Life
The Tide is Turning
Legalized abortion is an out-dated, archaic and barbaric practice that has claimed the lives of over 50 million unborn Americans since 1973. It has out lived it's so called usefulness. With modern technology, women can no longer be lulled into believing that their baby is just a clump of cells. We have science on our side. We have resources and acceptance on our side. No longer is it shameful for someone to be pregnant out of wedlock. Women of all ages are lifted up and are provided with the resources, love and support that they need through pregnancy resource organizations. We have laws on our side, men are no longer able to escape the responsibility of taking care of their children. Open adoption has been a wonderful healing avenue for many young girls who want to keep the option of a college education available, and still watch their child grow. Inconvenience on the mother's life can be worked around. Of course it is hard. But life - all life - is worth it!
Life Essay
by Rachel Ganson
“The greatest destroyer of peace is abortion because if a mother can kill her own child, what is left [but] for me to kill you and you to kill me? There is nothing between.”
~ Blessed Mother Teresa
In twenty-first century America, the desire for convenience is overwhelmingly obvious. While technological advances have certainly made our lives easier, they have not necessarily made things better. The obsession with convenience has caused a “me-first” mentality to become prominent in our society; we have become more reluctant to act in situations if there is a potential for personal inconvenience. This rather selfish mindset is most apparent in the increasingly favorable view on abortion in the United States. I am Pro-Life because I feel that society cannot disregard the value of a human life simply because it poses an inconvenience.
At a young age, my parents instilled in me an understanding of the sanctity of each person’s life. Still today, I often think of Jeremiah 1:5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations” (New Living Translation). First, this establishes very clearly the value each individual has even before conception. Not only does this prove even the unborn have been marked with God’s love and grace, but it further serves to show how precious each life is. God has a plan for all of His children, and who are we to fight the One who created us with love, grace, mercy and purpose?
This ideology was solidified when I travelled to Hyderabad, India for eight weeks this summer as an International Intern through the World Food Prize Foundation. During my time there, I did an extensive research study on household nutrition in rural farming villages, especially focusing on child nutrition. There, I witnessed women working tirelessly in the field just to provide food for their children. One day I was interviewing a woman when she abruptly stood and crossed the cotton field we were standing in. She proceeded to pull her 10-month-old daughter out of the brush, walked back over to me, and with a sad, work-weary smile on her face said, “Will you take her? Take her away with you?” I couldn’t reply because the idea of a woman offering me, a stranger just shy of 18, her daughter was overwhelming. Written plainly on her face, I could see her only desire was to provide her baby a life without the hardships and oppression facing Indian women during this time. This, I thought, is love; placing someone else’s success and happiness above one’s own personal desires. In America, I believe by ensuring each person’s life we can begin to rediscover such love.
“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.”
~ Blessed Mother Teresa
Selflessness is not an easy path, but it is undoubtedly the right one. If we do not stand up for those who cannot speak now, then we are only enabling others to silence their voices forever. Ultimately, I choose to fight against selfishness because, above all else, I believe God has granted us each in His mercy a right to life. I choose to fight for peace. I choose to fight for healing. I choose to fight for love.
~ Blessed Mother Teresa
In twenty-first century America, the desire for convenience is overwhelmingly obvious. While technological advances have certainly made our lives easier, they have not necessarily made things better. The obsession with convenience has caused a “me-first” mentality to become prominent in our society; we have become more reluctant to act in situations if there is a potential for personal inconvenience. This rather selfish mindset is most apparent in the increasingly favorable view on abortion in the United States. I am Pro-Life because I feel that society cannot disregard the value of a human life simply because it poses an inconvenience.
At a young age, my parents instilled in me an understanding of the sanctity of each person’s life. Still today, I often think of Jeremiah 1:5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations” (New Living Translation). First, this establishes very clearly the value each individual has even before conception. Not only does this prove even the unborn have been marked with God’s love and grace, but it further serves to show how precious each life is. God has a plan for all of His children, and who are we to fight the One who created us with love, grace, mercy and purpose?
This ideology was solidified when I travelled to Hyderabad, India for eight weeks this summer as an International Intern through the World Food Prize Foundation. During my time there, I did an extensive research study on household nutrition in rural farming villages, especially focusing on child nutrition. There, I witnessed women working tirelessly in the field just to provide food for their children. One day I was interviewing a woman when she abruptly stood and crossed the cotton field we were standing in. She proceeded to pull her 10-month-old daughter out of the brush, walked back over to me, and with a sad, work-weary smile on her face said, “Will you take her? Take her away with you?” I couldn’t reply because the idea of a woman offering me, a stranger just shy of 18, her daughter was overwhelming. Written plainly on her face, I could see her only desire was to provide her baby a life without the hardships and oppression facing Indian women during this time. This, I thought, is love; placing someone else’s success and happiness above one’s own personal desires. In America, I believe by ensuring each person’s life we can begin to rediscover such love.
“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.”
~ Blessed Mother Teresa
Selflessness is not an easy path, but it is undoubtedly the right one. If we do not stand up for those who cannot speak now, then we are only enabling others to silence their voices forever. Ultimately, I choose to fight against selfishness because, above all else, I believe God has granted us each in His mercy a right to life. I choose to fight for peace. I choose to fight for healing. I choose to fight for love.
Life Stories
These are life stories. They are written by those who have endured trials, tribulations and triumphs of unplanned pregnancy. These heroines have embraced the fullness of life to the gratefulness of their posterity. Their children's children have much to thank God for. pos·ter·i·ty [po-ster-i-tee] 1. succeeding or future generations collectively 2. all descendants of one person
Teresa's life story
I'd like to take a moment to share with you part of my "Life" story. The fact that I am now very pro life may be very obvious to you all, however, at age 16, I had no idea of the significance and the very importance of this issue and how much the odds were against me (more importantly against the life of my child.) The fact that I was 16 and pregnant not only meant that I was one of the most likely candidates to abort, but I had the world telling me how my life would certainly be brought down by the inconvenience of my child.
I was an honor role student for the first two years of high school. In my junior year, I became involved in my first "relationship." I was young and did not yet understand the difference between love and obsession/control. I was going with the tide that everyone else was riding. I was told by nurses and friends that birth control would be the way to go "to be safe" and "to protect me from pregnancy." Let me tell you that pregnancy was the LEAST of what I needed to be protected from. Birth control is not safe and it does NOT protect you from mental or physical abuse, NOR does it protect against a broken heart - let alone STD's. I believed this dangerous lie. In the spring of 1999 and a few hormone altering pills later, I became pregnant (the worst of all fears for a hopeful 16 year old.) I hid the news until in the heat of an argument with my mother, told her of my pregnancy by saying that I was having an abortion. I went as far as calling Planned Parenthood, driving to the clinic and sitting in my car contemplating the obvious "solution." Nothing, not my words, actions or lifestyle could hurt my mother more than the thought of me aborting my child, her grandchild. I understand now the blessing I have in my mother. Things were difficult. Because the baby would be due in February of my senior year, I had to take summer school and graduate early. I worked part time as a receptionist at a hair/tanning salon. Upon realizing my pregnancy situation, I was pulled into the owner's office and was told that they did not approve of my image at their salon and let me go. I endured the stares, whispers and rumors in the hall ways. I grew rapidly with this pregnancy, with nearly a 30 pound belly and a 30 pound backpack to even out my balance. My baby was in a breech position and was too big to have a natural delivery, so I went to the hospital to have them try and move him externally. He wasn't going to budge, so at 8 lbs. 2 oz. I gave birth to my oldest son, the day after St. Valentine's Day 2000, via c-section. With a new baby, I faced the reality that I would not be joining any of my friends who were going away for college. Things got worse with the baby's father and for our safety, I had to get out. A 'few' learning experiences later, I came to know the man who is now my husband and father of our three other children during winter/spring of 2001.  Do you have a "Life Story"?If you have a "Life Story" you would like to share, use the form to the right to contact me and we will work together to get your story submitted and witnessing to others who may need to hear your words of encouragement and strength. Your story is part of God's plan for the world. Proclaim it every way you can.
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 Joel and I both worked at JC Penney, and happened to come together by 'fate' (someone's prayers). We began dating in the summer of 2001, he was a 19 year old going to Blackhawk College on a golf scholarship (captain of his team), I'm sure with no notion of what was about to hit him! A single mother means 'commitment' ... thought to be the most horrifying words in today's society. Right off the bat, I told him how much I cared for him, but that this has got to be a real thing, a relationship with a purpose (gasp!) To my surprise, he didn't run away screaming ;) Was my husband extraordinary for stepping up and accepting these terms? I like to think so, but much of this credit goes to his family and how he was raised. He's a man of integrity and I am so blessed.
It was during this same time I decided to go to beauty school. I always did my friends' and familys' hair anyway, so why not be licensed for it? I went to school 9-5 and worked nights from 5:30-9. I depended a lot on my mother with raising my son. I made many friends while working as a stylist. The friendships that I made with clients and co-workers will last forever, I can honestly say that I love them all. For almost 8 years I worked in the salon helping people look their best. For an hour or so, while clients sat in my chair, I got to hear the most intimate details of their lives. What was particularly hard for me to deal with were the occasional debates on abortion. Rarely would I hear someone defend the unborn. There is too much fear of being labeled judgemental, intolerant or just not being accepted if you even attempt to bring up this issue. I remember a time when one client said very boldly, when a discussion started shifting to pro-life, "After all, unless we know what it is like to be a teenager and pregnant, how can we judge that persons decisions?!" I held back, but wanted to scream at that moment, "I WAS A PREGNANT TEEN, AND I HAD MY CHILD! AND I CAN THINK OF NOTHING MORE HORRIFYING THAN IF I HAD ABORTED MY SON BECAUSE THE WORLD TOLD ME I WAS INCAPABLE AND NOT BEEN GIVEN THE GRACE OF SUPPORT THAT I HAD!" Too many of my beloved family and friends have been faced with an alternative ending to their stories. Does this mean I JUDGE them? No, but I have wept with them. I have hurt in the depths of my soul with them. I know that I could have easily shared the same fate of never knowing my child. This is a pain that the world has no pill to offer for a cure. AND it is a pain that exists because of cowards and the LIE that the world feeds and distributes to us while we remain - or refuse to be - unaware. Those of you who know me, know that things not only turned out alright but wonderful! God is so good! My husband officially adopted my oldest son in 2006, and my sweet mother (who instilled in me the wonderful deposit of faith) was called by Our Lord this summer at age 53, from an undetected brain aneurysm. Please remember to pray and know how important it is to be someone's support and encouragement. It can be the meaning of life and death. Make a commitment to be silent no more. These changes begin in the heart and are implemented in the home... If you made it this far, thank you and May the Peace of The Lord be with you always. God Bless! ~Teresa |
You are a Miracle!
Trusting and Embracing a Challenge
"180" Movie
This movie is a shocking, award winning documentary by a Jew named Ray Comforts. Tough comparisons and questions for everyone to answer. Compelling and convincing, shedding the light of truth on the argument of legalized abortion. Compelling and convincing, shedding the light of truth on our redemption through the love and blood of Jesus. It is a short 33 minutes long, you will be affected.
