An Elegant Woman with a Secret

On Saturday, January 23, 2010 The Women Aglow held their monthly meeting at "The Wall" inside the glassed in area of the Memorial for the Unborn.

There was singing, prayer and two women were brave enough to allow the audience to look into their past. The first lady was an elegant, gray haired black woman who revealed that she was in an abusive marriage when she was young. She shared that she developed a cold heart which was obvious when she planned to seduce another man and have an abortion.

She later came to know the LORD and experienced His forgiveness for her wicked thoughts and deeds, knowing He casts our sins into the depths of the sea.(Micah 7:18-19)

Here stands a former abortion clinic, now a wall with thousands of names of people who regret their decision to terminate the lives of their babies. It is a visible, national lament.

Tomorrow the other woman's story.

Sanctity of Life

Hundreds of visitors to "The Wall" this weekend! We remembered the 37th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade decision and the 52 million babies that have lost their lives to abortion.

There were many tours of high school students that visited the National Memorial for the Unborn this past week, reading the plaques on the granite facade, looking at the many trinkets,stuffed animals and hand written notes left on the ledge under the nameplates.

Both Saturday and Sunday there were worship services there on the site where once stood an abortion clinic that over 35,000 little lives were snuffed out.

There was singing, testimonies,tears, roses to remember and even a modern dance over the stones that represent the lives lost.

More tomorrow about the stories and sorrows shared on a special weekend honoring LIFE.

Enoch and Kenny

This is a truth we need to remember
"Enoch walked with God" Genesis 5:24
The apostle Paul reminds us in many of his epistles to walk in the Spirit.
Our Wednesday Bible study is digging into Colossians and we were discussing verse 6 of chapter 2. The author, Kathleen Nielson writes, " The Greek verb here is literally 'to walk': the verse tells us to 'walk in him'."
Kim, a woman who loves to walk shared some thoughts the Holy Spirit gave her about this verse. When we walk, we have a purpose, we have a pace, we follow a path, there is a progression, a pattern and often a partner. Someone else added, "and we have to perservere!"
It reminded me of my father, Kenny, and his advice to each of us as we were growing up; "Hold tightly to Jesus' hand."
"For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."
Isaiah 41:13

March for Life is Tomorrow

Our darling granddaughter, Molly Jane turned two last week. We travelled to Annapolis to wish her a Happy Birthday!

Heading home we drove right through Washington, D.C. and I thought of the big march coming up on the 22nd... the 37th anniversary of the Roe vs Wade.

What a contrast there is between the birth of a much anticipated child and the destruction of an unwanted fetus by abortion.

I'm thankful for the thousands of people willing to spend their own time and money to travel to D.C. and join others in the March for Life! To show up, stand up and march and say we want to be a voice for the voiceless!

Our book, Empty Arms, has many stories of people that regret their choice to destroy their unwanted baby by abortion, but now have found healing and forgiveness in Jesus Christ.

It also features stories of babies that were adopted into loving Christian homes. We thank God for the blessing of our adopted son Eric, (now Uncle Eric holding Molly as a newborn) and our granddaughter,Molly Jane, both blessings from God.

Instant Replay

When we realized that Marta Chesnova from Moscow would be joining us during the week that would be her Russian Christmas, Henry and I decided to keep our Christmas tree and decorations up for another week. Thanks to our daughter, Tacy and her sister-in-law, Meredith Beck we have had this unique privilege to celebrate Christmas AGAIN! Marta met Meredith when she has student teaching in Moscow last year. Meredith arranged several families to host Marta over the hoidays and we are blessed to be included in this opportunity.
Marta arrived in Atlanta the first week in December. She was surprised to see her name EVERYWHERE, since it is also the name of the transportation system in that city.
Yesterday, when it began to snow we were ALL excited for the extra help in setting the mood for Russian Christmas Eve. Our neighbors, Catherine, Robert and Drew agreed to come support our instant replay. Catherine is Henry's cousin; it's fun to have family right next door! She brought baked apricots and wine to add to the ham, Minnesotan wild rice, vegetables and salad. And then coffee, Italian cream cake and rainbow sherbert for dessert. It was a festive evening complete with presents for Marta and multiple games of Sequence!

Ephiphany

"And the WORD became flesh,
and dwelt among us,
and we beheld His glory,
glory as of the only begotten from the FATHER,
full of grace and truth.
John 1:14



As we enter the season where we remember the arrival of the Wise men to behold the long-expected one, let us rejoice!

"O GOD, who on this day by the leading of a star didst reveal thine only begotten Son to the Gentiles: Mercifully grant that we, who know Thee now by faith, may be brought to contemplate the beauty of thy Majesty; through the same Thy Son, Jesus Christ our LORD, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, and the Holy Ghost, one GOD, world without end. Amen
(from the Lutheran Hymnal)