New Beginnings
2015
 |
| March for Life DC 2015 Courtesy of Congressman Bruce Westerman |
With the “Sanctity of Human Life” events added to our usual
schedule, January is typically a very busy month for us.
 |
| Happy faces after hearing |
We traveled overnight to St. Louis for the Heartbeat Bill hearing in
appellate court. It was extremely cold but we did manage to get a long brisk
walk in before meeting colleagues for dinner. It felt good to get some exercise
after traveling all day. Dan had never toured the St. Louis arch. Since it didn’t appear too far from the hotel
and the hotel staff confirmed this, we decided to walk there. It really wasn’t too far, but a mile in the
cold seems a lot further. We walked it in record time.
 |
| Dan inside of St. Louis arch |
The hearing went very well.
We were especially pleased to discover a group of young people were
gathered outside in the 15 degree weather praying for the hearing. Thank you God this is truly the pro-life
generation!
 |
| Linda, Paul ,Amber,Heather,Denise,Carrie,MaryAnne,Millie,Fr. Ed and Dr. Jon Stubblefield |
Several precious souls shared their abortion healing journey
at our annual press conference at the Capitol.
It was one of the best attended and media coverage we have had. The legislators were out for a long holiday
weekend. In spite of their absence,
several church members came in support.
This was very encouraging to all of us.
Another special thanks goes to Father Ed Graves and our pastor Dr. Jon
Stubblefield for standing with us.
 |
| The Duggar clan always support LIFE! |
 |
| "Rock Star" at Little Rock Walk For Life |
Followed by the press conference on Friday, we had a
beautiful testimony from our friend and neighbor during our Sunday morning
worship hour. Thank you, precious friend
Sonja McCaleb. Thank you to your husband and friends for accompanying and
supporting you. Immediately following
Sunday worship, we headed back to the capitol in Little Rock for the annual March for
Life. Again, we were much encouraged as
numbers of legislators stood publicly for life.
 |
| Sonja and John McCaleb |
After a few days to regroup and repack, we headed to Washington DC
 |
| Dan in DC |
We have had a few bad weather days here in the Village
recently. I hasten to add it has been
nothing as severe as last year’s weather.
From November through March we were constantly bombarded with ice and or
snow. It keeps our minds and prayers focused on the folks enduring horrific
weather on the East coast.
 |
| Linda on steps of Supreme Court Building (I must look dangerous!) |
 |
| Dan and John navigating before dawn. DC bound! |
 |
| Arriving in DC |
In between these trips, events and few inclement weather
days I had another eye surgery. Dan finally gave in to rotator cuff surgery
repair. All things considered, he has
done well. The most difficult for him is
being confined indoors. He was overly
optimistic in dressing for work today. I pointed out the roads looked clear
because they were ice covered. When the
snow began to fall on top of the ice, I excitedly proclaimed its beauty to
Dan. He did not share my
enthusiasm. He simply responded with a
silent glare.
As the New Year begins, we try to evaluate and consider what
direction we should go. The thoughts of the annual trip to New York for UN Women lay heavily upon me.
We always want to be good stewards of all our resources. The wise use of God’s
time, money and productivity are key points of prayer. Our first desire is to
be faithful but we must also be credible and effective in our service.
As the younger generation steps up, I considered my
approaching birthday. This fall I will
be 64. I was surprised at this number. I
don’t know when or how this crept up on me.
I struggled to decide if it were time to step aside. Was there another
way I could better serve? I expressed my concerns to my dear friend and prayer
partner Pat. She immediately began to intercede.
The UN trip is always expensive, but with the opportunities
this year, even more so. I struggled
with the decision to go, stay or help otherwise. When I felt a sense of urgency
not to step aside but to actually step up the pace, I made plane reservations. I
pray the Lord will bless the labor of our hands and feet as we share His Love
and Restoration power to the nations. He is in a hurry. Time grows short. Really,
what else can we do? It is always through our weakness that He is made strong.
As once again I step out of the boat, I pray to keep my eyes on Him!
“For
my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares
the Lord: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than
your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and
making it bud and flourish, so that it yield seed from the sower and bread for
the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth. It will not return
to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for
which I sent it.’ Isaiah 55:8-11
