One Voice that Changed the Lives of Millions

About a week ago, my family and i watched the film "Amazing Grace", and tonight i watched it again. I'd heard about it from friends of mine, and after hearing about it enough times i actually went and got it from the library, where it so conveniently happened to be sitting on the shelf during one trip where i was told to "go find a movie for us to watch tonight". I can't believe i hadn't taken the initiative to get it before.

"Amazing Grace" was truly, amazing. There was a preview for the movie before the movie (where all the rest of the previews are) and while waiting for my mom to come we watched the preview and i fell in love with "Amazing Grace" right then and there. I loved it even more after i actually watched the film.

"Amazing Grace" is the story of William Wilberforce, a Member of Parliament for 45 years and a tireless advocate of abolition, better education, the poor and countless other social reforms. The movie mentions 'Wilber's' other causes, but focuses on his goal of the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire. In fact, the release was planned to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the passing of the Parliamentary Bill banning the slave trade.

My mother was wondering why, given the amazing accomplishments that Wilberforce achieved, we had never heard a bit about him before, but a biography on Wilberforce that i just finished reading gives a good analogy. It's a bit like when there is a dreadful disease, the book said. It consumes the populace, destroying the nation, but then a wonderful cure is invented that so totally wipes out the disease that people no longer remember there was a disease, or even a cure for it.

I was and am very inspired by the story of William Wilberforce. He worked tirelessly and doggedly for the end of slavery, even to the point of ruining his health. never giving up, supported by a slow growing group of like-minded people and in the end was able to rid the Empire of slavery.

Of course, after watching "Amazing Grace", i naturally thought of the parallels between slavery and abortion. Abortion is a more silent issue than slavery in the US was, but in England during Wilberforce's time slavery was a 'silent issue' as well. Slaves had previously been emancipated in England, so most people had no idea what slavery was really like. Slaves were in the West Indies, far across the Atlantic Ocean and far removed from public knowledge. The average Englishman had no concept of the cruilties and the horrors of slavery. They were told that the Africans were far better off as slaves, much like we are told that women are far better off without "unplanned pregnancies".

It gives me hope; if one man in Parliment could bring a "silent issue" to the attention of the government and the public, eventually winning over opposition and ridding the empire of a 'peculiar insitution'... could we be rid of abortion by having at least one or two politicians dedicated to the pro-life cause in our government?

With amazing grace, i think we could.

A Quiet Little Woman: A Christmas Story, by Louisa May Alcott.

These past few weeks, the Theater Troupe I belong to has been preparing a short skit adapted from Lousia May Alcott's story A Quiet Little Woman. We performed it on Tuesday for a woman's group, who was celebrating their 50th anniversary. Here are some pictures (taken by my mother) from the performance.
The story is about an orphan girl named Patty, who just wants to find "luxury, pleasure, rest and comfort". Jane's brother and his wife later adopt Patty as a servant in their household. A year passes, without love for Patty from the family, and many letters from Miss Jane. Christmas comes around, and Aunt Jane and the Murrays all go out to see the Nutcracker. Jane is upset when she realizes that the Murrays left Patty at home and is irritated at their attitude towards her. On the way home, she reads the Murrays some of Patty's letters, and the Murrays all realize for the first time the little girl who had been thirsting for love and belonging in their home. The next day, Christmas Day, they all surprise her with a stocking filled with presents and - more importantly to Patty - a place in their hearts and homes. Aunt Jane also has a surprise for Patty; she is friends with the dancers from the Nutcracker who come to the house and do a little dance for them all.
The story ends with Patty thanking God for all that he has given her, and sharing with Aunt Jane that she doesn't want riches and pleasures anymore, her new family is all she could ever want.

Me, as Mrs. Maria Murrey. My mom overheard one lady say "That mom is a real witch!" *cries* Well, at least she meant the character and not me! And really, I don't think Mrs. Murray was a witch, she was just treating her servants the way she'd been taught.

"Oh I wish someone would come and adopt me... I am pale skinny, and very shy. With my crooked shoulder, I'm afraid no one will ever want me."

"Can't you make friends and fortunes for yourself?"
"How can I?"
"By cheerfully taking whatever comes your way.... and by wasting no time in dreaming about what may happen, but bravely making each day a comfort and pleasure to those around you."

"They are kind to me, yet no one loves me. ...no one notices anything but a servant girl."



"At home of course, where else would she be? Goodness, you didn't expect for us to bring her too!"
"I did! ...If the show wasn't about to begin, I'd go and get her myself."

"Oh hush, the Nutcracker is about to begin!"

"Patty is a dull, steady going girl who is suited for a servant but no more!"

"Now listen all of you... 'I am grateful, but oh! I'm so lonely.... I know I am not attractive, but my crooked shoulder is always being made fun of... I can't help that part of me."

"I think we all see Patty in a different way, now that Aunt Jane has read us her letters."
"I know that whatever we decide to do I want to change and make things better in the new year."

"Oh look, she is sleeping on the floor! What a pretty little sight, even if it is the kitchen floor."


"Is it really you? I was so afraid you wouldn't come, I cried myself to sleep!"

""For me? Oh, you all do care for me!"

"Christmas is the time for all sorts of pleasant miracles, and I have a surprise too..."

"...since you didn't get to see the performance last evening, they [the dancers] have agreed to come and do a little dance for you."

"Will you still be dreaming of friends that are to come for you someday with fortunes in their pockets?"
"No Ma'am, I feel as if I found my folks. I don't want any finer fortune than the love they've given me today."

The End.

From Left to right:
Mrs. Murray (me), my daughter Ella and my daughter Joan.

Mrs. Murray and Patty
(AKA me and my sister 'Yaviel'.)

This Advent and Christmas season, be sure to look around for those who want love, but have no one to give it to them. You don't need to look far and wide either, all to often, some of the people who want or need love the most are right under our noses.

My Two Cents on the Elections

Okay, I know I am tired of hearing about the elections, so you probably are too, but I thought that I would just put up my two cents on this whole thing.
Ahem.

First off, I think that if anyone out there was in depression yesterday because of President-Elect Obama's victory - you should be done with it. I can understand the let down, but we can't wallow in our grief and disappointment. I have heard people say that Obama is the anti-Christ and that these must be the last days. Well that may possibly be so, but if it is then we should face it as smiling and joyful soldiers of Christ! The hard times ahead will be much more bearable if we cheerful disposition and gladly carry our cross, we will be nothing except miserable and despicable if we pout and lose hope. To lose Hope is to despair, and to despair is to sin.

We will survive. And we will do more than survive, we will conquer! They have not won! God has heard our prayers, and good will come out of this. We have not lost the fight, we have just taken a hard knock.

And this is 'victory' of the enemy may indeed be a good thing, believe it or not. How many people do you think would keep praying, repenting and converting if McCain had won? Zero! We would have just sighed with relief and gone on living our lives as before. But this seeming defeat ironically gives people a reason and an inspiration to "change"! Yes, to "change"! To change their hearts and the way they have been living their lives and turn back to God! This may indeed be the opportunity our country needs to become once again, a Christian nation.

As President of the United States, we do owe Barack Obama our respect as citizens of the United States. We may disagree with what he stands for, we may decided to battle the laws he tries to pass, but we may not- especially as followers of Jesus Christ - be disrespectful. Calling Obama names and flaming at him will not do anyone good. Love your enemies. Forgive those who persecute you.

So what should we do? Like I said before, we ironically follow Obama's own motto and change... for the better. And while we are at it, we can pray for him, for his safety, his conversion and for his soul. We can bring our hearts back to the straight and narrow. We can bring our families and friends back to the truth. We can bring our country back to God.

We can still win.

My Power is Made Perfect in Weakness

Today is ProLife Sunday. In memory of this, I would like to share with you part of the 40 Days for Life Devotion that I received today.

The call to participate in 40 Days for Life is a call
to sacrifice. It's a call that, when answered, often
brings unexpected joy, as seen in these postings from
the 40 Days for Life blog:

* Angela wrote, "I am so excited to see so many
people arriving at these clinics to pray for
life!"

* Pat noted, "I am so grateful for the 40 days of
prayer and fasting. Praise Jesus!"

* Julie said, "I believe this campaign could be the
beginning of the end of abortion in this country.
In my adult life, I have yet to dare to have that
hope -- until now.

Unexpected joy arrived one evening at the 40 Days for
Life vigil outside the Planned Parenthood location in
Sioux City, Iowa as people gathered to pray.

A bus from Michigan broke down at the fast food
restaurant right across the street. The bus was
carrying a Christian drama team -- including 13
children with disabilities. The assistant director
saw the vigil across the street, so he walked over
and started asking questions.

Stormy, one of the vigil participants, had a bunch of
questions for him as well. When she found out who
they were and what they did, she asked if they would
put on a play -- right then and there.

"They did! Right there, facing Planned Parenthood,
these special kids and friends re-enacted the Passion
of Christ," Mary reports. "The young man who
portrayed Jesus had Down syndrome. He stretched out
his arms and 'hung on the cross.' "

The assistant director said he cries every time he
watches the kids do this play. "It might have
something to do with the actor playing Jesus," she
said, "who gets so emotional that he can't stop
crying."

Before they left from their home town of Holland,
Michigan, their principal had told them that he
didn't know when or where, but he just had a feeling
they would hold one additional performance at a time
and place that was not listed on their original
schedule.

"We are sure glad it was here," said Mary. "They were
terrific and they were so pleased to perform for
people who respect all life. Their replacement bus
arrived just after the kids were able to receive lots
of applause and thanks and a 40 Days for Life
bracelet."

The death of the innocent Lord and Savior -- staged
in front of Planned Parenthood, an organization
responsible for ending hundreds of thousands of
innocent lives every year; performed by special needs
children, upon whom the abortion industry has
declared open season -- how powerful!

There is indeed joy. And there is indeed hope.

Hope Springs Eternal

Last night, my mom read us this article from the Caritas "Words of the Harvesters" bulletin. I was so moved and inspired by this true story, which occurred on March 11, 2008. Today, as Pope Benedict XIV arrives in America, let us pray that the events that occurred in this story, will have a powerful and positive effect with the future of our nation. I greatly encourage you to read this story, and to pass it on.