Letter to BirthRight

July 26, 2009

BirthRight Concord
3106 Clayton Rd.
Concord, CA 94521

Dear Friends,

This is a letter I have been meaning to write for years. But it was the 35th birthday of my daughter-in-law this month that finally brought it to a head. You see, it was because of BirthRight of Concord and the providence of God, that in July 1974, my boyfriend, Michael (now husband) and I decided not to abort our son, the very week that his future wife was born.

I was barely 17 and pregnant, attending summer school at Concord High, so that I could graduate a semester early (this is yet another story.) It was a Government class that all seniors are required to take. The teacher of this class normally taught ‘Social Issues’ during the school year, so although we covered the Government topics, mostly we discussed social issues. We had two options for our class project: write a report on a current issue or invite a guest speaker. One of my classmates invited a representative from BirthRight to speak during the third week in July.

Back in 1974, there were no over-the-counter pregnancy tests. Planned Parenthood in Walnut Creek, however, offered pregnancy tests for $5. During the second week of July, Michael drove me there. We went to get a pregnancy test – we left with an appointment for an abortion, and the instructions on how to apply for MediCal so that all we’d have to pay was $50. There was no counseling; no other options were presented. The ‘procedure’ was scheduled for the fourth week of July.

God intervened. I don’t really remember what the BirthRight speaker said. I do remember the pictures – of a six week aborted fetus (I was six weeks pregnant). Yes, they were traumatic for me – to say the least. But… they saved my son’s life.

We were married on August 31, 1974. A traditional ceremony at First Lutheran Church on Concord Blvd. and a reception at my parents’ home. Our son, Jeffrey Michael Schmaljohann, was born March 2, 1975. I attended Concord High the 1974 fall semester, completing all the required classes to graduate with my class on June 11, 1975, my 18th birthday. My husband and I went on to have 3 more children, in 1977 (Jolene Heather), 1979 (Justin Daniel), and 1997 (Jayman Joseph). (Yes, the last one was a bit of a surprise.) Our sixth grandchild was born last week.

Jeff and Willow Schmaljohann were married October 23, 2004, and have two daughters, Marisa (3) and Hailie (8 months). Willow was born on July 24, 1974. Although I cannot remember the exact dates of those critical events, I can definitely draw a parallel between Jeff and Willow, affirmed in the scripture “Before I formed you in the womb I knew and approved of you, and before you were born I separated and set you apart.”

We firmly believe that none of our children would exist, that our lives would have gone a completely different path, had it not been for God’s intervention through BirthRight.

We are truly blessed beyond measure, and wanted to let you know how your ministry impacted us – not just during those critical moments in July 1974, but for our whole lives.


Blessings to you all,


Connie (and Michael) Schmaljohann
16831 China Gulch Dr.
Anderson, CA 96007
connie@mercyswing.org