Thursday, March 22, 2018

Four Years of Stories from My Heart!

Good morning out there! It is the beginning of a beautiful, sunny day out here in
West Texas. The second day of Spring! The birds are singing and the wind is
blowing. I love listening to the different melodies my wind chimes make.
Today marks a special milestone for me -
I started my blog four years ago today - it is hard to believe I've been doing this
for so long. I've written 342 posts over the past four years (this one will make it
343). I never dreamed I would find so much to write about - I just knew when I
began that I had so much on my heart and that I had to speak up, to find a way to
be a voice for the precious unborn.
I've prayed for God to guide me as I've written these stories for my blog.
I'm going to re-share a poem and a prayer from previous years-a sentimental journey!

Thank you for reading my stories - I pray that in some way they've touched your hearts.

I wrote this poem on July 15, 2015

My heart is so full, I have so much to say,
it is gorgeous outside, the start of a beautiful new day.
This morning I woke with a pain in my heart,
knowing my mission, just not sure where to start!

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! 

May 1, 2015

I pray that your day is full of blessings.
If you are sick, I pray that you will get well.
If you have lost a loved one, I pray that you will be comforted.
 If you are anxious,
I pray that a feeling of peace will wash over you.
 If you are lonely, I pray that someone
will reach out to you.
 I pray that you will know that even though I may not know you,
I really do care.
If you are struggling financially,
 I pray that God will send you what  you need.
 If you are struggling with addiction,
 I pray that God will give you strength
and courage to give up whatever is holding you hostage.
 If you are in a crisis pregnancy,
I pray that you will be directed to the path of life,
 and guided to all the help that is available for you and your baby.
 If you are a caregiver, I pray that you will get the rest you need,
 and know that it is ok to take time for yourself.
Dear God, I lift all the intentions I've listed above to you.
 I pray for anyone and everyone who might be suffering
or going through any of the things I've written  about.
 Please God, show us how to take care of each other,
to love one another
 and help us to be discerning in all that we do.
Thank you for today.
Please guide us and help us to live the way you want us to.
 Please keep us safe and help us to look to You,
 and not the world for direction and answers.
 In Jesus Holy Name I pray, Amen.

Blessings and Peace to you and yours!
Bye for now, Sharla


      


Monday, March 19, 2018

Adoption - A Loving, Caring, Life Option

Hello out there - it is a sunny and windy day!
Promoting adoption for the human babies is pressing upon my heart -
What do I do, what do I say, I ask the Lord as I pray and pray!




I found this post I wrote a while back - as always, the words come from my heart.
I want to get the message out there that adoption is a life option. I would love to see
billboards and commercials and magazine covers about people who have been
adopted. I want to hear adoption stories because I know how special each story is!
I want people to know that babies are a gift. If you are in a crisis pregnancy and
this is not the right time for you to have a baby, please consider adoption for your
baby. I was blessed to have been adopted at birth and I want to share the message
that adoption is a life giving option! I see the commercials on television where the
movie stars are holding a puppy or a kitten and they are crying, begging people to
adopt these poor innocent animals. That is fine, but what about the poor, innocent
babies? What about the unborn, where are the tears? Where is the compassion?
Why are people so afraid to speak up for the human babies? If I had the money to
pay for advertising on billboards about adopting the human babies, I would. Maybe
I need to get more information about how much it costs and have a fund raiser.
Maybe that is why God has placed this so on my heart. I write these posts but I
must do more. Thanks for listening, just writing about this has helped me. It is
time for me to take the next step. If you have some ideas please share them with
me. I will keep you posted on the billboard idea. I wrote a post back in September
of 2014 and I am going to re-post it today because the words I wrote then are how I
feel again. God bless you all from wherever you are.
A post from September 2014: (I've tweaked it a little bit, just following
my heart!)
You know, things don't always go as we plan, dream or hope. Many times God is
reminding us that He is in charge of our lives, not us. Maybe it's a job loss, a transfer,
not getting the house you want, or maybe it's something like not having good enough
credit for an expensive vehicle or maybe just any kind of vehicle! An unplanned
pregnancy definitely changes everything, absolutely changes how you live your life,
but if you stop and think about it, this baby is a gift from God. Maybe you need a
new direction. This baby will change your life for the better, this baby is part of you.
To all the men out there, no matter what age you are, if your girlfriend or wife is
pregnant, be a real man. Take care of your family, take care of your responsibilities.
Love, protect and support them, be proud to be called dad. As far as that goes,
be proud to be a husband! Take pride in yourself and say "Hey, it's going to be ok,
we can do this." Your girlfriends, your wives, they need to hear you say,
"We're a family, yes this changes everything, but for the better!"
Children need their mothers and their fathers, babies are such a blessing,!
When did we get so off track. We need commercials and television shows that
support family instead of the stupid stuff that's on. We need magazine covers that
have positive messages about happy families and not the tabloid trash
that is on the rack right by the check out stand in the stores. 
Men, step up to the plate and be a loving and supportive dad. Be a great boyfriend,
better yet, be a great husband, make the commitment that says this is for real,
this is forever! I realize that the majority of men are wonderful husbands and dads
who take great care of their families. I personally know many men who are the ones
raising their children.  The single dads I know are amazing, and they do a great job
taking care of their children.
I am talking about the young men who drive their girlfriends to the abortion facilities
and/or those who push them into having an abortion. A baby is not a choice, a baby
is a gift, a unique individual and should be loved and cherished. Choosing adoption
for your baby if you are not able to raise them, is choosing life. I'm not saying that
adoption would be an easy decision but at least you would be choosing life, giving
your baby a chance, just like the chance I was given.
I keep seeing all the challenges on face book to raise money for good causes,
and there is nothing wrong with that. But here is a real challenge, take care of your
family. Be there for your family day in and day out. The world tells you that partying
is the way to go. Bar hopping gets old and what a sad, empty, lonely life.
Being part of a loving, caring family is the most amazing gift you can have, and
give back to others. Put God first, find a parish home, get involved, spend time with
your family. Pray with your family, attend Mass or church with your family.
 A good marriage is such a blessing and it is worth all the time and effort.
Communication and respect are really important in all relationships.
Ladies, motherhood is the most amazing gift, but be careful who you pick to date
and marry, make sure they want the same things in life that you do. The same goes
for men also! Men and women, please make sure that your children, no matter what
their age, are protected, loved and nurtured!
Spend time with them, turn off all the phones at meal time. When you are in the car
driving them here and there, talk to them, sing with them, laugh with them, pray with
them! Tune out the world and tune into family.
This ugliness in our world will not change unless we change. We need to get our
priorities straight, we need to put God first, family second, and everything else will
fall into place.  To sum this all up, I'll say it again, a baby is a gift from God.
Our lives are gifts from God, what we do with our life, how we treat others,
how we love others, is our gift back to God.
So get out there! Reach out and take care of each other, take care of your family.

                                                                                Blessings to you and yours!
                                                                                        Bye for now, Sharla



We Are Thankful!

Good morning out there!
Today is going to be a great day! I just wanted to say a quick hello before I dash out
the door. I'm helping out at The St. Francis Sack Lunch Ministry today and I am
ready to go! I wish that y'all could be with us as we serve those who come to our
open door - there are not enough words to describe how grateful we are for all of
our many volunteers and those who drop off supplies -
Everyday we receive what we need and more!


Your gifts - your donations - your kindness helps us:


Feed the hungry
Give drink to the thirsty
Clothe the naked
Welcome the stranger
5 days a week!


The following is something I've shared before and if we needed a mission statement
I think this would work!


We don't have a board of directors and our ministry is supported totally by donations
and the kindness and goodness of everyone who helps out. So, if you are wondering
who is in charge of this ministry, God is. This is God's ministry and as for all the many
volunteers and the people who support us with the gifts they bring, we are all blessed
to be a part of God's amazing grace!


From the bottom of our hearts - THANK YOU! Peace and blessings to you and yours!



Saturday, March 17, 2018

Promoting Adoption for the Human Babies

Hello out there!
I received a phone call today from an advertising company. The young man I spoke
to was very nice, his name is Angelo. He started talking about my book and how they
could market it so that it would sell. I stopped him after just a few minutes and
explained that we are not going to spend anymore money trying to sell my book.
He asked me why I wrote the book and what plans did I initially have for my book.
I told him that I wanted my book to help people see that adoption is a life option.
I told him that my husband and I are trying to promote adoption for the human babies
and that I was adopted at birth.
I said, "Did you know that at the very moment of conception the baby's sex, hair,
eye color, height, and skin tone are already determined? That when the baby is smaller
than a grain of sand all of these things are already determined. That a baby's heart
begins to beat just eighteen days after conception."
I told him that he didn't call for me tell him all of this but trying to get this message
out is what I've been trying to do. I told Angelo that I didn't want to waste his time
and I hoped he had a good day. He said, "Let me ask one more thing before
we hang up" and I told him to go ahead and ask. He said, "Do you not want to pay
for anymore advertising because you don't believe in your book or is it because
you feel like you've already spent too much?" I told him, "I do believe in my book."
It is full of short stories to try and help people see that every life is important
but we've already spent more than we ever intended to. He told me that he would
call me back in a week. He can call back in a week but we aren't spending anymore
money. For those of you who've been reading my blog for quite a while you know
my stories. You know that Jim and I paid for the publication of my book to try and
promote adoption for the human babies. I'm still glad that we had my book
published and I'm thankful for everyone who has bought my book.
I'm really thankful for all of you who read my blog - the stories in my book are from
my blog.
We've given several books away (probably more than we've sold) all with the hope
that each book sold or given away will be like a seed that has been planted.
We are just praying that if it is God's will - the seeds will grow and be fruitful.
The publication of this book has never been about making money. It has always been
our way of trying to get the beautiful option of adoption for the human babies back
on people's minds. The final round of advertisement for my book will be in the
National Catholic Register for three editions beginning with the first one in April.
Jim and I had already decided about a month ago that we would spend no more
after advertising with them. I told Jim that I would know in my heart that we had
tried everything we could think of and if the book doesn't sell after that I won't wonder
if we should have done more.
I will always write posts for my blog - I will not give up trying to spread the
pro-life message or the life option of adoption.
Every time I see the commercials promoting adoption for animals I think,
"What about the babies, what about the children - who will speak for them?"
I'm going to write posts for my blog and continue to pray that God will guide me
each and every day.


A baby is a gift and a miracle - just read the information below!


Day 1: Fertilization The sperm joins with the egg to form one cell.
This single cell contains the complex genetic makeup for every detail of a new
human being - the child's sex, hair and eye color, height, skin tone, etc.
After fertilization, nothing new is added but oxygen, nutrition, and time.
1st Month (1-4 Weeks) Did you know that a developing baby's heart begins to beat
at just 18 days? Isn't that  amazing?
Muscles are forming, and arms, legs, eyes, and ears have begun to show.
2nd Month (5-8 Weeks)
By six weeks the jaw forms, including teeth and taste buds. The baby begins to swallow
amniotic  fluid, and some have been observed hiccupping.
The kidneys begin to function. Fingers and toes are developing.
At seven weeks a baby's chest and abdomen are fully formed.
3rd Month (9-12 Weeks)
The baby now has fingerprints, turns his or her head, and opens and closes their mouth.
The gender can already be determined. A baby boy or a baby girl - a son or a daughter.
4th Month (13-16 Weeks)
This little baby is growing and will be between 8-10 inches in length, and weighs about
one-half pound by the end of the fourth month.
His or her little ears can hear their momma's heartbeat, and external noises.
5th Month (17-20 Weeks)
This little one is growing bigger, and moving a lot. Some babies have been seen sucking
their thumb during a sonogram at the fifth month.
6th Month (21-24 Weeks)
A baby's oil and sweat glands are functioning. This little one is growing rapidly and his or
her lungs are becoming more developed.
7th Month (25-28 Weeks)
This little baby boy or baby girl now recognizes his or her mother's voice.
They exercise by stretching and kicking as they grow even bigger.
They can use their senses of hearing, touch, and taste.
They can even open their eyes and look around.
If the baby is a boy, a son, this is when his testicles descend from the abdomen
into the scrotum.
What a miracle a new life is!
8th Month (29-32 Weeks)
Now the baby's skin will thicken, with a layer of fat stored underneath.
This helps with insulation and provides nourishment.
He or she will swallow a gallon of amniotic fluid per day.
The mom will be able to feel an elbow or heel, sometimes a little rear end,
as her son or daughter kicks and  moves in this cramped area.
(I remember that my daughter had the hiccups a lot, it was such a funny and neat feeling.
It felt like my son was doing flips in my stomach!)
9th Month (33-36 Weeks)
He or she will gain one half pound per week, and they are getting ready for birth.
The bones in his or her head are soft and flexible to more easily mold and go through
the birth canal.
Did you know that ninety percent of our development happens in the womb?
Isn't that amazing?


                                                                                  Blessings to you and yours!
                                                                                             Bye for now, Sharla




Sunday, March 11, 2018

The Stations of The Cross - A Heart Grabbing, Head Bowing, Humbling Perspective

Hello out there! My clock says it is 1:22 p.m. but I am in denial! I just changed all of
our clocks about thirty minutes ago - as I stated in my previous post - I am not a big fan
of Daylight Savings Time! I don't know about y'all but it takes me forever to get used
to this time change! Oh well, I know that is a petty thing to complain about so I will
say no more on that subject!
I just finished my third cup of coffee but I'm using a smaller mug this morning so I
think I will go and pour another cupful before I begin!
Okay - I am back with a hot cup of coffee without cream because that is one of the
things I gave up for Lent and I really like cream in my coffee! So needless to say,
that was a good thing to give up! I told y'all that we went to the Stations of the Cross
on Friday night and if you've never been - try to go - it really touches your heart
and puts things in perspective - kind of like how wanting to put cream in my coffee
is a very trivial thing!
I know what I'll do! I have a copy of the Stations of the Cross right here on
my desk (somewhere on my desk) and I will share those with you! I've shared the
Mysteries of the Rosary a lot of times but I've never shared the Stations of the Cross
before and what perfect timing - on the 4th Sunday of Lent!
I am just going to type the beginning prayer, what each station represents and
the responsorial. (I can't find my booklet that has the scriptures that go with each
station - I will add those at another time)! The picture below is of a plaque that Jim
bought for me many years ago.






Prayer Before the Way of the Cross
In profound humility I adore You, my Lord and my God. I believe in You, I hope in You,
and I love you above all things. I am heartily sorry that I have ever offended You, great
and lovable above all beings. I will make this Way of the Cross for Your greater glory
and for the salvation of souls.


I) First Station - Jesus is Condemned to Death
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You;
R) Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

II) Second Station - Jesus Carries His Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You;
R) Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

III) Third Station - Jesus Falls the First Time

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You;
R) Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.


IV) Fourth Station - Jesus Meets His Blessed Mother
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You;
R) Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.


V) Fifth Station - Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus to Carry His Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You;
R) Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.


VI) Sixth Station - Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You;
R) Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.


VII) Seventh Station - Jesus Falls the Second Time
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You;
R) Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.


VIII) Eighth Station - Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You;
R) Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.


IX) Ninth Station - Jesus Falls the Third Time
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You;
R) Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.


X) Tenth Station - Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You;
R) Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.


XI) Eleventh Station - Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You;
R) Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.


XII) Twelfth Station - Jesus Dies on the Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You;
R) Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.


XIII) Thirteenth Station - Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You;
R) Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.


XIV) Fourteenth Station - Jesus is Laid in the Sepulcher
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You;
R) Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.


Closing Prayer Lord Jesus, by your Passion, death and Resurrection,
I am given the opportunity to enjoy eternal happiness with You.
But in order to truly be your disciple, I must be willing to follow You
on this same path. Help me to persevere on this path, always aware of
the graces You provide to fulfill the will of the Father and to bring the
Father’s mercy into the world.


Make the sign of the cross - In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit. Amen.


If you want more information about the Stations of the Cross or to find the
scriptures and more prayers just type it in your search bar and you will find
it!


I am going to go and rest a little bit on this blessed Sabbath Day and then get
ready to go to Mass this evening with my sweet, hard working husband!


                                                                     Blessings to you and yours!
                                                                                   Bye for now, Sharla


Saturday, March 10, 2018

Just a Whole Lot of Good Stuff!

Hello out there! It has been a while since I've written a post - so I'm really behind!
Let me just jump right in! This will be an out of order post! I read that Daylight
Savings Time starts tomorrow and I have one word for that little bit of news and it
is "Noooooooooooooooooooooo!!"


Now let's move on to the next topic. From the beginning of March through the end
of the year we celebrate one birthday after another! We've already celebrated two
birthdays this month and we have two more to go!
Grandchildren #9 and #10, both girls, turn the big three this month. #9's party was
today and it was great fun - a Unicorn Birthday Party and she was wearing a pink
tu tu with a white t-shirt that had a big number 3 on it, and a unicorn headband!
#10's birthday is towards the end of the month. Grandchild #2 and first granddaughter
will turn 12 next week! Where does the time go? She lives out of town so we won't
get to be with her on her special day. But we are hoping to get down there the
next week!
When you are self-employed it seems like it is either feast or famine! We had a couple
of really slow months and now, Jim is so busy it is unreal! We are always thankful
for the work! I do what I can to try and help out when he is really busy. I even got
out the push mower this evening and mowed an area that was getting too high. I fed
the sheep and a calf that was mooing up a storm and filled up their water troughs. It
was really nice outside and I fed our dogs and cats too!
Last night we went to the Stations of the Cross at our Parish and then walked over to
the gym for the fish fry that the youth are in charge of. The fish was great and so were
the hush puppies, French fries, and coleslaw! We sat down with our daughter and
her family and their oldest daughter came and joined us (she was helping out)! I love
to see all the teenagers volunteering at the fish fry.
I was blessed to be with a great group of juniors and seniors on Wednesday night. My
son helps out with the CCD program for the high school kids at the Catholic church
in Miles. I was asked to come and talk to them about pro-life issues and bring my
fetal model sets for them to look at. Father Tom was there also and we had a great
discussion with the teenagers and they were really interested and the hour and a
half just flew by!
The St. Francis Sack Lunch Ministry is going so well! We have so many volunteers
and we even have subs! This ministry is run totally by donations and everyday we
are blessed with supplies. Last Monday, a couple who helps with the lunch ministry
also volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. They had some of the individual milk cartons
(like the ones you get in school cafeterias), bananas, and cutie oranges left over from
a project they were doing over the weekend and they donated the supplies to us! We
were able to give out milk and fresh fruit with the lunches on Monday and Tuesday!
On Wednesday, a man was waiting for us to open up and I told him that I would bring
him a lunch as soon as we had them made up. He was early, but we don't mind handing
the lunches out early if people are already there. When I walked out to take a lunch to
him a lady who works in the pharmacy that is back behind our building (we are
separated by a small parking area) was walking over to bring him some chips and a
Gatorade. I happen to know her and we talked for just a minute. On Friday, she
contacted me and said that some of the employees wanted to help out and asked what
we needed. I explained to her exactly what we do and what we needed and they already
dropped off chips and waters and they are coming back this Monday with more supplies
and even some clothes for those we serve! It is very uplifting to be around so many
generous and kind people.
On Tuesday evening, Jim and I were blessed to have some friends come to our home
and share a meal with us. We have been friends with this couple for about thirty-two
years (Jim has known them both even longer)! We really enjoyed having them over
and it was long over due! We have been to their home twice in the last eight months
and we always enjoy their company and the wonderful fellowship! I fixed a pot roast
with lots of vegetables and baked a loaf of beer bread. They brought dessert;
banana nut bread, frozen vanilla bean yogurt, and caramel sauce drizzled on top! It was
all good!
I will not wait so long to write my next post! I hope you are all doing well and I pray that
you are blessed during this very special season of Lent!


                                                                Blessings to you an yours!
                                                                               Bye for now, Sharla