Holy Thursday - The Lord's Supper

Good morning out there! Today is Holy Thursday and I am going to share some
really beautiful pictures with you.
But first I want you to read the following scripture that is in my Magnificat.


Brothers and Sisters:
I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you,
that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread,
and after he had given thanks, broke it and said,
"This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying,
"This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me."
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the
death of the Lord until he comes.                                1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Adoption - A Loving and Self-Less Option

Good morning out there - It is still dark outside - 5:02 a.m. to be exact!
I'm wide awake and drinking my first cup of really strong coffee to start my day!
Y'all know that I was adopted at birth. I have shared my story many times. I know
that adoption is a loving life option. You are probably wondering where I'm going
with this so...let me tell you a story.
Last night Jim and I were watching NCIS. That is one of the few shows we watch.
In the story, one of the agents had a daughter and gave her up for adoption several
years ago. Anyway, to get to the point - she and the daughter met face to face and
the daughter was angry and felt abandoned. The story continued and at the end,
the agent, (birth mom) gave her biological daughter a picture of the two of them
right after she was born and a note with her number that she could call at any time.
That is how the story line ended last night.
These type of scenes always hurt my heart. As someone who was adopted at birth I
can honestly say that I have never been angry about being adopted.
I was crying quietly and Jim asked me a question and I just held up my hand for him
to give me a moment. I turned off the TV and told him how I felt about that story line.
I have to hit save right now and will come back to this in a couple of hours.


Well it is not just a couple of hours later it is another day - a very windy day!
I feel like it is really important to promote adoption for the human babies. I have
seen too many scenes on television that portray anger and hurt on the adopted
child/adult's behalf. Adoption IS a loving life option - a very selfless option. It
is important to stress that a birth mom is doing what she thinks is best for her
baby when she agrees to adoption. I can't even imagine how difficult that decision
would be. I was raised knowing that I was adopted. I was told very loving stories
about when my parents, older brother and grandmother drove to Ft. Worth, Texas
to pick me when I was just three days old. When I was older I asked more
questions and my mom explained that my birth mother was not able to take care of me
so she gave me to a family who could and would take care of me. That pretty much
answered my questions. I've never felt anger or any negative feelings
toward my birth mother. Now that I'm older I realize how hard that decision must
have been for her. I pray for her. I pray that she married a kind and wonderful man.
I pray that she had more children and that they love her very much.
I pray that if she wonders about me...that God showers her with peace and lets her
know  that I'm okay and that I understand she did what was best for me.
I was adopted before abortion was legal. I don't dwell on what her decision might
have been if abortion had been a legal option.
I think about all the babies who were adopted after abortion became legal and I
am so glad that your birth mother chose life for you. If you were adopted
please understand that you weren't abandoned - you were given an amazing
chance - a chance to live, to grow up and someday have a family of your own!
Oh I know, not all adoption stories are perfect - life can be hard - even for babies
and children who were planned and raised with their biological parents.
But at least with adoption you get a chance. My story is a happy one and I know
several people who have been adopted and their stories are happy ones as well.
I know couples who have adopted more than one child, who have adopted children
with disabilities, who have adopted children from foster care. And I know couples
who are wanting to adopt a baby right now.
I have to hit save again - I will continue as soon as I can.
It's been a busy week - I began this post on Wednesday morning at 5:02 a.m. It is
now 10:51 a.m. on Friday morning. After re-reading what I've written so far - I
think (hope) that I've made a valid point.
We need to get the positive message of adoption out there.

Adoption gives you a chance at life - Abortion just ends a life.

Adoption saves generations. Abortion ends generations.

The beginning of my story -
Once upon a time, fifty or so years ago, a baby girl was born and she needed
a home. Never knowing the circumstances or the reason why, her birth mother
couldn't keep her, she had to say goodbye. This little baby girl was three days
old when a loving family came, and took her to their home. Now this baby girl
had a family of her own.
With love and joy and happiness this baby girl grew up, she never met a stranger
and her heart was full of love. She loved to hear the stories about her special day
the day her family came and gave her their name.
Let's promote adoption for the human babies
because every baby should be able to grow up
and have a story to tell.
https://adoptedandblessed.blogspot.com/2014/12/every-baby-should-be-able-to-grow-up.html
Blessings to you and yours,
Bye for now, Sharla

Stories, Scriptures, Reflections, and Prayers - Choose Life!

Hello out there! It is a beautiful day!

This post is going to have something from the past and something from today!
Let's start with what I want to share from this morning. Jim and I were at the
Adoration Chapel and I was catching up on some of my Pro-Life Daily Devotions
that I had gotten behind on. The following scripture, reflection, and prayer are from
yesterday's date, April 7th.
If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but since you claim, "We see,"
your guilt remains.      John 9:41
Reflection. The Pharisees simply refused to accept the evidence of the miracle of
Jesus healing the man born blind. Not to know the truth is not a sin. But the
refusal to know is.
Some refuse to face the truth about the child in the womb and the violence of
abortion. The sin is not in blindness, but in the refusal to see.
Prayer. Lord, we want to see. Preserve us from the guilt of choosing to be blind.
Help us to choose life!   The book I quoted from is:
 "Pro-life Reflections for Every Day."
Written by Father Frank Pavone and published by Catholic Book Publishing Corp. NJ




I just remembered something else I wanted to share with y'all. It was in our Sunday
bulletin (Cathedral Church of the Sacred Heart) - Fifth Sunday of Lent
Prayer for an End to Infanticide
The U.S. Senate recently failed to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection
Act-legislation that prohibits infanticide by ensuring that a child born alive
following an attempted abortion would receive the same degree of care to preserve
her or his life and health as would be given to any other child born alive at the same
gestational age. Please pray for an end to infanticide.
"Jesus, Lord of Life, transform the hearts of all government leaders to recognize
that infanticide is wrong and must not be tolerated. Open hearts and minds to
recognize and defend the precious gift of every human life." Amen and Amen!




The following is from a post I wrote back in April of 2018:
"We live in a world that pushes drugs, sex, live for the moment type attitude,
and our kids (I mean all children everywhere) need our prayers. They need to
know that we care; they need their dads and they need their moms to be parents!
They need guidance from people who care about their well being. I've been to five                  different church youth groups this year. I drive home with tears streaming down my
face and my heart feeling like it will explode because I want to protect them all.
I know that seeds are planted - I see it in their eyes - God please keep them safe
and make them strong! Amen."


The following scripture is from the
 "Saint Joseph Edition of the New American Bible."
Jeremiah 1:4-10
The word of the Lord came to me thus:
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I dedicated you,
a prophet to the nations I appointed you.
"Ah, Lord God!" I said,
"I know not how to speak; I am too young."
But the Lord answered me,
Say not, "I am too young."
To whomever I send you, you shall go;
whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Have no fear before them,
because I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.
Then the Lord extended his hand and touched my mouth , saying,
See, I place my words in your mouth!
This day I set you over nations and over kingdoms,
To root up and to tear down, to destroy and demolish, to build and to plant.
One more thing!
January 2018

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