Praying in the Cold

Since I last blogged, I've had two experiences that I'd like to describe. First, I've been praying at the 40 Days of Life spot (which I described earlier) - quite an experience. Two people at a time pray in the location across from the abortion clinic 24 hours a day for 40 days.

The first night, when I arrived, the people before me said that the man in the parking lot of the clinic had been driving in and out of the lot and walking around in an agitated way, staring at the pray-ers. When I got there he was standing still and staring straight at us, then later, like they said, walked back and forth and then stopping to stare some more. I wonder, I thought, if I should be concerned about this. Then the next thought was, oh well, if he's violent or something, what a way to go! So I closed my eyes and kept praying. I heard his engine and saw him drive - away, I thought at first, but no - right into our parking lot.

I kept praying and pretty soon his face popped out around the side of the tent. Thank God I had decided it was a good way to go, because contrary to natural reaction, I had a welcoming smile on my face. I think he spoke only Spanish because he just kind of beckoned toward a prayer spot and I said, "Yes, please!" So he entered the tent, knelt to pray for about 20 minutes and then quietly left.

A few days earlier, a couple were praying during the day and a young man and woman drove into the clinic lot, walked into the building, then walked back out and came across the street to tell the pray-ers thank you - they had decided against the abortion. I'd love to meet that baby some day!

Some thoughts based on all this:
* The more I read about abortion and its aftermath the more I realize how many women end up getting abortions because they feel pressured by their mates or parents. How pro-woman is that? One of the pray-ers described talking to a couple in the clinic parking lot (we can only go so far on the grass near the street). There were two children in the back seat. The man was enraged and the woman was weeping uncontrollably.

*No one can deny the devastation many women feel following abortion. Here's a PBS summary of the pain. The most powerful witness against abortion are the women at the rally that I saw walking with "I Regret My Abortion" posters. Why would these women put themselves through this? In my mind, only if the devastation was total and the desire to help others was overwhelming. We heard from six of them. Every one of them still cry when they tell their stories, as far back as the 70's.

*I'm getting more involved. The greatest joy of my life would be to talk with a woman who would then decide against abortion. Some day I will blog about it!

(Gotta go finish Saturday chores - will blog about second experience later, hopefully not a month from now!)

An American Carol

Twice in one day! I had to give a review of the movie we just saw - An American Carol. Even though it wasn't a great movie technically, I loved it. It was hilarious at points. Even if you don't agree with the politics, I think you might enjoy it. As a conservative who has been hit upside the head with liberal ranting in movies that I didn't know were going to be political, it was cathartic to watch. An interesting mix of "Airplane!"-like, irreverent, slap-stick-humor and a serious patriotic message. A blogger reviewed it thus:

Two tickets for “An American Carol” this evening - $16
Flipping the bird to the Hollywood Left - Priceless!

Shower of Roses

When I spread the "Guardian Angel" feast day cheer, people asked me why I wasn't celebrating St. Therese's feast day (October 1). I was. More quietly. I came across this beautiful rose novena story, though, that I wanted to share. I've shared just a fraction of the Noble Family novena stories here.

I was ten years old when I first witnessed the power of St. Therese's novena, in the form of a literal shower of the roses she had promised. Named after the Little Flower myself, I could see my mother grasping for something that would heal the wound inside her when my father left. She went to prayer group once a week, said a rosary every morning, and hung an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in our kitchen.

But I especially remember her novena prayer to St. Therese... Around the time my dad left, I knew my mom was particularly desperate and in need of a sign from heaven that she could raise her four daughters by herself, despite her hurt. On the fifth day of her novena, our neighbor Mr. Miller, who kept an impeccable garden, was pruning his rose bushes. As he trimmed off the fully blossomed flowers to make room for the tender buds, he noticed my twin sister playing soccer in the backyard.

"Give these to your mom," he said. There must have been eight dozen roses of all different shades. With the skill of an artist, my sister went back and forth, from his garden to our kitchen, arranging all the roses until she ran out of vases and counter space.

Later, my mom came into the kitchen exhausted from a long day's work to find what looked and smelled like a rose garden on our kitchen counter. Remembering it was the fifth day of her novena, she cried tears of hope.

Liz Update

Elizabeth made it to Chuloteca yesterday. There are only two hospitals and one of them is approved by the Peace Corps. She went to the wrong one and when she inquired about the Peace Corps the doctor thought she was trying to get special treatment because she is an American and yelled at her (grrrrr).

She finally found the right one, the doctor didn't tell her what she had and gave her six prescriptions. She didn't get them all filled ("Did you get the one filled that ends in "cilin", Liz?", "I don't know - I can't look, I'm walking down the street, trying to catch the bus!")

I'm inserting a picture of one of the two hospitals.
I called her last night and woke her up and she sounded miserable. She was insisting on teaching her class today, so hopefully she's feeling better!!! Love you, Lizzie!!! Can't wait til Christmas!

Happy Feast Day, Guardian Angel!

Today is your Guardian Angel’s Feast Day. Say a quick thank you for all the times your angel:

* Kept you out of trouble
* Helped you remember to turn off the iron
* Reminded you of God’s love
* Stayed up all night, pacing and praying, during the times when you thought you were all alone

Our angel, “brings us great help and consolation: they walk at our side and protect us in all circumstances, they defend us from danger, and to them we can turn at any moment. Many saints established bonds of real friendship with the angels, and numerous episodes testify to their assistance on particular occasions. Angels are sent by God 'to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation' as the Letter to the Hebrews says, hence they are a real help to us on the pilgrimage towards the heavenly homeland." Pope Benedict XVI

And may Elizabeth's guardian angel protect her tomorrow as she tries to find a way to the hospital in Chiloteca for what could be either dengue or bronchitis.