Subtotal: $
Checkout
What happens when an abortion survivor finds and forgives her birth mother, who never knew her daughter was alive?
Winner: Christianity Today 2018 Book Award, CT Women
Silver Medal, 2018 Illumination Awards
Melissa Ohden is fourteen when she learns that she is the survivor of a botched abortion. In You Carried Me, she details for the first time her search for her biological parents and her own journey from anger and shame to faith and forgiveness.
After a decade-long search Melissa finally locates her birth father and writes to extend forgiveness, only to learn that he has died without answering her burning questions. Melissa becomes a mother herself in the very hospital where she was aborted. This experience transforms her attitude toward women who have had abortions, as does the miscarriage of her only son and the birth of a second daughter with complex health issues. But could anything prepare her for the day she finally meets her birth mother and hears her side of their story?
This intensely personal story of love and redemption illumines the powerful bond between mother and child that can overcome all odds.
No matter which campaign you align with, "You Carried Me" is 166 pages of "cannot put it down #wow". Melissa's compelling story is beautifully written. Despite the harsh realities of her past, as a botched abortion survivor, she conveys her story without judgment on those who intended to end her life before it even began.
I was hooked from the very first pages. Melissa has a natural, interesting writing style that drew me into her amazing story. She shares her life without anger or blame, even when she finds out the truth about what happened at her birth. Her ability to forgive and find healing is powerful and beautiful.
I was just scrolling thru Youtube and found one of your videos and listened to it. What an incredible story. I am so happy for all of you to of found each-other again. I cannot imagine the hell your birthmother felt and lived with all those years the remorse and guilt had to be astronomical. What a wonderful soul you are to reach out in love to her and embrace her. What a incredible healing agent to her soul you are my dear. Praise God for you and the incredible work you are doing.
Melissa spoke so courageously at the banquet to benefit Central Florida Pregnancy Center. I had not intended to purchase her book because I have so many to read and so little time. I listened to the inspiration to get the book and I am glad I did. It is such an amazing story and touched my heart in so many ways. The book is very well written. I am so grateful for Melissa and the way she uses her many gifts.
You Carried Me recounts Melissa Ohden's life and escape from death – from a botched-abortion-turned-accidental-birth, to forgiveness for all who were involved in seeking her death. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to better understand abortion and its victims as well as those seeking healing from abortion.
A beautiful story. It's most amazing to me that the author forgives her mother. I can't even say "birth mother ", since she was not born, but rather unsuccessfully killed. But wait, her compassion for her mother's difficult circumstance lets her see that she, too, was victimized- weak, perhaps, but subject to extreme pressure to abort the child that she and the father fervently wanted. The 'evil' one it seems, is her mother's mother. With cold lies, manipulation, and threats demanded the death if her iwn grand-daughter. I wonder if in something so hideous as abortion there must be someone who is wrong, evil, and deserving of the harshest judgment. Or is it possible as seemingly everyone involved in the Holocaust claimed, they were caught up in something which "just happened "?
I found this story compelling. Melissa's birth mother intended to abort her, but she survived (without either of her birth parents' knowledge), and was adopted. At 14, she learned the truth of her birth, and spiraled into PTSD-induced, self-destructive behavior. A willingness to let God be in charge, a loving husband, and the consistent support of her adopted parents brings Melissa to the point where she not only learns to love herself, but to love and forgive all of those involved in the failed abortion that gave her life. Melissa obviously has an agenda; that's not a criticism, just an important fact of which to be aware when reading this book. This should be required reading for anyone involved in social justice, no matter their personal views on abortion. The author is unapologetically (and unsurprisingly) anti-abortion, and presents a compelling argument why pro-choice is not pro-women. Will this book change anyone's mind? It's possible, given the sincerity of Melissa's writing style. She raises issues that I, to be honest, had not considered or fully examined, and I appreciate being able to more thoroughly consider my own position on this important and divisive topic. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Melissa Ohden’s story is tragic only in the sense that she was intended to be aborted and that she had to struggle through the heartbreak of that intent. In every other way, her story soars as a living testimony to the majesty and glory of the Almighty God. God’s plan so far has included her surviving a saline abortion without any physical effects, He had her taken to the NICU by a sympathetic nurse rather than cast aside as trash, He provided her with an incredibly loving Christian family to adopt her, and He helped her to achieve her dream of reunification with a portion of her birth family. Most importantly, He has helped her to use her story to help other abortion survivors, those finding themselves in a crisis pregnancy, and those men and women who are suffering from the guilt, shame, and loss due to their decision to have an abortion. -If you survived an abortion… you will be able to share in another’s unique experience and find a supportive network of other survivors here. -If you are considering an abortion… you will find love and supportive options other than abortion here. -If you have had an abortion… you will find love and understanding here. Forgiveness is something that we all wish to receive when we hurt others and yet is often difficult to give to those who have hurt us. A personal relationship with God provides the greatest hope of extending forgiveness to others and a guarantee of forgiveness from Him. Melissa said… “Mahatma Gandhi once said ‘Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave.’ But I think the truly brave are those who ask for forgiveness.” (Melissa Ohden, You Carried Me, page 112) Please pick up a copy of Melissa’s story and learn of how she entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ and learned how to extend forgiveness. Be inspired by her story. Share God’s work in her life with someone that you know affected by abortion. Soli Deo Gloria
