My promise...

Today I had a doctor's appointment and was reminded of how blessed I am to have a doctor with similar values. He said something in passing that is still ringing in my head right now. When discussing some treatment options, he talked about how "NFP-ing" while on the pill (for medical reasons) was keeping the promise to God about keeping Him in the marriage. While he created a verb to make his point - it was one that I have failed to mention. One of the great benefits of Natural Family Planning is keeping God first and agreeing with him when he states that man is "very good." Fertility is included in that statement and I love that Will and I use NFP to respect that part of God's plan for our life. It has helped us grow to be more self-giving (like when my husband cleans the kitchen for me) and for that I am thankful. Above all, I know that my husband honors me - all of me. Even without the religious aspect - I think this practice has helped us and will help anyone who is willing. It is liberating to know that what we are doing is natural and has many blessings I have already benefited from in less than a year of marriage.

Celebrate!

Celebration is a great thing - birthdays, weddings, holidays, and life. I am reading a book right now called Home Tonight by Henri Nouwen. He is a great Catholic author who wrote all about the parable of the prodigal son. Yesterday, I read about how the father stated to celebrate when his son return and didn't ask if that was what his son wanted. Something that is completely true but that I haven't really thought about in depth. Maybe the son didn't feel worthy of a celebration and his father was trying to make a point.

Life is enough cause to celebrate. Lately, I have been celebrating a lot more of the little things even getting a bit teased for it. My birthday got stretched to a week, then a month, and now it is my husband's time to be spoiled. When getting through school, many times, it was the opposite. All I could think about was the next test, the next project. It is liberating to think in the opposite way - the next birthday, the next anniversary. I have found more time to celebrate and gather with friends and even planned a weekend getaway for my one year anniversary. I want to enjoy each day and the life that comes with it.

As I have considered and prayed about starting up my different volunteer opportunities I have felt convicted to contemplate all that they mean. Natural Family Planning is not just about making sure I fill in a chart at the end of the day - it is a lifestyle. A lifestyle that has opened me to all the possibilities life holds. If I put everything in God's hands, He will provide for me and my family. There are so many things I have asked for and received this year - a car, 5 day a week job, and a purpose (NFP and pro-life activities). All of this has helped me find the motivation and energy to start planning for my future family. I have grown and feel so blessed. I'm excited to be celebrating life in all its forms and look forward to the day when that turns into celebrating a new life.

Family and Economy

Everyone is aware and weary about a struggling economy right now. It is affecting everyone's lives and influencing major decisions in a whole new way. Stores are going out of business, car factories are shutting down, and a lot of people that were once living a very comfortable life and now searching for ways to stay in their house.

Oprah is hosting shows that are all about how to save money - from clipping coupons to unplugging everything in the house to lower the electric bill a few cents a day people around the country are trying to find ways to cut costs. On the surface, this seems like a brilliant idea and great new way of life. We are wasting less and reusing more. We are being kind to the earth. Unfortunately, not all ways people are trying to cut costs are without their ethical issues.

There are so many things I could mention, but I guess I should get to my point. Recession is causing some to turn to abortion. I don't know the exact numbers, and some reports show a number of abortion clinics doing worse - but I have read articles about specific stories. One story was about someone who tried to get pregnant and then lost a job and decided it required a loss of life. That is an awful situation to be in and I'm glad I have not had to make a tough decision like that. I also know a lot of stories about couples that can afford a child and want to welcome one but are unable to get pregnant. There are tons of waiting families, many that would help cover the costs of medical care. I just hope that everyone facing the difficulties of a planned or unplanned pregnancy in a different economic situation than they were expecting are aware of the option of adoption. One great website to look at is www.americanadoptions.com

Global Organizations

I am not what you would call a political expert. I also have no intention of spending all my time trying to figure out all the little details that go into politics - especially on the nation and international level. Organizations are so big it is nearly impossible to know all the causes they do and do not support. I wish things were simple and you could just go to a store and buy something. However, stores support different causes and a lot of companies and organizations support planned parenthood and the pro-choice movement.

Some organizations surprise me. Amnesty International is a group that saw a lot of action on my college campus. When told the short story, it always seemed like a good thing to me though I never did join. This week, I was shown a news article on how Amnesty International has recently taken up a pro-choice position as part of their understanding of international human rights laws. I find it disheartening that so many large human rights groups forget about some of the most vulnerable they could be protecting. On the other hand, it gives me some confirmation that I am in the group that I can help and support the most.

Embryonic Stem Cell Research

This site is obviously about all things pro-life; however, until now it has been missing something that is a huge part of the debate lately. I have failed to mention anything about embryonic stem cell research until now for two reasons:

1. It is one of the most misunderstood areas of the pro-life movement
2. I have the least amount of knowledge and experience in this area

To have it simply put (which is really the best I can do) using embryonic stem cells kills the embryo. An embryo is fully a human being with all the DNA necessary to develop a unique person. To say something more positive - there are live-saving and cure giving alternatives. These alternatives include adult stem cells and cord blood. Both options are just as medically valuable in my understanding, if not more. I have found a great resource that provides an informed and scientific argument for funding adult stem-cell research and not embryonic cell research

Adult Stem Cells 'are currently the only type of stem cell commonly used to treat human diseases...The clinical potential of adult stem cells has also been demonstrated in the treatment of other human diseases that include diabetes and advanced kidney cancer.'
- National Institute of Health http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/faqs.asp#success

I actually found this quote on a different website that has more information on this topic than I could possibly hope to process. Feel free to browse here for more information.

Some thoughts from Lansing

During my time in Lansing I got to see a number of women that are fighting the same fight as me. There was a moving story given by one mother who had faced an unplanned pregnancy and is blessed now with her one year old daughter. I also sat with two teachers who are involved in some different pro-life groups and wanted to take the time to see what the day would be like - it was our first time there for all 3 of us.

Surprisingly enough though, I was surrounded by guys most of the day. I carpooled with 5 gentlemen and sat with a couple at lunch. The Keynote speaker was Luther Ellis (a former pro football player). His wife could not make it, so he gave the whole address. I believe there were two or three other male speakers I got to listen to as well.

What I am trying to lead into is the one thing that struck me most about the day. I was surrounded by a large group of gentlemen that are excited about life and willing to speak out to protect it. However, at no time in the day did it sound like they were trying to just tell women what to do. It was refreshing to be treated like a lady while still being valued for my input. I felt like I was getting the best of both worlds - old-fashioned gentlemen qualities with a more modern quality of having my opinion be of value. All in all, it was my interaction with some of these gentlemen that made the most impact on me Wednesday. I want to thank them for taking the time to notice the little things and helping me find a little more faith in humanity and our ability to support and help each other.