Day Forty-One

This blog is now on hiatus until next Lent. If you wish to reach the blog admin please email me at terrace40daysforlife at gmail dot com.

Day Forty!

YOU DID IT!

Thank you Lord for giving all the participants in 40 Days For Life the strength, the courage, the boldness and most of all the faith to give of themselves so unselfishly for the lives of others. Thank you Lord for lives saved – the babies, the mothers, the fathers, and the grandparents. For all are partakers of the blessing when the decision for life is made. We pray and look forward to the day when  abortion is no longer the mindset of our nation.

Next years 40 DFL Campaign will commence March 5, 2014 unless Dr. Lani Almas has a change of heart and stops committing abortions at Mills Memorial Hospital. Keep fasting and praying for her conversion!

Wishing you all a spiritually profitable Holy Week and a joyous Easter!
Your blog admin/vigil coordinator.

Day Thirty-Nine

Day Thirty-Eight

I woke up with a terrible headache this morning. I did not feel well enough to go to work so I called in sick. I was very sad because this meant I was also going to miss what would likely have been my final shift at 40 DFL for this year. I took a Tylenol and rested and in about 2 hours was feeling much better. I headed off to work and went to the hospital at noon!

My prayer today was that people that needed to see 40 DFL would drive by or stop and talk. My prayers were answered.

There are some ladies that drive by every day at noon and wave but today they stopped. They are Pro-Life and it was a pleasure to speak with them. One of them gave me a 'diary of a preborn' child which you can read if you click here.

About half way through my hour who should drive by but my old neighbour - the one I wrote about yesterday! She gave me a half smile.

Towards the end of my shift a woman I knew from a grief support group I attended years ago exited the hospital and got into her car. She drove by me and I waved at her but she only smirked at me. I wish that she had stopped to talk.

A man I am guessing to be in his mid-thirties walked by and yelled across the street, "What's this 40 Days for Life?" I yelled back, "I'm praying for an end to abortion!" He just said "oh" like I'd told him I was standing there advertising Tupperware.

Another lady sat in her car in the parking lot the whole time I was there. She kept looking at me but didn't come over or wave or give me a rude gesture. I wondered if she was waiting for someone who was having an abortion.

There are still two days left to pray at Mills Memorial - please join us.

Day Thirty-Seven

Quiet day at the hospital today. The lone protester didn't even make much fuss. She rolled down her window as she drove by and said in a low voice, "freedom of choice, freedom of choice."

You know what choice is? It's chocolate or vanilla, it's white bread or brown, it's roses or carnations.

And when people trot out that overused word - choice - we have to ask, "Freedom to choose what?" Randy Alcorn, in his book "Prolife Answers to Prochoice Arguments" says, "We are prochoice in matters of religion, politics and lifestyle, even when people choose beliefs and behaviours we don't agree with. But must of us are decidedly not prochoice when it comes to murder, rape, kidnapping, armed robbery, and child abuse. When we oppose the right to choose rape or child abuse, we aren't opposing a right; we're opposing a wrong."

***

I was away visiting family last week and had a chilling conversation with an old neighbour while we waited to board our flight out of Terrace. We were catching up on news about our children and I asked her how many children her eldest had. She said three and rolled her eyes and told me with a laugh "but I told her she didn't have to have the last one." I was shocked. Imagine talking that way about your own family member, your own grandchild! I know several couples that are childless due to infertility and this flippant remark made me think of them and their own unsuccessful quest to have a family. I'd always liked this neighbour but this cut me to the core. Pray for her.

Please come to Mills Memorial tomorrow - it's Abortion Day - and we need your prayers and your presence.

Day Thirty-Six

It was a beautiful day today - it's hardly been a sacrifice to stand at the hospital for an hour at a time. Nobody stopped to chat today but the bus driver was happy to see me in my usual spot (I was out of town for a few days) and gave me a big wave. One of his passengers made sure to catch my attention and gave me a thumbs up signal but his face was so fierce I wondered if he had been affected by abortion in some way.

I think the people that express the most emotion when they see any of us standing there with our blue and white signs - whether they are supportive or they think they hate us - are people who have been deeply affected by abortion.  Maybe they thought it was a good idea at first but came to realize it was not. Mabye the mother was injured. Maybe the abortion caused a breakdown in a close relationship. Maybe those involved realized too late that they were aborting a baby, not a clump of cells or tissue.

Even as 40 Days for Life Spring 2013 winds down let us continue to pray for anyone affected by abortion. Let us pray our society stops seeing certain segments of the population as 'disposable' or 'inconvenient'. Let us pray especially for a change of heart for abortionists such as Dr. Almas and her nurse Kathy Geurin.

 

Wash yourselves, make yourselves

clean; Put away the evil of your doings

from before My eyes. Cease to do evil,

Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke

the oppressor; Defend the fatherless,

Plead for the widow.

Isaiah 1:16-17

Day Twenty-Nine

 

New pope elected today and he's Pro-Life!

 

I'm away for a few days and not sure if I will have time to blog.

See you back here on Tuesday.

Day Twenty-Eight

Click to enlarge photo.

Last Sunday at Mills Memorial....thanks Youth Group for your faithful witness!

Day Twenty-Seven

Rebecca Kiessling's Story

 Short Form

 I was adopted nearly from birth. At 18, I learned that I was conceived out of a brutal rape at knife-point by a serial rapist. Like most people, I'd never considered that abortion applied to my life, but once I received this information, all of a sudden I realized that, not only does it apply to my life, but it has to do with my very existence. It was as if I could hear the echoes of all those people who, with the most sympathetic of tones, would say, “Well, except in cases of rape. . . ," or who would rather fervently exclaim in disgust: “Especially in cases of rape!!!” All these people are out there who don‘t even know me, but are standing in judgment of my life, so quick to dismiss it just because of how I was conceived. I felt like I was now going to have to justify my own existence, that I would have to prove myself to the world that I shouldn’t have been aborted and that I was worthy of living. I also remember feeling like garbage because of people who would say that my life was like garbage -- that I was disposable.

 Please understand that whenever you identify yourself as being “pro-choice,” or whenever you make that exception for rape, what that really translates into is you being able to stand before me, look me in the eye, and say to me, "I think your mother should have been able to abort you.” That’s a pretty powerful statement. I would never say anything like that to someone. I would say never to someone, “If I had my way, you’d be dead right now.” But that is the reality with which I live. I challenge anyone to describe for me how it’s not. It’s not like people say, “Oh well, I‘m pro-choice except for that little window of opportunity in 1968/69, so that you, Rebecca, could have been born.” No -- this is the ruthless reality of that position, and I can tell you that it hurts and it’s mean. But I know that most people don’t put a face to this issue. For them, it’s just a concept -- a quick cliche, and they sweep it under the rug and forget about it. I do hope that, as a child of rape, I can help to put a face, a voice, and a story to this issue.

 I've often experienced those who would confront me and try to dismiss me with quick quips like, “Oh well, you were lucky!” Be sure that my survival has nothing to do with luck. The fact that I’m alive today has to do with choices that were made by our society at large, people who fought to ensure abortion was illegal in Michigan at the time -- even in cases of rape, people who argued to protect my life, and people who voted pro-life. I wasn’t lucky. I was protected. And would you really rationalize that our brothers and sisters who are being aborted every day are just somehow "unlucky"?!!

 Although my birthmother was thrilled to meet me, she did tell me that she actually went to two back-alley abortionists and I was almost aborted. After the rape, the police referred her to a counselor who basically told her that abortion was the thing to do. She said there were no crisis pregnancy centers back then, but my birthmother assured me that if there had been, she would have gone if at least for a little more guidance. The rape counselor is the one who set her up with the back-alley abortionists. For the first, she said it was the typical back-alley conditions that you hear about as to why "she should have been able to safely and legally abort" me -- blood and dirt all over the table and floor. Those back-alley conditions and the fact that it was illegal caused her to back out, as with most women.

Then she got hooked up with a more expensive abortionist. This time she was to meet someone at night by the Detroit Institute of Arts. Someone would approach her, say her name, blindfold her, put her in the backseat of a car, take her and then abort me . . . , then blindfold her again and drop her back off. And do you know what I think is so pathetic? It’s that I know there are an awful lot of people out there who would hear me describe those conditions and their response would just be a pitiful shake of the head in disgust: “It’s just so awful that your birthmother should have had to have gone through that in order to have been able to abort you!” Like that’s compassionate?!! I fully realize that they think they are being compassionate, but that’s pretty cold-hearted from where I stand, don’t you think? That is my life that they are so callously talking about and there is nothing compassionate about that position. My birthmother is okay -- her life went on and in fact, she's doing great, but I would have been killed, my life would have been ended. I may not look the same as I did when I was four years old or four days old yet unborn in my mother’s womb, but that was still undeniably me and I would have been killed through a brutal abortion.

 According to the research of Dr. David Reardon, director of the Elliot Institute, co-editor of the book Victims and Victors: Speaking Out About Their Pregnancies, Abortions and Children Resulting From Sexual Assault, and author of the article "Rape, Incest and Abortion: Searching Beyond the Myths," most women who become pregnant out of sexual assault do not want an abortion and are in fact worse-off after an abortion. See http://www.afterabortion.org .

 So most people's position on abortion in cases of rape is based upon faulty premises: 1) the rape victim would want an abortion, 2) she'd be better off with an abortion, and 3) that child's life just isn't worth having to put her through the pregnancy. I hope that my story, and the other stories posted on this site, will be able to help dispel that last myth.

 I wish I could say that my birthmother was with the majority of victims and that she didn't want to abort me, but she had been convinced otherwise. However, the nasty disposition and foul mouth of this second back-alley abortionist, along with a fear for her own safety, caused her to back out. When she told him by phone that she wasn't interested in this risky arrangement, this abortion doctor insulted her and called her names. To her surprise, he called again the next day to try to talk her into aborting me once again, and again she declined and was hurled insults. So that was it -- after that she just couldn’t go through with it. My birthmother was then heading into her second trimester -- far more dangerous, far more expensive to have me aborted.

 I’m so thankful my life was spared, but a lot of well-meaning Christians would say things to me like, ”Well you see, God really meant for you to be here!” Or others may say, "You were meant to be here." But I know that God intends for every unborn child to be given the same opportunity to be born, and I can’t sit contentedly saying, “Well, at least my life was spared.” Or, “I deserved it. Look what I’ve done with my life.” And millions of others didn’t? I can’t do that. Can you? Can you just sit there and say, “At least I was wanted . . . at least I’m alive” or just, “Whatever!”? Is that really the kind of person who you want to be? Cold-hearted? A facade of compassion on the exterior, but stone-cold and vacated from within? Do you claim to care about women but couldn't care less about me because I stand as a reminder of something you'd rather not face and that you'd hate for others to consider either? Do I not fit your agenda?

 In law school, I’d also have classmates say things to me like, “Oh well! If you’d been aborted, you wouldn’t be here today, and you wouldn’t know the difference anyway, so what does it matter?” Believe it or not, some of the top pro-abortion philosophers use that same kind of argument: “The fetus never knows what hits him, so there’s no such fetus to miss his life.” So I guess as long as you stab someone in the back while he’s sleeping, then it’s okay, because he doesn’t know what hits him?! I’d explain to my classmates how their same logic would justify me killing you today, because you wouldn’t be here tomorrow, and you wouldn’t know the difference anyway, so what does it matter?" And they’d just stand there with their jaws dropped. It’s amazing what a little logic can do, when you really think this thing through -- like we were supposed to be doing in law school -- and consider what we’re really talking about: there are lives who are not here today because they were aborted. It’s like the old saying: “If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a noise?” Well, yeah! And if a baby is aborted, and no one else is around to know about it, does it matter? The answer is, YES! Their lives matter. My life matters. Your life matters and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!

 The world is a different place because it was illegal for my birthmother to abort me back then. Your life is different because she could not legally abort me because you are sitting here reading my words today! But you don’t have to have an impact on audiences for your life to matter. There is something we are all missing here today because of the generations now who have been aborted and it matters.

 One of the greatest things I’ve learned is that the rapist is NOT my creator, as some people would have me believe. My value and identity are not established as a “product of rape,” but as a child of God. Psalm 68:5,6 declares: “A father to the fatherless . . . is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families.” And Psalm 27:10 tells us “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” I know that there is no stigma in being adopted. We are told in the New Testament that it is in the spirit of adoption that we are called to be God’s children through Christ our Lord. So He must have thought pretty highly of adoption to use that as a picture of His love for us!

Most importantly, I’ve learned, I’ll be able to teach my children, and I teach others that your value is not based on the circumstances of your conception, your parents, your siblings, your mate, your house, your clothes, your looks, your IQ, your grades, your scores, your money, your occupation, your successes or failures, or your abilities or disabilities -- these are the lies that are perpetuated in our society. In fact, most motivational speakers tell their audiences that if they could just make something of themselves and meet this certain societal standard, then they too could “be somebody.” But the fact is that no one could ever meet all of these ridiculous standards, and many people will fall incredibly short and so, does that mean that they ‘re not “somebody” or that they’re “nobody?” The truth is that you don't have to prove your worth to anyone, and if you really want to know what your value is, all you have to do is look to the Cross --because that’s the price that was paid for your life! That’s the infinite value that God placed on your life! He thinks you are pretty valuable, and so do I. Won't you join me in affirming others' value as well, in word and in action?

For those of you who would say, "Well, I don't believe in God and I don't believe in the Bible, so I'm pro-choice," please read my essay, "The Right of the Unborn Child Not to be Unjustly Killed -- a philosophy of rights approach" which is linked on the menu. I assure you, it will be worth your time.

For Life,

Rebecca

Day Twenty-Six

I wasn't always pro-life. I'm not sure you could say I was pro-choice either. To me, abortion was more about some abstract concept of autonomy than getting rid of a baby.

I never really gave much thought to the mechanics of abortion either. I'm not sure anyone in the pre-internet days did. If I thought about abortion techniques - which may have been once or twice when I was young - it never occurred to me that sharp steel instruments or a powerful vacuum that tore flesh from flesh was used. In fact my impression was that the girl (I never thought of her as the mother) would get a needle in her belly, but not necessarily in her uterus. The contents of the needle (never gave any thought to what that was either) would put the baby to 'sleep' and cause it to come out. I didn't really think of it as being dead. The girl would have some cramps, maybe a little stronger than her usual monthly ones but that was about it. Then the baby (in my mind it was always a  perfectly formed, smooth skinned, tiny baby) would slip out. There was no blood or gore. If the girl needed some help the doctor would use a soft instrument, something akin to a rubber spatula from your kitchen, to get the baby out. And that was it. In a day or two the girl could go back to school and she and the few people that knew (never her parents but only her best friend and maybe her boyfriend) would forget about it and carry on with life.  I couldn't seem to figure out which side of the fence I was on.  I knew it was a baby but didn't think of the woman as mother. I knew medical intervention was required to abort but it was all so serene and sanitized in my mind.  I was SO NAIVE!!!

The only defence I can give for this rose coloured view of death is that abortion techniques were not spoken about, not even in my "Woman's Studies" class. We were taught abortion = good and loss of control = bad. Post traumatic stress was NEVER brought up. We were just supposed to be glad the 'problem' had been solved quickly and neatly and we could go on with our careers and school. And we had to support any friends that did this or you would be letting the 'sisterhood' down.

My memories stem from my mid-teen years which took place approximately 1979 - 1981. Abortion had been legal in Canada for just over 10 years. At that time in my life I didn't know anyone that actually had an abortion. My teen friends were not really involved enough with boys to get pregnant and the only other adults I had contact with were my parents' age or older. That generation dealt with crisis pregnancies by getting married.

Towards the end of the 1980's and into the early 1990's friends began to come forward to tell me about their abortions. In two cases the grandmas-to-be took their daughters in for the abortion because they were afraid of what the neighbours might think about their a pregnant teen! I think society has changed a lot since then.

Teen pregnancy isn't considered quite as scandalous anymore but this has had the result of teens not fearing any consequences for their actions. Similarly, at one time a married woman had to quit her job the minute the boss got wind of her condition (even though she was married) but now I've worked with several colleagues who were pregnant outside of marriage and nobody seemed to bat an eye.

In the mid-90's one of my post-abortive friends found herself pregnant unexpectedly. She was considering abortion again. She had older children and was embarrassed to be pregnant. I reminded her that her eldest sibling was about 20 years older than she was and I was glad her mother had chosen life (never mind that abortion was illegal when this friend was born). She ended up keeping the baby but she felt a lot of bitterness towards me. She accused me of not supporting her. This is only half true. I would not have supported the abortion but I would certainly have been there to help her pick up the pieces afterwards. In any case the friendship ended and I am not sorry one bit that I stood up for her child. Of course there is much more to this story but it would not be appropriate to share it on a public blog.

Each time a friend confessed their abortion to me I was struck by their selfish motives - finishing a semester at school, caring what the neighbours thought, their personal inconvenience. I could not support the 'sisterhood'. At the same time I would sneer at people in Life Chain and say (not very clever or original) things like "all those pro lifers should adopt those babies they want to save" or "nobody wants to have a rapist's baby" or "I would never have an abortion but I can't force my views on anybody else." Ugh. Lame and pathetic.

Finally at age 38 I returned to the Church and I finally gave in to my feelings and the knowledge that abortion was a bad deal for women and even worse for the babies. What a relief! However, I still had one more hurdle to cross - that old canard that abortion after rape or incest is permissible. My friend insisted rape was fine in those cases and I tried to argue with her but I couldn't even convince myself. I wasn't against the baby - I was troubled by the thought of any woman carrying a stranger's baby for 9 months, of reliving the rape every time she caught a glimpse of her expanding midriff in a mirror, of people asking her stupid questions,of going through a painful labour.

So I started to search for answers and basically the bottom line is this -- abortion does not make a woman or girl UNpregnant. She will always be the mother to her child. Abortion does not turn back the clock on rape or abuse -- it still happened. Also, abortion after rape is the only crime where the victim gets the death penalty. And if a young girl is a victim of incest and becomes pregnant and has an abortion the molester is now off the hook because the 'evidence' of his crime is gone. But most importantly - no matter how a child is conceived it has an immortal soul given to him or her by God and that child IS lovable. Just ask Rebecca Kiessling.

Three years ago, while praying at Mills Memorial one afternoon, a lady stopped her car to speak with me. She thanked us for our witness because her husband had been conceived through rape. Our witness to life confirmed his worth to the world. (She already knew it!) To this day it's still the most inspiring contact I've had on the front lines.

There are 14 days left in the Spring 2013 campaign. Won't you join us at the hospital for a front row seat to see what the Holy Spirit can do?

Day Twenty-Five

Becoming pro-life undermines moral relativism.

 

Becoming pro-life introduces people to "faith in things unseen."

 

Becoming pro-life teaches people to act out of hope instead of despair.

 

Becoming pro-life replaces destructive shortcuts with authentic love that makes hard choices.

 

Becoming pro-life reorders a voter’s priorities.

 

Becoming pro-life teaches people that rights don’t come from the state, but from somewhere above the state.

 

Becoming pro-life teaches people that duties and responsibilities accompany rights.

Day Twenty-Four

Warmest day yet! Thank you Lord for making it pleasant to stand outside for an hour! However, we'd still do it rain or shine.

I got a few bitter looks today but there was also one lady who was so pleased with 40 DFL that her smile lit up the entire street! As she pulled out of her parking spot and drove by she lifted her arms and held her hands together in prayer. That totally made my day!

Another lady drove by. She asked about the sign thinking it was advertising for LifeLabs. When I told her about our 40 day prayer campaign she shouted 'you go, girl!' and gave me the thumbs up.

Just before I left an older gentleman came by. He asked me about my sign. He asked if it had anything to do with 40 days of the development of the fetus. I suppose it does. I reminded him that a baby's heart starts beating at 21 days. He didn't realize abortions are committed at Mills Memorial Hospital on Friday. He was disgusted.

O, God, you formed us in our mother’s

womb and planned a unique and special

life and purpose for each of us, and

we do thank you. Grant that we may

pray and work for an end to abortion,

especially in these 40 days, so that no

unborn baby you have made may fail to

achieve your divine intention for him

or her because of intentional abortion.

We pray this for the sake of your Son,

our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Day Twenty-Three

I am really enjoying this stretch of beautiful weather! It's not warm by any means but it's not below zero either! Nobody stopped to talk to me today but quite a number of people waved.

After I was finished my shift I drove to the coffee shop to grab a quick lunch and buy some coffee for work. As I was placing my order the owner, who saw me at the hospital a few days ago, asked me what this 40 Days thing was about.

All of a sudden I felt like the world stopped. There were about 5 people crowded around the cash register and in the line up and I was sure every single one was waiting to hear what I would say. I mentally kicked myself -- how could I act so bold and brash at the hospital with that big sign hanging around my neck but now I was choking? That bible verse from Matthew 10:33 flitted across my memory -- "But he that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven." So I plunged in and said, "40 Days for Life is a 40 day prayer campaign against abortion." The owner smiled and didn't bat an eyelash. The lady behind me didn't start shrieking at me. The cashier took my money and gave me my change.

One thing I've learned over the years, no matter what the issue is, is that about 10% of the people will actively oppose you, 10% will stand up with you, and 80% are just content with the status quo.

Lord God, we confess that in You we

live and move and have our being.

Because You are, we are.

May we find grace from You to affirm

the being of every human and may we

labor to make this truth known to the

world around us. Amen.

Are you insane?!

Are you insane?! Has anyone ever asked you this question? If they did, they were probably very concerned with something you were doing or, maybe something you were failing to do that was extremely important. My question to you is, are you praying for an end to abortion? To be clear, I am NOT asking you the following:

• Are you "thinking" about the end of abortion?
• Are you nodding at the idea of the need to pray for an end to abortion?
• Have you said a little prayer here or there about ending abortion?

The renowned Carmelite Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen has this to say about prayer as a critical means of God's grace:

"God wishes our collaboration. He wants it so much that he has made the granting of certain graces, necessary for our salvation, and that of others, dependent upon our prayers. In other words, by the merits of Jesus, grace - God's infinite mercy - is ready to be poured out for us abundantly… but it will not be poured out unless there is someone who raises supplicating hands to heaven asking for it. If prayer does not ascend to the throne of the Most High, grace will not be granted." (Divine Intimacy - Apostolic Prayer)

Let me repeat a very powerful thought here. If we don't pray, God's grace will not be granted. We are God's chosen means to accomplish His will. Prayer is the way that we cooperate with Him in the accomplishment of His will.
So, are you praying for an end to abortion? I mean really praying? To be clear, here's what I AM asking:

• Every time your head is bowed in prayer, do you mention this intention?
• Every time you go to Mass or a worship service, do you offer this intention?
• Are you making specific sacrifices and fasting for an end to abortion?

If you are a faithful Christian and care about the unborn, moms, dads, and abortion providers, and you are not really committing yourself to prayer in this matter, I only have one question for you, ARE YOU INSANE?!

+++

Heavily inspired/mostly plagiarized by an article at the National Catholic Register by Dan Burke.

Day Twenty-Two

Another gorgeous day in the Skeena Valley! I was at the hospital over the noon hour. Only one man stopped to chat. He asked me what day we are on -- 22 already! He was also asking about Life Chain but that's not until October.

A lady from my church drove by with her husband. He's been receiving chemo at the hospital. Only one day left to go for that! Some people might wonder how cancer treatment shows up on an anti-abortion blog but the thing is - we are totally ProLife, not just pro-birth.

I haven't received any rude hand gestures yet but some people driving by look so sour it's almost scary. I do look forward to the daily hello from the Gitaus bus driver between 12:05 - 12:15.

Sometimes I think the 40 DFL signs might be too neutral. Fr. T. told me he was visiting the hospital one day when one of the nurses told him she'd seen our signs and she said, "It's Lent!" Yes, but that's not why we're there. Last year some of the youth group brought their own signs with their own messages. Please know that if you are coming out to 40 DFL you are welcome to bring your own signs -- or no signs. And if you do bring a sign please make the message positive -- we don't display graphic images or condemning messages. We want people to approach us.

For over 3 weeks we've been praying and it's not over yet. Don't lose heart! Dr. Almas doesn't abort babies all by herself - there are many forces at work here that allow her to do this and our best resource to change things is through prayer.


Then Jesus told his disciples ...that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1

Day Twenty-One

It was another beautiful day in Terrace - I could have stayed at the hospital all afternoon. Nothing too exciting today - mostly some waves and smiles. One lady looked like she was scared to smile but she did it. One older gentleman pulled over and asked me what I was doing . I told him I was praying for an end to abortion. He asked me which church I went to so I told him the Catholic church but that anyone could come out and pray. He wished me well and then drove off.

I had an email from the Edmonton 40 Days for Life group yesterday. The coordinator told me that there are about 30 abortions per DAY at the clinic where they pray. THIRTY! In Edmonton. I was shocked! I can imagine a number like that in Toronto but not Edmonton. Obviously this problem of abortion is bigger than I imagined.

Since abortions are done on Friday in Terrace and today was Tuesday I offered up my prayers for the women in Edmonton. I'll be there next weekend and hope to meet with the 40 DFL group when I am there. Their weather has proved to be a challenge for them so hopefully things will warm up a bit as we head into the final days of the Spring 2013 campaign.

Day Twenty - Part II

“Evil draws its power from indecision and concern for what other people think.”
―Pope Benedict XVI

The fear of peoples’ opinions can be deadly. It can lead to willing ignorance of the Gospel, and unwillingness to spread it.

Let me tell you the truth: Ignorance is not bliss. Closing your eyes won’t free you from responsibilities regarding the state of our world. People are happy to see you shut your mouth and cover your ears, so they can keep laughing and pushing you around. It’s convenient to them: A soldier who won’t fight. A speaker who won’t speak. A Christian who would prefer to wait on the sidelines, while other people speak for him.
Now is not the age to keep silent about love, truth, and morality.

There has never been an age of conformity. Think of all the evil you unleash in this world by hiding away Truth. Don’t put it away for the sake of your own comfort–like a lion, the Truth will eventually get out and have his moment of glory. That moment will hurt! You may think keeping silent about certain matters will make life easier, but eventually Truth will catch up to you. It’s temporary peace, like that “peace” that comes after an abortion. Sooner or later it’ll end and bring on regrets. The difference here is that with Truth, you can repent and take up your sword again. You have a second chance.

Pope Benedict XVI has encouraged young people to speak up—stating it quite explicitly in the back of the YOUCAT: “You need to be more deeply rooted in the faith than the generation of your parents…” It’s not a light thing to be ignorant about. Someday the atheists will run out of silly excuses to dodge God, and every bone in their body will be broken; they’ll need faith to stand up again. It’s our duty to help them back up by witnessing to them. How can we, if we don’t know what we believe?

The future of our whole entire world rests on us. You may not see how your voice can change a thing. One candle is enough to shatter the darkness in a room with no light, and that one candle is what all the lost sheep will flock to. Today, as our beloved Pope says farewell—leaving behind a legacy of devoted servitude, several books, and the YOUCAT—I pray that more young Catholics will realize how powerful their light is. When life is hard we feel lost, so how could we possibly light the way for another person? Turn to Jesus. If you look Him in the eye and ask for help, admit you’re not worthy and ask for His aid, the light from His own glory will reflect on you.

It’s not an easy burden to bear, and it never will be. The Christian life was never easy; people who make it appear so are lying for their own convenience. Many true Christians will cry more in their lifetime—whether inside or out—than most atheists. We each have a Cross much like the one of Christ, and in accepting Him into our hearts, we’ve agreed to carry that Cross till we’re called home. Even if in weak moments we claim to no longer believe, something in our hearts will itch to pick it back up. Once we are consumed by that divine light, there is no easy escape.

- by Mariella Hunt

Day Twenty - Halfway Point!

Today is Day Twenty of our 2013 40 DFL prayer campaign. I have to say we've been very blessed this year with the weather and for that we are very grateful! I know it's not like that in some of the 40 DFL American locations.

One of our prayer warriors has suggested we participate in a candlelight vigil this year. This weekend might be too soon to gather everyone together but the following week might work. However, I will be out of town so is anyone willing to lead/commit to this?  We would just need to put a notice in the bulletin and remind everyone to bring a candle. I would suggest the vigil take place on a Thursday night after Mass (be at the hosptial by 8 PM -- that way Fr. T. can join in) as Friday is abortion day at Mills Memorial.

Please contact me via my personal email if you have it or at terrace40daysforlife@gmail.com
to let me know if you are interested.

Day Nineteen

It's a gorgeous sunny day in Terrace today - pefect for standing outside Mills Memorial Hospital to pray for an end to abortion! Our youth will be out there today - thank you for giving up your afternoon to pray!

I read an inspiring entry at the International 40 DFL blog today. You can read it too if you click HERE.

Taking the message to new heights!

Our 40 DFL signs are stored at a home that's very close to our vigil site. I still had a sign in my car from yesterday so since I live close by to this house I took a little walk this afternoon  to drop it off. As I walked up Molitor St. a small plane flew overhead. I held up my sign to the sky so the pilot might be able to read it. Not sure if he could but it gave me a chuckle thinking how far we can take our Pro-Life message!

***

 

 

I am encouraged by the stories our prayer volunteers in Terrace have shared with me. It can be intimidating at first to wear a sign around your neck that attracts attention. However, the signs let others know why we are there and community outreach is such an important component (along with prayer and fasting) of this vigil. And remember - you are never alone out there - your guardian angel is always with you.



Day Eighteen

My experience yesterday got me thinking about pro-abortion people and their misguided concern and attempts at help. That led to finding a very interesting and informative article which you can read if you click HERE.

***

 

Prayer for those that are pro-abortion:  Let us pray that they will come to know God’s love, grace and care for them, so that they might choose life, abundant and eternal life, and healing, help and hope. Lord, may they know, and may we always remember, how valuable they are to You. Amen.

Day Seventeen

March comes in like a lion! I went to the hospital today at noon. Things were going along well, a few waves here and there, a nod or two, the usual bunch refusing to look in my direction. I was feeling pretty complacent. So I prayed that God would send me someone to talk to. And He did. Oh boy, did He ever.

She came riding by on her bike and looked me in the eye. I said hello. She slowed her bike to a stop and asked me what this 40 days stuff was. I told her I was praying for an end to abortion. She started shrieking at me that there were 12 year old girls in this town that were pregnant. I tried to respond but she was already riding away as she had zero interest in hearing what I had to say.

If she'd stuck around I would have told her that if a 12 year old is pregnant then something is really wrong. Somebody is breaking the law here and it's probably an older guy/man, not a 14 year old boy. And when you abort a baby conceived via incest or rape then you are hiding the 'evidence' of this man's wrongdoing. He just got away with molesting an innocent young girl.

This woman said a few things to me which I don't remember at all but I kept thinking about her screeching "12 year old girls are pregnant". This is an irrational reason to keep abortion legal - laws are not made to deal with exceptions (most abortions are requested by women aged between 20 - 30), it's an emotional reaction - let's throw out science and depend on the most dramatic thing you can think up, and killing another human being is not going to turn back the clock and make a 12 year old (or anyone else) UNpregnant.

A few minutes after the angry woman sailed off on her bike I saw a lovely couple from my church exiting the hospital. They waved at me and it was like a little hug from God.

I wish I had been able to address this woman's problem. I think I only succeeded in making her angry and she's probably digging her heels in more firmly to the abortion side. Or today could have been Step One in a multi-step conversion process...let's hope it's the latter.

Day Sixteen

I wasn't  sure about going out to the hospital today - it was raining so hard! I went anyway. One gentleman slowed down and said he hoped the son would come out soon. Even as it poured I knew the Son was there.

***

 

 

 

 

Day Fifteen

 

Your body?

Your body does NOT have:

- 2 heads

- 4 hands

- 4 legs

- 2 bearing hearts

- 2 different DNA

Why we don't use graphic abortion images

To read a great post that explains why we don't use graphic images of abortion at 40 Days for Life click HERE.

+++

Day Fourteen

Day Thirteen

Circumstances are temporary, but the decision to abort is forever.

Day Twelve

I watched a TV show this afternoon about young women giving up their babies for adoption. The show doesn't gloss over the pain these girls feel giving up their children. In fact whenever I watch this show I always think the young mom is going to change her mind and keep the baby. So far the babies have all been adopted.

The show gives a little bit of background on the young moms. They come from all sorts of different situations and often the father of the baby is still in the picture. I wish they'd delve more deeply into why these girls felt adoption was the way to go. Perhaps some of them did schedule an abortion but when they got to the clinic there were Pro Life people there with offers of support and help (we can hope!)

A lot of times we hear about 'saves' during 40 Days for Life. This is our goal of course - to save the life of a baby and to keep the mom from having to suffer the trauma of abortion that can often last for years and years. But let's be honest and realize not all these moms are in situations where a baby can thrive. That doesn't mean the baby should be aborted - I am not suggesting this at all! But this is where adoption or foster care could offer a good alternative.

So why isn't adoption more common?  For many women the thought of giving their child away is an impossible choice. So why would they abort if they care so much? From what I found out these women say it gives them 'closure'. Adoption would bring a lifetime of doubt, worry and wondering where there child is, did they choose the right adoptive parents, will they run into their child someday or will that child show up at an awkward time, especially if mom hasn't told subsequent younger siblings, her parents or husband. Understandable but shortsighted. Abortion is a 'quick fix' but with lifelong consequences.

While many women report relief after abortion (several post-abortive friends have told me this) I've also seen lives ruined by abortion. One case in particular has seen the abortive parents estranged from a number of family members. This couple believe they have kept their situation secret and the amount of energy they have devoted to staying in denial and keeping the family members that know at a 'safe' distance from them is taking its toll on their marriage and their physical health. It's absolutely heart breaking.

When I stand at Mills Memorial with my 40 Days sign around my neck I try to remember that every situation does not have a 'one size fits all' solution. However, where there is LIFE there is hope and there is no problem so difficult that we cannot overcome it with love and faith in God.

***

Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. 1 Chronicles 28:30

Day Eleven

From Ireland comes this shocking report: click here to read.


Bizarre behaviour such as this is often a sign of desperation. Depraved tactics such as these only serve to alienate many potential sympathizers and indicate the realization they are failing. Our prayers are working. Many pro abortion believers have changed how they feel and now support pro-life. The ones who refuse still need our prayers.

Day Ten

Today is abortion day at the hospital. We have no way of knowing how many babies lost their lives, we don't see the moms go in or leave, and we don't experience 'saves' like they do at many dedicated abortion clinics. The hospital hasn't called the police to get rid of us or sent the administrator out to ask us to leave.

So why do we do it? How do we know our presence has any effect? What if we don't see 'results'?

Mother Teresa said, "We're not called to be successful; we're called to be faithful." Hebrews 11:1 tells us - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see," and 2 Chronicles 30:27 says - "And God heard them, for their prayer reached heaven, his holy dwelling place." And like a fellow 40DayforLifer told me today - it's just the right thing to do.

Thank you to Kitimat ProLifers for coming out to pray at Mills Memorial today and thank you to those that welcomed them.

Day Nine

Just made a quick vigil at the hospital today over lunch. Nobody stopped to talk but a few people waved. One of my coworkers drove by but I'm not sure she recognized me. When I realized it was her I felt very strange. Not embarrassed but exposed, like she had seen me half dressed. I felt ashamed for wishing she hadn't seen me. It's just easier to talk about abortion to a stranger. They usually stick around for a minute and then you never see them again. Some of my coworkers I see more often than my spouse! The feeling soon passed. When I got back to work I checked my email and she had written me a message but it had nothing to do with what she'd seen at the hospital. Some people are terrified to stand in public with a large sign around their neck but that doesn't bother me in the least - funny how different things affect people in different ways.

Kitimat ProLife will be at the hospital at 3 PM tomorrow - if you can join them and help them feel welcome I know they'd appreciate it. Also, Friday is Abortion Day at Mills Memorial so the more people we can get praying, the better. Thanks!

Day Eight

The weather was a bit colder today and quite damp but the rain held off. I got to the hospital about 12:15 and things were pretty quiet. The bus driver I see every day waved at me, the young white girls with stony expressions drive by maintaining their cool, people I know from church wave and a few others look puzzled as they read my sign.

Just as I was preparing to leave an older lady crossed the street to come and talk to me. She said my sign piqued her curiosity. I told her 40 DFL was an international prayer campaign and we were praying for an end to abortion. She told me she doesn't like it when people use abortion as birth control. She also told me she thinks abortion for medical reasons (baby is sick or physically challenged) are OK. I reminded her that doctors are wrong sometimes. She didn't acknowledge this but the longer she talked the more Pro Life she sounded. Then she said goodbye and walked back to the hospital.

I thought I'd wait five more minutes and then head back to work. Glad I did - a well dressed man and woman walked around the corner (I'm guessing they were returning from lunch) and they kept looking at me. I think they must be some sort of hospital administrators/management because most men do not wear  suits around here. The woman kept looking so I waved at her even though my personal policy is to wait until passersby acknowledge me first. She did not wave back.

I am excited that our Pro Life friends from Kitimat will be joining us on the front lines at 3:00 PM this Friday! Hope to see  you there!

Day Seven

Even though I wasn't scheduled to pray at the hospital today I decided to spend my lunch hour there. The weather was nice as the wind has died down. There's a fair amount of traffic over lunch so 40 DFL is getting good exposure.

A woman I know was making a delivery to the hospital when I arrived. She asked me what I was doing and I told her I was praying for an end to abortion. Her  response was fairly typical - first she sort of smiled and nodded and then when it sunk in she sort of went blank. In any case I am sure I gave her something to think about this afternoon.

Two young men walked toward the hospital. One of them asked me if I was going to be there for 40 days. I said yes but the fact is that nobody has to be at the hospital every single day for the entire campaign. The most I've ever been out there is 3 hours a week but that was only during the first year we did this. When the young men left one asked how many more days I had to go - it's 33. Seems like a lot now but it will go fast, especially the last 2 weeks. He wished me well and said he'd pray for me.

Just before I left a young woman stopped her car to ask what I was doing. That's the beauty of the 40 Days signs - they tweak your curiosity. Our signs only have the official website and logo on them. I've actually seen passengers in cars mouth the words "40 days for life dot com" and then look down, presumably at the screen of their handheld device. I am glad 40DFL does not encourage holding signs of mutilated fetuses or bearing messages like 'abortion is murder.' Our signs invite dialogue and that is what the community outreach aspect of 40DFL is all about. We are never there to protest, condemn, degrade, blame or hate anyone.

As for the other people going by today I'd say 95% ignored me (especially young white women and white women in the 60+ range) so all in all a typical day on the front lines.

Day Six

I went for a walk past the hospital on Sunday afternoon. I prayed as I walked. I decided to cut through the school field on the way back so I could take a little rest on one of the slopes overlooking the field. As I sat there I looked southwards as the sun was trying to break through the clouds. The sun became brighter and brighter and I could barely look in its direction anymore.

I think this is what 40 Days for Life is like for many of the people that drive by us at the hospital. We represent the Light and it's too much for them to take in. It's like when you're asleep in a dark room and somebody walks in and snaps on the light - it's bright but you can't see because it's too much to take in all at once and you have to close your eyes and open them slowly.

As the days and weeks go by I pray that those that ignore us will slowly come to open their eyes. Luckily there are few, if any, people who oppose us with rude gestures but if there are then let's pray for them too.

Day Five

Day Four

Excellent article by Vincent M. Rue, Ph.D. titled "The Hollow Men": Male Grief and Trauma Following Abortion can be read by clicking this link.

Day Three

Wow, was it ever windy today! Thankfully the wind wasn't blowing across a school field covered in snow! It's been green here for weeks. Thank you, Lord, for small mercies!

I started my shift just after noon today. For a short time I watched a bald eagle fly over and around the hospital.

There wasn't a whole lot of traffic but some people waved and honked at me. One lady parked her car across the street and said hello and commented on how windy it was.  More than half the people that drove by ignored me. This is pretty typical for a day at Mills Memorial.

Sadly, today is the day abortions are done at Mills Memorial Hospital by Dr. Lani Almas. Let us pray for her to experience a change of heart.

Day Two

For those wounded by their participation in abortion, the door to healing often feels like crossing an abyss of great fear: fear of judgment, fear of being torn apart by pain, by self hatred and rage at those who hurt and abandoned them and manipulated them in their time of temptation.

 

During these forty days let us pray for all who have participated in abortion and with love call them to healing and reconciliation.  Source

 

***

 

I have several friends who aborted their babies. For the most part this was only mentioned once in conversation and from then on it was an unspoken fact that it would not be brought up again.  I don't know if it's because they were not affected by it, or experienced delayed grief long after we lost touch, or it was simply too painful to ever discuss again. I am sure as we hold vigil at Mills Memorial some women (and men) will drive by and perhaps remember their own experience with abortion. When we hold vigil at Mills Memorial we are not there to condemn them. We are there to hold out our hand in friendship. Sometimes it's easier to tell a stranger about your involvement with abortion than to tell a trusted friend or family member. Or perhaps our signs will lead them to the 40 Days for Life website or to Rachel's Vineyard.  Maybe this vigil is Step One in a 10 or 15 or 100 step plan to healing.  This is why our visible presence at Mills Memorial is so important.

 

Behold, I make all things new. Rev. 21:5

Day One - Part II

I went to my first shift for the Spring 2013 40 Days for Life campaign today. The weather was so nice! Two years ago I remember standing in freezing rain that was blowing in sideways. This was a welcome change!

 I was at the hospital during my lunch hour and there was a fair bit of traffic but most people just ignored me even though I was wearing my 40DFL sign. A few people did wave.

A police car drove by, made a U-turn and parked. I wasn't sure if he was going to come and speak to me but he just went into the hospital. That was a relief. I wasn't afraid to speak with him but I would have been sad if he told me we were too close to the hospital.

And basically that was it for today.

Don't forget to fast during 40DFL. It doesn't have to be food either - you can fast from time on the internet, time watching TV, your favorite specialty coffee, or even sleeping in that extra 10 minutes.

Day One

40 Days for Life is merely an invitation. This campaign cannot happen without a response from people like you; and that leaves just one question:

What will God do over these next 40 days in your community … and will you be part of it?
It is our hope that you will join hundreds of thousands of others who have taken this journey of prayer and fasting … peaceful vigil … and community outreach.

See you at Mills Memorial!

FAQ about 40 Days for Life

Question: What is 40 Days for Life?
Answer: A peaceful, prayerful prolife vigil that is taking place at 261 hospitals and abortion clinics around the world from Feb. 13, 2013 to March 24, 2013. The on-site vigil at Mills Memorial is the centre point of the 40 Days for Life campaign in Terrace. A steady presence of pro-lifers at the hospital expresses our level of commitment to ending abortion.

Q: How did 40 Days for Life start?

A: 40 Days for Life emerged in 2004 when a multi-denominational prolife group in College Station, Texas sought to invigorate their prolife endeavours at the local abortion facility. This dynamic movement has spread rapidly over the past seven years to encompass most Canadian provinces, the USA, Australia, England, Ireland, Spain and Poland.

Q: Why 40 days?
A: It's a number of biblical significance - Noah was transformed by 40 days in the flood, Moses by 40 days on the mountain, Jesus by 40 days in the dessert and the Disciples by the 40 days following the resurrection.

Q. Does someone have to pray at the hospital every day for 40 days?
A: We aim for a presence at the hospital every day but that does not mean any one individual has to be there every single day. Some people come out for an hour or two each week. Some are there more often.

Q: The 40 Days for Life campaign has a 3 pronged approach of prayer, fasting and community outreach, defined as follows:

Prayer keeps us rooted in the fact that it is our desire to carry out God's will. We can pray formal prayers, spontaneous prayers, or meditate on the daily devotionals that are published at www.40daysforlife.com

Fasting is a sacrifice that helps us reach beyond our own limitations with God's help. Fasting is not a Christian diet; it is a form of physical prayer. You can fast from food, TV, alcohol - anything that separates you from God.
Community outreach is accomplished by our constant vigil. It's the most visible component of 40 Days for Life. It is prayerful witness to the hospital's patients and employees, and to the community, that evil is in our midst and that with God's help, it will be defeated. All people of faith and good conscience are given the opportunity to visibly show their support throughout this transforming event.

Q: How does one sign up?
A: You may email terrace40daysforlife@gmail.com and we will contact you.

Q: Does a participant need to bring a sign?
A: There are 10 signs available bearing the 40 Days for Life logo and website address. If a person is not comfortable displaying a sign they are encouraged to join us regardless – we need their prayers!

Q: What is the code of conduct?

A: We are not permitted to park on the hospital grounds or keep vigil there – we must stay on the sidewalks.

A person acting in a violent or harmful manner immediately and completely disassociates themselves from the 40 Days for Life campaign. We will not threaten, physically contact, or abuse any hospital employees or patients. We will not obstruct sidewalks. 40 Days for Life discourages the use of graphic images.

We are there to pray. If passersby or motorists wish to approach us we will be happy to answer questions and speak with them.

Q: Do you really think this campaign is helpful?
A: YES. While we may never witness any women leaving the hospital after cancelling their abortions our presence there is still crucial. For instance a woman experiencing a crisis pregnancy may be considering abortion and happens to drive by the 40 Days for Life vigil. It's unlikely she will stop to talk to us but she'll probably read one of our signs and hopefully be inspired to visit www.40daysforlife.com

The information she reads there may help her choose life for her baby. Last year many people expressed their thanks that we were there - perhaps we are strengthening their own pro-life beliefs which in turn helps them to help others who are unexpectedly pregnant.

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at terrace40daysforlife@gmail.com

Some updates

The locations of the official 40 Days for Life host cities was published today. I am sad and disappointed that Vancouver, Toronto, Winnipeg and Ottawa are not participating. In Terrace we only run 40 DFL once a year because we'd burn out our people if we did it more than that. I  hope that is not the case for those in the big cities and that they will be back for the Fall 2013 campaign.

I am excitedly waiting for the arrival of a book co-authored by David Bereit and Shawn Carney (founding members of 40 DFL). It's titled "40 Days for Life: Discover What God Has Done...Imagine What He Can Do" and contains 40 stories about:

Hearts changed on the most controversial issue in our culture

Babies and mothers spared from abortion at the last possible second

Shocking secrets from inside the abortion industry – revealed

Abortion workers experiencing a change of heart and quitting their jobs

Thriving abortion facilities shutting down for good

Click HERE to order your copy.

Sign up for hourly shifts will begin at Sacred Heart Parish this weekend. I'll be sending out letters to other churches in town as well to let them know what we are doing. I was able to meet with a number of ministers last year before our Spring 2012 campaign but not much interest was shown in 40 DFL.

Let's keep those ministers in our prayers that they may experience a change of heart towards abortion. Let's also keep Dr. Almas and her nurses in our prayers.

The countdown is on

Two weeks to go before 40 Days for Life kicks off. Are you ready?

2013 40DFL Vigil Location

The 2013 40 Days for Life Campaign will take place at:

Mills Memorial Hospital
4720 Haugland Ave.
Terrace, BC

Participants are invited to keep vigil on the sidewalks along Haugland Ave. and Tetrault St. We are NOT permitted to park on the hospital grounds or keep vigil on the hospital grounds - please stay on the sidewalks.

Those unable to join us at the hospital are invited to pray from home or at church.

40 Days for Life starts Feb. 13, 2013

More details to follow in the coming days!