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Writer's pictureSerena Dyksen

Journey of Healing: My Military Service, Unplanned Pregnancy, and Abortion Decision

Updated: Sep 17

Hello, my name is Mekenzie, and today, I want to share my story with you. I am a mother of two beautiful babies, Kimberly and Jaxon, but their lives were cut short because of choices I made during a very dark time in my life.



While I was in the military, I found myself trapped in an abusive marriage that eventually led to an affair. Overwhelmed by shame and the fear of losing my career due to the Navy's strict no-adultery policy, I made the decision to have my first abortion. This decision left me shattered, and I soon found myself drowning in alcohol to numb the grief and loss I felt over my child.



A year later, my life spiraled further out of control. My performance at work suffered so much that the Navy forced me into a month-long Level Three rehab program. But the pain was too deep, and I continued to drink heavily. It was during this time that I became pregnant again, and once more, I chose to have an abortion, this time while I was intoxicated.



When I arrived at the abortion clinic, I was met with a group of angry women holding signs with graphic images. Their shouts and the weight of my own shame made me feel terrified and alone. Planned Parenthood kept me in my car until they could give me a code to enter the building, adding to my sense of isolation. As I sat in the waiting room, I couldn’t help but wonder about the other women there—were they as scared as I was? Were they also feeling the weight of their decisions?



The doctor who saw me was a gay male. When I explained why I felt I had to go through with the abortion, he encouraged me to proceed, telling me that without a job, income, or family support, I wouldn’t be a good mother anyway.



Last year, I returned home from the military, more broken than I had ever been. I was battling suicidal thoughts, struggling with PTSD, and trying anything I could to numb the pain. On April 26th, I reached a breaking point. I had a plan to end my life, but in my desperation, I cried out to Jesus for the first time. What happened next was nothing short of a miracle. He lavished me with His love and grace, and in that moment, everything changed. I finally began to see my life through a different lens.



A few months after this radical encounter, the Lord led me to She Found His Grace, a program that helped me walk in God's forgiveness and grace. Through this program, I learned how to turn my pain into purpose by helping others who are struggling with abortion trauma. It was through this journey that I began to heal.



Earlier this year, I learned that the father of my babies had gotten another woman pregnant, and they were expecting a little girl. This news crushed me. The enemy tried to drag me back into the pit of despair, whispering lies that I wasn’t healed, forgiven, or set free. But I stood firm in my faith and reminded myself—and the enemy—that I AM healed, forgiven, and set free.



What the enemy intended for harm, the Lord has transformed into a powerful testimony of His goodness. I now walk in His Light, surrounded by His endless mercy and grace. Each day is a new beginning, filled with hope and the assurance that God's love can turn every challenge into a blessing.



I will continue to share the story of Kimberly and Jaxon, honoring their memory through the testimony of what God has done in my life. Their lives, though brief, have become a part of my journey towards healing, redemption, and purpose.



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