December 2023 Update

Happy Christmas Season to our Mary's Haven friends and supporters.

This message and update is way past due. In the message sent last August one of our clients had just given birth to Baby G. Since then, one client decided to leave, but then, not long afterward, we had two more clients arrive in September. One of these women had a baby girl in October and the other a boy in November.

So we now have both apartments filled with four Moms and four babies. All our moms have different stories and backgrounds, but also some very common events in their lives. There are not always easy answers in meeting their personal and emotional needs and they each have different goals, some short term, others longer. But they all love their babies and seem to care for them well.

I tried to get all these little ones together for a group picture, but wasn't very successful in capturing one! I will post below what I was able to get. No prize winning photos here!

As the year comes to a close, I wish to thank all our volunteers who make themselves available to meet our clients' needs, our monitors who check on the apartments, our new transportation coordinator, Ms. M from RC Church who calls upon our very supportive transportation volunteers, one brave lady who reached out to be a "Saving Nanny" when necessary and 2 mentors who put themselves out there in a very personal way, each to their particular client. I also have great appreciation for all of our volunteer Board members, who are so talented along with our volunteer bookkeeper who helps to keep everything on the business side running correctly. Lastly, a big thank you to some very kind ladies from Resurrection Catholic Church for collecting Christmas gifts this year for our 4 mothers and their babies. I'm sure this will bring them much joy.

In contemplating this past year, there were some tense times mixed with joyful times. That's the reality of life. But the best moments are still when I see that Mom come into our apartments with her newborn baby, watch her feed him/her a bottle and change and dress her babe in something cute. They are here, warm and safe. Some moments seem normal and good.

During this season we remember Christ's birth in a stable, which was not so warm, but surrounded by His creatures, angels, humans in adoration from shepherds to kings and His wonderful loving parents in spite of the imperfect surroundings.

Lastly, thank you dear donors who are so faithful in giving us the financial support to provide for this type of ministry. And we are grateful to the Churches that have generously supported Mary's Haven with funds and goods, especially Nazareth, St. Andrews and Resurrection. Many of the volunteers also generously give of their own time and money to help these Moms; there are too many instances to recount but their kind attentions for birthdays and Thanksgiving were special. The kindness of these good people is very uplifting - it is all done spontaneously by their own good will!

We feel truly blessed to have so many help make this ministry work. May God bless all of you along with our moms and their children. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

May the light of Christ bring to all of you His love and blessings,

Dorothy Marshall

website: marys-haven.org

Mary's Haven

P.O. Box 7544

Roanoke, VA 24019-9998