A New Season

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot…” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Hello Faithful CareNet supporters! My name is Aimee Ogston, and I am the new Executive Director at CareNet Pregnancy Center of the EUP. Living and working in the UP, especially the Soo, has been a desire of my heart for many years and I still have to pinch myself occasionally to make sure I am not dreaming! I spent a few of my early years in the Soo, but mostly I was raised in the Lansing area of this great state. For the past twelve years, I have worked in various ministry roles- the role of Director of Community Impact and Missions at my church, the role of Education Director at another CareNet Center and the role of National Leader with the organization “Surrendering the Secret”, which helps women heal from post-abortive hurt and trauma. Prior to that, I worked in Healthcare for fifteen years, which is a ministry field in of itself. My favorite title is “Mom”, to which I have the privilege to be called by four amazing humans who make me laugh every day, and cry only occasionally! (Parenting is a joy, but it can be rough at times, eh?)

As I was thinking how to best introduce myself in this newsletter, Ecclesiastes 3 came to mind. Coincidence? No, I don’t think so. I have found in my journey with Christ that He often speaks to us in ways that we need to hear at times when we need to hear them. He also gives opportunities that don’t always make sense…that may be, shall we say, a little unconventional.

This is how I describe my journey to becoming CareNet’s newest Executive Director. Unconventional. The past few months have been a time for change for myself, for my family and for CareNet. In Ecclesiastes 3, the writer talks of there being a time for everything…”a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away…” Over the past few months, there has been a time for all of these, both personally and within the center, and I anticipate that in the months to come, there will be even more. Sometimes, change is hard. Sometimes it is necessary. However, we can trust that when God is the author of the change…the change is always good.

The timing of the leading to this life change for me is a story of God’s love, redemption, leading and providing…with splashes of intrigue, suspense and, well, a little craziness thrown in. I am truly, truly thankful to be serving women and families in this community that I love so very much.

Someday, I may write a book about all He has done in my life, but until then, I am happy to occasionally share pieces of it. I am looking forward to sharing how he is using this time to “plant and uproot”, not only in my life, but also in CareNet’s at our 40th Anniversary Celebration Fundraiser Dinner being held on August 6th, 2022. I hope to see each of you there to meet and to share in the goodness of God’s faithfulness through you-our wonderful supporters-for the past 40 years and to look forward with excitement and anticipation of what God will continue to do!