March for Life 2011

Monday I joined the 27,000 people who came to the Mall in Washington, D.C. to let the world know we stand for LIFE.
My husband, Henry, my daughter, Tacy and her daughters Molly and Frances bonded as we braved the freezing temperatures to join forces with all the others who shared the sentiment to support protecting the unborn. The buses unloading lots of young people, most of them carrying various signs: Choose Life, Stop the Abortion Agenda, Lutherans for Life,ect., etc... all made for an EXCITING event!
Twice we headed into buildings along the Mall to warm up. We were able to give out three copies of EMPTY ARMS,(our book on people who regret their decisions to abort their babies). It was a privilege to represent the National Memorial for the Unborn, a place that gives names to those who died too young.
We were able to hear the congressmen from Texas, Kansas and Tennessee eloquently speak up for the Pro-Life Cause.
We look forward to the day when the unborn will be recognized as persons who need to have their civil rights defended. We look forward to a day when an unborn baby is not identified as a blob of tissue. We look forward to the day when the unborn are not disposal property, but blossoming, tiny persons protected and cherished!

Passing the Baton

Sunday, January 16, 2011 was Sanctity of Life Sunday. About 90 people gathered at The Wall of Names at The Memorial for the Unborn to commemorate the 50 million lives lost to abortion since 1973. That was the year Roe vs. Wade decision made abortion legal.
The somber tone, the tears, the lit candles, the testimonies and soft guitar music were all the same. Even the ending, when people go forward to place roses at the base of the Wall and paused to remember babies now in heaven was the same as other years.

I had the opportunity to hold up the book that Ann Caldwell and I authored together. The book, EMPTY ARMS, has had an international impact, even touching Russian and Chinese people who grieve for their babies lost to abortion. Our publisher, Dan Penwell died of cancer this year. We are thankful for his courage to push for our project to be published. He caught our vision that people needed to know that many from all walks of life have sent letters to the Memorial for the Unborn expressing their regret over making an abortion choice for their baby.

What was striking this year was the changing age of the leadership in our Sunday service!
The speakers, the soloist, the guitar player and our new director, Katrina Griffin are all 30 years old or younger. Praise God that the next generation is ready for the hand off of the baton! The fight to speak the truth in love will continue. The good news that Jesus forgives and heals the brokenhearted will be carried forth with new energy and vitality. The message to choose LIFE will continue to give hope to those who think there is no hope. This is a fight we plan to continue on our knees in prayer.

As we held our lit candles and sang Amazing Grace, God's love and forgiveness was very present. Our prayer for these new leaders, "Let your light so shine among men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matt.5:16

Fresh Grace in a New Year

Spending time together with family over the holidays has been so encouraging!
As a family, we share not only lovely dinners, but times to share our blessings and our prayer requests. Life is full of struggles... I told our son Eric last Sunday..."life is NOT fair" to one of his complaints. But... despite the injustice prevalent in this time on earth, we as believers live our lives with a promise provided by our loving Savior, the Lord Jesus.

"For God has said, Lo, I am with you always." Hebrews 13:6b

"He gives us more grace." James 4:6

_______He Giveth More Grace________

He giveth more grace when the burden grows greater;
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase.
To added affliction
He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Refrain:
His love has no limit;
His grace has no measure;
His pow'r has no boundary known unto men.
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

(Written by Annie Johnson Flint in 1941)

New Year 2011

Happy New Year!
We continued our 30 year old tradition of eating Navajo Tacos on New Year's Eve.
After participating in the Run-Walk for St. Jude's Children's Hospital, we all look forward to frying up some Indian Fry Bread and adding all the delicious toppings for a divine supper!
Wendy's family has kept this agenda every year because it never seems to get old or boring, but always fun patting out the flat breads and exclaiming with delight in the finished product!
Let us not forget the roots of this favorite holiday activity but say a prayer for those who work and serve among the Navajo people, as we once did.
Thank you,LORD, for Kathy and Greg Staley who work at Immanuel Mission in Sweetwater, Arizona. Please bless them and their efforts. Amen.