Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Let Our Voices Be Heard! We are Pro-Life!

Hello out there! It has been a crazy, busy, awesome week!


I will share stories tomorrow or the next day - but here is a link to a story
I submitted to the paper. It is a story about my experience and five other
people's experiences at the Rally for Life in Austin, TX this past Saturday.
Four of the stories are from the youth ranging in age from twelve - Twenty!
Their perspectives are remarkable and very uplifting.


The story is already online tonight and will be in the Viewpoints section of
our local newspaper tomorrow.






 
I hope you enjoy it! I will tell you all about what led up to this story later on!


                                                                Blessings to you and yours!
                                                                           Bye for now, Sharla



Friday, January 26, 2018

Adoption is a Loving, Life Option!

Good morning out there! I just started reading the intention for Day 9 of the
9 Days for Life Novena. This intention / intercession really touched my heart:
For God's peace to fill the hearts of all who travel upon the path of adoption.
I have two really close friends who are going down this path and I pray that
God will bless them with the baby boy or baby girl that is meant for their family.
English:
  #9DaysforLife: Read about one family's adoption story in
  today's "One Step Further." usccb.org/9-days-9






  en español:
  #9diasporlavida: Lee la historia de adopción de una
  familia en "Un paso adicional". usccb.org/9-dias-9




The prayers of the novena -
The Our Father (Say once.)
Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come;Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and
lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.


The Hail Mary (Say three times.)
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women,and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for
us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.


The Glory Be (Say once.)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.




Adoption is such a beautiful and loving life option. I was blessed to have been
adopted at birth. I try not to push my book too much. I truly hope that my book
is read by those it will help. by those who will benefit from reading my short
stories. If you've just started reading my blog you may not know about my book
so I will share the information again.


The following is the press release:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/02/prweb14088007.htm


And this is the cover and the back page summary:



Go out and be a light and a blessing to others!
Bye for now, Sharla





Saturday, January 20, 2018

For the Unborn Babies, For Life, That is #WhyWeMarch

Good morning out there! I hope y'all watched the March for Life coverage on
EWTN - It was so inspiring! I'm so thankful for all those wonderful marchers -
the joy, the families, the youth, the peaceful witness for life, the banners, the
music, the babies, the children................................................incredible!


#whywemarch


Today is day 3 of the 9 Days for Life Novena.
Today's intention is for the victims and survivors of human trafficking.
Pray (1) Our Father
Pray (3) Hail Marys'
Pray (1) Glory be to the Father





English:
  #9DaysforLife: Migrants & refugees are among those
  especially at risk. Find out how you can help:
  usccb.org/9-days-3 #ShareJourney

  en español: 
  #9diasporlavida: migrantes y refugiados están entre
  los que corren mayores riesgos. Descubre cómo
  puedes ayudar: usccb.org/9-dias-3 #ShareJourney




                                                                      
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Blessings to you and yours!

Thursday, January 18, 2018

9 Days for Life Novena - January 18, 2018 - January 26, 2018

Hello out there! Super quick post!


The 9 Days for Life Novena begins today -


Go to the  http://www.usccb.org  website for more information or
9daysforlife.com


I will post the picture intention for each day in English and Spanish!





Sunday, January 14, 2018

You Are Worth More! You Are Beautifully, Fearfully, Wonderfully Made!

Hello out there - I hope you are all doing well! I've been a little under the weather since
Tuesday evening but I'm feeling better today. I have so much that I want to accomplish
but sometimes I have to take a break! I've rested and now it is time to get to work!
With the anniversary of Roe v Wade looming ahead (January 22, 2018) I knew that I
needed  to get back to my keyboard and speak up for the weakest among us.
I am appalled at all of the "celebratory events" that are scheduled to take place for the
awful 45th anniversary of Roe v Wade. I cannot believe that anyone would celebrate
the death of an unborn child and that is what abortion is!
There are plenty of pro-life events taking place and we need to concentrate on those!
I have to remember and help y'all remember that there are so many people who
speak up for the babies. We will not be silent and we will not give up!
I have some links to share with y'all:


1. The March for Life Website - http://marchforlife.org -
The March for Life in Washington, DC will be Friday, January 19, 2018


2. For information about statewide events (and there are a lot! check out this site)
http://marchforlife.org/march-life-2018/local-march-for-life-events


3. The Texas Rally for Life (Jim and I went to this rally in 2015 and 2016, I hope
we get to go again this year!)
The Texas Rally for Life will be on Saturday, January 27, 2018
http://www.texasrallyforlife.org


4. Texas Catholic Pro-Life Day 2018 - There is a prayer vigil in front of a
Planned Parenthood at 7 a.m. and Mass at two different churches (10:00 a.m.
and 10:15 a.m.) in Austin before the Texas Rally for Life - Jim and I went to
the prayer vigil and the Mass in 2015 and 2016 - Incredible! Praying in front of
the Planned Parenthood and watching people drive into the fenced and gated
facility was a heart wrenching experience. The prayers of everyone there made
the time more bearable as we all prayed together. The Pro-Life Mass was standing
room only. Teenagers and young adults from across the state of Texas were a
joyful sight to behold. The pro-life generation - a beautiful and much needed sign
of hope!
https://stjosephkilleen.org/prolife2018


5. The North Texas March for Life - Saturday, January 20, 2018
http://dallasmarchforlife.com


Now I need to show y'all some pictures. There is a website that actually counts all
the abortions that have taken place since Roe v Wade (This does not include chemical
abortions) and some of the data goes back to 1970 (three years before Roe v Wade).
The website is http://www.numberofabortions.com


I took some pictures of the data last week and you can see the date and time stamp at
the bottom of the picture. I tried to do a short video telling you the statistics but I was
too emotional. I did five takes and decided that it would be better if I just showed you
the pictures and wrote a commentary...............so here we go.


Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 11:02 a.m.
Look at the numbers in each column - the third column, the one with the yellow
numbers, they just keep moving and all I could think about as I watched those
numbers climb higher was another baby is dying, please, dear God, make it stop!
Last Saturday, the first column shows that 59,129,849.5 babies have died in the
United States from abortion since 1973: Roe vs Wade
Now I want you to look at the picture I took today -
Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 12:41 p.m.
Look at the numbers in each column and see the difference in just one week.
This Saturday, the first column shows that 60,073,977.4 babies have died in the
United States from abortion since 1973: Roe vs Wade
Back to last Saturday - 1/6/18
Look at the third column, second row, Worldwide this year 604,912
This Saturday - 1/13/18
Look at the third column, second row, Worldwide this year 1,388,817
I took another picture at 12:45 p.m. today. Look at how the numbers have climbed in
just four minutes, especially in the third column.
  





Sometimes the truth hurts but I would rather face the truth and try to do something
about it than hide my head in the sand and ignore it.
I've read that Cecile Richards, the President / CEO of Planned Parenthood, makes over
600,00 dollars a year, some news stories say her salary is now over $900,000 a year.
It is really important to remember that Planned Parenthood is a business and while
Cecile receives her huge salary, Planned Parenthood also receives more than 500 million
of our tax dollars on a yearly basis.
I think of the precious unborn baby boys and unborn baby girls, sons and daughters, who
never had a chance because some influential people decided they were a money making
choice. The blood of all the unborn babies who have been aborted is on their hands.
No soap will ever be strong enough to wash it off unless they see the horror of what
legalizing abortion has done and speak the truth and admit that they were so very wrong.
My heart goes out to the women who have been misled, coerced, pushed, and bullied
into having an abortion. I have cried with many women who suffer deep regret from a
past abortion. There are men who have regrets also. Relationships are destroyed and
families torn apart, just what the devil wants.
It is time to say no to death and yes to life. It is time to help people find all the help that
is available for them and their unborn child. Let them know that adoption is a loving,
life option if they are not able to care for their child.
It is time to say yes to  marriage and yes to family!
It is time to say "I am worth more!" and say no to empty promises and promiscuity. Say
no to being used and manipulated! God wants us to be loved - He wants us to love one
another - not use each other. Be self-less not selfish.
 You, yes you, are beautifully, fearfully, wonderfully made!
When I first started this blog, back in March of 2014, I wondered if I would think of
enough things to write about. I would pray and ask God to give me the words, to guide
my hands with each and every verse. It's been almost four years and the words fill my
heart until I think it will burst! I write what I feel and each word comes from my heart
not knowing if I'm helping but knowing I can't stop!
                                                    God bless you all near or far,
                                                         Blessings to you wherever you are!
                                                                      Bye for now, Sharla



Thursday, January 11, 2018

Feed The Hungry and Give Drink to The Thirsty

Good morning out there! I shared some really wonderful news on face book the
other day. I'm going to copy and paste it below for all of you who are not on
face book! If you've been reading my blog for very long, you've read some of my
posts about the Sack Lunch Ministry that helped so many people and touched so
many hearts.
The great news is that we will be handing out sack lunches again beginning on
January 22, 2018 - new place and new name - same awesome people plus some
more who have signed up to help!
Please pray for this wonderful ministry and all the people we will joyfully serve!


St. Francis Sack Lunch Ministry
St. Francis Hall
Monday - Friday from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.


(The following is what I posted on face book)
We have some really great news to share! The Sack Lunch Ministry is returning on
Monday, January 22, 2018! We will be handing out sack lunches Monday - Friday
from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Distribution will be from the back door of the
St. Francis Hall. I've been calling our volunteers and the ones I've reached are ready
and if I haven't talked to you yet, don't despair - you will be hearing from me later on
today or tomorrow! I know you are all wondering.... and yes, we are starting from
scratch and donations will be a blessing! We serve a ham and cheese or turkey and
cheese sandwich four days a week and peanut butter and jelly once a week.
A fruit cup or those little cutie/halo oranges or sometimes a banana, a bag of chips,
cookies or a pudding cup and peanut butter or cheese crackers as an extra on Fridays.
And a bottle of water! Sometimes two, when it is really hot outside!
We could really use help with individual fruit cups, peanut butter crackers,
cheese crackers, individual chips, packs of 16 oz. waters, peanut butter, jelly,
sacks, or whatever you would like to donate!
Our hearts are full - so thankful that this ministry that blesses so many is returning!
Janice and I will keep you updated!


I wrote this poem, really more like a prayer, when we had to stop serving lunches
last year.
I pray for those who are hungry and those who have no home.
 I pray for those we served with families of their own.
 I pray for peace and understanding for those who live on the  streets.
I pray for Jesus to guide me, to be His hands and feet. Amen.


I am going to change the second verse to -
 I pray for those we serve with families of their own.
I'm such a big cry baby - tears are just streaming down my face as I write this -
I'm just so thankful that we will be able to help those in need once more!


My husband, who knows my heart better than anyone, bought me this amazing picture
for Christmas.
Blessings to you and yours!
Go out and make the world a better place!
Bye for now, Sharla



Sunday, January 7, 2018

Rely on God With Each Path That You Take

Hello out there! I made this short video about a year and a half ago. I shared it
with y'all back then and I think it is time to share it again! The pro-life issues
are always heavy on my heart - but during January, the anniversary of Roe v Wade,
I always wonder, "am I doing enough?"



I'm going to post some of my articles from year's past and some pictures too - I'm
praying for guidance in this new year - Please, God, please show me what to do!









I know my mission - it is heavy on my heart!
Please pray that God will guide me and direct me
on this journey I have chosen, the journey He has
placed on my heart. I wouldn't be being honest
if I didn't say that sometimes I get discouraged and
need a push - Jim always has my back and knows
when I've reached that point - he helps me get back on track
and I am so thankful for that!
Our journeys aren't always easy and the roads aren't always
straight. Sometimes the obstacles in front of us seem more
than we can bear - but if you let God lead you and really
trust and rely on Him - the journey will be amazing all the way
to the end.

May God bless you all during this new year.
 I pray that the path you take is full of sunshine and roses,
 little rain puddles and the songs of birds.
 I pray that your year is full of children's laughter and great big hugs.
 But most of all.............I pray that your year is full of love!






Thursday, January 4, 2018

Sometimes You Just Have To Tell It Like It Is!

Hello out there! I know that lately I've been sunshine and cheer and that is exactly how
I like to be.................but there are sometimes you just have to tell it like it is and my
blood pressure is through the roof right now!




Yes, there is a reason why I'm posting this picture. These are two of my touch of life
fetal models that I use as teaching aids.
The baby on the left is 22 weeks (24 weeks LMP) and the baby on the right
is 16 weeks (18 weeks LMP). There is an article in today's Standard Times Newspaper
on page 3A and the title is, "Teen abortion cases spark legal battle" - I'm probably
breaking some type of copyright law but at this point I really don't care! The following
is from the article... and about 1/3 of the way down the page:
"Last month, a federal judge ruled that another two teenagers,

called Jane Poe and Jane Roe in court documents, could also have abortions.
The teens had been detained at the U.S. border when they entered the country illegally.
As of Dec. 18, one was 10-weeks pregnant and another was 22 weeks pregnant."
I'm skipping down about 4 paragraphs and the following is:
"In Texas, women over 18 can have an abortion up to 22 weeks from the last

 menstrual period, when they are 20 weeks into their pregnancy."
Please tell me you are as appalled as I am? We have to speak up!

Can you look at this picture and with all honesty say that neither of these babies will
not feel pain? A baby's heart begins to beat at 18 days after conception.
Once you are pregnant, their are two lives to think about - if you are not ready or
able to take care of your baby then please, let a loving family adopt your baby.
People have become so apathetic when it comes to the pro-life / pro-abortion issue.
The definition of apathy is - lack of emotion; lack of interest; indifference
(The Merriam-Webster Dictionary). How can people not see that these are babies?
My youngest granddaughters come over and come into my office because they want
to play with these babies. And believe me, with eight granddaughters we have all sizes
of baby dolls, clothes, etc. but they love these babies the best ! Can I hear some Amens
out there? Babies are dying everyday - there are states where they do abortions all the
way up to the due dates! We have to speak up!
My heart just breaks when I read articles like this.
I feel exactly the way I did when I wrote the following: (I'm not sharing the whole
poem, just part of it - If you want to read the whole thing I will attach the link).


God has opened my eyes and has touched my heart.
To save the unborn I must do my part.

What should I do, what do I say?
I ask the Lord as I pray.
He fills my head with words to say,
so I write and I write each and every day.

I cry out to Him to show me the way,
How do I make a difference today?
I just don't understand why it's so hard to see,
the horrible death that abortion brings.
What must I do, What must I say?
So I write and I write each and every day.

I send letters to the paper, I write posts for my blog.
I put pictures on face book, and pray for new laws.
I weep for the babies, their innocent lives lost.

What am I missing, am I not doing enough?
Please God help me, please show me the way.
How can I make a difference today?

Then my heart begins to ache,
I know I must speak up!
I know God is telling me, don't you dare give up!
Keep going, keep writing, don't you see?
What you do makes a difference, you are listening to Me!

It matters to God! It matters to Him!
I will write and I will post and I will write again.
I won't give up, I will be their voice!
I will fight for the unborn, because they are babies, not a choice!

https://adoptedandblessed.blogspot.com/2015/07/it-matters-to-god-it-matters-to-him.html


Please pray for the unborn babies - Please pray for an end to abortion - Please pray for
people to start speaking up!




Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Happy New Year! May 2018 Be a Year Full of Blessings!

Hello out there! It is freezing outside! I am so thankful to be in my warm home!
A quick post today - I hope the Season of Christmas has been a blessing for you
and your family. I wanted to post this picture yesterday but I didn't have time.
This stained glass window portrays "The Presentation" which happened on the
eighth day after Jesus was born.
The following scriptures are from a daily devotional I read, the Magnificat: 1/01/2018
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke:                      Luke2:16-21
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made
known the message that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them
by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them
in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision,
he was named Jesus,
the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.


Today is - Tuesday before Epiphany.
Tomorrow is - The Most Holy Name of Jesus (and Wednesday before Epiphany)


It isn't too late - bake, visit, and spread Christmas Cheer!
Be a light, a bright light, for the whole new year!