Why I Marched

January 24, 2014June 25, 2014 ~ Laura ~ 2 Comments

Just a few days ago I went on my second March for Life, after going to two West Coast Walk for Life’s before that. Being part of the March is by far one of the most inspirational things I’ve ever been a part of. And this is my thoughts on why . . .

Back in 2011 I went to my first Walk for Life, which was the first major pro-life event I remember attending. It moved me. It’s funny when I look back in old journal entries and laugh (cringe too) because I was fairly obsessed with musicals and wanting to be a broadway star for the better part of my tween years. I didn’t yet have the direction I now have in my life, which I think I was wanting to fill with musical theater. Don’t get me wrong, I still love music. But I’ve found something better and more beautiful to be part of, and that is defending, protecting, and promoting life.

If someone were to ask me why for pete’s sake I went to freeze to death in D.C., here’s some of what I’d share with them:

I marched this year because I stand in solidarity with all who have been harmed by abortion.

I marched this this year because I believe no one wants to grow up to work in the abortion industry, and those who do work in it need to be given better places to work.

I marched this year because our world so desperately needs people to stand up for what is right, even if it means 55 hours on a bus and freezing in D.C.

I marched this year to be a witness to people in my life how much I love and care about life.

I marched this year because I believe that without action, our beliefs are a moot point.

I marched this year for the 1/3 of my generation who will never see the light of day.

I marched this year for all the mothers who have resorted to abortion sometimes through coercion or lack of resources to choose life.

I marched this year for all the fathers who may or may not have stood up for the lives of their children.

I marched this year for the two babies I named who were victims of abortion.

Ultimately, I marched this year because I believe life is our most precious gift. I believe every single life, regardless of race, religion, or socioeconomic status is unique and unrepeatable. No matter who you are, you are a gift from God, and no one has the right to snuff out your life.

I believe women and our country deserve better than abortion.

The pro-life movement is a movement of love, and the March never fails to remind me of that. To stand there with hundreds of thousands of people who believe in the joy life brings . . . guys. It’s really amazing. It still makes me tear up. I mean, it’s hard to describe how incredible it feels to be part of something that is so much bigger than myself. It’s kind of like holding a baby. In that moment all is right with the world (unless they’re crying or throwing up or something of course). You just look at those precious little eyes, the fingers that curl around yours, and the itty bitty toes that will someday run up and down the hallways. That right there is hope. You don’t know who this person will become, what they will do, or what lives they may touch.

In each person I see the potential for greatness. And I think it’s a shame that in our country we reduce the preciousness of each life to an issue of “rights” – a woman’s right to choose, etc. We’re so much more than that! We are unique, unrepeatable, and made to love and be loved. Abortion does not fit with that notion. And neither does euthanasia, contraception, or the death penalty.

Me? I’m just one person. Sure, I marched for life. But showing the world how beautiful life is takes a lot more than that.

Our everyday lives have to mirror our beliefs. When our joy and love of life overflows to the people we meet, they eventually are going to have to wonder what we’ve got that they don’t. And that, folks is a whole lot of love and hope. That is what I experienced at the March, and it’s why I marched. I marched because I stand for life, love, and the dignity of each and every person.

On dressing like a hoochie mama

November 8, 2013May 6, 2017 ~ Laura ~ 8 Comments

Ladies, this post is for you. I’m going to be honest and frank, so just hear me out.

Leggings. What’s the deal here? Love ’em, hate ’em? Do you wear them?

I do. Leggings are rather comfy if you ask me, and are convenient for making a winter outfit more warm. I’ve been wearing them quite a bit, actually. The catch? I only wear them under other articles of clothing. Now don’t stop reading. I’m not a crazy modesty freak who wears floor length jumpers. Though I don’t have many recent pictures to share, I can tell you that I strive to dress modestly and cutely at the same time. My sense of fashion is most definitely debatable, but that’s not what I’m here to talk about.

I’m here to talk about something I heard last night.

Last night I went to a girls night talk with Sarah Swafford (who is AWESOME!). She’s like a big sister and a young mom at the same time. She gets us ladies. And she meets us where we’re at.

Last night many girls had questions about modesty in general, and if specific articles of clothing were appropriate. Of course, the legging debate came up. Are they acceptable? I mean, what’s the big deal, right?

I’ll tell you what she told us.

Over the past few years she’s sat down different groups of guys to ask them what challenges they’re facing. When leggings came up, here’s what the guys said:

When girls just wear leggings (or any skin tight pants), what they see is her silhouette. Nothing is left to the imagination. What they see is pretty much you. Naked.

Now, you say, “It’s not my responsibility what other people think! If a guy sins because of seeing me in what I like to wear, it’s his problem. Not mine.”

Let me tell you. I see the point. I actually get annoyed sometimes when people say that they cover themselves so that guys don’t sin. Why? Because I think there’s a lot more to it. I dress the way I do because 1. I don’t want that kind of attention. And 2. This picture.

What are you advertising when you wear leggings as pants? Apparently it’s your booty. You may be comfortable. You may have dressed this way forever. But guess what? You just might look a little like a hoochie mama. And ladies, let’s be real. No one wants to be a hoochie mama.

If you want to date a respectable guy, then why are you wearing something that is advertising parts of you that should not be on display? Is that going to convey the right message? When the guy you like sees you dressing like that, do you think he’s going to be drawn to your beautiful eyes, your character, or your great laugh?

No. No, he won’t. Because you’re distracting him.

Like Sarah said, don’t shoot the messenger. I’m writing this because I believe women out there need to hear this. They need to know that what we wear sends a signal to the world of who we are. It’s time we live up to our calling to “Be the light” of the world. It’s time we chuck physically revealing pieces of clothes out the window because really . . .

I want ladies out there to know that dressing like something they are not (ie. hoochie mamas) is not going to get them anywhere. For the guys in your life, the young ladies you are a role model for, and anyone you come in contact with: Dress in a way that instead of your cleavage and booty, reveals your true beauty and femininity. You were made for more.

Life Chain 2013

October 6, 2013June 25, 2014 ~ Laura ~ Leave a comment

Today was Respect Life Sunday, and the national Life Chain event (which was one of the first pro-life events I participated in). We stood at the intersection for an hour with our “Pray to End Abortion” signs and got lots of positive responses from Atchison residents. It was beautiful to see so many people out there willing to stand for life and be a witness in our community. It was especially beautiful to see many of the Benedictine professors out there praying up a storm with their kids.

It reminded me of the first time I did this two years ago. It was back home in a much busier and liberal area.

So I went and found my Facebook note I wrote the day after (before the blogging age) and thought I’d share it with you:

October 4th, 2011

Yesterday I participated in the Life Chain event, a nation-wide peaceful and prayerful event where pro-life people stand along busy streets holding signs. These signs herald pro-life messages such as “Abortion Hurts Women”, “Adoption the loving option”, and “Pray for an end to abortion”. I didn’t know what to expect going to this event, since I’d never been before, but was happy to join others in standing for life.

Our local Life Chain happened on a very busy intersection with lots of car dealerships around. I arrived with my Mom and two of my sisters. We hopped out of the car and headed down the road to get signs to hold. We got ours and joined friends along the street. I took my post, watching cars, praying that our quiet witness to life might inspire people who drove past.

Most cars zoomed past us. Some slowed down to read the signs. Of those who read the signs and responded, we got at least four positive responses for every negative response. Some waved, or gave us a thumbs up. Others honked and smiled, while a few gave us “the finger”. As I stood there on the side of the road, I wondered what these people were thinking. Did they agree with us? Did they disagree? Do they know what abortion is? Some of them thought we were crazy, as did one man who stopped and told us to quit accusing him of being a natzi *bleep*. Did any of our signs say that? No. Did any of the participants say that to him? I doubt it. I wondered what caused this man to be so bitter against us. Had he been personally hurt by abortion? I hope God blessed him with a good rest of the day, and that he continues to think about abortion. Hopefully he will come to realize the truth of the pro-life movement one day.

I smiled and waved back to the people who were honking, waving, and giving up thumbs up. It was great to see those people respond to us. I don’t know if I should be surprised, but so many people didn’t respond to us at all. Some even avoided looking at us. What was going through the minds of the drivers who were just starring in front of them?

One lady gave a big thumbs down as she waited at the stop light, and shook her head. Another person proudly displayed his finger for the world to see as he passed. A motorcyclist spat at us as he revved his engine and sped by. Had these people been personally affected by abortion? Was the woman suffering from the aftermath of one herself? As she waited at the stop light, she rested her head on her hand and starred into the distance. It looked like she was remembering something. Something that had hurt her. Maybe something we were displaying signs about…

As each of these people passed by, I prayed for them. I prayed for those who gave us thumbs up that they would have the courage to stand with us, for those who gave us a thumbs down that they will someday realize the truth about the scourge of abortion, and I especially prayed for those who did nothing, those who starred into the distance, and those who zoomed past without acknowledging us that if nothing else we planted a seed in their minds. A little seed that when they encounter abortion in their own lives, they will remember those people standing by the road with signs, and will choose life.

If I brought anything away from my Life Chain experience, I came away wishing more people passing by had responded. Even if we had had more negative responses, I would much rather have that than the countless people who did nothing. This is part of what the pro-life movement faced with. We are faced with too many people who do nothing. It may sound a bit harsh, but it’s true.

Think about it: Of the hundreds of people who passed by us, I estimate that 10 – 15% responded. Can you imagine if everyone had responded? Can you imagine if everyone was educated about abortion and took a stance on it? Can you imagine if everyone stood up for what they believed in?

This is what I see in different aspects of life. People tend to be either uneducated on the matter (and therefore unable to take a stance on it), or do not muster the willpower and courage to stand up and make a difference. How are things supposed to get better, and how are we going to help others see the truth if we don’t do anything about it? I love how this quote summarizes what I’m saying “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Boom, bam, baby. I couldn’t say it better. We can’t change hearts and help others to see the truth if we don’t try.

After reading this, ask yourself: “Am I a person who is fine watching from the sidelines, or am I a person who stands up for what I believe in, even if I stand alone?” Are you one of those people cruising down the road, or are you standing there with a sign? I sincerely hope that you are willing to stand up for what you believe in. I pray that God gives us all the courage to speak out against evil, because we need more people who are willing to get uncomfortable for what is right.

Find Your Purpose

July 22, 2013June 26, 2014 ~ Laura ~ 2 Comments

Some people can relate pretty much everything back to their favorite tv show or book series. Me? I can relate most things to the pro-life movement. Why? It’s my passion. It’s what I read about, it’s what I work for, and it’s what I think about quite a bit of the time. Of course I don’t spend my life consumed by it, but it is my cause. How did I get here? I noticed recently that I don’t write many things about my personal life on here. So today (and this week) I decided to start sharing more of that with you.

I found my cause a couple years ago, but it happened slowly.

Growing up, pro-life issues were not things I knew much of anything about or really talked about. At all. I do remember going to some sort of pro-life rally or protest in Sacramento when I was around 9, but I don’t remember what it was for. I do clearly remember seeing graphic abortion signs, and to this day know which one in particular people were carrying.

Fast forward to January 2011 when I went to my first Walk for Life. It was an experience unlike anything I had ever been to. It was inspiring and moving. I had never had the experience of being part of a movement like that – something bigger than myself. It’s hard to describe. To know that you are walking for a cause, for the truth, with thousand of other people? That’s pretty powerful. To this day, going to marches and pro-life rallies never ceases to inspire me and sometimes move me to tears. That day I think something was planted in the back of my mind.

January 2011 is also when I got my Facebook account and shortly after found Live Action and Life News which I started reading. My eyes were opened to a whole new world I had known absolutely nothing about.

I was working for Sears at the time, and quit that job in June 2011 after a terrible experience (a whole other story). I didn’t know what I was going to do, and needed a job. I applied to the usual – fast food and restaurants – but didn’t get anything. I got to the fall and just decided to wait and see what would happen. I would like to say that I had a moment when I just threw it in God’s hands, but I don’t really remember. Something better was in the works…

In the fall of 2011 someone I know introduced me to someone who introduced me to people at Live Action. The rest, you could say, is history.

I started working for Live Action in October, and it all snowballed. I went to the International Pro-Life Youth Conference in November 2011, wrote my first blog post after that, and later started writing for Live Action. Now I’ve worked for a couple different pregnancy centers, and multiple pro-life organizations.

This all happened in the span of a couple years, and let me tell you: I could never have imagined being this uber pro-lifer. Just a few years ago, I knew nothing about abortion and related topics. But everything fell into perfect place. And it’s not because I planned for this to happen.

In college I’ve met many different kinds of people, but one thing I’ve noticed is that not too many of them are extremely passionate about anything in particular. They come to college to get a degree, and la la la. They don’t really know what they want to do. I’ve noticed this about all sorts of people in other aspects of my life as well.

I don’t get this.

As someone who feels rather strongly about pro-life issues, I am convinced that this is what I was meant to do. We’re all here for a purpose, right? This is mine. Or at least part of it. I cannot imagine now not being like this, but am fully aware that many people are not. Why? I don’t think they’ve found their purpose yet.

So this is my message: If you’re one of those people, start exploring things NOW.

High school is the perfect time to start finding internships and making connections. If you’re older than that, you’re going to need to hit the ground running. Like now. Learn how to have integrity, and always give your best effort. Get summer jobs. Ask your teachers questions.

Don’t know what you love yet? Start with the process of elimination. Make a list of tons of jobs and cross out the ones you know you don’t want to pursue. Pray about it. Talk with a friend about your strengths and weaknesses, and how those will play into your future (your parents would be good at that too). Talk to people you know whose work looks interesting. Go to work with them. Read articles.

We were all put on Earth for a reason, and if you haven’t found that reason yet, you’re wasting time. Quite frankly, you’re wasting your life. God handed you a specific set of talents and gifts, and it’s your responsibility to figure out how to best use them. If you don’t, you’re basically throwing them in God’s face and saying “Thanks, but no thanks”. You’re missing out on some serious joy too.

One of the greatest joys in life is being confident in the fact that you are doing what God wants you to be doing. It’s beautiful. And it just feels right. Do you have what it takes to get there?

Find your passion. Find your purpose.

Pro-lifers are prettier

July 13, 2013June 26, 2014 ~ Laura ~ 1 Comment

And I’m not saying we’re more fashionable or do our make-up better. I’m talking about a deeper look at how our inner convictions change the way we live.

This came up because of what has been happening in TX with HB2 being passed. Someone posted on Facebook that “Only Prettier” by Miranda Lambert should be the theme song for Texan pro-lifers. So true, huh? The difference between pro-lifers and abortion supporters in TX is astounding, and let’s just say our presentation was quite a bit prettier. When abortion supporters felt their “right” to abortion past 20 weeks being pulled away, it got pretty ugly. Let me illustrate.

Some of the following images may not be suitable for all audiences. Proceed with caution.

abortion supporters sang this song parody…alrightie then

The mob with their classy hanger….with Cecile Richards mother watching

abortion supporter being arrested, note the red paint

How friendly….and quite a creative idea for decoration

another arrest (she had chained herself to the railing)

Add to that the reports of abortion supporters bringing jars of poop, guns, and maxi pads filled with glitter. Not to mention all the signs filled with profanity I’ve purposefully neglected to post here. This is FAR from the worst. Now let me share with you pictures of pro-lifers at the capitol.

Take a look back on those pictures if you need to. What struck me is how drastically different these groups of people are, separated simply by their views on abortion. Pro-lifers were peaceful for the most part, as abortion supporters chanted “Hail Satan” and spat on them. It’s striking what a difference you can see in just the facial expressions. How terrible is it that such an issue cases people to act so terribly! But in the end, it was an incredible opportunity for pro-lifers to be a witness to the fact that the truth doesn’t need to be shouted and thrown at people packaged up in maxi pads.

Take a moment to reflect on this and then ask yourself: Aren’t pro-lifers prettier?