Pro-life Celebration

As many of you know, our family is very active in the Pr-life efforts.  Mainly, this entails standing in front of abortion clinics and praying for the end to abortion and if possible giving information to the women (and men) who enter the clinics about alternative options.  Many like to call us protesters or picketers...sometimes other names that are not so nice, but we consider ourselves missionaries...sharing the message of hope to those who are often in despair.

When we arrived in California and settled into our new surroundings, one of my first desires was to find the local pregnancy help center.  We had really hoped to assist the women at the center as we have always done in the past.  I had recently trained to be a doula and hoped to help young mothers with these skills.  Unfortunately, this was not possible for the short time we are here.  However, we will always assist with baby items as we can.

The next option was to find the local abortion clinic to guide women to the help center.  Unfortunately, it did not take long to find the Planned Parenthood within a few miles of our home.  We have not met with several prayer warriors who pray at the clinic.  We have gone to the clinic weekly to pray.

This fall a 40 Days for Life campaign was arranged in front of the clinic and we have helped support these efforts as well.  This also allowed us the opportunity to spread the amazing story of the leaders of this campaign on a personal level.  Such a blessing to share the inspiration of David and Margaret Bereit, as well Shawn Carney and others.

It is not an easy task to stand and pray.  There are those who say we are ignorant and do not know science.  Others who tell us that we hate women and do not respect their rights.  I have been cursed and spit on and had things thrown at me...and that was on a good day at the clinics where I have prayed.  Recently, I was even told I was a neglectful parent (Odd coming from a woman who escorts women into a building knowing they will kill their babies.) I know that they are are looking for me to react, but I just smile and continue to pray.  I have actually had many other crazy experiences that I could rant about.  However, that is not why I am writing this post.

I write this post to celebrate...we know that God is the victor.  We do not have to know the outcome of the lives to those we witness to at the clinics.  We are only called to be faithful.  To stand strong in our weakness and let the strength of the Holy Spirit come down upon those who enter the doors.

A couple of weeks ago, I was able to attend a closing ceremony for the end of the 40 Days for Life.  We took our new friend, Paige, with us and were off to the San Francisco area.  David Bereit was the main speaker and we were blessed once again to hear his stories of hope from around the world.

At this event we learned that 658 babies were saved over the previous 40 days.  We learned that another abortion clinic was closed...this time in Manassas, Virginia

at a clinic that we have prayed to close as it is close to family.  We never actually prayed at this clinic but have held it close to our hearts for the end to abortion in this town.  We learned that the movement has increased to new locations continuously since its beginnings in 2004.  We saw the joy of many pro-life witnesses gathered together in praise for the success of the 40 days.

We also were taught the lesson (once again) that life is too short to not hold on to our loved ones.  This because a dear friend to David (someone we might have known as an acquaintance back home) was near death due to incurable cancer.  She would actually pass away two days later.  She was one of the prayer warriors who can now storm heaven a little easier for all of us.

We felt the closeness of strangers coming together as family because we care...regardless of other differences...for the dignity of life for all.  We came together to celebrate life.  We left uplifted and enjoyed the trip home knowing that we are part of something bigger.

Praise God for the joy of life!