Sunday, March 1, 2015

New Beginnings

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 for the March for Life.  Traveling with our good friends John and Nancy Emmons made the trip fun and the travel time pass quickly. Next year we hope to take several participants for the Silent No More Awareness campaign at the Supreme Court.

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