One of America's most open and obvious pro-life families is the Duggar family from Arkansas. Most people who follow the news or watch cable TV on TLC or DiscoveryHealth have probably heard of them or even seen their shows. Their current show, "17 Kids & Counting" is my favorite TV series. It is so inspiring and refreshing to see a sincere, beautiful, conservative Christian family proclaiming the Gospel of Life so openly by just simply living their lives.
However, many people do not think it's refreshing...in fact, they think it's almost sickening. Today is not the first timeI've heard this sentiment. I've read vehement articles online and seen a bitter YouTube video of people expressing their views about this family. They complain that birthing 18 children is disgusting and should not be happening; they bemoan the fact that the children are sheltered and don't date until they're ready for marriage; and they think that it's weird the girls wear only skirts.
The main topic I want to address is the number of children issue. This is partly why I have a problem with the label of "pro-choice": with pro-choicers, the "choice" which is emphasized is abortion (along with contraception). If you are truly "pro-choice," then why can't you be okay with ANY decision a woman makes? If pro-choicers think a woman has a right to have abortion-on-demand and no one is allowed to judge her for her choices, then why can't mothers birth 18 (or more) children without pro-choicers complaining and judging her? I don't understand why having an abortion is only between a woman and her doctor, but then birthing dozens of children is the whole world's business.
Every family has its ups and downs, but the Duggar family is mostly positive: the children are not abused, they live frugally but are well-cared for, they are loved immensely by their parents and siblings, they are well-mannered and mature, and they are happy, healthy, and kind. What else could one want from a family?
But yet, liberally-minded people complain. Granted, they may think their comments are well-grounded, but my opinion is that many of them say what they do out of bitterness and jealousy because they know, deep down, that the Duggar's have something they don't possess, whether it is a wholesome family life, siblings, loving parents who are still together, or a genuine faith in Jesus. These words from the American public show what a self-centered and anti-life culture we have become. We live for our own pleasures, and if something (or someone) isn't convenient, then we just throw it away and move on with our lives. If we don't "get anything out of it," then it's not worth it.
However, I must go against the mainstream and commend the Duggar family for their witness to life and faith. It's not easy living their kind of life, but they are happy living it because they know it's the right thing to do. They have definitely inspired me and given me hope.
One more thought about the pro-choice rhetoric. If individuals are going to call themselves "pro-choice," then they should act like it. If they want to live up to their name, then they should be happy for Jim Bob and Michelle because of what they have chosen.
However, there is a catch to this: the pro-choice crowd could turn around and say, "Well, then why can't YOU say, 'If a woman feels like she should have an abortion, then she should have it'?"
Here's my answer: I'm not all about choosing whatever I want (although, since I'm not perfect, I am selfish sometimes). I'm all about choosing what God wants, and He wants us to CHOOSE LIFE. I'm trying to show I'm serious about my label, which is PRO-LIFE.
To learn more about the Duggar family, visit www.Duggarfamily.com
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
12-Year-Old Pro-Life Speech
I just watched this video of a 12-year-old girl giving a five minute speech about abortion. She is so well articulated and passionate! We need more youth like her speaking out.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
An Empty Red Envelope
Today I received a Facebook message from Peter Shinn of ProLifeUnity.com, about a "quiet but clear" message we can all send to President Obama:
"From John and Bill
Dear Friends:
This afternoon a friend was praying about a number of things, and her mind began to wander. She was deeply distressed at the symbolic actions that President Obama took as he began his presidency. Namely, that he signed executive orders releasing funds to pay for abortions,permission to fund human stem cell research, and federal funding for contraception. She has been involved in the pro-life movement for nearly 20 years, and it pained her heart and so many of us to see a man and a political party committed to the shedding of innocent blood. This man, and this party lead our country, but they do not represent me or the 54% of Americans who believe that abortion is wrong and should no longer be legal.
As she was praying, she believed that God gave her an interesting idea. Out in the garage she had a box of red envelopes. Like the powerful image of the red LIFE tape, an empty red envelope will send a message to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue. It will be quiet, but clear.
Here is what we all could do:
Get a red envelope. (You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores.)
On the front, address it to:
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington , D.C. 20500
On the back, write the following message.
This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world.
Responsibility begins with conception.
Put it in the mail, and send it. Then forward this email to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the president."
Please spend a few dollars and a few moments to do this simple but potential powerful act...we all have to work together!
"From John and Bill
Dear Friends:
This afternoon a friend was praying about a number of things, and her mind began to wander. She was deeply distressed at the symbolic actions that President Obama took as he began his presidency. Namely, that he signed executive orders releasing funds to pay for abortions,permission to fund human stem cell research, and federal funding for contraception. She has been involved in the pro-life movement for nearly 20 years, and it pained her heart and so many of us to see a man and a political party committed to the shedding of innocent blood. This man, and this party lead our country, but they do not represent me or the 54% of Americans who believe that abortion is wrong and should no longer be legal.
As she was praying, she believed that God gave her an interesting idea. Out in the garage she had a box of red envelopes. Like the powerful image of the red LIFE tape, an empty red envelope will send a message to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue. It will be quiet, but clear.
Here is what we all could do:
Get a red envelope. (You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores.)
On the front, address it to:
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington , D.C. 20500
On the back, write the following message.
This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world.
Responsibility begins with conception.
Put it in the mail, and send it. Then forward this email to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the president."
Please spend a few dollars and a few moments to do this simple but potential powerful act...we all have to work together!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Real Help for Suffering Women - Intro
Yesterday, I was riding the D.C. Metro as usual, making my way to Union Station. The train I was on had stopped to drop off/pick up more passengers, and the train going the opposite way was also stopped. I glanced through the windows and saw a black and white poster in the other train. There was the picture of a lady and the title of the poster was:
"You don't have to suffer alone."
Hmm, wouldn't that be amazing if it were an advertisement offering help for women suffering after an abortion? I thought. But it probably isn't. I couldn't see the other words on the poster, and I began zoning out, waiting for the train to move.
Right before we pulled out from the stop, the people standing in front of the poster moved so that I could see the rest of the advertisement. It had the phone number: 1-888-456-HOPE and, in fact, it WAS an advertisement for post-abortive healing! I couldn't believe it, because I'd never seen anything like that in the Metro before.
I just Googled the phone number, and it turns out it is sponsored by Project Rachel. The website is: www.hopeafterabortion.com
Look for a longer post about the negative effects that abortion has on women, but that there IS hope and healing. Pro-lifers are waiting with loving arms to help these women!
"You don't have to suffer alone."
Hmm, wouldn't that be amazing if it were an advertisement offering help for women suffering after an abortion? I thought. But it probably isn't. I couldn't see the other words on the poster, and I began zoning out, waiting for the train to move.
Right before we pulled out from the stop, the people standing in front of the poster moved so that I could see the rest of the advertisement. It had the phone number: 1-888-456-HOPE and, in fact, it WAS an advertisement for post-abortive healing! I couldn't believe it, because I'd never seen anything like that in the Metro before.
I just Googled the phone number, and it turns out it is sponsored by Project Rachel. The website is: www.hopeafterabortion.com
Look for a longer post about the negative effects that abortion has on women, but that there IS hope and healing. Pro-lifers are waiting with loving arms to help these women!
Friday, February 6, 2009
MARYLAND LAWMAKER TO INTRODUCE PERSONHOOD AMENDMENT
I received an important e-mail from Keith Mason today, as follows:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Delegate Don Dwyer 410-841-3298 Office / 410-419-3870 Cell
Don.Dwyer@house.state.md.us
MARYLAND LAWMAKER TO INTRODUCE PERSONHOOD AMENDMENT
The Personhood movement is catching fire as Maryland joins 15 other states across the country working toward the legal recognition of all human beings as "persons" under the law.
Delegate Don H. Dwyer, Jr. will introduce a Personhood Amendment this coming week in the Maryland General Assembly. The amendment recognizes all human beings from their biological beginning as "persons."
"The personhood movement marks a monumental shift in pro-life legislation of the past 20 years," said Judie Brown, president of American Life League. "It strikes at the root of the culture of death and discusses life issues in their true context - as the foundation of all civil rights issues."
"Here we are some 36 years after Roe v. Wade, (the Supreme Court decision that decriminalized abortion), and we now have 3-D and 4-D color sonograms that give us a real-time look into the womb," Del. Dwyer said. "There is no doubt today that there is a human being in the womb and that human being should be considered a person."
Colorado became the first state last fall to allow its citizens to vote on a Personhood Amendment ballot initiative. "I believe that as we approach nearly 40 years since the court ruled on Roe v. Wade, we must once again open the public debate to review when each human being's life begins," Del. Dwyer said.
"There is no doubt today the human being in the womb is a person. In the end, my goal would be that not only Maryland, but every state, would grant the protections of the state and U.S. Constitutions to all persons, born and preborn."
Personhood USA PO Box 486 Arvada Co 80001
If you are a pro-lifer in Maryland, please take action in some way! I will post more information as I get it. You can access Keith Mason's Personhood website at: www.personhoodusa.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Delegate Don Dwyer 410-841-3298 Office / 410-419-3870 Cell
Don.Dwyer@house.state.md.us
MARYLAND LAWMAKER TO INTRODUCE PERSONHOOD AMENDMENT
The Personhood movement is catching fire as Maryland joins 15 other states across the country working toward the legal recognition of all human beings as "persons" under the law.
Delegate Don H. Dwyer, Jr. will introduce a Personhood Amendment this coming week in the Maryland General Assembly. The amendment recognizes all human beings from their biological beginning as "persons."
"The personhood movement marks a monumental shift in pro-life legislation of the past 20 years," said Judie Brown, president of American Life League. "It strikes at the root of the culture of death and discusses life issues in their true context - as the foundation of all civil rights issues."
"Here we are some 36 years after Roe v. Wade, (the Supreme Court decision that decriminalized abortion), and we now have 3-D and 4-D color sonograms that give us a real-time look into the womb," Del. Dwyer said. "There is no doubt today that there is a human being in the womb and that human being should be considered a person."
Colorado became the first state last fall to allow its citizens to vote on a Personhood Amendment ballot initiative. "I believe that as we approach nearly 40 years since the court ruled on Roe v. Wade, we must once again open the public debate to review when each human being's life begins," Del. Dwyer said.
"There is no doubt today the human being in the womb is a person. In the end, my goal would be that not only Maryland, but every state, would grant the protections of the state and U.S. Constitutions to all persons, born and preborn."
Personhood USA PO Box 486 Arvada Co 80001
If you are a pro-lifer in Maryland, please take action in some way! I will post more information as I get it. You can access Keith Mason's Personhood website at: www.personhoodusa.com
Thursday, January 29, 2009
March for naught? I think not...
On Thursday, January 22, 2009, an estimated 200,000-300,000 people gathered on the Mall in Washington, D.C. These people were of all ages, although the majority were teens and young adults. Each person, filled with an unquenchable fire within them, from all over the United States, was there in a united purpose: to be witnesses to the truth that every human life is sacred and that the unborn deserve all the dignity and legal protection that are given to born people. In joy and peace, the people prayed, sang, and held signs as they marched as one to the Supreme Court. There, the people prayed and sang some more, and some remained completely silent, in solidarity with the unborn. Post-abortive women also gave their testimonies, that abortion not only takes the life of a human child but also has hurt millions of women, emotionally and physically. These women have found the courage to speak out and find healing in Jesus Christ, and now they desperately beg other women to spare themselves of the huge mistake they made.
This fervor in the nation's capitol did not last just one day. During the week, from Inauguration Day until Saturday, there were numerous other pro-life activities, including training sessions, other prayer vigils, the first annual Life Prizes awards, and the Students for Life of America conference. After the events ended, all the pilgrims returned to their homes, renewed in spirit and reinvigorated to keep fighting against the evil of abortion, right down to the day it ends.
However, some pro-lifers apparently believe that the March for Life is a vain attempt to end abortion; that it is an activity that does not make a difference. After Googling "march for life" yesterday, this article was one of the first hits: http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/01/an-abortion-foe-says-march-for.html It is a very short article in the Dallas Morning News, linking to a blog kept by Sean Michael Winters. http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&id=09BBBB3C-1438-5036-4FE7DDD57216204D#comments Please read these for yourself and then continue....
*Disclaimer* I have never heard of this man before, neither have I heard of his blog, so I cannot verify that this a traditional or trustworthy Catholic site.
I beg to differ from Mr. Winters' views. While it is true that the many thousands of people who traveled to D.C. could have been back at their homes and churches, sidewalk counseling and volunteering for Crisis Pregnancy Centers, there is also a time and a place for activities such as the March. "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Pro-lifers must embrace and support every aspect of the movement. We must have unity within our movement. Otherwise, we will rend ourselves apart and our work will be fruitless.
I disagree with the author because of his attempt to criticize what other pro-lifers are doing. But I disagree with him even more because of his claim that the March produces no results. First of all, as with any pro-life activity, we cannot assume that because we don't see the direct results, we are not accomplishing anything. Jesus told told us that "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." (John 20:29b) While Jesus was talking about Christians who believe in Him but have never seen Him with their eyes (meaning us!), we can apply this principle to hoping and believing that our efforts, with God's grace and power, are producing positive results. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)
Secondly, he makes many assumptions in his post, some which are simply not true. He claims that there were "angry chants outside the Supreme Court." I have received the privilege and blessing of participating in the March for Life, and I can say from personal experience that the whole experience was peaceful. No one was shouting angrily outside the Supreme Court, and there was no bitterness. My friends and I knelt on the damp ground almost the entire time, praying and singing hymns and prayers. Others stood with red tape over their mouths, in silent solidarity with those who have no voice. The policemen in front of the Court stood like statues and just watched us witness.
We understand that the March itself cannot change the abortion policy in America. But I believe it is very important to physically show the authority in Washington (and the world) our dedication, and to personally plead with them to be pro-life. We do not march to condemn women who have had abortions or who are contemplating abortion. We want to show the world that there are thousands upon thousands of pro-lifers who want to help women in crisis pregnancies.
It is also very important for pro-lifers to gather together, to strengthen one another, and to pray together. "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20) Just think of all the prayers that were offered up to God at the March for Life! It is simply incredible and uplifting. I definitely need to periodically attend events where I can be surrounded with passionate and like-minded people, especially other young adults. "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." (Psalm 27:17...and by the way, I have never thought of so many Bible passages at the same time like this! It is not me, but the Holy Spirit!) It gives us hope, and we carry that hope back with us to our towns and cities to keep doing the work of Christ. Every act, no matter how small, can be great if done with much love.
This fervor in the nation's capitol did not last just one day. During the week, from Inauguration Day until Saturday, there were numerous other pro-life activities, including training sessions, other prayer vigils, the first annual Life Prizes awards, and the Students for Life of America conference. After the events ended, all the pilgrims returned to their homes, renewed in spirit and reinvigorated to keep fighting against the evil of abortion, right down to the day it ends.
However, some pro-lifers apparently believe that the March for Life is a vain attempt to end abortion; that it is an activity that does not make a difference. After Googling "march for life" yesterday, this article was one of the first hits: http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/01/an-abortion-foe-says-march-for.html It is a very short article in the Dallas Morning News, linking to a blog kept by Sean Michael Winters. http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&id=09BBBB3C-1438-5036-4FE7DDD57216204D#comments Please read these for yourself and then continue....
*Disclaimer* I have never heard of this man before, neither have I heard of his blog, so I cannot verify that this a traditional or trustworthy Catholic site.
I beg to differ from Mr. Winters' views. While it is true that the many thousands of people who traveled to D.C. could have been back at their homes and churches, sidewalk counseling and volunteering for Crisis Pregnancy Centers, there is also a time and a place for activities such as the March. "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Pro-lifers must embrace and support every aspect of the movement. We must have unity within our movement. Otherwise, we will rend ourselves apart and our work will be fruitless.
I disagree with the author because of his attempt to criticize what other pro-lifers are doing. But I disagree with him even more because of his claim that the March produces no results. First of all, as with any pro-life activity, we cannot assume that because we don't see the direct results, we are not accomplishing anything. Jesus told told us that "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." (John 20:29b) While Jesus was talking about Christians who believe in Him but have never seen Him with their eyes (meaning us!), we can apply this principle to hoping and believing that our efforts, with God's grace and power, are producing positive results. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)
Secondly, he makes many assumptions in his post, some which are simply not true. He claims that there were "angry chants outside the Supreme Court." I have received the privilege and blessing of participating in the March for Life, and I can say from personal experience that the whole experience was peaceful. No one was shouting angrily outside the Supreme Court, and there was no bitterness. My friends and I knelt on the damp ground almost the entire time, praying and singing hymns and prayers. Others stood with red tape over their mouths, in silent solidarity with those who have no voice. The policemen in front of the Court stood like statues and just watched us witness.
We understand that the March itself cannot change the abortion policy in America. But I believe it is very important to physically show the authority in Washington (and the world) our dedication, and to personally plead with them to be pro-life. We do not march to condemn women who have had abortions or who are contemplating abortion. We want to show the world that there are thousands upon thousands of pro-lifers who want to help women in crisis pregnancies.
It is also very important for pro-lifers to gather together, to strengthen one another, and to pray together. "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20) Just think of all the prayers that were offered up to God at the March for Life! It is simply incredible and uplifting. I definitely need to periodically attend events where I can be surrounded with passionate and like-minded people, especially other young adults. "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." (Psalm 27:17...and by the way, I have never thought of so many Bible passages at the same time like this! It is not me, but the Holy Spirit!) It gives us hope, and we carry that hope back with us to our towns and cities to keep doing the work of Christ. Every act, no matter how small, can be great if done with much love.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Blogging for Life!
Dear readers,
Welcome to my new blog, Choosing Life! You may be a regular follower of my personal blog, Ramblings and Reflections, in which I frequently post on pro-life issues. However, after hearing Jill Stanek, a renowned pro-life blogger who gave a talk about this subject at the Students for Life of America (SFLA) conference last Saturday, I was inspired to create a blog solely for that purpose: spreading the Gospel of Life! At the conference, we were encouraged to find our own niche in the pro-life movement, and since I love writing, I think that one of my niches is blogging.
Yesterday, I asked God to give me a good name for this blog, and "Choosing Life" came almost immediately to my mind. The basis for this title is founded in Deuteronomy 30:19 (hence the URL).
"I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live..." (emphasis added).
That is my most favorite pro-life verse in the Bible, when God explicitly tells His chose people to choose life over death...and so, I am choosing life by keeping this blog.
I hope that many of you are new readers of my writing, and so I will tell a bit about myself. I was raised in Texas, in a strong Catholic home. I began violin lessons at the age of three, and my mom, Diane, homeschooled me from preschool through 12th grade. I also became the oldest sibling of four, having two brothers (Zachary and Jordan) and one sister (Abby). There is a ten-year gap between myself and Abby, but I remember being so delighted to finally have a sister! (And I still am delighted, by the way...and that doesn't mean that I don't love my two brothers!) After graduating from high school, I went on to pursue a Bachelor of Music in violin performance at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. I never would have dreamed that coming to Peabody would be the place I would come to actively embrace the pro-life message. Being raised Catholic, my family and I were always pro-life, and my parents even became teachers of Natural Family Planning (NFP) and attended Couple-to-Couple League (CCL) conferences, of course bringing us kids. However, I was never challenged on my views and I never deeply studied what abortion actually was. Texas was a very comfortable place in which to grow up, as we lived in a relatively conservative area.
However, the music and arts world is extremely liberal, and I soon had to begin defending my beliefs, which meant really delving into what my beliefs actually meant. I had studied certain areas, such as apologetics and morals, but I was not very educated on pro-life issues. I knew that abortion and contraception were wrong, but I didn't know the details. That all changed the summer between freshman and sophomore year, when I wrote a controversial blog post on my old Xanga account. Several friends and acquaintances, who were liberal, were very "offended" and replied with passionate and some vehement comments. That was when the fire was lit within me. I wanted to put my faith into action because of what they were saying! And so I did.
Thanks to Facebook, I remember the precise day I began my action. On July 9th, 2006, I left a post on the Johns Hopkins pro-life Facebook group, asking if anyone was interested in getting a REAL group started on campus. One week later, a JHU alum informed me that there used to be a pro-life group, called Voice for Life, of which he used to be president. He offered his assistance in restarting the group, and so he met with me and two other girls at the beginning of my sophomore year. That year, I was secretary, and the following year I became president. It was an extremely small group, and at times it was discouraging, but we sponsored activities such as a Memorial of the Innocents, diaper drives, and leafleting the campus. I know that we accomplished many good works.
I also poured my energy into other pro-life outlets. I began writing pro-life blog posts and notes on Facebook. I attended my first pro-life conference. I prayed in front of abortion facilities. I attended the March for Life. I hung pro-life stickers and signs in my room. I participated in a Face the Truth tour. I voted for life. I engaged pro-abortion friends in discussions, which is probably one of the hardest pro-life things to do. I've researched what exactly an abortion is (and I mean EXACTLY). I wear a Precious Feet pin every day, and I've gotten a few people asking me what they are, which is a great way to witness. Most importantly, I pray for the end to abortion each day.
I am not describing my activities in order to brag about everything I've done. In reality, I have not done that much compared to the majority of pro-life activists. I look at the pro-life heroes of our day and think, "Wow, that is so inspiring, and I want to be like them!" I am describing these things to illustrate that to be truly pro-life is to take some type of action. Any student or any person can do exactly what I've done, and more.
So that brings me to the point of this blog. First, I offer up this blog for the glory of God and to bring the Gospel of Life to everyone who reads this. I also write in here so that pro-lifers may be inspired and moved to do more to protect the unborn and their mothers; that people on the fence may be swayed in the right direction; and that the decidedly pro-abortion crowd will have seeds planted within them, that they may come to embrace life in all stages one day.
I heartily welcome comments from everyone, no matter what your view. I would like to promote healthy discussion and debate, so please leave your thoughts! I have made it so that anyone can comment, even if you don't have blogger or Gmail. (However, I would appreciate it if you left your name and would use Anonymous sparingly.)
My goal is to post as frequently as possible. Given my intense internship schedule, I probably won't post every day, but at least several times per week. If you have any topic you would like me to specifically address, please tell me. I would also like to feature guest writers, so if you have something you want to share on my blog as a post, please e-mail me at prolifeviolin@gmail.com and I will publish it and give you full credit!
God Bless!
Yours for life,
Malori
Welcome to my new blog, Choosing Life! You may be a regular follower of my personal blog, Ramblings and Reflections, in which I frequently post on pro-life issues. However, after hearing Jill Stanek, a renowned pro-life blogger who gave a talk about this subject at the Students for Life of America (SFLA) conference last Saturday, I was inspired to create a blog solely for that purpose: spreading the Gospel of Life! At the conference, we were encouraged to find our own niche in the pro-life movement, and since I love writing, I think that one of my niches is blogging.
Yesterday, I asked God to give me a good name for this blog, and "Choosing Life" came almost immediately to my mind. The basis for this title is founded in Deuteronomy 30:19 (hence the URL).
"I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live..." (emphasis added).
That is my most favorite pro-life verse in the Bible, when God explicitly tells His chose people to choose life over death...and so, I am choosing life by keeping this blog.
I hope that many of you are new readers of my writing, and so I will tell a bit about myself. I was raised in Texas, in a strong Catholic home. I began violin lessons at the age of three, and my mom, Diane, homeschooled me from preschool through 12th grade. I also became the oldest sibling of four, having two brothers (Zachary and Jordan) and one sister (Abby). There is a ten-year gap between myself and Abby, but I remember being so delighted to finally have a sister! (And I still am delighted, by the way...and that doesn't mean that I don't love my two brothers!) After graduating from high school, I went on to pursue a Bachelor of Music in violin performance at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. I never would have dreamed that coming to Peabody would be the place I would come to actively embrace the pro-life message. Being raised Catholic, my family and I were always pro-life, and my parents even became teachers of Natural Family Planning (NFP) and attended Couple-to-Couple League (CCL) conferences, of course bringing us kids. However, I was never challenged on my views and I never deeply studied what abortion actually was. Texas was a very comfortable place in which to grow up, as we lived in a relatively conservative area.
However, the music and arts world is extremely liberal, and I soon had to begin defending my beliefs, which meant really delving into what my beliefs actually meant. I had studied certain areas, such as apologetics and morals, but I was not very educated on pro-life issues. I knew that abortion and contraception were wrong, but I didn't know the details. That all changed the summer between freshman and sophomore year, when I wrote a controversial blog post on my old Xanga account. Several friends and acquaintances, who were liberal, were very "offended" and replied with passionate and some vehement comments. That was when the fire was lit within me. I wanted to put my faith into action because of what they were saying! And so I did.
Thanks to Facebook, I remember the precise day I began my action. On July 9th, 2006, I left a post on the Johns Hopkins pro-life Facebook group, asking if anyone was interested in getting a REAL group started on campus. One week later, a JHU alum informed me that there used to be a pro-life group, called Voice for Life, of which he used to be president. He offered his assistance in restarting the group, and so he met with me and two other girls at the beginning of my sophomore year. That year, I was secretary, and the following year I became president. It was an extremely small group, and at times it was discouraging, but we sponsored activities such as a Memorial of the Innocents, diaper drives, and leafleting the campus. I know that we accomplished many good works.
I also poured my energy into other pro-life outlets. I began writing pro-life blog posts and notes on Facebook. I attended my first pro-life conference. I prayed in front of abortion facilities. I attended the March for Life. I hung pro-life stickers and signs in my room. I participated in a Face the Truth tour. I voted for life. I engaged pro-abortion friends in discussions, which is probably one of the hardest pro-life things to do. I've researched what exactly an abortion is (and I mean EXACTLY). I wear a Precious Feet pin every day, and I've gotten a few people asking me what they are, which is a great way to witness. Most importantly, I pray for the end to abortion each day.
I am not describing my activities in order to brag about everything I've done. In reality, I have not done that much compared to the majority of pro-life activists. I look at the pro-life heroes of our day and think, "Wow, that is so inspiring, and I want to be like them!" I am describing these things to illustrate that to be truly pro-life is to take some type of action. Any student or any person can do exactly what I've done, and more.
So that brings me to the point of this blog. First, I offer up this blog for the glory of God and to bring the Gospel of Life to everyone who reads this. I also write in here so that pro-lifers may be inspired and moved to do more to protect the unborn and their mothers; that people on the fence may be swayed in the right direction; and that the decidedly pro-abortion crowd will have seeds planted within them, that they may come to embrace life in all stages one day.
I heartily welcome comments from everyone, no matter what your view. I would like to promote healthy discussion and debate, so please leave your thoughts! I have made it so that anyone can comment, even if you don't have blogger or Gmail. (However, I would appreciate it if you left your name and would use Anonymous sparingly.)
My goal is to post as frequently as possible. Given my intense internship schedule, I probably won't post every day, but at least several times per week. If you have any topic you would like me to specifically address, please tell me. I would also like to feature guest writers, so if you have something you want to share on my blog as a post, please e-mail me at prolifeviolin@gmail.com and I will publish it and give you full credit!
God Bless!
Yours for life,
Malori
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