tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91855064061557865442024-03-20T14:58:08.613-04:00The New Pro-life"Joy is a net of love in which you can catch souls" - Mother TeresaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14557096398972568880noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-90849082048943443272014-07-17T13:35:00.003-04:002014-07-17T14:10:41.767-04:00Margaret Sanger: A Champion of Reproductive Freedom?<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, is
often revered by advocates for the advancements she made in reproductive
freedom. Many see her as a hero and a fearless leader for the advancement of
women. Planned Parenthood’s website proclaims that: “Women's progress in recent
decades — in education, in the workplace, in political and economic power — can
be directly linked to Sanger's crusade and women's ability to control their own
fertility.”<sup>1 </sup><o:p></o:p></div>
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The highest award that Planned Parenthood gives is the
Margaret Sanger Award. This year, when Nancy Pelosi accepted the Margaret
Sanger Award, she spoke of Sanger saying, “Margaret Sanger understood that
women should never be silent – not when their fundamental rights are at
stake. She knew that positive change seldom came to those who waited; it
came to those who worked and struggled, who acted, agitated, and fought for
equality. She recognized, as your theme declares this evening, that women
are ‘stronger together.’”<sup>2<o:p></o:p></sup></div>
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But Margaret Sanger’s legacy is a little more complicated
than it would initially seem. For example, Margaret Sanger refused to condemn
the “female hygiene” products that were starting to be marketed in the 1930s.
These products were marked as a way of preventing pregnancy, but in reality,
the majority of these products did nothing to prevent pregnancies. The
manufacturers were taking advantage of women’s fears of pregnancy to sell their
products to gain higher profits. Not only were the products ineffective, but
they could also be quite dangerous, risking permanent damage to a woman’s body,
and even death. Margaret Sanger refused to take a stance against these
manufactures, despite the fact that they were contributing to the injury and
death of women. She was quoted as saying that the reason she would not condemn
them was “they have not lagged behind like the medical profession but have gone
ahead and answered [a] growing and urgent need.” <sup>3 </sup>But by not speaking out against these manufacturers, it
appears that Margaret Sanger seemed more
interested in promoting her ideology than she did in ensuring the safety and
well-being of the women affected by it; she had forsaken the women that she
claimed to desire to help.<sup><o:p></o:p></sup></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Mr4fPW-hvI/U8gPErCQl4I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/jmkJbasuZ1I/s1600/lysol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Mr4fPW-hvI/U8gPErCQl4I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/jmkJbasuZ1I/s1600/lysol.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lysol produced one of these "feminine hygiene products"</td></tr>
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Margaret Sanger even spoke out against maternity centers
where “Such women are to be visited by nurses and to receive instruction in the
hygiene of pregnancy, to be guided in making arrangements for confinements to
be invited to come to the doctor s clinics for examination and supervision.
They are we [sic] are informed, to receive adequate care during pregnancy at
confinement and for one month afterward.”<sup>4</sup> These maternity centers
that were sponsored by private charities existed to help poor women with their
pregnancies by providing them with proper health care and education. Margaret
Sanger believed that these centers did women a disservice, saying the programs
were “not merely superficial and near sighted. It conceals a stupid cruelty,
because it is not courageous enough to face unpleasant facts. Aside from the
question of the unfitness of many women to become mothers, aside from the very
definite deterioration in the human stock that such programs would inevitably
hasten, we may question its value even to the normal though unfortunate mother.
For it is never the intention of such philanthropy to give the poor over
burdened and often undernourished mother of the slum the opportunity to make
the choice herself to decide whether she wishes time after to time to bring
children into the world.”<sup>4 </sup>She saw these programs not only as
useless, but cruel because they did not provide birth control for these women.
Instead of recognizing the merits of these centers and the obvious need for
them, she harshly criticizes them for not conforming to her ideology. It is
interesting to parallel this view with the relationship between Planned
Parenthood and pregnancy resource centers today. Planned Parenthood has often
criticized pregnancy resource centers because they are not in line with their
ideology, because they refuse to refer for abortions or provide birth control.
There seems to be a refusal to admit the value of these centers or acknowledge
any good that they might be doing because the centers refuse to embrace the
same ideology that Planned Parenthood advocates. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Finally, and possibly most disturbing, is the eugenic
agenda to which Margaret Sanger adhered. Margaret Sanger pushed the use of
birth control to contribute to the eugenic ends she idealized. In Sanger’s
autobiography, she writes about a lecture she gave on the seven circumstances
in which birth control should be practiced. The third circumstance was “when
parents, though normal, had subnormal children,” the fourth was “when husband
and wife were adolescent,” and the fifth was “when the earning capacity of the father
was inadequate.”<sup>5</sup> She found that these circumstances produced less
desirable children, or that the parents were not fit to be parents.<br />
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Margaret
Sanger is seen as one of the biggest proponents of ‘reproductive freedom.’ Yet it seems that she doesn't truly desire
reproductive freedom for all - only for those she saw as able parents (meaning
the middle or upper, white class). In her autobiography she elaborates saying
“anyone, no matter how ignorant, how diseased mentally or physically, how
lacking in all knowledge of children, seemed to consider he or she had a right
to parent.”<sup>5 </sup>Sanger seems to believe that only certain people have
the right to parent. So she promotes birth control for those who she does not
see as able to parent according to her standards. She does not advocate
parenting classes, or attempt to help those “lacking in all knowledge of
children,” but instead believes that they simply should not be parents, which
is where birth control comes in. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The quotes above indicate that Margaret Sanger was not,
in fact, a true advocate of reproductive freedom. Margaret Sanger was a diehard
eugenicist, believing the reproduction should be limited to those who she saw
as able parents. This eugenic mindset is evident throughout her writings and
work. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The legacy that Margaret Sanger left was not one of
dedicated care for all women. Instead, she pushed her ideology at all costs.
Planned Parenthood continues to follow in the footsteps of their beloved founder,
as shown in Live Action’s<span style="color: blue;"> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WNsKJkru2A"><span style="color: blue;">latest</span></a></span> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE1feXDfsyc"><span style="color: blue;">videos</span></a> [<b>warning-explicit</b>] exposing the
danger in which Planned Parenthood puts children. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And what about those maternity centers that Margaret Sanger saw as useless and even cruel? These are the groups and organizations that promote true women’s freedom. Groups that strive to empower women to take
charge of their own lives, by helping to give them the tools to do so. Groups
like the <a href="http://www.womenscarecenter.org/"><span style="color: blue;">Women’s Care Center</span></a>, <a href="http://theguidingstarproject.com/"><span style="color: blue;">the Guiding Star Project</span></a>, <a href="http://maternityhomewithaheart.org/"><span style="color: blue;">Hannah’s House</span></a>, <a href="http://www.setonhomesa.org/"><span style="color: blue;">Seton Home</span></a>, and so many more. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arYnWFEIHKs&list=PLsPomzGK1-lxLhP3Sl7dU_nGifl_VGklA"><span style="color: blue;">There is a better way to help moms and babies.</span></a> We
should be supporting these organizations in their view of authentic women’s
freedom through whatever way we can, be that volunteering, donating, writing
letters, or praying. Because being pro-life is being pro-woman. I believe in
women’s freedom. Do you?<br />
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<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/who-we-are/history-successes#early" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/who-we-are/history-successes#early</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.democraticleader.gov/newsroom/press-releases/pelosi-remarks-accepting-margaret-sanger-award-planned-parenthood-annual-gala/" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.democraticleader.gov/newsroom/press-releases/pelosi-remarks-accepting-margaret-sanger-award-planned-parenthood-annual-gala/</a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tone, Andrea.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Controlling Reproduction: An
American History</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">. Wilmington, DE: SR, 1997. 228-29. Print.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sanger, Margaret.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Pivot of Civilization</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.
Elmsford, NY: Maxwell Reprint, 1969. 114-16. Print.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">DuPont, Kathryn.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><em style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Margaret Sanger an
Autobiography</span></em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">. Lanham: Cooper Square Press, 1999. 193-195. Print.</span></li>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-5584771428342641882014-07-02T15:04:00.000-04:002014-07-02T15:24:26.677-04:00Why the Hobby Lobby Decision is Good for Women (Part 2)<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Almost immediately after the Hobby Lobby decision, there was a huge uproar. People were dismayed to find that corporations could deny women the fundamental right to healthcare. How could a corporation impose its beliefs on women in a way that affected their health?<br />
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By some of the tweets and the comments, you would think that Hobby Lobby had declared that they do not believe women should have access to health care at all. But this is not the case. Hobby Lobby, and corporations like it, object to the HHS mandate, the mandate that ensures coverage of contraceptives and abortion-inducing drugs and devices. It is worth noting that many of the organization objecting to the mandate already cover contraception when it is being used for non-contraceptive reasons.<br />
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But here is the problem. When did all of women’s health become dependent on access to birth control? By giving into that definition, aren’t we letting ourselves be defined solely by our reproductive capacities?<br />
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Then there is the fact that “women’s health” professionals, gynecologists, have become lazy diagnosticians. If a woman walks into a gynecologist’s office, no matter what the issue, she will be offered a prescription for birth control. I saw three different ob-gyns about gynecological issues. None of them really listened to me, but were very eager to get me on birth control. When I asked why I was being prescribed this, none of them really had an answer. They did not know what was wrong with me. But they figured, whatever it was, the pill would fix it.<br />
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Except, the pill doesn’t really fix anything. All it does is coveriup the symptoms of an underlying condition. Fortunately for me, I was able to see a Napro ob-gyn who diagnosed me with endometriosis. [<a href="http://www.naprotechnology.com/">Learn more about Naprotechnology here</a>]. I was able to have surgery to remove the endometriosis, and hopefully, preserve my fertility. None of the other doctors I had seen considered that I might have endometriosis. Actually, when I had raised the concern to one doctor, he told me it was not possible for me to have it.<br />
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When did women’s health advocates become so lazy? When did doctors stop caring about diagnosing a patient’s problems and just started covering them up? Shouldn’t women’s health be about actually understanding a woman’s body and what is going on inside of her, rather than just tossing her a “band-aid” pill with tons of side effects, that just allows the problem inside to fester?<br />
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There is a better way. As I stated above, I found a doctor who specialized in NaPro technology. NaPro technology is a women's health science that monitors and maintains a woman's reproductive and gynecological health. It provides medical and surgical treatments that cooperate completely with the reproductive system. Instead of rejecting a woman’s fertility, this system cherishes it and does all that is possible to preserve it. The doctors I have found who practice this system actually listened to my concerns and responded to them, instead of just throwing a generic medicine at me and hoping it would make me feel better.<br />
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We need to be promoting real women’s health. Women’s health that understand women as whole persons. Women’s health that is not boiled down to whether or not a business pays for a woman to suppress her fertility. Fertility is not a disease and it should not be treated as such. We need to promote women’s health that does not see the way a women’s body normally functions as in need of fixing. We need health care professional who listen to our concerns and respect our beliefs. That is <i style="font-weight: bold;">true </i>care for women's health.<br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-57639904785529113082014-07-01T11:56:00.000-04:002014-07-01T13:04:00.114-04:00Why the Hobby Lobby Decision is Good for Women (Part 1) <div class="MsoNormal">
If you were down at the Supreme Court yesterday awaiting the
Hobby Lobby decision, you might have noticed something interesting. The
overwhelming majority of Hobby Lobby supporters were women.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Huh.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I thought Hobby Lobby was trying to oppress women. <o:p></o:p></div>
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They were trying to ban birth control.<o:p></o:p></div>
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They were trying to bring us back to the 1950s.<o:p></o:p></div>
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They were enforcing a patriarchal society where men make all
the decisions about women’s reproductive choices. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, there's me, looking very oppressed by the decision</td></tr>
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But, then, why were most of the Hobby Lobby supporters
women? I mean, even the mainstream media had to use pictures of women
celebrating the decision when it came out. <o:p></o:p></div>
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However, if you wandered over the pro-choice side, you saw
something interesting. At least half of the supporters were men. The person
leading their chants was a man. At one point, before he started to lead a
chant, he leaned over to the women in front of him and said “do you want to be
referred to as women or girls?” I had more than one pro-choice man get two
inches from my face and scream about access to birth control. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But please, do tell us how Hobby Lobby is trying to oppress
women. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Despite what the media, or Planned Parenthood may lead you to
believe, this decision was a good decision for women. Despite one’s personal beliefs on contraception,
our First Amendment guarantees the right to exercise our religious beliefs. To
claim that women care more about their employer paying for their birth control
than our own religious freedom is demeaning to all women. Over a third of the
plaintiffs who have filed suit against the HHS mandate are women. The mandate
hurts women business owners who were being forced to choose between their
religious convictions and their own business. Thankfully, the Supreme Court
recognized that this was an unfair burden to place on business owners. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It is also problematic to refer the HHS mandate as a huge
advancement for women’s equality, as supporters of the mandate often do. The
subtext is that if a woman wants to be successful or equal in the workforce,
she must suppress her fertility, which is viewed as a hindrance to her goals
and her fulfillment. Women are sent the message – that there is something
wrong with their bodies that needs correcting if they are to be equal. To be
equal to men, they must become like men. <br />
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This view is demeaning to women. We are being told that if we even want to have the opportunity to achieve
equality, we should be contracepting. We are told that if we do become pregnant,
whether planned or unplanned, somehow we are unsuccessful, in effect we have
failed. If we choose to pursue motherhood, we are clearly not pursuing
success – at least not as the government defines it. <br />
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If the government truly saw the choices for and against motherhood as equal,
there would be more support for women who become pregnant. Contraception and
abortion-inducing drugs and devices are offered for free through the HHS
mandate, but not all pregnancy-related costs are covered. By only offering full
coverage of options promoting the prevention or interruption of pregnancy, the
government is sending a subtle but clear message about what it means to be a
woman and what a woman's success looks like – and it doesn’t include her
fertility.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So who declared the <b>real</b> war on women?<br />
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Stay tuned for the next blog post, where we will discuss what true women's healthcare should look like.<br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-9633303427110915772014-06-18T10:25:00.000-04:002014-06-18T10:25:54.496-04:00Liberals are people too. <div class="MsoNormal">
Spending the summer in DC, it can be hard not to get sucked
in the hyper-politicization of the atmosphere. It seems that everywhere I go,
someone is bashing the opposite political party. I find this to be very
unsettling. </div>
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Perhaps it is because I do not feel that I fit squarely into any
political party. Perhaps it is because I think that energy is better spent on
focusing on real solutions, instead of blaming the opposite political party for
the lack of progress. Perhaps it is because I just really do not like confrontation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But one of the most unsettling things to me is hearing the
way in which pro-life conservatives talk about liberals. I want to make it
clear, that this bashing occurs on both sides of the aisle. But I believe that
those who call themselves pro-life should hold themselves to a higher standard.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Being pro-life is about respecting the inherent dignity of
each individual. Recognizing the good and redeeming qualities in each other. Being pro-life means that you respect the person, even if you do not agree with their views. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8yvr8SPQt8w/U6CpsdYwyWI/AAAAAAAAAPw/7UpgJtwy8Bc/s1600/liberals1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8yvr8SPQt8w/U6CpsdYwyWI/AAAAAAAAAPw/7UpgJtwy8Bc/s1600/liberals1.jpg" height="252" title="This is what I am talking about. This is bad. " width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">This is what I am talking about. This is bad. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Making wide-sweeping comments about "liberals" is not only generalizing and labeling people, but oftentimes, these comments are untrue. Making statements like “liberals don’t care about people,”
not only does not help our cause, but hurts us. The fact is, that they do care
about other people. Everyone cares about other people. People care deeply. Some just have misguided vision of what
it means to empower people, specifically women. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This is also ignoring the fact that not all pro-lifers fit into the neat box of "conservative" and not all "liberals" are pro-choice. This kind of inflammatory language is what alienates those non-traditional pro-lifers. (Check out <a href="http://www.secularprolife.org/">Secular Pro-Life</a> and <a href="http://www.lifemattersjournal.org/">Life Matters Journal</a> -- both awesome groups doing awesome things.) What we need to realize is that being pro-life is not solely a conservative issue. It's not just a political issue. Being pro-life is a human issue, one that transcends party lines. </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uOEHVz7EfyU/U6CpsT_KqdI/AAAAAAAAAP0/UV0jxdFyv4o/s1600/liberals2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uOEHVz7EfyU/U6CpsT_KqdI/AAAAAAAAAP0/UV0jxdFyv4o/s1600/liberals2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still bad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So next time you think about making a blanket statement like
“liberals hate babies,” stop for a moment and think. We are called to stand
against injustice and to call out this injustice. But this does not mean
demeaning and degrading people. Criticize the policy, not the people. If you call yourself pro-life, be truly pro-life. This means respecting others, even when you vehemently disagree with them. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-54732222513597228322014-06-11T10:39:00.000-04:002014-06-11T10:46:47.528-04:00Inequality Begins Before Birth<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I recently went to a conference hosted by the
Century Foundation’s Bernard Schwartz Rediscovering Government Initiative, the
Roosevelt Institute, and the Academic Pediatric Association. The conference was
entitled “Inequality Begins At Birth: Child Poverty in America.” There were a
number of speakers with diverse opinions on how to solve the child poverty
crisis that we have in America. Everyone agreed that this was one of the top
social problems in America, and that we need to fix it. Different policies were
suggested that could better aid the children of our country. Ultimately, it was
agreed that education was one crucial way to do this. Many statistics were
presented on how poverty affects people of color in a disproportionate manner,
and how we as a society have a responsibility to fix this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYfxqPTjQ1I/U5hrwmV7lbI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Kc8JxFfra4U/s1600/20140610_140922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYfxqPTjQ1I/U5hrwmV7lbI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Kc8JxFfra4U/s1600/20140610_140922.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I attended this conference, because I believe that
this is an issue that is at the very heart of the pro-life issue. To be truly
pro-life, we cannot just seek to outlaw abortion. We can, and we should, have
this as a goal, but we must also do what we can to support policies and
legislation that will aid abortion vulnerable women. Policies that value the
inherent dignity of the individual and seek to empower those in poverty to be
able to better their lives. Through support of policies such as paid family
leave, subsidized child care, and the Pregnant Workers Safety Act, we are saying
yes to life through saying yes to the flourishing of families. These types of
policies are important. A politician cannot call himself pro-life and then refuse
to consider these types of policies that would help women, children, and
families. This is an area in which bipartisanship should be easy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BUT.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B7b2HDdwH2Q/U5ho2Q7wMnI/AAAAAAAAANw/yM8ccNhqz54/s1600/radiancefoundation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B7b2HDdwH2Q/U5ho2Q7wMnI/AAAAAAAAANw/yM8ccNhqz54/s1600/radiancefoundation.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Something I saw as glaringly missing from the
conference was any discussion of how inequality truly begins before birth. One
commentator made a comment to that effect, but it was quickly brushed aside
without extrapolation because it was clearly something that they did not want
to talk about. Senator Cory Booker, who gave an impassioned speech about
inequality and his deep passion for helping children in poverty, also made
comments about the need to support ‘family planning organizations’ such as
Planned Parenthood. Perhaps Senator Booker is unaware that the most dangerous
place for an African American child is in the womb. Perhaps he is unaware that
80% of Planned Parenthood clinics are located in minority neighborhoods.
Perhaps he is unaware that the number of abortions that are performed on
African Americans is disproportionally high. Perhaps he is unaware of the
racist sentiments of Planned Parenthood’s founder, Margaret Sanger. Maybe he
never learned about Planned Parenthood’s “Negro Project.” Because it seems to me that this is something
that is worth talking about. Because the conference title was wrong. Inequality
does not begin at birth. Inequality begins <b>before
</b>birth. Abortion statistics show this inequality. They show that African American
babies are aborted at rates of up to five times that of white babies. They show
that today, abortion kills more African-Americans, per year, than heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease, accidents, homicides, suicide and cancer- combined.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/_YYw0_dRqQk/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_YYw0_dRqQk&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_YYw0_dRqQk&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.1200008392334px; text-align: start;">Check out this short video from the Radiance Foundation to learn more!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Senator Booker quoted a civil rights activist during
his speech saying, “We who believe in freedom cannot rest.” </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This rings true for us. We must continue to
fight for freedom and equality throughout all stages of life- including the
stage before birth. </span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-79560776587614460852014-05-29T09:19:00.001-04:002014-05-29T09:19:10.043-04:00Event Idea: Sunshine Kits for Finals Week
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is there a more stressful time for college students than
finals week? Students cope in different ways. Some literally sleeping in the
library for days on end, so they don’t lose their coveted spot. Some sleep in
their bed all day, trying to ignore the reality that finals are approaching.
Some color-code their schedules, budgeting out every hour of the day to
maximize studying potential. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The fact is that finals are stressful for everyone. So consider
having your club bring a little bit of ‘sunshine’ to people during this
stressful time. Building a culture of life means building a culture of love. So
this a great opportunity to show a love of life during a hectic time! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Create “Sunshine Kits” that will brighten the recipient’s
day, even if just for a little bit. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wS6Go7gIWwY/U4czRvFhk-I/AAAAAAAAANU/4033U_QA7MY/s1600/sunshinekit2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wS6Go7gIWwY/U4czRvFhk-I/AAAAAAAAANU/4033U_QA7MY/s1600/sunshinekit2.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Get a bright colored bag and put in whatever you want! Candy
is always appreciated by college students, as is an extra pen or pencil. Think
about putting in small snacks, like peanut butter cookies. We included a prayer
for finals inside as well. Then tie it all together with some ribbon and a
message from your club! Then go hand them out in a high traffic area: I suggest
the library. Then all you need to do is watch the smiles appear on stressed
students’ faces. Now, go spread some sunshine! :) </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OaBRS35ljnY/U4czTlHZFKI/AAAAAAAAANc/lFQitvKma4M/s1600/sunshinekit.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OaBRS35ljnY/U4czTlHZFKI/AAAAAAAAANc/lFQitvKma4M/s1600/sunshinekit.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-78985488840663846052013-12-04T16:23:00.000-05:002013-12-04T23:14:41.682-05:00Event Idea: Rose Garden<br />
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F<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">or a number of years, our pro-life club put up a
‘Cemetery of the Innocents’ on our campus. </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Cemetery, comprised of simple white
crosses, sought to raise awareness, commemorate the lives that have been lost
to abortion and promote life-encouraging resources for women who may have
experienced or are considering an abortion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-DTxwKC7u0/Up-cUhoDIyI/AAAAAAAAAIU/gWrc25kJxlw/s1600/garden2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-DTxwKC7u0/Up-cUhoDIyI/AAAAAAAAAIU/gWrc25kJxlw/s1600/garden2.jpg" height="400" width="255" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">This
year we did something a little different. We chose to display a garden of roses
in place of the cemetery. Each white rose represents lives lost due to
abortion. The other roses represent those who have suffered emotionally,
spiritually and physically because of abortion, including mothers, fathers,
families and friends. The garden is centered around a cross, the source of hope
and healing for all.<br />
<br />
With these roses, we sought to raise the same awareness and commemoration,
while simultaneously extending a deeper invitation to love. The flowers
demonstrate the fragility, beauty and value of every human life. We acknowledge
there are many students on college campuses who have been affected by abortion,
both directly and indirectly. The display is a loving way of reaching out to
acknowledge those wounds and offer hope for healing. It is an invitation to the
entire community to join together in promoting a greater respect for the
dignity of all life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I believe the unique difference in this type
of display is that it commemorates all those who have been affected by
abortion. The day the garden went up, I got an email from a senior student on
campus. She wrote to me saying as she </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">biked past
the signs she read, “</span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">For
all those affected by abortion.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> I was now apart of this memorial;
my affair had been commemorated. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The
pain flooded back, along with a peculiar anger.</span>” This woman had not had
an abortion, but she had been personally affected by it, just as we all have
been affected by abortion, whether we know it or not. When she saw the garden,
she recognized this. Although initially her reaction was one of anger and
grief, through reaching out via email, she was able to engage in <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">further conversation which allowed her to more
fully confront what had happened. </span>This is what we sought to do with this
garden. Although the wide reaching impact of abortion is not a comfortable
fact, this is a reality. It is only through confronting this uncomfortable
reality that we are able to take steps forward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">On
college campuses, it is important to remember that many women and men are
suffering from the wounds of abortion. Although we do not want to keep silent
on this issue, it is important to keep these people in mind when doing pro-life
activism. Truth needs to be spread with love, not merely facts or statistics. The
roses commemorate the pain of these individuals while providing an opportunity
for discussion for the rest of campus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>How to
make the garden:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yS8O5Ag7jks/Up-cYW9fajI/AAAAAAAAAIg/OJh0TRN-MVo/s1600/garden3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yS8O5Ag7jks/Up-cYW9fajI/AAAAAAAAAIg/OJh0TRN-MVo/s1600/garden3.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Supplies:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">-Silk flowers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">-Bamboo sticks<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">-Green tape<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">-Wooden cross <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">1. Cut the bamboo sticks to about 18 inches. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">2. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Cut the flowers so there is only one flower and
one stem.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">3. Take a red and white flower and tape them to the
bamboo stake. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">4. Choose a formation for the garden and stake the
flowers in the ground.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Be sure to have signs explaining the display. Our
club sent a letter to our school newspaper explaining the new display.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e7pZxfAgyAo/Up-cP7MjnNI/AAAAAAAAAIM/e75KuQx4V94/s1600/garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e7pZxfAgyAo/Up-cP7MjnNI/AAAAAAAAAIM/e75KuQx4V94/s1600/garden.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-32169781648237774712013-08-16T19:19:00.000-04:002013-08-16T19:19:46.235-04:00On Being an Older Brother of a Pro-Life Sister<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
***Guest post by Brian Stoyell-Mulholland***</div>
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<br /></div>
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I thought I was pro-life, because I
voted for pro-life politicians. I
thought I was pro-life because I agreed with their views on life. I thought I was pro-life. My little sister made me realize how little I
was doing. She is an advocate for women
and the pro-life movement, and I could not be more proud of her. She was interning in high school for a
pro-life center in Philly, she has interned at a crisis pregnancy center in
Florida, she is a voice for the unborn and women on her college campus, and
recently was in Texas supporting the bill that was recently passed. I wonder to myself, "what am I doing? How can I actually be pro-life?"<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
I reflect on my sister’s time in
Texas. While the bill was being passed
in Texas, my sister and other pro-life young adults were taken to a safe room,
because those who are pro-abortion were rioting and threatening. My sister told me stories about people demeaning her and screaming vulgarities at her.
As an older brother, this frightened me.
As a citizen, I was angry with how little the media reported this. If pro-lifers were being so violent, the
media would have been all over it. My
sister texted my family when she was taken to the safe room. Many thoughts were going through my head. How dare someone put my sister in such a
dangerous situation? If my sister had
gotten hurt, I do not know how I would have reacted.
This is my sister, we are talking about.
My little sister; she has been with me her entire life. I protect her and defend her. That is my calling as an older brother. For those of you who are older brothers, I am
sure you understand this feeling. One of
my best friends is being attacked and there is nothing I can do about it. My sister may be in pain or in fear. I must do something.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
This experience firmly answered my
question for how can I be pro-life. I
will never be my sister. I will never be
a leader in the pro-life movement like her.
What I can do and what all men can do is be a support for those who are
in this fight. I can be by my sister
helping her with whatever she needs. I
can be someone to hug when others insult her.
I can be a physical barrier if others seek to harm her. I can pray for her. And this is not for just my sister, but all
women in my life. I recently read an
article about being “Bro-Choice,” which, quick summary, was about men should be
pro-choice so they can continue to objectify women and use them as sex objects.
I was horrified by the author’s view of
a relationship. We should be treating
women with respect and dignity. I know
if any guy dates my sister and does not treat her as well as she deserves, then
I am in pain. My realization is that the
pro-choice culture takes power away from women.
Pro-choice beliefs degrade women.
I do not want my sister living in a culture where a man thinks that her
sole purpose is to please him. A culture
where he thinks he can heap deeply emotional and permanent decisions on her and
then leave with her with no consequences for himself. I can support women, by realizing my role in
creating life. If a woman does get
pregnant, yes, it is her body, but the child is also your child. Your child’s mother needs your support. Creating life takes two people, but so does
nurturing life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">As much as the pro-life
movement is focused on women, I find men are intimately connected to the pro-life movement.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Above, I spoke about how being pro-choice is
degrading to woman, but in the same capacity, being pro-choice is degrading to
men.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Yes, men do not have to go through
a pregnancy in the biological sense, but they do go through pregnancy in a
spiritual and emotional way.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The
“pro-choice” movement takes away my choice as a man to choose to have a
child.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">A man is necessary for a woman to
carry a child.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Why do I not get a choice
in the care of my child?</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">“Pro-choice”
culture says to men you are here to supply the sperm and nothing else.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">How degrading?</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">A dear friend of mine, his girlfriend had an
abortion, and the girlfriend did not even tell him that she did this until
post-abortion.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">My friend still
struggles with the fact that his child was killed.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">He prays for his unborn child and carries the
child in his heart to this day.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">He knew
his role in the creation of life and his role as a father was taken from
him.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">He did not have a choice.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">A culture where men can casually dismiss an
abortion is offensive to the dignity of fatherhood.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">This is just another reason, men; you need to
be adamantly pro-life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
My sister is pro-life and I am
trying to be every day. I will do the
best I can to support her and the other women I can in my life. I will uphold their dignity as well as my
own. Men, you have a call to action. Be a support.
Be a father. Don’t let society tell
you that you are unimportant. Do not let
your sister, daughter, wife, or friend be in this fight alone. Men have a responsibility to stand up. As Edmund Burke said, “The only thing
necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-32123604770340160812013-07-23T19:13:00.002-04:002013-07-23T19:17:36.228-04:005 (Pro-Life) Ways to Support Women Right Now<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in;">
<i>1. Research your school's student health plan and see what it
covers (or doesn't cover).</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Girls who become
pregnant in college don't have a real choice to carry their pregnancies to term
if their schools don't facilitate their needs during pregnancy. For example,
Yale University's student health plan covers<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>abortions,
but their basic student health plan offers <span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://yalehealth.yale.edu/understand-your-coverage" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">NO coverage</span></a></span> for students who would like to
parent or place their child for adoption. Contrastingly, Notre Dame ensures
that women who become pregnant as students will receive <span style="font-style: italic;">the full support of the university community</span>, including <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://lifeinitiatives.nd.edu/for-students/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">housing, tuition assistance, and more</span></a>.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mW-uvgtolTY/Ue7-rulfs2I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/EcJdKNFhbZY/s1600/ND+Pregnancy+policy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mW-uvgtolTY/Ue7-rulfs2I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/EcJdKNFhbZY/s320/ND+Pregnancy+policy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
If your school does
not provide adequate support for pregnant women, contact student services and
advocate that a change be made. Preventing discrimination against pregnant
students is an important way we can support and empower women. This is a main
initiative of <a href="http://www.feministsforlife.org/cop/forum.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Feminists for Life</span></a>. Students for Life of America also has a
<a href="http://pregnantoncampus.studentsforlife.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">"Pregnant on Campus" Initiative</span></a>.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAn87mO9p1I/Ue7-rvcKgWI/AAAAAAAAAOU/2S_8L0zAZ64/s1600/pregnant+on+campus+you+are+strong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAn87mO9p1I/Ue7-rvcKgWI/AAAAAAAAAOU/2S_8L0zAZ64/s400/pregnant+on+campus+you+are+strong.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><i>2. Instead of buying a frappuccino, support a mom in need by
buying baby wipes to donate to a pregnancy center.</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Many women who
choose life for their babies still need support in providing for them. If you're willing to spend a few dollars on
coffee, next time spend that $4 on something new moms really need. Diapers for
newborns are always in high demand. You can locate your local pregnancy center
and donate directly, or check your local parish and see if they have a donation
bin at the church. Supplying resources is a significant and immediate way to
support women.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5s1PJxqgN0s/Ue79NZ-naAI/AAAAAAAAANo/YRMFS95fmm0/s1600/total+picture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5s1PJxqgN0s/Ue79NZ-naAI/AAAAAAAAANo/YRMFS95fmm0/s400/total+picture.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<i><b> 3. Learn about the symptoms
of post-abortion syndrome so you can be an ally for women around you that may be suffering.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
As many as 1 in 3
women have had an abortion, so we all need to be prepared to support the women
around us who may be suffering from that decision, no matter how long ago it
was made. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in; text-decoration: underline;">
Places to start:</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.silentnomoreawareness.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Silent No More</span></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.rachelsvineyard.org/emotions/symptoms.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Rachel's Vineyard</span></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="http://afterabortion.org/help-healing/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">After Abortion - The Elliot Institute</span></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="http://healingafterabortion.org/Symptoms-of-Post-Abortion-Syndrome" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Post Abortion Healing and Treatment [PATH]</span></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Remember to always
discuss the issues with compassion; you never know who may decide to approach
you about their past experience. Also research post-abortive help in your
community, so that you have referral information ready should a woman share her
story with you. Many dioceses and Crisis Pregnancy Centers offer post-abortive
counseling and retreats. Providing opportunities for healing is an essential
way to support women in a culture of life. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4WhIDtpL44/Ue8AYR_h4rI/AAAAAAAAAOw/EjSKEXj2EDY/s1600/healing+after+abortion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4WhIDtpL44/Ue8AYR_h4rI/AAAAAAAAAOw/EjSKEXj2EDY/s400/healing+after+abortion.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in;">
<i>4. Post contact information for your local Crisis Pregnancy
Center on the "local businesses" billboard in a nearby coffee shop or
grocery store. </i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
You never know where
someone may stumble across that information when they need it. Promoting the
your local Pregnancy Center could also increase their volunteer base and
donations. Consider contacting them directly and asking if they have pre-made
fliers that you could post. Advertising the availability of assistance is
crucial for supporting women in crisis pregnancies. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Find your local
pregnancy center at <a href="http://www.optionline.org/"><span style="color: blue;">www.optionline.org</span></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lMKd7P29Mrc/Ue8Bg7vkXBI/AAAAAAAAAPA/u9EEybtVf-U/s1600/pregnant+need+help+flier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lMKd7P29Mrc/Ue8Bg7vkXBI/AAAAAAAAAPA/u9EEybtVf-U/s320/pregnant+need+help+flier.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<b><i>5. Pray for women in situations and relationships that put
them at risk for undesired pregnancy.</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
As many as <a href="http://www.publiceye.org/ark/reproductive-justice/articles/forced-abortions-america.php" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">64% ofwomen</span></a> get abortions because they feel pressured by others. Many have become
pregnant by a man who will not support the child or does not want to child to
be born. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Even if the woman
may want to carry the child to term, she may be living an unhealthy lifestyle
herself, and not want to bring a child into that situation. Women deserve
better relationships and better lifestyles, for their children but also for
themselves. Pray specifically for these women - that they will receive the
support they need to pursue safe and healthy relationships and lifestyles.
Women need our support not only financially and emotionally, but also through
the power of prayer.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pOgum8lVDyI/Ue8MeoeQVJI/AAAAAAAAAPc/Ymy2XUf7Iv0/s1600/rosary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pOgum8lVDyI/Ue8MeoeQVJI/AAAAAAAAAPc/Ymy2XUf7Iv0/s200/rosary.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_703819607"></span><span id="goog_703819608"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
Pro-life
is pro-woman. :)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14557096398972568880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-91738810915598072942013-07-14T15:55:00.001-04:002014-07-24T14:00:22.167-04:00Love Thy Enemy <div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So this past week while in Texas in support of the pro-life
bill, I interacted with and saw many pro-choicers. Their actions and behavior
were unbelievable and mostly indescribable. I have never quite experienced the
vitriol and hate that I saw this past week.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
18 jars of feces and urine, a brick, and ‘glitter bomb’
tampons were all confiscated from prochoicers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A prochoicer shoved a guy in our group, hard enough that the
batteries came flying out of his camera and he fell back into someone else who
fell into me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Prochoicers chanted “Hail Satan” and “Pro-life, your name’s
a lie, you don’t care if women die.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A prochoice woman told me that obviously the only reason
that I was pro-life was because a man had told me to be pro-life and that my
entire life was controlled by men.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Prochoicers poured red paint on themselves and chained
themselves to the Senate gallery. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A prochoicer had her young daughter hold up a sign that said
“If I wanted the government in my uterus, I’d f*** a senator.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B6k0kbBxxAI/UeMB9myN8HI/AAAAAAAAAFU/Sykyd3jA1FE/s1600/prochoice+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B6k0kbBxxAI/UeMB9myN8HI/AAAAAAAAAFU/Sykyd3jA1FE/s1600/prochoice+sign.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I cannot even count the number of times that I was flipped
off or had vulgarities screamed at me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A prochoice man held up a sign that said “No rape babies” while
the girl right next to him had a sign that said “Jesus isn’t a dick so keep him
out of my vagina.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The prochoicers called themselves “The Unruly Mob” and when
even NARAL and Planned Parenthood told them to leave the Capitol, they chanted
“hell no, we won’t go.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Allegedly, a prochoicer was found outside the Capitol with a
semi-automatic rifle. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You know what these people are working so hard for? The
right to kill their child. They can veil their intentions by saying they want
the right to women’s health care or the right to choose or they are fighting
for women’s reproductive health. But ultimately, they are fighting for the
right to end the lives of the most defenseless and vulnerable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I feel bad for these people. I looked at them, and past the
screaming and vulgarities, I saw women and men who were deeply hurting. The old
woman screaming “bastards” to all the legislators. The young teenage girl who
had tears rolling down her face. The man who angrily told me that I had no
right to be here. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did not and do not harbor any resentment or hatred towards
these people. I made a point of smiling at each person in an orange shirt when
they walked by. Because these people are not going to be persuaded by a set of
logical arguments. They were not here for rational debate. The only way to
reach these people is through their hearts. Because I could tell that they felt
hopeless. They felt trapped. They were fighting so bitterly. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These people need
love. My heart ached to reach out to them. To be able to offer them the comfort
and healing that they need. But I know that was not my role at that time. So I
prayed. I prayed that God touch each and every one of their hearts that they
might be converted. That they might be able to recognize the love and
forgiveness of the Almighty.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What we as prolifers need to do is have faith. I may not
have witnessed a conversion while I was at the Texas Capitol, but I believe
that many of those orange shirts will one day turn blue. We need to be open and
accepting to all people so that when people are converted, they are welcomed
with open arms. Because they will need love, not condemnation. Imagine
realizing that for 5, 10, or even 50 years, you advocated for the deaths of
millions. The guilt could be enough to destroy anyone, so we need to be there,
waiting, with a loving embrace. Think of the amazing conversion story of Abby
Johnson. What if the Coalition for Life had not been welcoming and loving? We
need to follow the example set before us and love all, but especially love our
enemies, even when it seems hardest. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-46880167059501853252013-07-13T20:22:00.000-04:002013-07-13T21:05:28.047-04:00Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
So this past week, I was down at the Texas Capitol, there
with Students for Life of America. We were there in support of the Texas bill
that protects women’s health by requiring that abortion clinics adhere to
ambulatory surgical center regulations, that the abortionist have hospital
admitting privileges within 30 miles, and that all medical abortions adhere to
FDA regulations. It also bans abortions past 20 weeks, the point at which
science says that the fetus can feel pain. The bill thankfully passed on Friday, and Gov
Perry is going to sign it into law. You can read a good summary of it <a href="http://www.lifenews.com/2013/07/13/texas-state-senate-passes-bill-to-ban-late-term-abortions-despite-abortion-mob/">here</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="SFLatCapitol" src="http://studentsforlife.org/files/2013/07/SFLatCapitol-e1373311983874-1024x768.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
One of the things that has really impressed me this trip
is the number of pro-lifers here in Texas who not only talk the talk, but walk
the walk. People who understand what it means to be truly pro-life. This people
recognize that it is not just about being a political activist, or the way you
vote. These people are helping to build a culture of life that will ultimately
lead to victory.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I just wanted to give
a couple shout-outs to some examples of the people that I am talking
about:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Thanks to the Austin Baptist Association and Hope Chapel
for opening their churches to us and providing us a place to sleep as well as
all the other host families who opened their homes to students.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for gathering air
mattresses for us to sleep on as well as cooking and providing lunch for us on
Friday. Standing behind a grill in 100 degree weather is an impressive feat,
and we are truly grateful. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Big thanks to Representative Hughes, Representative Toth,
along with many other of the Texas House representatives. When the YMCA kicked
us out (<a href="http://townhall.com/columnists/toddstarnes/2013/07/10/ymca-kicks-out-prolife-students-n1637757/page/full">here</a>), Rep Hughes and Rep Toth took up a collection to pay for hotel
rooms so that we could shower. They had also offered their own personal hotel rooms
for showers. Rep Hughes and Rep Toth also took time out of their day to speak
to us young people and pray over the SFLA staff. They truly are men of God. Rep
Hughes also offered us protection during the riots at the Capitol by housing
all of us, over 50 people, in his locked office. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Thanks to the Students for Life leaders who did so much
to organize this trip and keep all of us safe during the journey. I am sure it
was not easy, but the staff remained flexible, with cheerful attitudes, despite
the difficult circumstances. Thanks to Brendan O’Morchoe, who even if he could
not figure out his way inside the Capitol, lead our group with a certainty and
confidence that put many people’s fears at ease. Thank you to Beth O’Malley,
for writing everything down in her notebook, keeping track of million logistics
at once, and remaining sane, with a smile on her face, even when the plan
changed for the third time in ten minutes. Thanks to Missy Martinez, for being
the voice for our group, both in media interviews and on stage at the pro-life rally,
and representing our group with conviction and dignity. Thank you to Alexa
Coombs for reminding us of the importance of social media, making sure that we
were always in contact with the rest of the world and utilizing social media to
promote our group’s activities. I am sure there are many other people behind the
scenes at SFLA, including Kristan Hawkins, the president of SFLA, who made this
trip a possibility and for that I am very grateful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Thank you to all the donors who made this trip possible
for over 50 college students. These donors helped give us the opportunity of a
lifetime and made it possible for us to be a part of history being made. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Thanks to Brendan the bus driver, as well as all the
other bus drivers, for being patient with us and getting us to and from where
we needed to be safely. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Thank you to the people of Texas, in particular, Jason,
Paul, and Thomas, for inviting us to join this fight for life with them, and
for all the tireless work that they do in Texas. This was a huge victory for
Texas and thank you for letting us be a part of it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Last, but definitely not least, thank you to my fellow
students who took a week out of their summer to come and fight for life in
Texas. You provided an incredible, peaceful witness for life at the Texas
Capitol. Your dedication and perseverance is truly inspiring and it is seeing
my fellow students stand for life that gives me hope. We are the pro-life
generation and I believe that we will abolish abortion in our lifetime. <o:p></o:p></div>
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These people, along with many many more, all provided a witness
of life through not only their words, but their actions. Standing for life is
much more than just saying that you are pro-life. Words are not enough. We must
demonstrate this culture of life through how we act, and the way we treat
others. Consistently treating others with the respect and dignity that all people
deserve helps our cause just as much as taking a trip down to Texas to support
a pro-life bill. Thank you to everyone who remembers that, and pushes me to hold myself to that standard. Now go out and
remember if you talk the talk, you must walk the walk. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-72874841097686760192013-06-21T11:12:00.001-04:002013-06-21T11:17:22.221-04:00Event Idea: "I'm Prolife Because..." Cookout<div class="MsoNormal">
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"Why are <i style="font-weight: bold;">you</i>, prolife?"<br />
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Sometimes one of the hardest events to do is a social event that still has an aspect of promoting the pro-life mission. These events, if done successful, can be some of the most effective at teaching people about what it means to be pro-life. This event idea stemmed from our original LifeFest event (<a href="http://thenewprolife.blogspot.com/2013/01/event-idea-lifefest.html">here</a>) , but we wanted to have an even stronger push to get people to think about what it truly means to be pro-life. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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So what we decided to do was have a huge cookout on the quad. The idea was to draw as many people in who were just walking by. We offered free burgers and soon, a huge line had lined up to get a burger. While people were in line, we handed them a white board that said “I’m Prolife Because…” and that asked them if they would be willing to fill in the blank. Most people did and it got them to stop and actually think about why they are prolife while having a great time celebrating life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So how do you do this?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u><br /></u></div>
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<u>Activities<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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Free burgers and food- Nothing gets people to stop by an event like free food. Especially when you are out on the quad on a sunny day. We had cupcakes that people could decorate as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Inflatables/other fun visible activities- You want something big that signifies FUN! When people see a bounce house, or an inflatable obstacle course, they want to stop and see what is going on. This will also draw parents to bring their children. You can also publicize this for professors and their children to come to. We also hired a balloon animal artist to come and make balloon animals which were a huge hit. </div>
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Free tshirts- One of the things we did was give away free club tshirts. This is obviously a major expense, but it was worth it to see the number of red club tshirts that were worn in the upcoming school days. Make sure the shirts are obviously pro-life and send the message that your club wants to send. Encourage your club members to wear these shirts the day of the festival so a unified group can be seen. Giving out these tshirts also gives participants something tangible to take with them. We also gave out pro-life buttons. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uISwvDIezg/UcRrn-iGU1I/AAAAAAAAAEo/d3KCVeR5ZGA/s1600/ProLife+B-c++(2+of+9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uISwvDIezg/UcRrn-iGU1I/AAAAAAAAAEo/d3KCVeR5ZGA/s1600/ProLife+B-c++(2+of+9).jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lr3Lh06A8pE/UcRr4M9Vh0I/AAAAAAAAAEw/6igTMqXJGpY/s1600/youngers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lr3Lh06A8pE/UcRr4M9Vh0I/AAAAAAAAAEw/6igTMqXJGpY/s1600/youngers.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-68539340353068943492013-05-22T15:04:00.001-04:002013-05-24T15:59:23.088-04:00Event Idea: Girl Talk<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dan8c9O2Grs/UZ0WFNbSbqI/AAAAAAAAAMI/5D_nOX7mXko/s1600/Poster.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dan8c9O2Grs/UZ0WFNbSbqI/AAAAAAAAAMI/5D_nOX7mXko/s400/Poster.png" width="307" /></a></div>
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Communication
is a two-way street: one part speaking, one part listening. Without the second
part - listening - communication breaks
down. </div>
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in;">
This
past election season, politicians, news reporters, and other
"authorities" spoke loudly and frequently about "women's
issues," including abortion and contraception. But <b>were they listening?</b>
Were they hearing what women were <span style="font-style: italic;">actually</span>
saying? Do we hear what the women around us are actually saying, on all sides
of these issues?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in;">
The
Pro-life movement proclaims the values of individual dignity, life, and family,
but these ideologies have practical and very real, day to day ramifications for
all people, and in a particular way, for women. Too often, people on both sides
of these issues<span style="font-style: italic;"> think</span> they know what
others think, and why. But do they?<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pro-lifers
have a responsibility</span> not only to act and speak on behalf of life, but <span style="font-weight: bold;">to</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">listen</span>. Through listening, we affirm the dignity of others.
Helen Alvare has challenged the Federal Government to do just that with her
campaign <a href="http://womenspeakforthemselves.com/#" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Women Speak for Themselves</span></a>. We can do the same in our own communities.
</div>
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The Event</div>
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Pro-lifers
have a duty to listen to the very real, very personal concerns and experiences
of women in their communities. An open discussion series like Girl Talk can
help get real conversation going on "women's issues," promote respect
for women's individual feelings, thought and experiences, and provide a
foundation for real progress to be made. </div>
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Pre-planning</div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Time</span>: An hour is usually a good amount of time
for this series. Choose a time and decide how frequently your series will run
(weekly, bi-weekly, etc). Also decide
how many sessions you will have.</div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Location</span>: Choose a cozy location that is
inviting and easy to find, but private enough for participants to speak openly.
Set up tables and chairs in small groups of about 5 or 6. Hold the series in
the same location each time to build familiarity and comfort.</div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Topics:</span> Choose which topics you will discuss
each meeting, and find a video, article, or other prompt for discussion. Make
sure to find prompts from a variety of perspectives; sometimes the best
discussions spring from those disagreeing with or challenging a prompt. </div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Food and Drink</span>: Sharing a meal or light snack
will help create a more comfortable atmosphere for participants. Afternoon
coffee and fruit, or evening dessert may work well.</div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Advertising</span>: Spread the word through both
personal invitations and mass marketing like posters. Convey the tone of an
open discussion by emphasizing that in your advertising, such as by putting
different phrases on a poster [example above].</div>
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Outline of the Event</div>
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<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">10 min:</span> Welcome guests as
they arrive and introduce yourself. Direct them to take refreshments, take a
seat, and begin reading the discussion article or talking to others at their
table. </div>
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<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">5 min:</span> Speak to the group as
a whole, introduce yourself again, and explain the goal of the event. Emphasize
that each person has individual feelings, thoughts, and experiences that shape
her views on issues, and encourage participants to explore and share those
underlying reasons for their opinions. Ask that each table do introductions,
and read and discuss the prompt at their tables.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">20 min:</span> Discussions at
tables.</div>
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<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">20 min:</span> Have each table share
ideas from their discussions with the whole group, and discuss as a group if
relevant.</div>
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<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">5 min:</span> Have each participant
share an insight or thought with the large group. Thank everyone for coming,
and invite them to attend the next session. </div>
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Other Recommendations</div>
<ul style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .375in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;" type="disc">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Have signs directing
participants to the event</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Assign "table
captains" to each table to help facilitate discussion and make all
feel welcome</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Have cards or table tents at
each table with values for the discussion such as the <a href="http://www3.nd.edu/~socconcn/about/VirtuesofDiscoursePledge.shtml" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Virtues of Discourse.</span></a></span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Have name tags</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Encourage participants to
bring other friends in the future</span></li>
</ul>
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Discussion Topic Ideas</div>
<ul style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .375in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;" type="disc">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Views of feminism</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Relationships between men and
women</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">What women really want</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Beauty, attraction, and what
it means to be sexy</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Contraception and other
fertility technology like NaPro</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Abortion: how it affects
women and what it offers women</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Women in the workplace</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Women and higher education</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">The role of faith in women's
lives</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in;">
<u><br /></u>
<u>From Our Experience:</u><br />
We had a 3-part series with the topics of feminism, birth control, and beauty/self-image. For our second session, we invited local NaPro Fertility Care Practitioner Suzy Younger to attend and answer questions about female fertility at the end of the discussion. Her attendance was the highlight of that session!<br />
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in; text-decoration: underline;">
Girl Talk has been featured in:</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in;">
University of Notre Dame <i>Observer</i> <a href="http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/news/girl-talk-creates-conversation-1.3028430#.UZ0ES6JOSSo" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">"Girl Talk Creates Conversation"</span></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in;">
University of Notre Dame <i>Rover</i> <a href="http://www.irishrover.net/archives/2847" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">"Girl Talk: Catholicism, contraception, and beauty"</span></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin-left: .375in; margin: 0in;">
HerCampus.com Notre Dame Chapter <a href="http://www.hercampus.com/school/notre-dame/girl-talk-discussion-series-reaches-out-women-nd" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">"'Girl Talk' Discussion Series Reaches out to Women at ND"</span></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14557096398972568880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-63960166009823940722013-03-22T02:40:00.000-04:002013-04-01T22:54:22.727-04:00MY body, MY choice. <br />
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<b>MY </b>body, <b>MY</b> choice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Recently, a video has been circulating the Internet of a
group of feminists proclaiming “MY body, MY choice.” When a friend of mine
posted this to her Facebook, I clicked to listen to the entirety of it and came
away feeling sad and dejected. The idea had so much potential, but the
direction they took it in, just undermined the entire idea of the project. I
could see glimmers of what they truly yearned for in the video, but they
instead turned to what society told them it meant to be women as opposed to standing
for what it means to truly be a woman. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/z2ME8sR-bnY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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I have pulled some quotes of what they say throughout this
short video to highlight my points. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>“I decide when and
how I become a mother.”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Absolutely, women can decide when and how they become
mothers. But this becomes a possibility every time a woman decides to have sex.
By making this decision, a woman could become a mother. Women control when they
have sex therefore they can control when they become mothers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>“These decisions have
nothing to do with you.”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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This statement is just blatantly wrong. All of our actions
affect other people, whether we realize it or not. In the case of abortion,
that decision can deeply affect the father of the child, the grandparents, the
other future children, and most importantly the woman involved. This decision
affects your neighbors, your classmates, your doctors. Society, as a whole, is
deeply affected by the tragedy of abortion. Every single life is valuable and
adds something to society. So every single abortion has affected the outcome of
society. Who knows what those children who were aborted might have offered to
society? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>“I have the right to
be screened for this killer of women./ Whether I go to my doctor or I rely on
the services of clinics like those run by Planned Parenthood. And your desire
to stop the fundings of abortions has nothing to do with my right to defend
myself against cancer.” <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Breast cancer screenings are very important and it is
important to get mammograms. However, Planned Parenthood does not provide
mammograms. All they can do to screen you for breast cancer is a breast exam,
the same that you could and should be doing in your own home. Also Planned
Parenthood’s main client base is young adults and it is not necessary to start
getting mammograms until the age of 40. <o:p></o:p></div>
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(http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/13271-fda-contradicts-obama-planned-parenthood-not-licensed-to-do-mammograms)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>“If I choose to have
sex, I have the right to birth control.”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Birth control has never been a right. It’s not in the
Constitution; it’s not a part of natural law. So where does this ‘right’ stem
from? This notion has developed that people are entitled to the right to have
sex without any consequences. Sex has been separated from its procreative
purpose. If you choose to have sex, you choose to put yourself in the situation
where you can get preganant, whether or not you are on birth control. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>“I have the right to
an abortion without facing intimidation, harassment, burdensome parental
consent laws, or prejudicial taxes. If I decide to have an abortion, I will not
undergo unnecessary invasive medical procedures for the purposes of your
moralizing and personal edification.”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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This statement is just ironic because many women who have
abortions do it because of intimidation and harassment. The number of coerced
abortions in this country is unbelievably high. Women’s boyfriends or husbands
are threatening to leave them if they do not get an abortion. Some are
physically abused into getting an abortion, some are emotionally abused.
Calling parental consent laws ‘burdensome’ is ridiculous. Young women under the
age of 18 years old are not allowed to pierce their ears without getting
consent from their parents. If young women are not even able to legally make
the decision to pierce their ears, a decision that can easily be reversed, why
should they be able to undergo an invasive medical procedure that can have both
medical and emotional side effects without the consent of their parents? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>“I am entitled to all
health information from my doctor. And allowing myself to be penetrated once
does not assume your right to do it again for your own purposes and your own
reasons.”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
Women are entitled to all health
information from their doctor. Unfortunately abortion clinics are not providing
all of this information. They gloss over the side effects of abortions, saying
that they merely are required to provide this information by law. The emotional
side effects that many women experience are never spoken of. The ultrasound
bills that this woman is objecting to are an effort to provide women with all
of the information necessary to make such a medical decision.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then the women in this video went on to make some absolutely
correct statements. These women know that they deserve to be respected, valued,
and honored. They yearn for this. It is completely evident throughout this video. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>“I am not defined by
my need of a man or a partner. Though I have the right to be made happy by one
in a safe and supportive relationship”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>“I am not here to be
your sexual toy.”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b> “I’m not defined by my hair, my weight, my eye
color, my makeup, my bra size, my skin color.”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>“I’m beautiful
despite what you think. With or without your approval.” <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>“I have the right…to
equal pay; to health care; to education; to divorce; to safety; to protection
under the law; to respect and dignity; to complete equality.”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>“Do not be afraid of
a world in which women know themselves, their voice, and their power. That
world has arrived.” <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately this world has not arrived. Women, such as the
women in this video, have been duped by the world and society. They have become
convinced that equality is the same as complete sexual freedom. This is because
of the double standard that is so present in our society. They define being a
woman as having access to birth control and abortion. When did the definition
of a woman become so tied up in her sexuality? Women are so much more than
their sexual desires. This is, and always will, a crucial part of what it means
to be a woman. But it is not the whole picture. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what does it mean when these women say “MY body. MY
choice.”?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Men agree. They say. Your body. Your choice. Your problem.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When men are not supportive of women when they get pregnant,
this is because of this mentality that has developed. They have been
consistently told that it’s the woman’s body, therefore it’s the woman’s
choice. This means that it must her problem. He is not allowed to have any
input, so why are we surprised when so many men abandon their children?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(As a side note, this
video was co-created by a man. Interesting.) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-41274600223409011202013-03-16T21:31:00.000-04:002013-03-16T21:32:14.791-04:00Woman's Great Disease<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
THE
WORST THING THAT COULD EVER HAPPEN TO A WOMAN.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
THE
ONE THING TO BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
THE
DISEASE THAT WILL DESTROY YOUR LIFE FOREVER.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
PREGNANCY.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IxN5oa_PYw8/UUUZPJl8eRI/AAAAAAAAAKA/0mKICARX8qM/s1600/pic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IxN5oa_PYw8/UUUZPJl8eRI/AAAAAAAAAKA/0mKICARX8qM/s1600/pic2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3pQmI6_0Q1w/UUUZRIVCdRI/AAAAAAAAAKw/OTcdrnRZld0/s1600/pic7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3pQmI6_0Q1w/UUUZRIVCdRI/AAAAAAAAAKw/OTcdrnRZld0/s320/pic7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in;">
What
does this attitude say?</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Not pregnant? You
are a champion. A free woman. Victorious! Successful! Happy, joyful and
freeeeeeeee!</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Which means if you <span style="font-style: italic;">are</span> pregnant… oh. Well then, uhmmmm…. Don't
worry. It'll be ok. You'll make it through. Somehow. You have options. We can
fix this. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">We can fix you</span>. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
But what if...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XyvYQU88Yjc/UUUa_tKMHzI/AAAAAAAAALM/i-ENbZwv7PE/s1600/pregnancy+not+a+disease.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XyvYQU88Yjc/UUUa_tKMHzI/AAAAAAAAALM/i-ENbZwv7PE/s200/pregnancy+not+a+disease.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Disease</span> : "a
condition of the living animal or plant body… that impairs normal functioning
and is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms; <span style="font-weight: bold;">a harmful development</span>." - Merriam-Webster</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in;">
The
Problem</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Women can get
pregnant. Men, cannot. So pregnancy is distinctive to women; it is a unique
ability of their bodies, many would even say it is a unique<span style="font-weight: bold;"> gift</span>. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
The modern attitude,
though, is that pregnancy is something more like a disease. It is a harmful and
unfortunate circumstance that needs to be prevented, or if contracted - cured.
Healthy bodies are free of disease. So to be healthy, <span style="font-weight: bold;">women need to be free</span> of this disease - free, in a sense, <span style="font-style: italic;">of their own bodies</span>. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
But there's
something pretty <span style="text-decoration: underline;">degrading</span> about
telling women that there's something so <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">wrong</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>with
their bodies, something so <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">wrong</span>
with <span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">them.</span> </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Pregnancy <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> a huge deal. But it doesn't
"impair" normal functioning of a woman's body. Having children is, in
fact, VERY normal to a woman's body - it's what it is <span style="font-weight: bold;">designed</span> to do! So sending the message that pregnancy is a
horrible, loathsome thing also sends the message that a woman's body is kind of
loathsome, itself. And we all know that society/the media give women enough
reasons already to dislike their bodies - <span style="font-weight: bold;">we
don't need </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">more </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">lies</span>. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in;">
What
women need is…</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Support:</span> in pregnancy - emotionally,
physically, financially, etc. Nineteenth century suffragist Victoria Woodhull
wrote that ideally, when a woman is pregnant, “it will be immediately held that
she is laboring for society…she will become the especial care of society and,
while she is performing this<span style="font-weight: bold;"> sacred duty</span>,
be paid the highest wages received by any class, and be treated accordingly
during the entire [pregnancy].” Just imagine a world where that was the case!</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Celebration: </span>of the <span style="font-style: italic;">ridiculously awesome</span> power women have to give
life to entirely new unique human beings, that will exist for <span style="font-style: italic;">eternity</span>!</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Acceptance</span>: of the way women's bodies
work. When women have sex, they can get pregnant, and this incredible power
should be respected with the reverence it deserves. [#casualaintcool] Women
deserve the security of knowing the father will be around when she gets pregnant,
which means <span style="font-weight: bold;">waiting til marriage = pretty
empowering</span>, because it's about prioritizing the way woman is made.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kkPr36KBaow/UUUZOuAh3CI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/kzzLKL9eSZw/s1600/Song+of+Songs+4.7+color.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kkPr36KBaow/UUUZOuAh3CI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/kzzLKL9eSZw/s320/Song+of+Songs+4.7+color.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b>Fertility is not a flaw.</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14557096398972568880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-74776915576503855032013-02-06T20:45:00.002-05:002013-02-06T20:45:47.993-05:00Kid President: For Pregnant Women<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
This video has been
sweeping the nation. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/l-gQLqv9f4o?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
"Send
this video to someone who needs encouragement."</div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
Kid president got me
thinking. You know who could use some encouragement? Women. Facing possibly the
scariest situation of their lives. Possibly with limited finances, resources,
and support. Who gives women in crisis pregnancies a pep talk? Us.</div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
I recently heard
someone say that "our side is the side of optimism," and I agree.
Why? Because the Pro-Life message is one of encouragement. It tells women: <span style="font-style: italic;">you can do this. We will help you.</span> It tells
them they are strong enough, capable enough, worthy enough of love, support,
and a held hand down a road that, no matter which path, is going to be tough. </div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
Kid President said
it: <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Life is not a game, people." </span>And
we know that. Life is infinitely precious, an indescribable gift, a beautiful
unique creation. </div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
"And
if life is a game, aren't we all on the same team?... But if we're on the same
team, let's start acting like it."</div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
Women considering
abortion are not the enemy. They are not our opponents, vying for the right to
the unborn child. They are our sisters, and they need us. They need our
encouragement; they <span style="text-decoration: underline;">deserve</span> our
encouragement, because they face a situation more difficult than many of us can
imagine. </div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
"Don't
stop believing…keep going, keep going, keep going."</div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
For women faced with
an unexpected pregnancy, life as they planned it is no more. They may not
believe they can make<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it with a child,
given their circumstances. They may not believe there is anyone to help them.
They may not know if they are strong enough to carry a child and even then,
whether or not to choose adoption for their child<span style="font-style: italic;">.
</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">They need </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">encouragement</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span>
To keep going, keep believing in themselves and their dreams, in the ability to
overcome what is difficult and make even more beautiful their life ahead. </div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
"What
if Michael Jordan had quit? What if he had never made Space Jam?</div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
From Beethoven to
Justin Bieber, so many incredible people were born after their mothers were
told to have an abortion. Who knows how many of our dear friends and classmates
were once in danger of being aborted? <span style="font-weight: bold;">Each and
every child </span>brought into this world brings something amazing, unique,
and beautiful. And all mothers deserve the encouragement of knowing that about
their child. </div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<em> "This
is your time!"</em></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
Our sisters in
crisis need encouragement. It's our job to give it to them. </div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
"The world needs <span style="font-weight: bold;">you</span>."
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWH4sG8h17qoN5WY9frC2LSD76vcFMyNtQcJbDNsJFwPAiaFHqT9stP3iUJ6s8bRHrllgQY1vzjUdYs2_B7zzeQdrVg5c7lhhdYeDIXDaUo9fpHBtOAWoWdDX6n4XPbiMi4HQq6G3nys/s1600/1f4a0b7ae5d0078850fc0ebef7550392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWH4sG8h17qoN5WY9frC2LSD76vcFMyNtQcJbDNsJFwPAiaFHqT9stP3iUJ6s8bRHrllgQY1vzjUdYs2_B7zzeQdrVg5c7lhhdYeDIXDaUo9fpHBtOAWoWdDX6n4XPbiMi4HQq6G3nys/s320/1f4a0b7ae5d0078850fc0ebef7550392.jpg" width="162" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
#Prowomanprolife</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
Need a place to start? Click <a href="http://thenewprolife.blogspot.com/2013/01/event-idea-write-from-heart.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14557096398972568880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-34862563874139228242013-02-05T01:47:00.002-05:002013-02-05T01:47:58.906-05:00Event Idea: Smiley Face Balloons/Stickers
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
Coke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apple.
McDonalds. Disney. Facebook. Nike.</div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
What
do all of these groups have in common? A logo, or symbol for which they are
known. A symbol that is recognizable and that evokes an emotion related to that
group. Example: When I see the McDonalds yellow arched "M," I
suddenly think of delicious fries that taste way too good to be so bad for me. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
Pro-Life.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
What
image do you think of? </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
What
emotion does that evoke? </div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
What
about for other people? What do they think of when they hear that word?
Unfortunately, for too many people, the image or emotion associated with
"Pro-Life" is less than loving, less than supportive. Wherever they
were given that impression, many people may need a <span style="font-style: italic;">new, </span>more truthful, impression of what "Pro-Life"
means - it means joy; it means love.</div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in; text-decoration: underline;">
The Event</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
While
your organization may not have contributed to the negative images/emotions that
the word "Pro-Life" evokes, it still may need to combat them. This
easy and cheap event can help do just that, and is great as a kick-off for
Respect Life Week or the new school year or semester.</div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in; text-decoration: underline;">
The Plan</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
Pass
out smiley face stickers and balloons to anyone and everyone you can, in order
to promote a positive Pro-Life message.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofhdSLWQ9R-uNRZftSwZe66iEgbKEg5hBU__5Nn03OSbXNQbauIdRj4QiK-hdgB-m-Ivl87H46IORTiWjcrgJjF64cOnb1qeJqYPeyE8ZsBMkLHlNAK3_UUGCRgUhCe_TGp4DshZnFps/s1600/balloon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofhdSLWQ9R-uNRZftSwZe66iEgbKEg5hBU__5Nn03OSbXNQbauIdRj4QiK-hdgB-m-Ivl87H46IORTiWjcrgJjF64cOnb1qeJqYPeyE8ZsBMkLHlNAK3_UUGCRgUhCe_TGp4DshZnFps/s320/balloon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in; text-decoration: underline;">
Supplies You'll Need</div>
<ul style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.375in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;" type="disc">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Yellow smiley face stickers
*can order in bulk online</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Smiley face balloons *can
order in bulk online</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Ribbon or string</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Scissors </span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Helium tanks</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Smiley face posters that say
"I'm Pro-Life" to hang around your event</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in; text-decoration: underline;">
At the Event</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
Choose
a location that has heavy traffic, for example outside the dining hall during
lunch time. Hang smiley "I'm Pro-Life" posters around your location,
and consider having a large poster of group information or list of upcoming
events displayed. Greet people walking by and offer them a balloon/sticker.
Play fun music and have someone take pictures of the event.</div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in; text-decoration: underline;">
Tips & Tricks</div>
<ul style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.375in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;" type="disc">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Consider taping information
sheets [or if Respect Life Week, the week's schedule] to the bottom of the
balloons' strings</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Have sign-ups for different
shifts during the allotted time, and assign roles to volunteers such as
balloon blowers, string tiers, and sticker or balloon distributers</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Cut string in advance so you
don't have to do it the day of</span></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14557096398972568880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-24095439168195584922013-01-27T13:43:00.003-05:002013-01-27T13:51:45.415-05:00What You Can Learn from Unborn Babies<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_1112757699"></span><span id="goog_1112757700"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
Most of my stress
comes from things I need to do. Homework, club meetings, social activities,
laundry, and emails, to name just a few. Not a day goes by when I don't wish I
could do more. And under the pressure of deadlines and due dates, I can start
to question myself. Why am I not more productive? Why didn't I accomplish more?
Why am I not faster, smarter, more effective in my tasks?</div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
I don't want to let
anyone down. I want to prove myself - to show that I can do a good job, that I
can handle all of it, that I CAN do it all. And then I even start to wish I
could do more - I see all the amazing things my friends are doing, and I start to
wish I could do those things, too. </div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in;">
Revelation</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
I've spent years
fighting to show the world that unborn babies are full human beings - whole,
complete, worthy of being protected and loved. But you know what? Unborn babies
- they have yet to DO anything. And what I have been seeking to show the world
is that they are <span style="font-style: italic;">just</span> as valuable as all
of us who are born, running around the world DOING things. </div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in;">
The
Truth </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
The heart of the
Pro-Life message is that people aren't valued for what they DO - for what they
accomplish or achieve or "contribute." We are not the sum of out
abilities. We are SO MUCH MORE than whatever we "do" or don't do.
That is why if someone is born with different abilities, or when an elderly
person's abilities begin to diminish, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">their
value does not</span>!</div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in;">
Live
the Message</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
I can't do it all.
And in fact, I don't need to do <span style="font-style: italic;">anything</span>
to be what I want most - loved. <span style="font-style: italic;">This is the
Pro-Life message</span>: we are not human <span style="text-decoration: underline;">do</span>ings,
we are human <span style="text-decoration: underline;">be</span>ings, and we are
each worthy of life and love. Our value is inherent in our<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mere existence, and our presence alone is
valuable because we exist as part of the larger human family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am loved the same regardless of what I do
or do not "accomplish."</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: italic;">It takes a lot of humility</span> to let this sink
in. To realize that we are no more valuable than someone with different
intellectual or physical capacities, than an elderly person with deteriorating
abilities or memory, than a child waiting even to be born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It forces us to recognize that <span style="text-decoration: underline;">all the things we do</span>, or don't do, and
regardless of how quickly or efficiently we do them, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">don't give us value</span>. </div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
The freedom in this
realization is that <span style="font-style: italic;">we already have value; we
already are loved.</span> And if we are truly Pro-Life, we must live this
message. That doesn’t mean blowing off our responsibilities or lying around
all day doing nothing. It simply means living each day with joyful recognition
that your value is already established, that <span style="text-decoration: underline;">you
are enough, you are loved</span> - just for existing.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVCmp1Lgks1F3itz6EQIWUgXe8mXwvCMRDBL4WBLFAgHy0lLwJtP279tVp1mgwTSUXaqpb80JLcbGLEu7IgCjdDz_xr8BS0KJRsGQaNTLiw-MGKxQ6qHZaDxUeMUMGD-tRRamjsQexIQ/s1600/love+you+for+all.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVCmp1Lgks1F3itz6EQIWUgXe8mXwvCMRDBL4WBLFAgHy0lLwJtP279tVp1mgwTSUXaqpb80JLcbGLEu7IgCjdDz_xr8BS0KJRsGQaNTLiw-MGKxQ6qHZaDxUeMUMGD-tRRamjsQexIQ/s1600/love+you+for+all.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14557096398972568880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-52062853240848788322013-01-23T19:39:00.000-05:002013-01-23T19:41:10.339-05:00Happy 40th Anniversary, Baby. <div class="MsoNormal">
So if you haven’t seen this video yet, I suggest you take
the 1 minute 43 seconds to watch it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/YEMnyiDKUJI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now feel free to be disturbed. Repulsed. Angry. Sad.
Disheartened. Confused. Now back to angry. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I first watched this video, I was all of these emotions,
plus more. How could anyone, even a pro-choicer, celebrate the death of 55
million children? Does he not realize that abortion in the number one killer of
African Americans? How dare he sexualize the very serious and impactful
decision of any woman who gets an abortion? It’s offensive, playing off the
decision of abortion as something to be taken lightly or joked around about. So
much so that even many pro-choicers are offended by it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But what bothered me even more is when I went to Mehcad
Brook (the man featured in the video)’s facebook page. These are the comments I saw: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9bPi7u1ginc/UQCCF2Xp5pI/AAAAAAAAAB8/DuaoaJQezrA/s1600/mehcadbrooks1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9bPi7u1ginc/UQCCF2Xp5pI/AAAAAAAAAB8/DuaoaJQezrA/s1600/mehcadbrooks1.JPG" height="146" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dG1-BrH0anQ/UQCCGld589I/AAAAAAAAACE/Y3S3BwA6SS4/s1600/mehcadbrooks2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dG1-BrH0anQ/UQCCGld589I/AAAAAAAAACE/Y3S3BwA6SS4/s1600/mehcadbrooks2.JPG" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
This was more disheartening than the ad itself. See, I
expect it from the pro-choice side. I expect that they don’t realize what
exactly they are promoting or the seriousness of the issue. This is not
something that surprises me anymore.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But seeing these comments from those who claim to be
pro-life? It’s depressing. I think it’s one of the biggest problems in the
cause. Why on earth would you suggest that anyone deserves to be aborted?
Nobody deserves that. Why, if you claim to be pro-life, would you suggest that
someone go kill themself? Referring to someone as a “worthless waste of human
tissue” is definitely not going to win them over. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I understand the anger. I understand the disgust. But hate
the sin, not the sinner. The only way that we can persuade others is through
love. Not vilifying them for a video made in poor taste, no matter how
offensive it may be. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
"The sword of the peaceful warrior is love." -Gary Amirault</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-960762006661216792013-01-23T11:21:00.000-05:002013-01-23T11:36:02.887-05:00March for Life Reflection Prayer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzcy1U-mYVxj3budWKFhy7l2R8AUMkKx0rVA7TIZYtvR-dGn9pu9Egc12Pk1anxB4M5y31r6QhsuOOrbnsVGav4C6i_CJ51pQvD2ajeSpCWHXSqIzM8c27EhyYtP8EciTf_kRzzddCCs/s1600/101_0284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzcy1U-mYVxj3budWKFhy7l2R8AUMkKx0rVA7TIZYtvR-dGn9pu9Egc12Pk1anxB4M5y31r6QhsuOOrbnsVGav4C6i_CJ51pQvD2ajeSpCWHXSqIzM8c27EhyYtP8EciTf_kRzzddCCs/s320/101_0284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
Lord,
make me an instrument of your <span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>peace</u></span>;</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Allow me to bring peace to the war on women,
the war on life. Allow me to be an example of peace through my own life and at
the March. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
where
there is hatred, let me sow <span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>love</u></span>; </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
Allow
me to choose to love those around me, regardless of their stance on abortion.
Allow me to see each of these men and women as a whole person made in Your
image.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
where
there is injury, <span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>pardon</u></span>; </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
Allow
me to forgive those who have funded and promoted lies about abortion. Allow me to pray especially for
those who feel forced to participate in this tragedy.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
where
there is doubt, <span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>faith</u></span>; </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
Allow
me to remain faithful in this fight for life. Allow me to trust in Your will
and continued presence here with us.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">where there is despair,</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"> <u>hope</u></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">;</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
Allow
me to bring hope to the prolife movement. Allow me to be an example of hope in
our world for a culture of life and love.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
where
there is darkness, <span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>light</u></span>; </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
Allow
me to bring light to the darkness surrounding abortion. Allow me to be a light
for You to work through and call others to You.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">and where there is sadness, </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"><u>joy</u></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
Allow
me to bring joy to Washington D.C. and the March for Life. Allow me to
recognize each and every day as a gift and to fill each of my days with joy.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.375in;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
-St.
Francis of Assisi</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14557096398972568880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-27280059736758245752013-01-21T13:39:00.000-05:002013-01-27T13:54:16.624-05:00President Obama<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today is President Obama’s inauguration.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, obviously for most pro-lifers this is a less than ideal
situation. We did not want the most pro-abortion president to be reelected. We
were out campaigning and hoping for a change. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But President Obama was reelected.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a fact. Now our decision is what to do about it. You
could go in the direction of some pro-lifers and angrily protest his inauguration,
running around with pictures of dismembered fetuses. You could be angry and
resentful. You could sit and mope and complain about how our country has gone
terribly wrong by reelecting such a man. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or you could look to the future with hope. You could pray
that President Obama changes his mind on abortion. Pray that somehow he has
a change of heart. I can guarantee to you that seeing graphic images of
abortion will not be what sways his opinion. This just creates even deeper
division and does not create positive dialogue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And I believe there is hope. In President Obama’s speech
after the horrific shooting in Newton, Connecticut, he said<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 3pt;">
“And by that
measure, can we truly say, as a nation, that we are meeting our obligations?
Can we honestly say that we’re doing enough to keep our children <b>-- all of them</b> -- safe from harm? Can
we claim, as a nation, that we’re all together there, letting them know that
they are loved, and teaching them to love in return? Can we say that we’re
truly doing enough to give all the children of this country the chance they
deserve to live out their lives in happiness and with purpose?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Those were his own words. Maybe he did not mean them in
the context of the abortion issue, but he said them nonetheless.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
We need to treat the president as if he were any other
person we were trying to convince of the evils of abortion. With love,
kindness, and joy. With support for the positive steps he has made for this
country. Jesus said “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
When is the last time you prayed for President Obama? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/a3tfa2VFJgo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-86288726265140795072013-01-21T02:10:00.004-05:002013-01-21T02:15:50.146-05:00Event Idea: Prayer Service for Human Dignity<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
One of the things
that I have noticed is that there tends to be a lot of division among people as
to what special interest groups should get the most attention. Everybody seems
to think that their issue is the most important. This can sometimes lead to conflicts
between groups and people.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Something that is
important is recognizing the gifts that each individual holds and how these
skills can be used in different capacities. Everybody has their own passions
and this is necessary This contributes to the idea of the seamless garment,
that all life issues are of importance and all must be addressed. Cardinal
Joseph Bernandin said:</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i>“A consistent ethic does not say everyone in the
Church must do all things, but it does say that as individuals and groups
pursue one issue,<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>whether
it is opposing abortion or capital punishment, the way we oppose one threat should be related to
support for a systemic vision of life. It
is not<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>necessary or possible for every person to engage in
each issue, but it is both possible and necessary for the Church as a whole to
cultivate a conscious explicit connection among the several issues. And it is
very necessary for preserving a systemic vision that individuals and groups who
seek to witness to life at one point of the spectrum of life not be seen as
insensitive to or even opposed to other moral claims on the overall spectrum of
life.” </i></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Thus it is necessary
to live out the Gospel of Life by valuing all people’s contribution to this
seamless garment. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in; text-decoration: underline;">
Event Idea</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Collaborate with
different groups on your campus to have a Mass or prayer service focusing on
human dignity. This brings people together based on what they have in common
instead of differences of opinion. Because who can argue against promoting
human dignity? </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vzztHJdl6a28XnpXt2azK3l6nBkk0wJK3xBfBnNl-W7cDzRVojdTjddV4Ca8i3_X3VFJuY8-J-yziW9PbJFG8vL7jQWuSj5sQy-CG8-wEUQ5WQdWQj9BU1joIqHVwW-ad-URZWRn9L8/s1600/mass+for+human+dignity.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vzztHJdl6a28XnpXt2azK3l6nBkk0wJK3xBfBnNl-W7cDzRVojdTjddV4Ca8i3_X3VFJuY8-J-yziW9PbJFG8vL7jQWuSj5sQy-CG8-wEUQ5WQdWQj9BU1joIqHVwW-ad-URZWRn9L8/s320/mass+for+human+dignity.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in; text-decoration: underline;">
Ways to Get Groups Involved </div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"><ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Invite each group to submit
their own prayer intention based on the focus or mission of their club.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Invite members of each group
to be part of the choir or to play instruments for the music of the
service. Make sure you have someone to lead the choir who is in charge of
music and arrangement.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Have a reception after the
event. We had drinks, cannolis, and fruit. This provides a time for the
members of the different groups to get to know each other in a casual
setting</span></li>
</ul>
</span>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in; text-decoration: underline;">
Logistics</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"><ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Advertise, advertise,
advertise. Ask the groups involved to send out emails to their clubs,
print posters, advertise through campus channels.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Find a presider for the
service and pick the readings.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Reserve a space with enough
room for the expected attendants</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Order the food for the
reception</span></li>
</ul>
</span>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Above all, remember
this event is about recognizing the <span style="font-weight: bold;">value</span>
in each person, honoring each of our strengths, and banding together to pray
for <span style="font-weight: bold;">change</span> in our world. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
-<i>written by Erin Stoyell-Mulholland</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14557096398972568880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-70175406467043995742013-01-20T01:46:00.001-05:002013-01-20T02:10:05.120-05:00The Gift of Eliot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkK7xdX2i5UJmFZAX8sHRgfRxUNj6DHGqdNbXz7Ha7rouIRofMglD45z7hYYht2SJmXxpw1JE__YaOPFVZczIVCdRzvUCtlEY1zZtpCSHyPI6ftLtf6t_-GTBgVyvYtN8FpZZfzVDGI80/s200/balloons.jpg" width="200" /></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
We hear "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Life is a gift</span>," "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Life is precious</span>," "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Cherish each day</span>," and think awww, ya
that's nice. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
But what does that <span style="font-style: italic;">MEAN</span>??</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
I don't know. But
Eliot and his parents are showing the world. <u>Watch. Be Inspired.</u></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/th6Njr-qkq0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div align="center" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<em>"An
underdeveloped lung,</em></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a heart with a hole in it, </em></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<em>and DNA that placed
faulty information into each and every cell of your body,</em></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>could not stop God </em></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<em>from revealing
Himself <strong>through a child, </strong></em></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<strong><em>who never uttered a
word.</em></strong></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a pulpit, not a slick presentation, not a
bestselling book - but a six pound boy with Trisomy 18. God found great
pleasure to take <strong>a lowly thing in the eyes of the world</strong> and show <u>truth</u>."</em></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14557096398972568880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-73529100598624644522013-01-19T17:51:00.000-05:002014-07-24T14:00:51.575-04:00Love Speaks Louder<div style="text-align: center;">
Consider the difference:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iPnarCa8ID0/UPsQVXdiPlI/AAAAAAAAACs/xfcmM2w4CrE/s1600/178595941444744836_JVDPgra3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iPnarCa8ID0/UPsQVXdiPlI/AAAAAAAAACs/xfcmM2w4CrE/s1600/178595941444744836_JVDPgra3_b.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vGEDszxzZ1c/UPsQYMpfh_I/AAAAAAAAAD8/pXReot-zbDg/s1600/life+balloons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vGEDszxzZ1c/UPsQYMpfh_I/AAAAAAAAAD8/pXReot-zbDg/s1600/life+balloons.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPaB3ucIcdg/UPsQXofOpDI/AAAAAAAAADw/tjkbhge1CY4/s1600/fatherhood+begins+in+the+womb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPaB3ucIcdg/UPsQXofOpDI/AAAAAAAAADw/tjkbhge1CY4/s1600/fatherhood+begins+in+the+womb.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhS1cQ1MCOg/UPsQWhTHS0I/AAAAAAAAADQ/Rxuj6iLcR0Q/s1600/66709638201901441_OCdv5Y0j_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhS1cQ1MCOg/UPsQWhTHS0I/AAAAAAAAADQ/Rxuj6iLcR0Q/s1600/66709638201901441_OCdv5Y0j_b.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kKeXFj6Xxs4/UPsQXTgpzYI/AAAAAAAAADo/qYQpxcYV72Q/s1600/every+life+has+value.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kKeXFj6Xxs4/UPsQXTgpzYI/AAAAAAAAADo/qYQpxcYV72Q/s1600/every+life+has+value.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMoZl2EsVCI/UPsQVk6WgPI/AAAAAAAAAC8/dSzGDlt7fa4/s1600/178595941444847208_kGsJyxZW_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMoZl2EsVCI/UPsQVk6WgPI/AAAAAAAAAC8/dSzGDlt7fa4/s1600/178595941444847208_kGsJyxZW_b.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fdEryfRCkQA/UPsQY3bjaeI/AAAAAAAAAEU/BOWXGT4Vumc/s1600/pray+to+end+abortion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fdEryfRCkQA/UPsQY3bjaeI/AAAAAAAAAEU/BOWXGT4Vumc/s1600/pray+to+end+abortion.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bIISy1qUoGc/UPsQVaqx24I/AAAAAAAAACw/LFD_SWt80kg/s1600/103090278941505698_iherfFF9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bIISy1qUoGc/UPsQVaqx24I/AAAAAAAAACw/LFD_SWt80kg/s1600/103090278941505698_iherfFF9_b.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gHGxd_jA0Hw/UPsQYk08IdI/AAAAAAAAAEM/x0JpYY-e3N4/s1600/love+them+both.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gHGxd_jA0Hw/UPsQYk08IdI/AAAAAAAAAEM/x0JpYY-e3N4/s1600/love+them+both.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mu4HSvJIlHg/UPsQVb_P5CI/AAAAAAAAAC0/wI9JIAo42_g/s1600/141581982006306732_uFnFz3Zr_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mu4HSvJIlHg/UPsQVb_P5CI/AAAAAAAAAC0/wI9JIAo42_g/s1600/141581982006306732_uFnFz3Zr_b.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TVwTGnefJZM/UPsQYcoV5SI/AAAAAAAAAEE/lcnOBH8Zsdo/s1600/love+someone+with+down+syndrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TVwTGnefJZM/UPsQYcoV5SI/AAAAAAAAAEE/lcnOBH8Zsdo/s1600/love+someone+with+down+syndrome.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Xw8n3qEut8/UPsQXGWKWqI/AAAAAAAAADc/SWknYJ7br_U/s1600/all+life+is+precious.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Xw8n3qEut8/UPsQXGWKWqI/AAAAAAAAADc/SWknYJ7br_U/s1600/all+life+is+precious.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T165uLU44q0/UPsQV3wC4aI/AAAAAAAAADE/0IgIfCx5Qvc/s1600/201606520788519039_vxaYIA7R_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T165uLU44q0/UPsQV3wC4aI/AAAAAAAAADE/0IgIfCx5Qvc/s1600/201606520788519039_vxaYIA7R_b.jpg" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XAf1GM7ml8I/UPsQZL77EGI/AAAAAAAAAEc/GDNvurlN3mI/s1600/women+deserve+better.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XAf1GM7ml8I/UPsQZL77EGI/AAAAAAAAAEc/GDNvurlN3mI/s1600/women+deserve+better.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4DUJs0TKI8Y/UPsQYVq-SLI/AAAAAAAAAEA/M36F6BAPDYU/s1600/love+compassion+action.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4DUJs0TKI8Y/UPsQYVq-SLI/AAAAAAAAAEA/M36F6BAPDYU/s1600/love+compassion+action.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JP5jdtbMRnA/UPsQWV3d4yI/AAAAAAAAADM/sVGZifuLaYQ/s1600/301670875009497913_dCx4Y2w0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JP5jdtbMRnA/UPsQWV3d4yI/AAAAAAAAADM/sVGZifuLaYQ/s1600/301670875009497913_dCx4Y2w0_b.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bbqx0B5J5Co/UPsQZqlu_MI/AAAAAAAAAEk/xEjFG2ERlM4/s1600/you%2527re+not+alone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bbqx0B5J5Co/UPsQZqlu_MI/AAAAAAAAAEk/xEjFG2ERlM4/s1600/you%2527re+not+alone.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mi_AbE6QyR0/UPsQXGmWHaI/AAAAAAAAADg/mhdMAExcVyg/s1600/81698180710124631_VlNHyCUf_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mi_AbE6QyR0/UPsQXGmWHaI/AAAAAAAAADg/mhdMAExcVyg/s1600/81698180710124631_VlNHyCUf_b.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzZXa-2i08I/UPsb6VgQOZI/AAAAAAAAAF0/H6RGHjelf_k/s1600/17944098486326462_dbG3giZn_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzZXa-2i08I/UPsb6VgQOZI/AAAAAAAAAF0/H6RGHjelf_k/s1600/17944098486326462_dbG3giZn_b.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzZXa-2i08I/UPsb6VgQOZI/AAAAAAAAAF0/H6RGHjelf_k/s1600/17944098486326462_dbG3giZn_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzZXa-2i08I/UPsb6VgQOZI/AAAAAAAAAF0/H6RGHjelf_k/s1600/17944098486326462_dbG3giZn_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzZXa-2i08I/UPsb6VgQOZI/AAAAAAAAAF0/H6RGHjelf_k/s1600/17944098486326462_dbG3giZn_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzZXa-2i08I/UPsb6VgQOZI/AAAAAAAAAF0/H6RGHjelf_k/s1600/17944098486326462_dbG3giZn_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzZXa-2i08I/UPsb6VgQOZI/AAAAAAAAAF0/H6RGHjelf_k/s1600/17944098486326462_dbG3giZn_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;" unselectable="on">
</div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzZXa-2i08I/UPsb6VgQOZI/AAAAAAAAAF0/H6RGHjelf_k/s1600/17944098486326462_dbG3giZn_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
</a><em>
</em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7cIbVP98jpU/UPtYTF7ZxDI/AAAAAAAAAGo/ftmZiYszVYI/s1600/BIG+pro-life-cartoon.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7cIbVP98jpU/UPtYTF7ZxDI/AAAAAAAAAGo/ftmZiYszVYI/s320/BIG+pro-life-cartoon.gif" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<em>“Whom you would
change, you must first <strong>love</strong>. And they must <u>know</u> that you love them.” </em></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<em>- Martin Luther King Jr.</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14557096398972568880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185506406155786544.post-24949275902409550752013-01-13T14:38:00.001-05:002013-01-13T14:44:50.967-05:00Event Idea: Write from the Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eQhOkVad2eo1qzYbxkAlLbhnXzdwrOcBI_jVUVUqw6mp5kwiJ9qOEsnv2VXTNS17_m93Ub8M5jA3IKXj3j6mIH9OiZ_mrgvcjRF9v0oGZkU2QR_q_PB7nGqd_lF5ItL02j8WKQWx0G8/s1600/182578_10151182288503150_107091645_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eQhOkVad2eo1qzYbxkAlLbhnXzdwrOcBI_jVUVUqw6mp5kwiJ9qOEsnv2VXTNS17_m93Ub8M5jA3IKXj3j6mIH9OiZ_mrgvcjRF9v0oGZkU2QR_q_PB7nGqd_lF5ItL02j8WKQWx0G8/s320/182578_10151182288503150_107091645_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My
cousin recently became pregnant, and our family showered her and her husband
with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>excitement and the usual "<span style="font-style: italic;">Congratulations!</span>" We all shared in their
joy in creating new life, a life full of possibilities, growth,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and love.</div>
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Women
in crisis pregnancies deserve the same joy, the same "<span style="font-style: italic;">Congratulations!</span>"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pro-choice arguments have promoted the idea
that certain lives, especially those conceived in crisis situations, are
somehow less-than-valuable, less than wanted, less than worthy of celebration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the pro-life stance recognizes the
indescribable value of each and every life, regardless of the situation into
which they are born. This does not mean we don't recognize the hardship and
sacrifice many face in becoming pregnant, and it is crucial not to neglect
those realities. But it is also crucial not to neglect the reality of joyful
celebration - celebration of new life! An entirely new, unique, human being has
been created for love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The Event</div>
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The
pro-life movement has a responsibility to remind people that new life is worth
celebrating. And what better way than with cards of congratulations?? This
event is cheap, easy to organize and set up, and can have a lasting impression
on the community. </div>
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Pre-Planning </div>
<ul style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.375in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;" type="disc">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Contact your local care
center for women in crisis pregnancies and tell them about your event. Ask
if they would be interested in having these cards made for their women</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Ask if they have any special
requests or recommendations for the cards (like what to say, what not to
say, etc)</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Confirm when you will drop
off the cards at the care center after the event</span></li>
</ul>
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The Event</div>
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<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Set up tables for a few hours
in a location where people can stop by and make a card easily</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Consider having a poster
board or pamphlets about the care center at your table or off to the side</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Lay out markers, colored
paper, etc</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Make a few example cards to
give people ideas</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Put " To Write" and
"Do Not Write" instructions out on the tables, using the
suggestions from the care center if possible</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tHn7XK9eoFA/UPMMGhexUdI/AAAAAAAAABg/rdpkaLFH4d0/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tHn7XK9eoFA/UPMMGhexUdI/AAAAAAAAABg/rdpkaLFH4d0/s320/IMG_0141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c4IG8wxy0ug/UPMMG-2ZTAI/AAAAAAAAABk/WjYAxB9BXsc/s1600/IMG_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c4IG8wxy0ug/UPMMG-2ZTAI/AAAAAAAAABk/WjYAxB9BXsc/s320/IMG_0142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Other Suggestions </div>
<ul style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.375in; margin-top: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed;" type="disc">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Make posters with encouraging
messages like "Support Women," "Cards for Baby
Boys/Girls," "Card Writing for Pregnant Women"</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">If in a room, prop the door
open and be inviting!</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Consider having music, candy,
etc - anything to draw people in</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Hand out freebies from your
own organization</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Consider having the pamphlets
or other information off to the side so people may be more likely to look
at or take them</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Collect donations for the
care center you are supporting </span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Hold this event during a week
of Respect Life Week events, and hand out your schedule of other events
going on that week</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Have sign-ups available for
people who would like to join your group</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">The week before, write a
letter for your parish bulletin or school paper explaining the event and
encouraging people to join you </span></li>
</ul>
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Happy
Card-Writing!</div>
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:)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14557096398972568880noreply@blogger.com0