Friday Reflection v. 1 n. 2

I will be arriving in D.C. at 6am Friday morning for the anniversary of Roe v. Wade (so I wrote this a bit early). I will get to go to Mass at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. I have been to that church before and it is gorgeous. I will then take place in my first march - never done something so political in my life! With all that going on, this week I haven't even reflected much on the political side of this debate. I have been drawn to the personal side once again.

I am thankful for my family. My mother and father were happy to accept twins and a baby brother 5 years later. My father always celebrates life and told me as a child if I didn't want to do something - I didn't have to. This was in reference to fun activities - I wasn't forced to try or play every sport and activity. My parents made sure my life was relatively balanced and full of joy. I was born much later than 1973 so abortion would have been an easy option had my parents been in a different situation with different morals. My dad always took time to remind me that he would rather have his happy family than be able to afford a fancy car like some of his co-workers. I am truly blessed to know my family as well as the family I married into are family-focused and full of pro-life support. So, for my reflection today, while I am in the midst of a huge political march, I realize that all the politics would mean nothing if we did not have the example of loving families and caring pregnancy center workers. Thank you to everyone who works to promote a culture of life.

Choose Life

In honor of my upcoming trip to D.C. for the March for Life, here is a great cartoon on the topic and another post from April of last year.


This is a life-affirming, positive statement that some would want to distort (cartoon). I was recently sent an email from one of my legislators that said even though she wants to promote life and limit abortions, there are just not enough adoption resources to do that at this time. Instead she signs legislation that promotes abortion since it is "the only option" in many cases.

I find that interesting because there are a lot of resources and many families wishing for a child. Even the 16 year old in Juno was able to figure it out pretty easy - granted that was just the movies. For anyone who might need a resource here are a few: www.adoptionnetwork.com OR www.americanadoptions.com or 1 800-ADOPTION

There are tons of websites if you search "adoption resources" and it would be more specific if you put in a general area. With library internet access how can we argue that these resources are not available? They are just not utilized as much as they could be.

Straightforward Talk....and facts

I originally wrote this in April 2009 and have been thinking along the same lines again - how can you advertise/get the word out about something that generates very little money?

I had dinner with a friend last night and this issue of pro-life and politics came up. She is so driven that she already has experience working in the White House. She knows a lot more about politics than me and I always welcome her input. My one thought last night and today is that I wish more people would be more straightforward and consistent with their beliefs and policies. We talked about how it is a lot easier to respect someone who has different beliefs as long as they mean what they say and are consistent.

A lot of times, people make statements that don't seem to match up with their actions. I try not to be one of those people. Some may say I have a strong personality or I speak my mind. They may even say something with a more negative connotation, but one thing is for sure, I tend to call it how I see it. Why shouldn't I? I may encourage the use of NFP to those who are willing to listen, but I don't talk in a way that argues that is the only choice (i.e. "You should use NFP). I just want to make sure everyone knows they have that option and that it is an effective one. I love that I found this book "Natural Family Planning Blessed our Marriage: 19 True Stories"
People need to know facts though, and that is what I try to do. The way I see it, if there were commercials saying "new method of birth control that is up to 99% effective and has no side effects, talk to your doctor" wouldn't you get a lot of women saying - "Yes! No side effects! sign me up for that. If the commercial went on to say it would increase communication with your partner and cost practically nothing would people listen? If the named changed to emphasize the natural part would more people in the green movement listen?

Unfortunately, since the method is cost-effective (just pay for a class to learn) there is no revenue for fancy commercials and catchy names. Doctors are not inclined to learn it and drug companies would have you disbelieve it. The facts are, from studies and my own life, the method works and it has benefits. And it is not just religious "whackos" that think so. The organic movement is catching on to the health benefits - maybe they'll think up a catchy name and slogan. Or maybe more people will start buying this shirt.

Manhattan Declaration

I'm not sure what took me so long to write about this document that came from an inter-denominational meeting. The declaration stands up for the sanctity of all human life, the sacredness of marriage between man and woman, and freedom of conscience and religion.

It is a great document that has over 300,000 signatures supporting it. If you would like to sign and haven't yet, click here. My favorite part from the defense for life is below

We will be united and untiring in our efforts to roll back the license to kill that began with the abandonment of the unborn to abortion. We will work, as we have always worked, to bring assistance, comfort, and care to pregnant women in need and to those who have been victimized by abortion, even as we stand resolutely against the corrupt and degrading notion that it can somehow be in the best interests of women to submit to the deliberate killing of their unborn children. Our message is, and ever shall be, that the just, humane, and truly Christian answer to problem pregnancies is for all of us to love and care for mother and child alike.

Whereas I don't shy away from confrontation, I do try to shy away from the blame game. This paragraph did better than the one above to site what we intend to do - giving mothers the choice of support, compassion and resources when dealing with a difficult and scary situation. While all the information is great and the stance the writers took is excellent, parts left me asking for more. Granted it is just a paper giving a position and not a social justice plan of action, but I would like something like that to follow. I think something like that should be paired with the Manhattan Declaration to make it even more powerful. Anyone know a good resource or document that shows ways/ideas of how to help instead of just listing the evils in society?

Friday Reflection v. 1 n. 2

I can't believe it is Friday - and the end of the workday already. There is a lot to be concerned about this week but I can't write that much in the 5 minutes I am giving myself to write this late reflection so I will concentrate on something I learned this week.

I have no right to complain - about anything. I live a blessed life and, even if some people are difficult to deal with, the common belief among pro-lifers is that all life is precious and worthy of protecting. If you believe that and do your best to show kindness and understanding you might just get a free and yummy cup of tea when you walk into work at the end of the week. Boy was I surprised when my least favorite co-worker of the week brought me a choice of teas to choose from yesterday morning. Another little reminder that pro-life means everyone.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

This post was originally written in April at the beginning of my training to become an NFP teacher. The loving and fact filled message has been on my mind as I have been challenged on the benefits and difference of NFP v. AC

I went to a NFP class this Saturday and that was the theme throughout the 2 hour lesson. The couple teaching was funny and had some great stories from 47 years of marriage. They had a very simple and straightforward way of explaining how they try to love and respect each other every day.

They talked about Bible references and theology but it all seemed to come down to one thing - respect each other and God's plan for our lives. We are wonderfully made, created in the image of God. Every NFP class has the same statement thrown in at some point: Fertility is normal - not a medical disorder. God gave us the gift of fertility and we need to respect that gift. Trying to artificially suppress that gift is the difference between Natural Family Planning and barrier methods. The Catholic Church's argument against birth control has more to do with changing our body's natural rhythm and possibly miscarrying than preventing conception and most people are not aware of that. Not every loving act is expected to yield a high chance of conception since the woman's body is not always fertile. Normal is a woman that is fertile 6-10 days a month. In relation to that, I learned that fertility treatments are supported by the Church as long as it is bringing the couple back to the normal range and not choosing from six embryos. To simply put the theology - God's plan is perfect so why try to change it?

Health Care Update

Christmas is officially over. Ornaments have been put away and trees are absent. I no longer see stockings hanging from my fireplace and Christmas carols are long forgotten. Students are back in school and soon all members of congress will be back at work in D.C.

Health Care has not passed yet. Some people say that since both house and senate have passed their version, health care is as good as completed and implemented. I beg to disagree with my husband's doctor who made the statement and many other who I'm sure have been led to believe it. The house version included the Stupak-Pitts amendment that puts limits on abortion coverage and basically makes sure we don't go further than the status-quo. The Senate version is drastically different. Consider contacting your representatives as they return to D.C.

* Representatives return to D.C. January 12th
** Senators return January 20th