decisions in an attempt to cover up my sins.

All the while, Jesus would be watching me, weeping for me. He knew the destructive path I would continue down for many years and His heart broke with mine the day I aborted my beautiful, baby boy.

Ahora, I am 59 años. I became a born-again believer in Jesus Christ at the age of 34. I started my abortion recovery journey on September 11, 2006.

I have dedicated my life, my resources, my time, and my energy into abortion recovery and healing for myself and other women.

This is my story, and God has used it for my good and His glory! I am so grateful for Jesus’s mercy upon me, His forgiveness of my sins, and for cleansing me from all my unrighteousness. Soy una nueva creación en cristo; las cosas viejas pasaron; behold all things have become new! (2 Corintios 5:17)

Tengo una nueva vida, un nuevo propósito, and a new song all because of Jesus, my beautiful Savior.

You are in a safe place Beloved; my team and I are ready to walk with you on this healing journey.

Read my post entitled: MY MASK OF PERFECTION

Thank You for the Pain, Caballero

CLICK HERE for the SPANISH VERSION

Thank you for pain, Caballero, because without it I might not have found you.

Jeremías 29:13 Y me buscarás y me encontrarás, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Pain is a good thing; me hace consciente de que hay un problema. Creo que Dios nos da la capacidad de sentir dolor para hacernos saber que algo anda mal y necesita nuestra atención..

I never developed a voice when I was younger; instead, I stuffed all my feelings from the time I was a very young child through my late 20’s and early 30’s. It was during that time that my health was failing, and I was experiencing all kinds of pains in my joints and lower back, fatigue, and depression. The doctors thought I had Lyme disease, so they started me on antibiotics.

When I didn’t improve, they doubled my dosage, which caused me to get antibiotic poisoning. Because of this high dosage, my blood pressure dropped and so did my body temperature; I felt horrible. I just needed some relief. I believe God used my health issues to get my attention.

I was having an emotional breakdown as well. All the stuffing I had done throughout my life was starting to come out sideways, and I had no control over my anger and rage. I felt shame and guilt after my outbursts because of the things I would do and say. I would kick out windows and punch walls. I would grind my teeth and growl. It was a scary sight, especially for my children. I was out of control.

I was so broken and was barely able to make it through the day. I was tired of wearing the mask and pretending. I just wanted to be loved and accepted for who I was.

Because of my fear of rejection and abandonment, I was terrified to take the mask off and be open and vulnerable. But, wearing the mask became increasingly more difficult and exhausting to do.

I couldn’t pretend anymore that my life was perfect when in fact it was falling apart.

In my past I used drugs, alcohol, promiscuidad, cigarettes, shopping, anything to help me cope with the pain. I needed something or someone to take my pain away because those things stopped working for me.

I was getting tired of waking up on the bathroom floor after a night of drinking and thinking, “I don’t want my kids to think this is ok.” I needed help, desperately.

I never learned to communicate properly in my home of origin. Como resultado, I stuffed and held back my feelings of hurt or disappointment. I couldn’t even ask for what I needed.

All that pain of not being heard or having a voice was a very heavy burden on me.

I had allowed others to manipulate, abuso, and control me all my life. I believed I was not a person of value or worth, because if I were, people would have treated me differently. I recognized that I enabled this unhealthy behavior because I had no boundaries and I did not love and respect myself.

How could I expect others to treat me with love, kindness, and respect when deep down I believed I deserved to be abused, especially after my abortion?

I finally came to the end of myself and was willing to give God a try.

I knew I was messing up my life and really had nothing left to lose. It was just after Christmas, 1993. I was painting my daughter’s room and I heard a message about Sarah and Abraham. The Holy Spirit started drawing me and gave me boldness to go and talk to my husband. I went downstairs and said, “What time is church tomorrow?” I thought he was going to fall off the couch.

“9:30", he replied.

“I would like to go to church tomorrow with you.”

“Great, we need to leave around 9:00."

“Good, I’ll be ready.”

En el momento, we were attending two separate churches on Sundays: the kids and I went to one church, and my husband another. But things were about to change, radically.

That Sunday in January 1994, for the first time, I heard that Jesus died on the cross for my sins!!! It blew me away. I had never heard preaching like this.

Within 4 semanas, I surrendered my life to Jesus, confessed my sins, and received the gift of forgiveness that God freely gives to all who cry out to Him.

On February 6, 1994 I was born again.

It was the sweetest most beautiful day of my life.

Finally, I found someone who could take away my pain, shame, guilt, and sin. What a beautiful Savior.

Lucas 11:9-10

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find;
knock, and it will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds,
and to him who knocks,
it will be open.

How has God used pain to get your attention?

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