Motherhood: Then & Now – Alisa’s Story

Motherhood often begins in moments we don’t plan for, but those moments can shape a lifetime. As we reflect on Motherhood: Then & Now, Alisa’s story is one of courage, transformation, and the power of being supported in the middle of uncertainty.

Alisa discovered she was pregnant while she was a law student at Pepperdine, navigating the demands of school alongside the weight of an unexpected pregnancy. In a season filled with questions about the future, she made the courageous decision to give birth to her daughter, Lauren.

Those early days of motherhood brought both beauty and pressure. Like many new moms, Alisa felt the quiet but constant weight of wanting to do everything well. Motherhood awakened a deep awareness of how much a child depends on you, and with that came a desire to be everything her daughter needed.

“One of the biggest pressures I felt was the weight of wanting to do everything well. Becoming a mother made me more aware of how deeply a child depends on you, and with that came both joy and responsibility. I felt the expectation to be strong, nurturing, wise, and steady all at once, even while I was still learning. It also made me much more conscious of the kind of mother, woman, and example I wanted to be,” she shares.

But alongside that pressure came something unexpected: a love that changed her completely.

While she anticipated loving her child, she wasn’t prepared for just how profound that love would be. 

“One unexpected joy was how deeply motherhood expanded my heart. I expected to love my child, but I did not fully understand how profound that love would be until I met her.  It gave me a deeper understanding of God’s expansive love toward us and the beauty of being entrusted with a life.”

During those early years, Alisa found support as she volunteered at Claris – a community that walked with her as she embraced motherhood and even provided a book scholarship for law school! That Claris connection became a meaningful part of her story, shaping not only her experience as a mom, but her connection to the mission of Claris itself.

Through that same community, Alisa later met her husband, Cameron. Today, they are raising four children together—a full and beautiful picture of how her story has grown. And her connection to Claris has only deepened over time, as she continues to give back by volunteering, supporting, and advocating for other women walking similar paths.

Motherhood also transformed how she sees the work of Claris.

What was once meaningful became deeply personal. Having experienced pregnancy and early motherhood herself, she gained a greater compassion for women facing fear, uncertainty, or lack of support. She understands firsthand just how vulnerable, and life-changing, that season can be.

“It made the work of Claris feel even more sacred to me.”

Her advice to moms today reflects that same depth of perspective: stay anchored in what truly matters.

In a world filled with pressure, information, and competing expectations, she points back to something steady—love, truth, consistency, and a life rooted in faith. A reminder that while methods may change, the foundation of motherhood remains the same.

Alisa’s story is a powerful reflection of what happens when a woman is supported in one of life’s most pivotal moments.

It’s a story of courage at the beginning, growth along the way, and a lasting commitment to walk alongside others.

“I would encourage moms to stay anchored in what is eternal… to never quit doing what is right, for in due time you will reap a harvest of righteousness.”

This Mother’s Day, we honor mothers like Alisa, and we’re reminded that when a mom is supported, her story can impact generations to come. 

Click here to join the Mother’s Day campaign and provide care for hundreds of moms who turn to Claris for help! And, follow along for more impactful stories!