There Are Angels Among Us, Sent Down To Us, From God, Above

Good Morning out there! It is extremely early, 4:15 am to be exact, but I can't sleep!
How are y'all doing? Today is Day 31 of the fall 40 Days for Life Campaign. Only
9 days left! So many blessings! I want to list some of the many blessings that I see
and experience each day. I'm touched by angels everyday, God is so great!


I wish that I had taken the time to list one recap of each day as it happened.
But since I didn't, here are just some of the blessings I've received during this pro-life
prayer campaign.


On weekdays, we have an average of 32 people a day come and pray. On the weekend
the average is about 20 people a day. (Give or take a little).Some of these
people come daily, some come multiple times a week. Some pop in for 20 - 30 minutes.
Others stay for an hour, and then there are those who spend 2 hours or more.


One of my friends, Irma, is at the courtyard at 7:00 a.m. Mon.-Fri. and comes back
again at 3:00 pm. (When the church bells ring at 3, we sing the Divine Mercy Chaplet).
Needless to say, she is an angel, and a dear friend. She has also brought me an apple
and a granola bar because she was worried I wasn't eating! She has also sent me home
and stayed longer! Since she is there at 7, I don't have to be there until 8!


Another one of my friends, Muriel, comes daily, she fills in when I need her. (A lot)
She also comes at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings and stays until right before Mass at
10:00 a.m. She then comes back at 5:45 p.m. and closes up at 7:00 p.m. so that my
husband and I can go to the 6:00 p.m. Mass. Another angel and dear friend.


My friend, Candi, will show up and say, "Go home, Sharla, you need a break! I've got
you covered!" She has done this several times. She also brought me an apple, washed,
cut in half, in a baggie! We pray together, visit, and we always end up in tears! She always
shows up just when I need her most, another angel, another dear friend.


There are many more who send me on my way, so many special people I am blessed
to spend time with almost each and every day. We have this common bond, our love
of God, our faith, our pro-life stance, our commitment to speaking up for the unborn.


Last but definitely not least is my own family, my wonderful husband, my children,
my grandchildren. They are so supportive. They come and pray, they help close up
so that I can go on home. They understand when I'm tired, and for the last 31 days,
they've done everything they can to make my life easier since I spend so much time
at the courtyard. They never complain and love to hear about the many blessings of
prayer and fellowship I've been apart of that day.


I hope you all have a wonderful day, full of blessings and angels! I am going to go and
get ready to start my day at the courtyard! I will need lots of coffee today! Really, I just
need God's grace, His love,  His angels,  I need Him!


Bye for now, Sharla


                                       From his fullness we have all received,
                                         grace upon grace.
                                                         John 1:16

A Courtyard Full of Life

Good Morning out there! How are y'all doing? A quick post before I head to the
courtyard at Sacred Heart. Today is Day 29 of our fall 40 Days for Life Campaign!
Everyday has been a blessing to me, witnessing all the faithful pro-life people who
come and pray. You might think that at this point of the campaign people would
stop coming as much, but that hasn't happened! On Monday, two ladies joined us
in the courtyard, and this was the first time they have ever participated in a 40 days
campaign. I'm going to upload some pictures for y'all to see. The courtyard is full
of life, full of prayers, fellowship, laughter, joy and sometimes tears! The last 28 days
have been amazing, I'm looking forward to today, day 29, and the days to follow!
If you would like information about some of the other campaigns, and daily updates
from the 40 Days for Life headquarters, please visit their website:
www.40daysforlife.com


I post several things/pictures/albums on my 40 days face book page. If you would
like to see them, my page is: 40 Days for Life - San Angelo, TX


Blessings to you all! Bye for now, Sharla


      Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
         with  thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.
                                           Philippians 4:6

Prayers, Faith and Peace

Hello out there! Is anybody still reading my blog? I'm sorry that I haven't
written very many posts lately. I've been so busy with our 40 Days for Life
Campaign I just haven't had much spare time. When I do have some spare
time I have to do things like; wash clothes, cook, do some paperwork for
our family business, you know, that kind of stuff that is never ending!
Anyway, I just want to share with y'all how amazing the first 15 days of the
40 day campaign have been. So many people have been coming out to the
courtyard and praying. It has been such a blessing for me to see all these
faithful people. Some people pray in groups, some people pray by themselves,
but there is always so much joy. Smiling faces, hugs, faith sharing, laughter,
quiet time, peacefulness, and most of all, the love and presence of Jesus Christ.
People of all ages have come out to pray, mothers with small children who color
on the concrete with side walk chalk. Couples, sisters, rosary groups, families,
friends, the list goes on and on. When a new person shows up they are immediately
welcomed to our growing family of people who pray for the unborn, who pray for
families, who pray for the whole world. We are united in our belief that life begins at
conception, that babies are a gift from God, and our faith in God. Each day I am
blessed with the witness of these faithful people.
Right now something else has been on my heart, and on the hearts of many of those
who come and pray. We are worried about those of you in countries that are at war.
We are praying for you and your families.
I can't imagine what you are dealing with, what you are going through.
I pray that all of you who live in these war torn countries are safe and cared for.
I pray that no harm comes to you or those you love. I pray for peace for your countries.
I pray for guidance and leadership for my country and yours. I listen to the news and I
know that a lot of innocent people are living in fear and worse. It may not seem like much,
but I lit a candle at church today and prayed for all of you. When I wake up during the
night, I pray for you.
Please know that wherever you are, we are praying for you daily during this 40 Days
for Life Campaign, we are lifting you up in our prayers. Peace be with you. God's blessings
to you and yours.


Please God, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Please protect the innocent,
please take care of families, please have mercy on us all. Amen.

Hello out there! I miss posting on my blog! I've been so busy with the
40 Days for Life Campaign I just haven't had any extra time! A really
quick post to say hello and I hope you are all doing well.
Please know that we are praying for families all over the whole world.
We are praying for the unborn, we are praying for mothers and fathers,
and we are praying for those whose lives are torn apart because of the
terrorist attacks and hostile take overs. I pray that God keeps all of you
safe. I pray that God protects your families, I pray for an end to war.
I pray for an end to abortion.
So many people have been coming out to pray, some come everyday.
Some spend hours in prayer, lifting you up. I know that people from other
countries read my blog, I'm praying for you, we are all lifting you up in
prayer during these 40 days.
Blessings to all, I have to get back to the courtyard and pray!
                         Bye for now, Sharla


                            Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.
                                           Jude 2


                            The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves
                         those who are crushed in spirit.
                                              Psalm 34:18




                                   A quote from St. Anselm of Canterbury
                      Enter into the inner chamber of your mind. Shut out all
                   things save God and whatever may aid you in seeking God;
                      and having barred the door of your chamber, seek Him.

Hello out there! I haven't had much time to blog so I wanted to check in with y'all
and see how everyone is doing? I'm the campaign leader for the upcoming 40 Days
for Life in San Angelo, TX. I have been busy planning the Kick-Off Rally that will
be on Wednesday, September 24th from 6:30pm-7:30pm in the Cathedral courtyard.
I'm really looking forward to it. Sacred Sound will be providing the praise and
worship music, and the Guadalupana's are furnishing the cookies. We are going to
have a lot of side walk chalk so that the kids can trace their handprints on the concrete
slab and everyone can write positive, pro-life messages. It will be a great family
praise and worship evening filled with upbeat music!
The fall 40 Days for Life Campaign is from 9/24-11/2/14. We will have a prayer vigil
each and every day from 7:00 am - 7:00 pm in the courtyard. All pro-life people
are invited to come and pray for an end to abortion, and to pray for the mothers and
fathers, to pray for families, and to especially pray for the unborn.
I have brochures for our local pregnancy help center, for adoption agencies, and some
brochures and prayer cards from Rapahel's Refuge. We will also be taking donations
for items most needed at our pregnancy help center.
I'm going to close with the prayer from Raphael's Refuge prayer cards. This prayer is
for those who have lost their baby due to a  miscarriage, stillbirth, and any type of
early infant death, or childhood death.


                             Parent's Prayer for a Departed Baby
                   Holy Spirit, creator of life and love, thank you for
                             breathing life into the soul of my baby.
                        Heavenly Father, thank you for letting me play
                                     a role in my baby's creation.
                           Lord Jesus, thank you for my baby's love.
                              From my empty arms, I place my baby
                            into your arms, to be held for all eternity.
                                                       Amen


www.40daysforlife.com
www.40daysforlife.com/sanangelo                       Have a great week!
www.pregnancyhelpcenter.net
www.raphaelsrefuge.org                                                  Bye for now, Sharla
www.hopeafterabortion.com

Hello out there! It's a beautiful, overcast day here in San Angelo, TX. We were blessed
with rain overnight, we are always thankful for the rain out here! I just got home
from helping out with the Sack Lunch Ministry, our parish, Sacred Heart Cathedral provides
for the homeless and other people in need. Our parish is in the downtown area and we give
out sack lunches Monday - Friday from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm. We fed a lot of people
today, we gave out over 80 sack lunches. You never know how many people will stop
by, we usually hand out between 40 -80 lunches a day. In the summer, we hand out
more because kids are home from school. Everyone is always so appreciative. I only
help out twice a month, some of the other volunteers are there almost every day.
After we cleaned up and locked the doors I went over to the parish office and visited
with the secretary about the details for the kick-off rally we'll have next Wednesday
evening for the 40 Days for Life Campaign. I bought two candles and walked over
to the sanctuary. I love being in the sanctuary during the day when no one else is in
there. There is no way to describe the peace I feel when I kneel down to pray. It's so
quiet in there, light comes through the stained glass windows and it's beautiful. I look
up at the huge crucifix hanging on the wall behind the altar, a reminder that my Jesus
died on the cross for all of our sins. I walked down the side isle towards the back where
the shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe is, I was going to light my candles and say a
prayer, but I noticed that all the candle holders were already full. I smiled and sat my
candles on the floor and knelt down on the kneeler. When I saw all those candles
burning it was a visual image to me of faith. Every person who lit a candle and knelt
down and asked Mother Mary to pray for their special need, who lifted up their
prayer to God, what a beautiful sign of faith. I prayed for everyone who lit a candle,
I prayed for my family and then I softly sang the Hail Mary so overcome with emotion,
and the peace I felt at that moment. God is always with us, sometimes we need to step out
and away from all the noise in today's world to feel His presence. I'm so thankful
that I took the time to spend a few quiet minutes alone with God and was able to
witness the faith of His prayerful people.
I brought my candles home with me, they'll be lit later on, and every time I pass by
and see the flicker of the light, a prayer of peace for all of you, whether near or far
will be on lips and in my heart.
                                                God bless you all, Sharla


"Lead me Lord lead me Lord by the light of truth, to seek and to find the narrow way,
be my way be my truth be my life my Lord, and lead me Lord today."

Babies are Babies No Matter How Small...............Please God Help Us Save Them All!

Hello out there! This morning there was a picture from National Pro-life Alliance
on my face book page. I saved it, and you can see it if you go to the view my
complete profile. Anyway, it's a picture of a stork and the saying is:


"We're Having A Clump Of Cells!"      .................Said No One Ever!


I can't tell you how many times I've asked, "Who says I'm pregnant but don't get
excited until it's a baby?" I mean it, have you ever heard anyone say that?! Well
I hit the Like button and then I posted the following comment:


So true! Have you ever heard anyone say this? I sure haven't! I remember jumping
around saying I'm pregnant! We're going to have a baby, and from there you're already
wondering, is it a girl, is it a boy, we've got to think of the greatest name and so on....
I wonder if anyone ever does say, "I'm pregnant, but it's just a fetus right now, so we'll
think about this later, you know, when it's really a baby. So when might that be,
lets see.....the heart starts beating 18 days after conception. Come on people wake up!
There's a baby in there! Take care of this wonderful gift God has blessed you with!


Back in April, I had one post about the first 6th months of gestation, and then another
day I posted about the 7th,  8th, and 9th months. I going to copy and paste them below.
A baby is such a miracle, amazing from day one. Life begins at conception.


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.
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 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. I know 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?


Babies are babies no matter how small, please God help us save them all!
                                                            Bye for now, Sharla