40 Days for Life - Day 31

Last night was my night for prayer outside Planned Parenthood. It was FREEZING, however not as freezing as it has been. The wind out there feels like it is 20 mph more than just a few blocks away. Anyway, I survived! And I was blessed to be able to be there and pray with the other people there. It is such a great, spiritual feeling. I observed the strangest thing. There were two birds who arrived shortly after I started and they stayed perched on the point of the roof on the Planned Parenthood building the entire time I was there. I kept waiting for them to fly away, but they remained. I think they were praying with us! (BTW: this is not the actual picture of the birds. I thought it would be rude to leave and run to my car and take pictures. Besides, Planned Parenthood staff would assume I was harrassing and call the police!!!!!) We had several people who drove by and waved and acknowledged our presence in a good way. We had one person actually stop and look at what our signs said and then drove away. He made no comment and did not relay disgust or support. When we were finishing up and putting things away, I noticed him drive by again and look to see if we were still there. Hopefully we planted a seed in his mind.

Intention: Pray for opportunities to share with an abortion-minded woman that the newness of life she is seeking is found only in Christ.

Scripture: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. -- 2 Corinthians 5:17

Reflection: An unexpected pregnancy is perceived by many young women as the end of their life as they know it. News of an unexpected pregnancy pulls the rug from under her well laid plans. Sadly, these women may choose abortion as a matter of self-preservation, believing that an abortion will help return life to normal and give them opportunity to start anew. They don't see abortion as killing a child, but rather as saving their own life. Of course, abortion will not bring the newness of life they are seeking, but instead will bring death to their child, lifelong regret, and unexpected -- possibly devastating -- consequences to their own life. But abortion will be the choice made if we don't meet them at the crossroad between life and death with a better way. Almost without exception, these young women are looking for love, acceptance, and to be valued. In their efforts to have those needs met, they have become promiscuous. Most, if honest, will admit the needs were only met momentarily, if at all, during their brief encounter, and afterward the needs returned unmet. The truth is, only Christ loves them unconditionally with an everlasting love. Only Christ will accept them as they are, and only Christ sees them for their true value in Him. He has a perfect plan for each woman and her child if only she will allow Christ to transform her life as she surrenders to Him. No, an unexpected pregnancy is not the end of life, but rather can be the beginning of two beautiful lives if God's plan for them is given opportunity to unfold.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you give us a new song, a new purpose, a new direction, a new perspective. You remind us that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Christ came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. Give us boldness to share this Good News with those who are at the crossroads and may they choose life for their children and enjoy newness of life in You. Because of Christ we pray, amen.

40 Days for Life - Day 30

Tonight is my night to pray outside of Planned Parenthood. God always reveals something to me during these times - usually He just gives me a point to think about. I'll let you know tomorrow how things go!

I know I've posted this picture before, but I just really love it. At only 8 weeks look at all that is formed!!!!!!!!!! Keep praying for an end to the senseless killing of these babies. It is working!!!!!

Intention: Let us pray that pastors may not be distracted from the priority of caring for human lives.

Scripture:Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. -- Acts 6:1

Reflection: More folks learning left some yearning. It is the dawning of a new day. There is much excitement in Jerusalem. Many who dedicated themselves to the faith became disciples (the word disciple means "learner"). The unprecedented church growth was miraculous and undoubtedly brought much satisfaction to the new leadership. The apostles, however, were about to experience growing pains in their master plan of evangelism. Projects that engage the community, especially those that are evangelistic in nature, are high on the list of priorities for every duty-bound pastor. Church attendance is a constant concern for every pastor and often his or her worth is measured by it. Unfortunately, just as the original twelve pastors in Acts, they can be so focused on getting people in that they inadvertently end up pushing some people out.Murmuring is a deplorable deterrent to a harmonious fellowship, yet God used it to get the disciples attention. Those that needed daily attention due to their age and social status were being neglected. This neglect of the Hellenist widows during the daily distribution of food was causing undue grief and needed to be corrected by the leadership. By God's grace the problem was dealt with, but the lesson remains.And during these 40 days, let us pray that today's church not make the same mistake of forgetting the contributions of our seniors, or the needs of the weakest among us, the unborn.

Prayer:Father, in the Church's desire to engage our communities with the gospel let her not disengage from those who need their care and company the most. Let us gain wisdom from those who have gone before us and cherish their experiences and perspectives. Help us to appreciate every soul in the body of Christ and minister properly to everybody. Amen.

Thank You Lord . . .

Especially here in Lafayette where it is rainy!

So true!

Men can fix anything!

But . . . . if women ruled the world, everything would be right!

A Beautiful Story

The Smell of Rain

A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. She was still groggy from surgery. Her husband, David , held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news. That afternoon of March 10, 1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24-weeks pregnant, to undergo an emergency Cesarean to deliver couple's new daughter, Dana Lu Blessing. At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound nine ounces, they already knew she was perilously premature. Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs. 'I don't think she's going to make it,' he said, as kindly as he could. 'There's only a 10-percent chance she will live through the night, and even then, if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could be a very cruel one' Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the devastating problems Dana would likely face if she survived. She would never walk, she would never talk, she would probably be blind, and she would certainly be prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation, and on and on. 'No! No!' was all Diana could say. She and David, with their 5-year-old son Dustin, had long dreamed of the day they would have a daughter to become a family of four. Now, within a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away. But as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and Diana. Because Dana 's underdeveloped nervous system was essentially 'raw', the lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort, so they couldn't even cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests to offer the strength of their love. All they could do, as Dana struggled alone beneath the ultraviolet light in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would stay close to their precious little girl. There was never a moment when Dana suddenly grew stronger. But as the weeks went by, she did slowly gain an ounce of weight here and an ounce of strength there. At last, when Dana turned two months old. her parents were able to hold her in their arms for the very first time.

And two months later, though doctors continued to gently but grimly warn that her chances of surviving, much less living any kind of normal life, were next to zero, Dana went home from the hospital, just as her mother had predicted.

Five years later, when Dana was a petite but feisty young girl with glittering gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for life. She showed no signs whatsoever of any mental or physical impairment. Simply, she was everything a little girl can be and more.

But that happy ending is far from the end of her story. One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving , Texas , Dana was sitting in her mother's lap in the bleachers of a local ball park where her brother Dustin's baseball team was practicing. As always, Dana was chattering nonstop with her mother and several other adults sitting nearby, when she suddenly fell silent. Hugging her arms across her chest, little Dana asked,

'Do you smell that?'

Smelling the air and detecting the approach of a thunderstorm, Diana replied,

'Yes, it smells like rain.'

Dana closed her eyes and again asked,

'Do you smell that?'

Once again, her mother replied,

'Yes, I think we're about to get wet. It smells like rain.'

Still caught in the moment, Dana shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced,

'No, it smells like Him. It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest.'

Tears blurred Diana's eyes as Dana happily hopped down to play with the other children. Before the rains came, her daughter's words confirmed what Diana and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their hearts, all along. During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life, when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Dana on His chest and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.

40 Days for Life - Day 29

LOVE today's intention, scripture, reflection and reading!!! I just had a conversation about standing up for what is right with a group of friends. It can indeed become a cross you have to carry. We can only do it with God's grace.

Exciting news from the Lafayette 40 Days for Life group:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have some very exciting news for you! We have THREE babies who have been saved from death at the hands of Planned Parenthood in Lafayette.

Monday TWINS were saved. An vigil participant saw a distressed client leave PP and offered (off PP premises) to walk her down to Matrix Pregnancy Resource Center. She was given information and support and, at this point, has decided to have her babies.

Yesterday a young woman ended up on conversation and started asking questions. While she didn't want to have an abortion, she had come for support from PP. Through God's grace and the willingness of one vigil participant, the girl ended up seeking support from Matrix Pregnancy Resource Center, just down the street, instead."

Just yesterday in my post I talked about seeing or not seeing the fruits of our vigil and now today we hear of this! FANTASTIC!!!!!!!

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Intention: We pray for the grace to be strong when others ridicule or oppose us.

Scripture: Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. --Luke 14:27

Reflection: To stand up for what is right means we stand against what is wrong, and that means that those who love what is wrong will oppose us, just as they opposed Christ. Taking up the cross means we continue speaking and standing for the right even when that opposition comes. We experience this, in particular, when we are out on the streets, where people are not expecting the pro-life message and where they did not go to hear it. We must remember to never take the opposition personally. When people ridicule or yell at us, we might get a guilty feeling or be tempted to think we did something wrong. We did not. The insults are not being hurled at us personally, but rather at the truth of what we are standing for, and at the demands of the moral law. There are many who are trying to run away from those demands, or who have managed to tuck the abortion problem away into a distant corner of their minds where it can no longer disturb them. By standing publicly for the cause of life, we have short-circuited that denial and frustrated those efforts to ignore the issue. Therefore, some will be angry, perhaps not fully realizing why.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the grace of being pro-life, and of standing strong when others may ridicule or oppose me. During this 40 Day campaign, may your peace fill my soul, especially when I may endure the opposition of others, and may I become more like your crucified and risen Son. Amen.

What a great picture!

40 Days for Life - Day 28

I received the story below in my daily email update from Shawn Carney who is the Campaign Director for 40 Days for Life. Thanks Shawn for all you do!!!!!!!!! Anyway, it serves as great reinforcement to remember that as a participant in this vigil, we are there to pray overall for an end to abortion and also to pray for each and every man and woman who enters the parking lot or doors of the Planned Parenthood. It makes us feel like our prayers are working and we feel great when we do find out that someone we prayed would change their mind does change their mind. It's human nature to want to know the fruits of our labor. But God did not put us there to know that, only to be His instrument in this fight for life. He knows who our prayers will affect.

ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

A woman who prays often at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Adelaide offered some perspectives about persisting in faith. "One never knows what effect God might have, through us, on those who see us there," she wrote. "I'm always mindful of presenting a friendly face." Recently, she was able to share information with a young woman about the development of the child in the womb. "She seemed very appreciative of our conversation and thanked me." But she also kept her appointment at the clinic. The volunteer then offered the same material to a woman who was in her 13th week of pregnancy. “Where she was originally very disinterested in any contact with me," the vigil participant said, "by the time we had finished talking she seemed far more at ease, thanked me for the info and words of encouragement, and left with a smile and a wave." Did either of these women change their minds? Right now, no one knows. But this faithful volunteer hopes "our peaceful, caring, non-judgmental, gentle presence might bring about a change of heart and allow another little one in imminent danger to live the life God intended."

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Intention: Pray that those standing in peaceful vigil will extend mercy and grace to others as they remember that Christ did not treat us as our sins deserve.

Scripture: You have heard it was said, 'you shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. -- Matthew 5: 43-44

Reflection: Perhaps it is obvious by now that not everyone thinks this campaign is a great idea! In fact, those on the front lines standing in peaceful vigil are perhaps being cursed and hated for what God has called you to do. Because we are all fallen creatures, our natural response may not be as Christ-like as we would hope it would be. So, how do we keep our natural response in check, while allowing the Holy Spirit to empower us to love, bless, do good, and pray for those who hate us or would do us harm? Consider first the Holiness of God. It seems that sin has clouded our ability to think clearly about God's nature. We simply don't have a clue of how outraged God is by our sin, what an insult sin is to His person, or how sin fires the flames of His wrath. Praise God that He didn't leave us in our depravity destined for His divine wrath! Ephesians 2:4-5 says, "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in sin, made us alive together with Christ; by grace you have been saved." Because of God's mercy and grace towards us, we who receive Him receive eternal Hope. Those who curse you, hate you, spitefully mistreat you and persecute you need that same Hope. That is the only way we can ever expect them to behave differently. Ask the Holy Spirit to love them -- through you -- so they are drawn to the Hope that is in you, that is Christ Jesus.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we reflect your character of grace and kindness to those who hate us and curse us. Guard our hearts and our tongues as we respond in love to words and actions meant to rile us or cause us harm. Let others see the Hope that is Christ in all we say and do. In His precious name we pray, amen.

40 Days for Life - Day 27

AND . . . . . . .

thus far in the current 40 Days for Life campaign, there have been ...

Drum roll please . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

... 253 babies saved from abortion -- that we know of!

I have been kept up to date with daily email which also includes stories from around the world. Here's some of today's email:

It's the "that we know of" part that gives me the greatest hope. Who knows but the Lord Himself how many lives have been saved because Planned Parenthood can't find an abortionist in Columbia, Missouri, where a 40 Days for Life vigil is going on? Abortions have not taken place there since January! Who knows how many lives have been spared because Golden Gate Health Care closed its abortion centers in San Francisco and San Mateo, where 40 Days for Life vigils have been held? They locked the doors right before this campaign began -- and have thus far not been able to re-open! The bottom line is that PRAYER WORKS! Thank you for all your prayers -- and thanks to our all-merciful God for these glorious blessings!

Today's intention, scripture and reflection are, I think, controversial in today's society. There are not too many families with more than 2-3 children. One reason, I think, is that there are so many families that have to have two incomes. When you are both working it would be very hard, and financially impossible for daycare expenses, to have a large family. I have been following the TV series "19 Kid's & Counting" for a couple of years now. When I first heard the story of the Dugger's - back when they had "only" 16 or 17 children, I wondered how on earth they did it. Not only financially, but mentally!!!! But they really are an amazing family. They are always open to more children if it is God's will. That's what today's reflection is saying.

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Intention:

We pray for the gift of openness to children.

Scripture:

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth."-- Genesis 1:27-28

Reflection:

God's intention is that we multiply and fill the earth.

One of the most pernicious lies that sociologists have foisted off on the public is that the earth is becoming overpopulated. What kind of a sadistic god would create the earth and human creatures on it, only to have them literally reproduce themselves into oblivion? The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our divine Creator, has commanded us to multiply and fill the earth and far from letting the population get out of control, He has, in fact given his human creatures a dominical role over all the lesser creatures. The "birth control" movement, which had its beginnings with Margaret Sanger in the early years of the last century, has led, in many parts of the world, to a birthrate that is drastically below the normal replacement rate.

God's Word assures us that children are a blessing, that they are a reward of faithfully trusting and serving God and that they are the crown of their parents' old age. The spread of the contraception mentality that has so permeated our culture is, undoubtedly, a factor in the ready acceptance of abortion. God's commandment to multiply and fill the earth has never been withdrawn. May He help us to accept the gift of children and give him thanks for every baby who is born into the world.

Prayer:

Father of mercy and grace, we thank you for the gift of our children. Grant that every fiber of our being may rejoice when a new baby, our own or any else's, is born into the world. Help us to welcome them as we would welcome you, for whenever a new baby is conceived, another life to bear your image and another voice to praise and worship you, is beginning. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

40 Days for Life - Day 26

Intention:

Pray that we fully recognize in the unborn child our brother, our sister, and we recommit ourselves to care for them.

Scripture:

Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?" The Lord said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground."

-- Genesis 4:8-10

Reflection:

After Cain committed the first murder in human history, God asked him, "Where is your brother?" He replied by saying, "I don't know."

In 1973, the Supreme Court was asked the same question, and gave the same answer. Unable to admit that the unborn children are our brothers and sisters, the Supreme Court said in its Roe v. Wade ruling, "We need not resolve the difficult question of when life begins." Boil all that down to three words, and it's, "I don't know."

The question, "Where is your brother?" will be asked at the final judgment. Each person will answer it and be judged by it. May we be judged to have recognized and loved all our brothers and sisters, born and unborn.

By participating in the 40 Days for Life, we have been answering that question each day, going to where our brothers and sisters are killed, and proclaiming that we have a responsibility to them. By all the pro-life work we will continue to do, we likewise answer that question which reaches from one end of human history to the other.

Prayer:

Father, today we hear your voice, and we respond to the question you ask each of us: "Where is your brother?" We recognize in the unborn child our brother, our sister, and we recommit ourselves today to care for them. Yes, Father, you have entrusted us to the care of one another. We rejoice that you have given us the grace to respond. As we work to renew our culture, we look forward to the great day of the coming of your Son, when every eye will see him, even of those who pierced him, and every knee shall bend, and every tongue confess, to the glory of God the Father, that Jesus Christ is Lord! Amen.

40 Days for Life - Day 25

At the very moment of fertilization, you are a human. Each parent contributed 50,000 genes that make up who you are!

Here's a beautiful photo of a 3 week baby in the womb. This picture better shows the proof of Day 24's reflection: Who dares to say that the unborn are not human, with distinct personality and character right from the moment of conception?












I really love the reflection for today. I know I was called by God to stand outside the Lafayette Planned Parenthood during these 40 Days for Life. I also know that He has called me to do more when these 40 Days are over. I'm not sure what that is yet, but I do know that He will let me know!!!!!!

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Intention:

That God will bless us with His gift of strength as we respond in obedience to His call.

Scripture:

Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, 'surely we did not know this', does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?

-- Proverbs 24:11-12

Reflection:

In this age of technologically advanced communication, ignorance of human rights abuses is no excuse. We know there are persecuted Christians in China, there is genocide in Darfur, and there are babies aborted and women and families devastated right in our own communities.

"But I can't save them all" you say. God isn't asking you to. He has equipped each of us with time, talent, and treasure to do what we can when He provides the opportunity. He has given us His Holy Spirit to empower us as we abide in Him. He is asking us to be on His side in speaking out and protecting those who can't protect themselves.

When we are obedient to His calling to get in on the work He is doing, we will experience intimacy with Him in a whole new way. Our faith will increase as we see God at work! You have responded to His call during this 40 Days for Life campaign.

Let your efforts be for His pleasure and His purposes. Pray without ceasing!

Prayer:

God Almighty, we pray for continued guidance and strength as we intercede on behalf of the young women and their babies who are stumbling to the slaughter. Open the eyes of the mother's heart to see her child as you do - a precious gift to be treasured. Let her feel Your loving arms around her and may she be assured that you have a plan and a future for her and her child. Give her reason not to enter the abortion clinic. Give her wisdom and discernment to find life options through a local pregnancy care center and may she boldly choose life. Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayer. Because of Your Son's sacrifice we pray, amen.

Things that I like . . . . . .

There is nothing more relaxing than sitting in the wide open and looking at clouds! I love looking up into the sky and seeing the "cloud pictures" that have been placed there. There is nothing as relaxing as sitting out in a wide open space, looking up into the sky. It is so relaxing watching the clouds slowly drift past. Sometimes you see a formation right away and watch it as it passes by and forms into something new. And other times, you may have to sit there for awhile before you can see anything that you can name.

I remember as a child flying down to Florida to visit my grandparents and looking out the window at the clouds below me. That must have been an amazing thing for a child. To realize that yesterday you were looking UP at the clouds and now you are looking DOWN at the clouds. I remember thinking that the clouds looked like cotton balls spread out all over the sky. What would it feel like to jump through them? My parents tell the story of my reporting to the entire plane that I saw Jesus out there. I wish I could remember now what I saw then.

Thought for the Day . . . . . . .

In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.

40 Days for Life - Day 24

I really love the intention, scripture and reflection for today! How could anyone say that the unborn are not human, with distinct personality and character?

This is a photo of a 6 week baby in the womb. At that time most women don't even know that they are pregnant and look what is already going on in the development of the human being:



Week 6: Brain waves are detectable; mouth and lips are present; fingernails are forming.

Week 7: Eyelids, and toes form, nose distinct. The baby is kicking and swimming.

Week 8: Every organ is in place, bones begin to replace cartilage, and fingerprints begin to form. By the 8th week the baby can begin to hear.


Intention: That we may realize the generational impact of abortion.

Scripture: Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife because she was barren; and the Lord granted his prayer and Rebekah his wife conceived. The children struggled together within her, and she said," If it is thus, why do I live?" So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples, born of you, shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger." -- Genesis 25:21-23

Reflection: Human beings -- God's tapestries. What an answer to prayer! Who dares to say that the unborn are not human, with distinct personality and character right from the moment of conception? This account emphasizes the vitality and uniqueness of the twins who, because of Isaac's prayer for his wife, were conceived in Rebekah's womb. When Rebekah was told by the Lord that the older would serve the younger twin, God already knew that Jacob and Esau would lead turbulent and conflicted lives. God knows us and knows all about us, including our personality and disposition long before we are actually born, indeed, from the moment we are conceived in our mother's womb. What a tragedy of gargantuan proportions that babies, planned and endowed by the Creator, with distinct and unique personalities and with, perhaps, a future and destiny intended for greatness, have their lives snuffed out by cruel abortionists before they ever see the light of day! May our prayers that the dreadful scourge of abortion in our land may vanish be as fervent as Isaac's were for Rebekah.

Prayer: O, God, you formed us in our mother's womb and planned a unique and special life and purpose for each of us, and we do thank you. Grant that we may pray and work for an end to abortion, especially in these 40 Days, so that no unborn baby you have made may fail to achieve your divine intention for him or her because of intentional abortion. We pray this for the sake of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Stations of the Cross

I have realized that I have not posted anything about my journey through the RCIA program with my wonderful daughter-in-law Angela. RCIA (the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a process that a person who wants to join the Catholic Church goes through. Each person seeking to join the Church has a sponsor. Angela will be baptized and become a member of the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil Service. I am so very excited about this and have so enjoyed going through this process with her. I have learned a lot of things that I didn't know and have been challenged to think about a lot of things. (In a previous post I showed a picture of Angela and I with Bishop Doherty at the Rite of Initiation at St. Mary's.)

Last night at our meeting, we went over to the church and went through and prayed the Stations of the Cross. It is a beautiful experience and I was blessed even more by being asked to do the readings for each station. The stations follow Jesus's journey to the cross. The farther you get through the stations the more emotional it becomes. It allows you to place yourself there. I remember when I attended a Cursillo weekend we did Mary's Way of the Cross. This is done from Mary's perspective as the mother of Jesus. That was such a powerful experience for me because I put myself in the place of Mary and could not even imagine how she must have felt seeing her son being tortured.

The 14 stations are:

First Station - Jesus is condemned to Death

Second Station - Jesus is made to bear His Cross

Third Station - Jesus falls the first time under His Cross

Fourth Station - Jesus meets His Mother

Fifth Station - Simon the Cyrene helps Jesus carry His Cross

Sixth Station - Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Seventh Station - Jesus falls the second time

Eighth Station - Jesus speaks to the daughters of Jerusalem

Ninth Station - Jesus falls the third time

Tenth Station - Jesus is stripped of His garments

Eleventh Station - Jesus is nailed to the Cross

Twelfth Station - Jesus dies on the Cross

Thirteenth Station - Jesus is taken down from the Cross

Fourteenth Station - Jesus is buried in the sepulchre

40 Days for Life - Day 23

It is an absolutely beautiful day here in Lafayette today! I'm so excited that I won't freeze tonight at the vigil. I'll be able to actually hold my rosary and move through the decades!

I love the reflection for today. Especially the part talking about God's attribute of omnipotence:

"Yet, when it came to express this last attribute, what example did the psalmist use - God's creation of mountains, seas, or far-flung galaxies? No, he used none of these. To express the wonder of God's unparalleled creative power the writer mentions the fashioning of the human in the womb."

I ran across this painting that I thought was beautiful and sad at the same time. The name of the painting is Earth's Trash - Heaven's Treasure and is based on Psalm 27:10 - "For my father and my mother have left me: but the Lord hath taken me up."

In the alley of this abortion facility, God's angels retrieve precious living souls. They are joined by many other angels from all the alleys of the world. Each angel is holding a precious baby, wrapped in yellow blankets. On earth the unborn babies were wrapped in plastic bags, but now they are wrapped in God's glory. On earth they were trash, but to Heaven, they are treasure.

Keep on praying for an end to abortion!!!!!!

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Intention: For the medical community, that the truth they know about the human body may become awe and wonder at the God who made it.

Scripture: Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. --Psalm 139:16

Reflection: Human beings -- God's tapestries. Psalm 139 is a psalm that reveals the enormity and otherness of God. His divine attributes are on display: omniscience (2-4), omnipresence (7-12), loving-kindness (17-18), justice (19-20), righteousness (23-24), and omnipotence. Yet, when it came to express this last attribute, what example did the psalmist use - God's creation of mountains, seas, or far-flung galaxies? No, he used none of these. To express the wonder of God's unparalleled creative power the writer mentions the fashioning of the human in the womb (14-16). The Hebrew word used to express God's forming of us in the womb, raqam, is the same term for needlework or embroidery. In other words, we are a tapestry that displays God's artistic mastery. And, like the artist who knows his creation down to the last detail, God intimately knows us. This reality provokes the writer to awe and wonder. He proclaims, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." What is true for this psalmist is true for each human being. Each is fashioned by God and known by him and we can proclaim on behalf of each, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Prayer: Gracious God, help us to appreciate the wonder and beauty of Your creation. Help us proclaim on behalf of every one of our fellow human beings, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." May the knowledge that we are intimately known by You shape our lives and actions. Amen.

A Very Inspirational Book

My good friend Von gave me a book that I'm currently reading titled "Scarred" by Dave Roever. Eight months into his tour of duty in Vietnam, Dave was burned beyond recognition when a phosphorous grenade he was poised to throw exploded in his hand. The ordeal left him hospitalized for fourteen months, where he underwent numerous major surgeries. His survival and life are miraculous. One of his quotes is, "Every time I look in a mirror, put on my hair, stick on my ear, and start my day ... Forgetting is not possible. Forgiving is." Last night as I was reading it I read some words that were really very powerful. I read them a couple of times and decided that I wanted to share them with you.

"We must remember that time exists in a trinity: there's the past, present and future. All sides of this three dimensional description are of equal importance. We learn from our past and use it in our present to build a better future. At least that's the way it ought to be. It's when we make choices on the basis of pleasure, not discipline and experience, that we destroy the strength of the time triangle. When we fail to utilize the past, we have only the present and the future. Therefore we repeat the same mistakes and constantly reinvent the wheel. While it is true that we cannot change the past, we can only change the future, it doesn't justify ignoring the past. We can't change it, but we certainly had better learn from it because it can change us."

Dave Roever's faith in God was outstanding. In the book, he describes how his faith helped him overcome his physical and mental trauma and forgive the people of Vietnam. When all was lost, he kept fighting for what he believed in. After the war, he went back to Vietnam to teach God's word. The best part was he fought for his country even though no one made him.

There was also a "funny" part that I read last night. It reminds me of his humor through his whole ordeal. This was right after the accident and the helicopter had just come to pick him up. He had called out to the medic and

"The pilot, responding to him, lost control and for a moment, the tail spun around, the helicopter dropped, and I felt weightlessness in an intense way. I realized we were crashing and I thought, Dear, God, we're going to crash and I'll be the only survivor! I've often described this day as "one of those days when nothing goes right."

40 Days for Life - Day 22

Well, I know that I missed posting days 18-21. If you read the previous post it will give you some idea why!!!!!! Anyway, it is already day 22. Hard to believe. And as far as we know there have been

195 babies saved!!!!!!!!!!!!

Prayers are working. Keep praying! I will be there again tomorrow night. Have not heard the weather forecast, but I am prepared to be very warm one way or another. Here's a wonderful story of twin babies who were born because their mother chose life!

Twin brothers Taylor and Tyler wouldn't be here without the help of guardian angels in heaven and on earth. "Now, I can't believe that it ever crossed my mind," Daniella said of the day she came to Little Rock to get an abortion. "I have two beautiful children. I told my mom, 'I have two babies,' and she said, 'That's right, you do.' I had to kiss them and hold them very tight." Daniella (whose last name is withheld to protect her privacy) became a mother Dec. 28, but her journey began long before that date. This summer, she had an appointment at Little Rock Family Planning Services to get an abortion but decided against it after sidewalk helper Maria Maldonado, who regularly prays outside the abortion clinic in west Little Rock, urged her to request to see her ultrasound. Maldonado, a member of Christ the King Church in Little Rock, and other prayer warriors prayed for Daniella while she was inside the clinic and continued to help her throughout her pregnancy. They threw her a baby shower in November and were at the hospital when the babies were born. Daniella's story was featured in the Dec. 4 issue of Arkansas Catholic and was instantly shared by e-mail and Facebook across the country. "I got to meet a lot of people. I think I met every one of the prayer warriors," Daniella said during a phone interview with Arkansas Catholic. "The labor and delivery area was full of people." Taylor and Tyler weren't born on Christmas Day when they were due. The two were born in the early morning Dec. 28 at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center in Little Rock. Dec. 28 is not without significance -- it is the feast of the Holy Innocents, which commemorates the massacre of all Jewish boys 2 years old and younger in Bethlehem and surrounding areas, ordered by King Herod. Joseph fled to Egypt with Mary and the baby Jesus, which spared him. On Dec. 28 the Church and pro-life community often remember children who have died because of abortion or children who have died because of miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death. "They're gaining weight good and eating and crying a lot," Daniella said. "My mom has them spoiled rotten already." Daniella, 19, is adamant about helping other women. "I have a story to tell and if telling it can result in stopping someone else from making that choice just because they are scared, I have to tell it," she said. She's already counseled two friends who were considering abortion. Both chose to have their babies. "It's not worth it and they see that," she said. Daniella, who lives in Lake Village, and several family members plan to train to be sidewalk helpers and prayer warriors like Maldonado and the other volunteers. "My family doesn't believe in (abortion), but I was scared and I thought of it. God blessed me to be able to say 'OK, there is help. I can do this.' He gave me what I always wanted and I didn't even realize it at first." She was being selfish too, she said. It's something she thinks of often. "I ask myself a million questions when I think about it. If I hadn't talked to Miss Maria that day, I wonder sometimes -- would I have done it? Would I have gone in the room?" she said. "I think about these things a lot, but what I can't imagine is a world without my boys." She thanks God for the courage to walk out of the clinic after seeing her twin boys on the ultrasound. "God blessed me. He works in funny ways, but I can see his blessings. I thank God that Miss Maria and the prayer warriors were there to tell me that I had other options," she said. The baby's father will meet his boys for the first time this weekend. He is currently in Marine boot camp. "I know he's so excited to see them, be with them and care for them. He can't wait. He's always asking how they boys are doing," she said. "He wishes he was closer to us." Her sister asked if she would tell the twins their story one day. Daniella said she will because it might help them. "They might come into a situation like that, and I want them to make the right choices in life. I wish I could do something to stop it," she said. "You don't have to do it. It doesn't make things better; it makes them worse." The best gift this year was her twin boys, Daniella said. "In the middle of the night," she said softly, "I just get up and go look at them. I tell them 'I can't believe you are here.'"

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Intention: Pray for fathers who participated in the decision to abort their child, and for those who did not have a voice, that they would find freedom and healing in Christ.

Scripture: If indeed you have heard Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. -- Ephesians 4: 21-23

Reflection: According to the Guttmacher Institute, one-third of American women will have had an abortion by age 45. Seldom reported however is the fact that an equally significant number of men have played a role in terminating a pregnancy. Some have participated through persuasion, or by providing the financial means for the abortion. Still others were against an abortion, but had no sway in the decision to terminate their child. Only in recent years have we realized that men suffer from their loss, as more and more seek healing. Warren Williams, founder of Fathers and Brothers Ministries says he believes men are coming forward for help because God instilled in men a desire to be a protector of their lineage, a provider for their families, to be a husband and father. Men are suffering and grieving the loss of their children, and though their grief may be expressed differently than that of a woman, it is grief nonetheless and they too need tender care and biblical counseling to experience forgiveness and healing. Intervention at the appropriate time in the decision-making process may spare both the young man and woman from the lifelong pain and trauma of abortion. Biblical counseling for post-abortive men and women is essential for them to heal and begin their life anew in Christ.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, We pray for young men who participated in the termination of their child and are broken as You are over their loss. Forgive their sin, Lord, and bring opportunity for healing and renewal of their minds in Christ Jesus. For those suffering from an abortion they did not choose, restore their joy as they learn to forgive others and trust You with their future. In the name of Christ, who heals the brokenhearted, amen.

So I am REALLY behind on my blog. Life has been so busy (a.k.a. CRAZY). I will get caught up.

So, I ask . . . . .

Can your life be busy and simple?

Can busyness be sustained over a long period? Or is it something that you can only do in short bursts?

How do you define the difference between “busy” and “too busy”?

How do you keep life from getting too busy?

I believe there can be a perfect balance. I seek that and I WILL find it.

I look forward to reading your answers! Comment below.

HOWEVER, at this exact point in time, this is more how I feel . . . .

40 Days for Life - Day 17

I had my prayer vigil outside Planned Parenthood last night. It was COLD! 36 degrees to be exact and the wind was whipping. BRRRRRRRR! Anyway, the past two times I've been there, there has been quite a lot of traffic going in and coming out of their office. But last night there was hardly anything. I attribute it to our 3 weeks of constant prayer. God is working. We need to
keep trusting that he will continue to work with us. We did get a nasty remark from someone driving by but you have to let that roll off your shoulders and pray for them. Can't take is personally.


Here's the story of Micheala who had the chance to be born . . .


Micheala's mother was suicidal and threatening to get an abortion due to tremendous pressures from her family and the baby's birth father. She was put in touch with a prayer group in her area who supported her throughout the pregnancy. The Confraternity of Penitents also prayed for this child. Three times the baby threatened to miscarry and once Michaela's mother attempted suicide. But Michaela was born and her mom calls her "my angel."

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Intention:

Pray that we choose to trust God to bring an end to abortion soon, no matter how impossible that may seem to others.

Scripture:

The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I said, "O Sovereign Lord, you alone know."

-- Ezekiel 37:1-3

Reflection:

You and I are standing in a world today over a field of dry bones: those who have been killed by abortion, those who have been killed by so many other things attacking the dignity of human life. And God has placed us here; we find ourselves here in the midst of this incredible tragedy. Like Ezekiel, you and I are in a dilemma because God says to us: "Speak and proclaim the Word of Life. Keep doing it. Let nothing deter you."

People can say, "This is humanly foolish, humanly impossible. How can we transform the world from the path of death that it's on?" Yet we choose to do the "foolish" thing rather than the dangerous thing.

If you ever doubt that we can bring an end to this culture of death, this destruction of the family, this destruction of life by abortion, if you ever think for a moment that it's impossible, then ask yourself this: Can a man who has been scourged, crowned with thorns, nailed hands and feet to a cross, pierced with a lance, has died and been buried; can such a man ever live again?

Prayer:

Lord, I thank you for giving me the holy dilemma of having to choose between the foolish thing or the dangerous thing. Yet for me the solution is clear. Lord, I will obey you, even if it means aiming for a goal which, in the eyes of others, seems foolish. I will obey you, and will hope for the end of abortion soon, no matter how impossible that may seem to others. I dare not mistrust you; I dare not doubt your power; I dare not fail to follow your call. In you, who raise the dead, all hope comes alive. Amen.

40 Days for Life - Day 16

Today is my day to stand outside Planned Parenthood. Not sure, but it may be snowing!!!! Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing what God has planned! Let you know more about it in tomorrow's post!

Here's another prayer answered for a life saved:

Justin

Date of Birth: April 17th 1999
Baby's Weight: 6 lb, 12 oz

When I found out I was pregnant, I was 18. Justin's father was 18, as well, and we were both preparing to start our first day of college in less than 2 weeks. His father begged me to abort, as did all his friends and his parents. They told me it was unfair to ruin both of our lives as well as the babies. But I knew that i'd raise my precious little one with my parents help. They have been so supportive and helpful and Justin is the biggest joy of my life. I can't imagine my life without him. He is now a healthy, active, fun little 16 month old!

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Intention:
May the mystery of the Incarnation increase our zeal for defending life.

Scripture:
Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."
-- Luke 1:30-33

Reflection:
"God has assumed Humanity, joining it with Divinity, and kindled in men's hearts new love of me." These words were written by a Roman poet in the Fourth Century. He spent his life finding ways to express the greatest mystery of the world: the incarnation, in which God became man.
Often the womb has been referred to as the "first home of the whole human race." It is the place where life begins, where our stories start. In the womb the great men and women of history began their magnificent march through life. In the womb Divinity met humanity, and God the Son was born into the world. As one of the Fathers of the early church, St. Leo the Great, declared, "Within her spotless womb Wisdom built itself a house and the Word became flesh."
Recently, I was at the hospital for the birth of my fourth grandchild. Looking through the nursery window at the rows of newly born babies, I began to think of the great stories that would be written about these tiny lives. During his visitation with the Virgin Mary, the angel prophesied to Mary about the life of her child. Here in this hospital, I pondered, what would he say about each of these? Would they meet the one who also came from His mother's womb to redeem the world and kindle our hearts afresh for God? I thanked God for each baby alive and prayed for each story yet to be written.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you have made the womb of each woman a very special place. Help us to hold fast to the sanctity of this first home of humanity, remembering the wonderful mystery, that God inhabited the womb of a young woman and came forth as the savior and deliverer of the world. We ask this in the Name of the one who came forth, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Katie Riehle - Miracle Story

This is a picture of the three beautiful Riehle sisters. From left to right are Katie, Sam & Niccole. Katie was involved in a very tragic domestic abuse incident on January 15, 2011. She had very serious injuries and spent months in the hospital and rehab. As part of her recovery, surgeons had to remove a section of her skull to allow her brain swelling to reduce. Today she had surgery to put that piece of skull back on and, praise God, everything went better than expected!!!!! Katie is such a strong young woman and has made such amazing progress. She has astounded her doctors in her rate of recovery. She is a fighter and won't give up! She is really an inspiration. Her family has been absolutely amazing through this whole thing. It's been amazing for me to see how they have united as ONE and are conquering this together. GO RIEHLE FAMILY!!!!!!!!

You can read more about her story and her amazing journey by going to http://www.caringbridge.org/. Where it says Visit a Website, enter katieriehle. God has such great things planned for Katie. I'm excited to find out what!!!!!!!

Day 15 - Update

As of Day 15
132

lives have been saved!!!!!!!!

Here's one story:

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND

A tall man and a visibly pregnant woman walked up to the abortion center, only to find the door was locked. “It’s closed,” said a 40 Days for Life vigil participant, “but I have information on free pregnancy help.” The woman took information on fetal development, but the couple walked around to the back of the building to try another door. It, too, was locked. So they sat on the steps and looked through the brochure they were given. Eventually, the building opened, and the couple went in. Two hours later, they came out — to get more information. “Can I ask you a personal question?” the volunteer said to the woman. “Were you thinking about getting an abortion?” “Yes, I was thinking about it. But now I’m not going to get one,” she answered. What changed her mind? “That booklet,” she said. “I didn’t know the baby looked like that and was that size.”

Leah's Spring Picture

She is getting so big! And of course she is very beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love the painted toenails.

40 Days for Life - Day 15

Today's reflection is meaningful for me. During the times I've stood outside Planned Parenthood, I have never been yelled at or felt threatened in any way. However, I have witnessed people shaking their heads or giving us nasty looks. Today's reflection says:

"Standing on the front lines, armed with God's truth, places you in the battlefield for the mind. As you are prepared to present words of love, for the sake of the unborn and for the distraught and confused women and men who are entering the abortion facilities, know that the enemy has prepared his forces to attack your mind. "

Good thing to keep in mind!


Here's another sweetie saved!!!!!!!

Amadeus DOB: August 28, 1998 Weight: 7 lbs 3 oz

When we first found out about the pregnancy, we were both scared and happy and confused all at once - it was very unexpected. We were together for a few years and previously planned to get married. A few weeks went by, and he demanded an abortion because he wasn't ready, but I refused to terminate my son's life. He threatened to leave me if I didn't comply, figuring that my love for him would over rule my decision. When that plan failed, he mentioned adoption once or twice, but I felt that after developing a relationship with my son for the prenatal 9 months I would be attached to my baby. After being with him that long, wouldn't want to part with him. I told him that I would keep my baby. He did leave, but losing him means nothing compared to the life I gained with my son. Now, it's been almost 2 years since I've had him. I have no regrets... I know I made the right decision. I wouldn't give him up for the world.

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Intention:

Pray that we will not become defeated by the enemy's attacks but rather call on the name of the Lord who is on our side and our help in time of trouble.

Scripture:

What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us? They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger. Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart! Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

-- Psalm 124:2,3,6,8

Reflection:

The enemy attacks in many ways, but one of his favorites is to slander us with hopes of tarnishing our reputation and character, and ultimately to defeat our good work for the Lord. It is interesting to note however that it is usually not the slander that causes harm to our testimony, but our response to the slander. Proverbs 24:10 says, "If you faint in the day of adversity your strength is small."

So if we are applying God's truths to our lives moment by moment, we are not swayed by the lies of the enemy and we will be strong.

Standing on the front lines, armed with God's truth, places you in the battlefield for the mind. As you are prepared to present words of love, for the sake of the unborn and for the distraught and confused women and men who are entering the abortion facilities, know that the enemy has prepared his forces to attack your mind.

Unkind words from a protester, or vicious lies in the local paper about who you are and what your mission is, can indeed be hurtful. But rather than give in to defeat, that is the time to shine for the Lord, standing firm, as you call on Him to defeat the enemy.

Remember the words of Romans 8:31, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Let's stand strong for those who need us most.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help us to ignore the verbal attacks of the enemy and instead turn to You, our refuge and strength. Help us to find shelter in the blessed promises and provisions of Your Word. Thank you that no enemy can defeat us, and we praise You knowing that nothing can separate us from Your love. In the name of Jesus, we come to You, amen.

Creation Calls Are You Listening?

Make sure you have your speakers on - beautiful music!

Year of the Pie Idea

High 5 Pie in Seattle, WA has a great option to a "piece" of pie. It's the Piepop! And they have gluten-free pie options also! Come to Lafayette High 5 Pie!!!!!!!

Probably the clearest 3D Scan Video of a baby at 12 weeks pregnant EVER!

And this is what 40 Days for Life is all about. There are many facilities that will abort a baby this far along. How can they not call it murder?

40 Days for Life - Day 14

Another life saved . . . .

Emani Nevaeh-Tabitha chose life for Emani while in the abortion clinic and left.

Intention:

Pray for the mothers going into pregnancy help centers. The personal care, the free ultrasound, the ongoing practical help is designed to deliver them from those who profit in shedding innocent blood.

Scripture:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

-- Matthew 11:28

Reflection:

"You have twins. That will be another $350." She did not speak English. But she finally understood that they were telling her to go get more money and return for her abortion.

She had already given them her rent money. But they were not about to give her a two-for-one deal. They told her to get dressed and return with more cash. A couple, who was praying outside, comforted her. They brought her to their local pregnancy help center.

The staff quickly saw that her personal circumstances were so desperate, and immediate, that they would need direct and ongoing help from local Christians and churches. They started making calls.

Then they did the ultrasound. It showed there was only one baby, not two. This abandoned, immigrant, powerless mother was being exploited. She would do whatever she was told. Who would know? Who would care?

God calls us to "Rescue the weak and the needy; and deliver them from the hand of the wicked" (Psalm 82:4).

When you provide an alternative to abortion you are not only rescuing innocent babies, you are delivering mothers from the wicked: those who profit in the shedding of innocent blood. Pray for those who rescue and deliver daily at your local pregnancy help center.

Prayer:

Father, hear our prayer! Snatch desperate mothers from the fire. Bring them out of our abortion businesses and into our pregnancy help centers. Deliver them from evil. Use us to help them chose life and see your hand of provision.

Tight with the Bishop Now!

Angela and I had the opportunity to meet and get our photo taken with Bishop Timothy L. Doherty on Sunday, April 13th at the Cathedral for the Rite of Election. Angela will be baptized at the Easter Vigil service at St. Lawerence!!!!!! Anyway, it was a beautiful service and I am so excited for her.

40 Days for Life - Day 13

LOVE today's intention - God doesn't value people and things like we do. Jonah loved a shade tree more than an entire city of sinful people. We love our dogs more than a terrorist. We love our cars more than a beggar on the side of the road. And sometimes, we love our money more than a child growing in a desperate teenager's womb. God loves us more than ANYTHING else. He loves us unconditionally. Isn't that awesome?!?!?!?!?!? And He expects us to love others in the same way. After the day I had yesterday - struggling to follow His command to love others :( - this is such an appropriate thing for me to remember. God's timing is perfect!

Here's another beautiful child saved:





Tiffany Camile, Born 7/4/98, 6 lbs. 6 oz. 19" long

In the waning few minutes of July 4th as fireworks shattered a black velvet sky outside the hospital, I sat and gazed down on an exquisite newborn baby girl. Her tiny round head was crowned with downy black hair. Her little fists moved instinctively to her rosebud mouth. Her toes fanned and curled as she stretched her legs, as if she were trying out her boundless new home after such cramped quarters. How fitting, I thought, that this baby’s birth would be heralded with fireworks!

Tiffany Camile’s conception was under the worst condition imaginable. Her mother, Terri, was at a party where a seemingly innocent conversation led to her worst nightmare - Terri was raped. Two months later she faced the unthinkable - she was pregnant. She had only one thought - get rid of "it." She made an appointment at an abortion clinic. On the appointed day, she steeled her mind to silence her heart. As she lay on the table, waiting for the doctor to begin, she could no longer block out her heart’s cry, "You’re killing your baby for her father’s sin!" She told the doctor to stop, forced herself off the table, got dressed and left. There was no relief in her decision however. Terri still faced an unwanted pregnancy that would be a constant reminder of that night. At 24 weeks, she again made an appointment for an abortion - and again she couldn’t go through with it.

That was when she called Women’s Choice Pregnancy Clinic. She wanted to adopt but didn’t know what to do. Just carrying the baby was difficult enough - it was simply too overwhelming to have to deal with the details of arranging an adoption. When we met, I assured her that she would not have to worry about anything. I contacted With Child, a Phoenix based Christian adoption program and together we worked out the details. Our goal was two fold: First, to place this child with a committed Christian couple who would raise her in the Lords’ nurture and admonition. Second, to help Terri through the adoption and grieving process so she could move on with her life without being haunted by her decision.

On July 7th, 72 hours after her baby’s birth, Terri, Tiffany Camille, the adoptive parents, Debbie and Mark came together. For Terri it was a both sad and freeing. She was saying good-by to the child she had carried for nine months. Despite the circumstances, she had bonded to her baby. For Debbie and Mark, it was the culmination of their hopes and dreams of having a family. In a "Blessing Ceremony" that would give closure to all involved, Terri laid hands on both parents and gave her blessings as she transferred the authority for them to raise her child. A snippet of hair was placed in a heart locket, a gift to her from the adoptive parents.

When Debbie and I had first talked she told me her prayer was that God would give them a child who was a living testimony to God’s grace - a miracle child. God answered her prayers in Tiffany Camile.



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Intention:

We pray for the strength to love those who do not love us.

Scripture:

But the Lord said "You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in the night and perished in the night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left, and much livestock? Should I not be concerned about that great city?"

-- Jonah 4:10-11

Reflection:

God doesn't value people and things like we do. Jonah loved a shade tree more than an entire city of sinful people. We love our dogs more than a terrorist. We love our cars more than a beggar on the side of the road. And sometimes, we love our money more than a child growing in a desperate teenager's womb.

But God isn't like us. Genesis 1 tells us that humans were the capstone of God's creation. We were created on the sixth day after God had completed the land, the stars, the plants and the animals. Therefore, His love for us is greater than His love for a plant, an animal, or any other created thing. And the book of Jonah tells us that He loves even the most sinful people and seeks to bring them into His merciful arms. And it's a love that seeks to touch all of his created children: that desperate teenager, the baby growing in her womb, even tyrants and terrorists. So it's up to us to imitate God's merciful love by helping and praying for those who persecute us, and those who don't love us back.

Prayer:

Gracious God, loving our enemies seems like one of most difficult things you could ask of us. Please remind us that this is how you love and that if you ask it of us then you will give us the grace to do it. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

40 Days for Life - Day 12

James' Story:

Lucia was in her early twenties when she met Joseph, the man who was to become her husband, at a church sponsored dance.

Lucia and Joseph decided that the "ideal" family they would like to build together, given God's grace and blessing, would include exactly three children.
Through eleven years together, God provided according to their desires and His will. He gave three healthy children (two boys and a girl in the middle)!
When the children, Thomas, Clare and Robert were just 7, 4 and 2 years old, Lucia felt a familiar physical feeling come over her - she believed that she might be pregnant for a fourth time. She visited the family doctor to confirm the pregnancy she suspected and undergo a routine exam.

Lucia was indeed pregnant for a fourth child, but early during this unexpected time the doctor discovered a problem and he hospitalized her immediately - she had a cancer raging uncontrolled in her colon!

The doctor and surgeon prescribed an abortion, and surgery to remove the cancer- as the only and best possible treatment they could offer.

Lucia was just 35 years old and less than 2 months into her pregnancy. She and her husband already have three small children -exactly what they had "planned". She had given up a fashion design career she had begun when she was single to have and care for the family she bore. Lucia was deeply devoted to her three small children and husband. They all needed her.

The baby growing inside of her was less than an inch long. The fetus already looked human. Brain waves were present in the growing baby. The eyes, ears, nose, toes and fingers were formed, the heart was beating for its fourth week. Blood flowed. Reflexes occurred and parts of the skin were already sensitive to touch. Fingerprints had started to form along with lines on the palms of the hands.

But, Lucia's life was in mortal danger, she was just 35 years old, and she had much to do and to live for. The baby's life was also in mortal danger. He was just 8 weeks old. His mother's womb had suddenly become a very dangerous place to live, but- he had no "choice".

Lucia made her decision -not last year, -not ten years ago, nor even 20 years ago, -but over 40 years ago in the fall of 1955! At that time there were no magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines or computed tomography (CAT) scans available for carefully calculated precise measurement and diagnosis of the growing cancer. Crude chemotherapy treatments were available, but, laser or orthoscopic surgery tools or sophisticated biochemical treatments were not. Cancer was greatly feared- justifiably so, because there was remarkably little that doctors could do but possibly isolate the cancer by surgical removal. Slim hopes usually relied on surgery and getting it all, if possible.

Lucia understood God's perspective in this situation. The decision for her was clear. Why? Simply put, she knew what was right. She knew the value of life. Lucia was determined to keep the child, a gift from God, the author of life, the creator of all things, who said:
"I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him; for that means life to you and length of days..." (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)

Lucia refused the abortion, but underwent surgery in October of 1955 at about 8 weeks of pregnancy to remove most of her colon. As a result, she lived the rest of her life with a colostomy.

". . . for that means life to you and length of days . . ."

God blessed her family with a complete cure of the cancer and many more years of life on earth for Lucia. Years enough that she would witness the birth of all six of her grandchildren. They would grow old enough to have their own memories of her. He brought her much comfort and peace as her health failed, gently and mercifully putting her mind at ease. His providence was truly amazing as time and time again he sent her just what she needed to move from this life to Him with grace and mercy. His plans for her complete, the Lord brought her home to everlasting life in 1995.

James married Bonnie and now they have two children of their own, gifts from God.

Their family is prolife.

Intention:

Pray to God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, to end abortion in America.

Scripture:

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. -- Ephesians 3:20-21

Reflection:

God's power working in and through His people is unlimited and far beyond our comprehension when we submit to God's Word and Spirit. He receives glory when we are obedient to His calling and faithfully serve Him in His strength.

Consider God's hand of providence on this nation because of the faithfulness of a few who were totally committed to God and His truths. It is interesting to note the words of Mother Teresa of Calcutta: "Yours is the one great nation in all history which was founded on the precept of equal rights and respect for all humankind, for the poorest and weakest of us as well as the richest and strongest."

Mother Teresa, in addressing the Supreme Court of the United States said, "Human rights are not a privilege conferred by government. They are every human being's entitlement by virtue of his humanity. I have no new teaching for America. I seek only to recall you to faithfulness to what you once taught the world. Your nation was founded on the proposition very old as a moral precept, but startling and innovative as a political insight that human life is a gift of immeasurable worth, and that it deserves, always and everywhere, to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect."

It is time to restore that dignity and respect. Our God is able. Are we willing to remain faithful until His work through us is done?

Prayer:

God Almighty, Who is powerful and willing to supply, our hearts cry in unison for You to restore dignity and respect to human life, not only in America, but around the world. Lord, may our hearts remain faithful to your calling, and may You begin Your transforming work with me. Keep me ever mindful that with You Lord, nothing is impossible; without You, I can do nothing. To You be glory forever and ever, Amen.