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Archives for December 2025

Cheers to a New Year from Next Step Pregnancy

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“Get me! I’m givin’ out wings!” – Nick the bartender, It’s a Wonderful Life, 1946

It would not be Christmas, at least in my book, without watching ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. So we did, of course, on the big screen too – which was beautiful.  As I left the theatre I pondered a scene, a very early one, in fact, within the first five minutes of the film. I’ve seen this movie more times than I can count but for some reason this scene jumped out. The scene opens with “Joseph”, a senior angel, speaking with a fellow, unnamed angel, about whose turn it is to be sent to earth to answer prayers. It seems that the angel “at bat” is Clarence Oddbody, who the unnamed angel refers to as having the “IQ of a rabbit”, to which Joseph, the senior angel, replied, “Yes, but he’s got the faith of a child. Simple.”

The angel Clarence, is sent for. Joseph explains that there are a lot of people on earth praying for a man named George Bailey. “At exactly 10:45pm earth time that man will be thinking seriously of throwing away God’s greatest gift.” – says Joseph, to which Clarence, without hesitation,  replies, “Oh dear dear, his life!”

Clarence knew immediately what God’s greatest gift was and is. Life! 

I know this is most likely not news to any of you reading this but it is in fact a concept in question for some. In post-World War II the view of life was without question – precious. And today, as we are at the cusp of a new year once again, let’s be ever faithful to this certainty, as Clarence was, that life is God’s greatest gift. Next Step will enter into this new year defending those most vulnerable and celebrating new and changed lives. Thank you for helping us to prosper in 2025 and for keeping watch over Next Step and all those we will serve in the coming year.

Happy New Year ~ Heather Vasquez

P.S. Several years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Karolyn Grimes, who at the age of 6, played George Bailey’s youngest daughter Zuzu in the film. She had this to say about my favorite actor, Mr. Jimmy Stewart,  “He really was tall, six feet four inches tall. And he was so very kind.”
Then she autographed our Christmas ornament and sent us on our way with a hug.

Merry Christmas from all of us here at Next Step!

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Dear Friends, 
Please enjoy this beautiful letter from our nurse manager, Barb Millett.


I pray this finds you all in the midst of a joyous Nativity season, as we await the arrival of our incarnate Lord!  I am thankful from our vantage point in the year 2025 when we reflect on Christ’s birth we can see the WHOLE of God’ s salvation story: How the baby born in the manger was the long-awaited Messiah who had come to save mankind through his birth, death, resurrection and ascension.

It can take a long time (sometimes a lifetime) before we get to see the whole of a story. Many times, we never get to see the whole but rather
just a snippet here and there. I always consider it a miracle when God reveals part
of His plans to us – and I would like to continue sharing this miracle with you:

I would like to continue the story I began to tell at the Gala this past fall. I met Ashley, almost 4.5 years ago: she was 19, pregnant, and very distressed.
She was unexpectedly pregnant and didn’t know what to do, especially having already gone through the trauma of a previous abortion.

I told you about how after a month of communication and 3 scans to see her baby grow – she had decided to keep her baby, and she and her boyfriend traveled east together.
I mentioned that this spring she reached out to tell me their daughter had turned 3; she and her boyfriend had rededicated their lives to Christ and were set to be baptized in April; They were to be married in November.
They WERE baptized and ARE married – and are now expecting another baby – glory to God!
In a more recent message, Ashely shared, “the more I have been growing my relationship with God, the more I have felt called to get into the prolife movement somehow. I feel like I went through what I did to inspire and help other women one day.”
What a blessing, to see this story unfold. But suppose we only saw the doubt, we only saw that initial loss of life… Please don’t lose hope!
“Let nothing deprive you of hope” –St. Nektarios of Aegina.

This Christmas season, remember Christ, remember what He has already accomplished out of great love for us. Let us continue to labor for Christ but never despair!
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NKJV

From all of us here at Next Step – we wish you all a blessed Christmas!
In gratitude – Heather M Vasquez 

Our Mission

To offer compassionate care and material support to women and families before, during, and after pregnancy, no matter the circumstances.

Our Vision

To affirm the intrinsic value of both mother and child by connecting women with the resources they need to choose life.