Sleet Won't Stop Pro-Lifers

This past weekend marked the midway point in our 40 Days for Life campaign, and we celebrated in the sleet! Only the hardiest of pro-life souls were in attendance--over 50 total!--many of whom were families with little children who didn't seem to mind the snow and rain mix one bit. In fact, the puddles to splash in were the best part for my boys, keeping them happily (and soggily) entertained while the rest of us prayed, sang, and solemnly remembered those who have been hurt by abortion.

This midway event is called the "Candlelight Vigil" because we all held candles as we stood in prayerful vigil outside of Planned Parenthood. Statistically, 1 in every 5 babies in America is aborted, so at one point during the ceremony 1/5 of the people turned off their candles in remembrance of those babies who never even had the chance to shine in this world. It is a somber reality to think of the silent holocaust that is occurring around us daily, but at the same time, I am beginning to feel hope that the tide is turning and that more and more people are becoming aware of the truth that life exists in the womb, that those unborn lives have rights, and that abortion is harmful, not helpful, to women. People are realizing that being pro-choice is NOT being pro-women because the choice of abortion ultimately hurts women in one way or another---perhaps through depression, future infertility, or increased risk of breast cancer (just to name a few of the negative side-effects).

During our Candlelight Vigil we not only prayed for an end to abortion, but also for healing for those who have experienced abortion. One of the reasons I so strongly believe in the 40 Days for Life movement is because it doesn't just focus on saving the lives of babies, it focuses on sparing women from so many harmful side-effects, on helping people find God's healing if they made a choice that they now regret, and on calling upon God's power, not our own, to bring about a culture of life in our world. 40 Days for Life is not a protest, it's a prayer, and the prayers of thousands of participants all over the world are being answered in miraculous ways. For those reasons, and so many more, 40 Days for Life fills me with hope. May these pictures share some of that hope with you...and for more hope-filled stories go to: http://www.40daysforlife.com/.

Joseph watching the sleet fall upon us as we pray.

Ben, our campaign director, leading us all in prayer...

A moment of silence, remembering the lives lost to abortion, the hearts forever scarred...

My boys playing in the puddles, sending pine cones and rocks floating down the streams...

Two of the cutest pro-lifers on the block: Agnes and Grace...

My husband with Nathanael, the youngest pro-lifer at our event...

Dominic proudly letting his candle shine...

Michael proud to be pro-life and proud of his newly lost tooth...

Joseph sprinkled with sleet and looking so sweet...

All the vigilers marching around Planned Parenthood, surrounding the building with our prayers for healing, hope, and conversion.