The LaRue Family Story: Choosing Life
October 4, 2025
Recently, at our first-ever Mama Bear Banquet, we got to hear a father’s perspective. Tim LaRue told attendees about his precious son, Vincent James, and why choosing life is so important.
The LaRue Family’s Story: Choosing Life
Good evening,
My name is Tim LaRue and I’m here today to speak for me and my wife Kim LaRue.
Kim’s dad passed away before she was born. Before I was born, I was supposed to be aborted. I wasn’t supposed to be here. That was the plan. That was what made sense at the time.
But my mom chose life. She chose me. And that choice didn’t make things easy for her. It didn’t erase the pain or the struggle. But it gave me a chance. A chance to live, to grow, to love, and to be standing here today.
And I’ll be honest—I’ve struggled with that. There have been times I’ve asked, “Why am I here?” Times I’ve wondered what my life was really meant for.
But if you ask my wife and girls, they’ll tell you I’m here because I was meant to be her husband, their dad. I was meant to love them, guide them, and show them what it means to choose life—even when it’s hard.
After we got married our first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage at 11 weeks’ gestation. We’re pretty sure the baby was a girl, because we now have 4 girls. This year that changed.
My wife was pregnant earlier this year when she heard Beverly speak at a CHEC women’s refresh day. In April we had an ultrasound that said that our baby may have chromosomal abnormalities, heart issues, measuring too small, and may not live long. That was at 16 weeks. At this time, Kim reached out to Mama Bear Care, she said that the biggest thing for her was that Beverly treated our baby as a person.
Mama Bear Care sent a care package, and this helped Kim to connect with others she didn’t know were going through something similar-so she wasn’t alone. The gift package also included a gown for the baby if something should happen that we could have to put the baby in.
An ultrasound in May-we find out that it’s a boy! In June we had a cardiology appointment and were told that his heart is healthy. But a few days later she had an OB appointment, and they couldn’t find a heartbeat. On Sat June 28th Vincent James was born as a stillborn at 26 weeks gestation. He left this world before we ever got to hear his cry or see his eyes open. Though his time with us was heartbreakingly short, his life was real, and it mattered as every life does, but we did get to hold him and had photos taken.
Once we got back, we received another package from Beverly, and it included a picture that we had at Vincent’s service and it’s one of the most unique pictures I’ve seen of Jesus holding a baby with 2 hands behind the baby’s back.
Deuteronomy 30:19 (NKJV)
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore, choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.”
Choosing life doesn’t mean everything is going to be easy. The enemy doesn’t just lay down and leave you alone because you made the right choice. In fact, sometimes it feels like that choice puts a target on your back. The devil fights hard against life, against hope, against anything that reflects the heart of God.
But we don’t choose life because it’s easy. We choose it because it’s right. We choose it because it’s sacred. We choose it because we believe in a God who brings beauty from ashes, and who holds every life—no matter how brief—in His hands. To believe that every life—no matter how short—is sacred.
During all that has happened, we still believe that God is the author of life, not death and in the midst of everything that happens, Jesus is with us.
We’re grateful to the ministry of Mama Bear Care, and the support that they’ve shown us during this time, and to get to share with you tonight.
Thank You.
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