This is Something I Can't Understand

Yesterday I came home from church and turned on the television to learn that Marlise Munoz had been disconnected from life support. She is the woman in Texas who was brain dead but pregnant. Her baby was at 23 weeks gestation. I tried but could not find out if it was a little girl or a little boy.

I just sat down and cried, tears pouring down my cheeks. I couldn't stop thinking about the baby within her who likely struggled as it was deprived of oxygen. I hope he/she didn't suffer long. I cried because while a father is expected to protect his children, the courts ruled that the father in this case had the right to end his or her life this week-end. I can't understand this.

In a way, I think the father in this case is a victim himself. He is the product a society that has taught him that a baby is not a real life unless the parents say so. I know that he has suffered a great loss, already. I expect his emotional suffering is going to last a lifetime and I don't want to be judgmental. I just can't understand this.

I realize this case is not common. I doubt that Marlise ever put much thought into whether she'd want to be on life support if it would save her baby. Her family could not have been well prepared for the kind of decisions before them. There was nothing but pain and suffering in this whole scenario...that is, nothing except that new little life that was trying to survive. I really can't understand this.

Probably as a way of comforting myself, I went to LifeNews.com for some inspiration. I admit, I was looking for like minds. I was not disappointed. There, I found people who valued the unborn and were willing to speak out on the behalf of the weak. There I found people willing to go against the flow in order to protect those fragile lives. Maybe you will enjoy this quick clip as well.

It gives me hope.

E:60 - Perfect

Yesterday I told you how I'd been going around to other churches talking about True Care Women's Resource Center? Well, during one of those services a guy came by the pew where I was sitting and handed me a note. It told me the name of a YouTube video he thought I should watch. It is an ESPN video and so naturally I was confused as to why this stranger would want me to watch it.

I put the note in my purse, planning to watch it sometime that same day. Well, life gets busy and I get forgetful. I found that note and just watched that video last night. What a surprising clip! I think it is worth sharing here.

Kathy Ireland Talks About Abortion.

Worship service at our church is one of the highlights of my week. Yet, I've not been at my own church for the last two week-ends. Instead, I've attended 5 services at other churches. While there, I did one of my least favorite things...public speaking. What would have made me do such a thing?

I've been going around speaking about True Care Women's Resource Center and the work they've been doing locally. The reason I did this was because the work they do is so important. I admit, I was pretty nervous for the first talk. As I was getting ready to go, I asked my introvert-pastor-husband, "How do you do this week after week?"  He gave me a hug and said, "Because what you have to say is important." What I had to say was that we needed to keep working to save the lives of babies. We need to offer a better choice for those experiencing an unwanted pregnancy and we need to do that without judgment, but with compassion. We need to promote the liberal idea of letting these babies live.

This week thousands went to Washington for a peaceful march, a gathering meant to show that there are many who want to stand up for the rights of the unborn. I am not really the marching kind, but I would have loved to have been there. When I watched clips of it on tv, I was warmed to see so many teenagers there stating they are the prolife generation. It gave me hope.

I couldn't go to Washington. Instead, I went to YouTube. I was looking for clips from the Walk for Life and I did find some. However, I found this interview with Kathy Ireland that I thought said it all so well.  It doesn't take long to listen to the whole thing. I hope you will do that. She makes some really important points and says it all with such kindness. I like that.

Walk for Life

Mike and I are once again planning to do the Walk for Life. That is to say, we are involved in a fundraiser for True Care (also known as The Caring Center). I am not good at fundraising and I don't often get involved in anything where I have to ask for a pledge. This is the exception. This is important enough for me to step out of my comfort zone.

Walk for Life is an annual fundraiser to help support the ministry of True Care. True Care is a place of hope. When a woman or girl is faced with an unplanned pregnancy, this is a place she can go to for help. It is a place she can go to for a pregnancy test, ultrasound and many other services. True Care will give information regarding her options. True Care's mission is to be a part of the movement to help find options that will erase the perceived need for abortions.

I am now on the Board of Directors for True Care. I'm not a Board of Directors kind of person but again, this is important enough for me to step out of my comfort zone. This is a life or death situation!

You see, I have decided I am a liberal. I don't understand why society thinks someone with my beliefs should be called a conservative. I think it is a very, very liberal idea to believe that all humans, inside or outside of the uterus, deserve to be protected. I believe a woman's instinct is to protect her young and I believe that going against her instinct will likely cause her a great deal of pain and regret later.

I don't feel called to political action as much as I feel called to a position of education. That is something that True Care does well. They have a well educated staff that has loads of information regarding resources of hope. That is really what they are about.... hope. They do their work without judgment. They do their work with kindness. They offer hope for a future for both the mother and the baby.

True Care will offer information and help for a woman who chooses to raise her own baby. They offer the same for a woman who chooses to make the sacrifice of adoption.

But that isn't all! If they help a young woman who then decides to abort her baby anyway, she is welcomed to return at any time in the future. There are women available, who had abortions themselves, who offer a place of refuge and a path to peace. All the work is done with a Christian attitude of comfort and forgiveness, love and kindness. That is really what I like most about True Care.

So, now you know why I am participating in this Walk for Life. If you are interested in making a pledge for our walk, please click here. We thank-you!

Walking for Life

Shortly after we moved to this town my friend, Nicole, introduced me to an organization that I have grown to really admire.  It is a resource center for women facing pregnancy issues.  It is a life-affirming non-profit Christian organization that offers emotional, spiritual and physical support not only to the woman but to her family.  Their goal is to eliminate the perceived need for abortion by helping women feel confident, not fearful, about their pregnancy.

I first got involved in a crisis pregnancy center when Mike was in seminary in Minnesota.  We had very little money to tithe with or to donate to anyone.  I felt a need to give back, though, so started volunteering at Birthright, a Catholic organization.  I am not Catholic but they accepted my offer to be a part of their efforts and trained me.  I went down to their office most Saturday mornings.  I did pregnancy testing and helped women learn of their options.  It was a busy little place!  We linked pregnant women up with whatever kind of help they needed to empower them to carry their baby to term.  The part I enjoyed most was when women came in with their new babies and I got to help them choose from the donated clothing.

My time at Birthright was so enlightening.  Although I'd heard via the media that abortion was really a women's rights issue, I found that point of view to be a little off-kilter in reality.  Many girls or woman who came there told me they were planning to abort if their pregnancy test was positive.  Of those individuals, without exception, each said they would abort because their dad or boyfriend wanted them to do so.  Let me repeat that...WITHOUT EXCEPTION.  I am sure there are exceptions to that, but none of the people I counselled stated they would abort because they wanted to for themselves.

The other thing I realized was what a loving choice it is when a girl or woman who feels she can't parent, for whatever reason, chooses to carry the baby to term and offer it for adoption.  I know that sometimes those girls/women get no support and are judged for "giving up their own baby" but yet they do it so that child may have life.  What a sweet sacrifice!

I am not a very political person but I am a medical person and everything I have ever learned makes me believe that life begins at conception.  I really don't want to be in anyone's business regarding their reproduction.  However, if I truly believe unborn babies are humans, how could I not speak out?  I came to believe that keeping quiet about it would be as wrong as if I kept quiet if I knew someone was planning to kill their newborn.  That's how I became involved.

What I like about True Care is their compassion.  Even if the patient tells them she is going to abort, they still offer only kindness.  In fact, they let her know that she is welcome to come back at any time.  Knowing that many post-abortive mothers later struggle with depression and guilt, they offer care to help them reach a point of peace, knowing they are forgiven.

Some of the assistance offered at True Care includes a nursing consultation, pregnancy testing and ultrasounds, STD testing and treatment,  abortion recovery, education on all options and referrals for community services and adoption when appropriate.  They do all of this free of charge!

I also like that True Care's goals don't end with a live birth.  They follow-up and offer  parenting classes and other forms of practical help as needed.  At any time during the pregnancy and beyond, they refer patients for help that may be beyond the scope of practice that clinic.

On June 2 Mike and I will be joining a group of great people as we are fund-raising for True Care Women's Resource Center.  If you are interested in supporting this cause, just click here.  They have it set up so you can quickly and easily donate online.  I love that!

I realize that no every one agrees with me on this issue.  I welcome your comments but I ask that you be respectful as this really is an important cause to me and my concern is heartfelt.

October Baby

Mike & I went to see October Baby this past week-end.  I really would like to recommend it to everyone.

The movie deals with the issue of abortion.  It could've been made in a very judgmental tone, in a way that would cause even more harm.  I don't think it did that, though.  Yes, it is most definitely a pro-life film.  However, I believe it is also tenderly trying to tell women who have already aborted that they are loved and forgiveness is available to them.

I don't want to tell you the whole film but a part that blew me away was actually a clip shown after the movie was over.  It is an interview with the actress that played the abortive mother.  As it turns out, she had a secret of her own and she found healing from this movie herself.  Here's that clip...

One Issue Voter

I admit it.

I am a one issue voter and I don't apologize for this.

Actually, it has made it easy for me.  I don't even have to pay much attention to most candidates as so few remained on my radar.  After my one-issue eliminating factor was considered, there were few candidates whom I would support.  Normally, I'd believe that candidates should be examined by the entirety of their platforms, but I simply can't ever see myself considering electing someone to office, any office, if their platform supports the right to abortion as a legitimate choice.

I believe that the evil side made a big coupe when people were convinced that abortion was an acceptable choice, that a baby in utero is not a real person... unless of course it is a baby who's mother wants it. 

from Elfwood.com

 I was listening to Ron Paul speak at the Iowa Straw Poll.  Click here if you are interested in hearing what he has to say...  http://www.ronpaul.com/  To be honest, I didn't mean to be watching the Straw Poll at all but when I turned on the tv it was on that channel already.  I was about to change the channel when I caught a few of his words.  I had to listen more.

He spoke of a time during his training as a doctor.  He said that he was observing an abortive procedure where a baby was born crying and breathing.  He watched as the staff put the baby off to the side, letting it die.  Later, he was observing a baby, about the same size, born prematurely.  He watched as the staff worked diligently to save that baby.  He realized something was very, very wrong with the discrepancy of treatment for these two babies.

The difference between the two babies?

One was wanted and one was not.

Is that what makes us human, being wanted by someone?

I decided if Ron Paul could display such boldness, so could I.  I've written an article that I hope will catch the interest of others via the internet.  If you are interested, you can read it here:

http://www.suite101.com/content/ron-paul-speaks-out-against-abortion-at-the-straw-poll-a384651

As I listened to him I remember thinking, "He's sure brave to speak so potently against abortion while running for president."  I also thought, "He doesn't have a chance."

I kept watching, though, and found that he was not the only candidate to do so.

I'm wondering, are the times changing?

Are more and more people realizing that in utero or out, a human is a human?

Dear God, I hope so!

But it does mean I'm going to have to pay more attention now.

Walk for Life

My heart goes out to anyone who is experiencing what seems to be a crisis pregnancy.  But, I believe abortion is wrong.  I believe it is really, really wrong.  I don't believe God wants us to kill our unborn to solve our problems.

Having said that, I also want to say that I don't think it is our job to judge someone who has chosen to abort a baby, someone who has performed or assisted with abortions, or someone who has supported this choice.  I think each of us drags behind us a history of poor choices and outright mistakes, at least until we are forgiven.  I know stories of many young woman who have suffered greatly from their own choice to go against their basic instinct to protect their young.  We need to reach out and help all of these people to see that they are being offered forgiveness.

Nearly 7 years ago my friend, Nicole, introduced me to a local crisis pregnancy center.  I went through their training, learning and observing, and we have donated to them ever since.  I was so impressed with their attitude of love and caring.  They offer pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, limited STD testing and counseling.  They try to direct mothers to whatever services they need to maintain their pregnancies and even offer support after the babies are born.  I was most impressed with the help they offer young women who are hurting because they've already had an abortion.  That spirit of forgiveness and compassion is extended to fathers as well. 

Mike & I walk in a fundraiser for this agency each year and we are inviting anyone who wants to support this effort to let us know.  You can read about them at their website http://www.carenetcasper.com/   They have recently changed their name from CareNet to True Care Women's Resource Center.

The way this fundraiser works is kind of neat.  We are raising money but we don't ever have to actually deal with money.  Between now and June 4 you just go to this site, http://www.firstgiving.com/npo/28243 if you want to help.  Once at that site you'll see a box asking for your friend's name.  Just type in Strucks and you'll find our page.  Or you can just email me at onlythemanager@yahoo.com telling me the amount you wish to donate, as well as your name and address.  True Care will then send you a statement.  It's that easy.

Alternatively, I'd like to suggest you research in your own community.  See if there is a crisis pregnancy center and find out how they help their clients, what their attitude is toward them.  Then, if you feel challenged to help at your own local level, ask how they could use you.  It feels really good to do something so positive to try to help eliminate the perceived need for abortions. 

These pictures are of our grandaughter, Cordelia, taken the day she was born.  Cordelia was always wanted, always loved.  She's growing into a confident little person who knows she has a support group of people who care about her.  That is how it is supposed to be.  I am just trying do something to help every baby get to experience that sort of beginning, whether it be with a birth family or an adoptive family.  I thank you for considering this opportunity to do the same.

VACATION!

I recently enjoyed a nice family vacation to Arizona.  There, we spent time with Ben (son), Sara (daughter-in-law), and Carol (mother-in-law).  It was so great just to be together.  I really think a family commune would be a good idea but I can't quite get everyone on board with that. 

We made it to downtown Phoenix to see Body World and The Brain.  Have you seen that exhibition?  I was excited to see it and was actually quite awed by the experience.  Each body was posed to best show muscles, nerves, etc.  The exhibit included a baby in utero as well as babies from about all stages of prenatal development.  I think those were the ones most impressive to me.  Even at 8 weeks gestation, the babies were clearly human.  How can abortion be right?  Oops...I was just about to get up on my soapbox.  Maybe another day.

Anyway, Body World was amazing but knowing that the bodies were real people gave me a very odd feeling.  I wasn't creeped out but rather felt like I was getting a little too personal with strangers.  Just for the record, I do not want to be plasticized.

After the tour, we went for lunch.  The weather was lovely!

Here are pictures from our outdoor lunch...

 It was a good time.  I am so grateful for the ability to travel to family.