“Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, ‘Behold, we did not know this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?” (Proverbs 24:11-12)
This is the call that we as pro-lifers answer daily. We DO know that over 3500 children are murdered every day in the United States. We DO know that just as many women become wounded physically, emotionally, and spiritually every day. We also know that many others - fathers, grandparents, siblings, clinic employees - are harmed by abortion every day. We know that we must do everything in our power to rescue them. This is why NorthWest Families for Life began 3 years ago on May 26, 2010 at Forest View Medical Center in Des Plaines. In that time, we have been blessed to witness more than 70 women choose LIFE. Now that Forest View is closed temporarily for “remodeling,” we are called to prayer in a profound way. We invite you to become of the work of shutting down this place of death in a special way. Saturday, May 4th, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Jericho March at Forest View (2750 S. River Rd, Des Plaines) Led by Father Lalo of St. Edna’s to call upon the power of God that this place of death will never reopen. There is great power in this. In April of 2011, a group of about 100 people of all faiths united for the closing ceremony of 40 Days for Life at Dr. Goyal’s “Dimensions” abortion facility. We took part in a Jericho March around the building praying, singing, and reading Scripture. By December of that same year, Dimensions closed its doors FOREVER! God is good! Let’s implore Him to intervene again and close another of Dr. Goyal’s six clinics. We have attached a flier for the Jericho March. Please invite others to join you! Children and teens are welcome! Never heard of a Jericho March before or wondered why it is done? Here are some answers: 1. What is the Jericho Intercession Procession or March? - The Jericho Intercession Procession or March is one strategy or recipe of intercessory prayer from the Holy Spirit. It takes its name and inspiration from the Old Testament story of Joshua at Jericho (Joshua 1 to 6). The actual Jericho March or prayer procession that God commanded Joshua to do was just one part of the larger strategy of intercession that we find in Joshua 1 to 6. This entire intercession pattern, including the prayer march around the city of Jericho had powerful spiritual and natural consequences. The obedience of Joshua to the Lord’s directions opened the way for God Himself to intervene and bring forth the victory He desired at that moment of history and in the future. Today, we can pray in the Jericho Intercession Strategy in various ways and thus open the way for God to directly intervene and bring forth the victory of Jesus in our situations. 2. What Happens Spiritually During The Jericho Prayer? - In our lives, we are continually surrounded and bombarded by a spiritual atmosphere of the world and the flesh and the devil. As a result, it is often difficult for people to be and do good. When we pray in the Jericho procession, we are spiritually cutting off these dark clouds of evil that surround the people or places for whom we pray. At the same time, our prayer replaces the dark spiritual clouds with the Presence of Jesus and the bright Divine Cloud of all His Love and graces, mercy and blessings. We set our people and places apart unto God, so He can then work very directly in their lives. And we surround them with a Divine Shield, thus building a kind of spiritual wall or container around them in which to catch God’s Glory. In this way, we are opening the window to heaven above them and their lives and their places so the Lord can pour out His Mercy and blessings and miracles upon them. News from the last three Thursdays’ Wood Dale vigils: ** On Thursday, April 11, we estimate that SEVEN precious infants lost their lives. ** We were able to speak with one of the young women who brought her friend Maria for an abortion. She told us that they were both Catholic and she had tried to talk her friend out of the abortion. We hear this from so many of the drivers. Sadly, they think they are doing their friend a favor by driving them. Please pray that more of these people will have the strength to say NO to driving someone to kill a child. ** A different driver that day, a husband who brought his wife to kill their child, told us that he wishes the government would “put birth control in WIC food.” While there are so many things wrong with that statement, one of them is the notion that birth control is the answer to preventing abortion. In fact, contraception has only increased abortion. Read about why here: http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/contraception-increases-abortions-heres-why. ** On Thursday, April 18, we estimate that FOUR women paid a “doctor” to murder the child in their womb. ** Many of the employees from Forest View have been working at Wood Dale on Thursdays, so it’s been interesting to see them in a new setting. I wonder if they are thinking the same thing?! One of them, Samantha, has been kind to us since we first began our vigils. At that time, Samantha stopped to talk to me and told me that she “just answered the phones” and was in cooking school to become a chef. That was three years ago and I finally got a chance to ask Samantha this Thursday about cooking school. I was greatly disheartened to hear she had dropped out. She then ended our brief conversation to run back into the clinic after parking Dr. Goyal’s car for him. Please pray that this young girl will be able to break the bonds tying her to this bloody business. ** On Thursday, April 25, we estimate that TWO babies died inside Advantage Health Care in Wood Dale. ** A young couple in their 20’s exited the clinic after an abortion. The man had to help the young woman into her seat and then came over to take a brochure from us. We pray that they will both find healing and forgiveness in the arms of our Lord.
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“Go forward, and march around the city…” (Joshua 6:7)
When we arrived at Forest View abortion mill last Thursday there was a sign up stating they would be closed for 5 weeks for construction. We believe they will be expanding the clinic into the vacant office next door which they have been unable to rent for years. In the meantime they are sending patients to Dr. Goyal’s Advantage Clinic in Wood Dale (203 E. Irving Park Rd.). We will move our regular Thursday, 7:00 am – 1:00 pm prayer vigil to Wood Dale for the next four weeks. Please join us! On Saturday, May 4th, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm we will hold a Jericho March at Forest View to call upon the power of God that this place of death will never reopen. There is great power in this. In April of 2011, a group of about 100 people of all faiths united for the closing ceremony of 40 Days for Life at Dr. Goyal’s “Dimensions” abortion facility. We took part in a Jericho March around the building praying, singing, and reading Scripture. By December of that same year, Dimensions closed its doors FOREVER! God is good! Let’s implore Him to intervene again and close another of Dr. Goyal’s six clinics. Do you play the trumpet? We’d love to blow some horns like they did in Joshua’s time. Never heard of a Jericho March before or wondered why it is done? Here are some answers: 1. What is the Jericho Intercession Procession or March? - The Jericho Intercession Procession or March is one strategy or recipe of intercessory prayer from the Holy Spirit. It takes its name and inspiration from the Old Testament story of Joshua at Jericho (Joshua 1 to 6). The actual Jericho March or prayer procession that God commanded Joshua to do was just one part of the larger strategy of intercession that we find in Joshua 1 to 6. This entire intercession pattern, including the prayer march around the city of Jericho had powerful spiritual and natural consequences. The obedience of Joshua to the Lord’s directions opened the way for God Himself to intervene and bring forth the victory He desired at that moment of history and in the future. Today, we can pray in the Jericho Intercession Strategy in various ways and thus open the way for God to directly intervene and bring forth the victory of Jesus in our situations. 2. What Happens Spiritually During The Jericho Prayer? - In our lives, we are continually surrounded and bombarded by a spiritual atmosphere of the world and the flesh and the devil. As a result, it is often difficult for people to be and do good. When we pray in the Jericho procession, we are spiritually cutting off these dark clouds of evil that surround the people or places for whom we pray. At the same time, our prayer replaces the dark spiritual clouds with the Presence of Jesus and the bright Divine Cloud of all His Love and graces, mercy and blessings. We set our people and places apart unto God, so He can then work very directly in their lives. And we surround them with a Divine Shield, thus building a kind of spiritual wall or container around them in which to catch God’s Glory. In this way, we are opening the window to heaven above them and their lives and their places so the Lord can pour out His Mercy and blessings and miracles upon them. “So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’” (John 20:21)
Happy Easter to you and your family! We hope that the joy and especially the peace of this holiday remain with you now and always. It is difficult to imagine the devastating sorrow the disciples experienced watching the suffering and death of the beloved man they believed would be their Savior. Then that sorrow transformed to immeasurable joy once they realized that truly Jesus Christ is risen and is the Savior of the world! In each one of our lives we also experience sorrow, disappointment, frustration. Sometimes we may feel alone or part of a small, insignificant, powerless group fighting to spread truth to people who don’t want to hear or believe. It seems to me that we have much in common with that small group of followers of Jesus. According to the media, anyone who professes Christian, Biblical values is outside of the norm and out-of-step with the world’s culture. But wasn’t that what people thought about Jesus and his followers? And yet look at what that little band of “outsiders” managed to do - Start the world’s largest religion! There is no telling what you can do as long as you take the joy and peace of Easter and live it every day. Let the Risen Lord shine through you! We must never give up spreading the truth. As God sent Jesus, so He also sends you. **Thank you to those of you who came out for Stations of the Cross at Forest View on Good Friday. It was a beautiful witness and no abortions occurred there that day! Pictures are on our website. News from the last two Thursdays’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, March 14, we estimate that SEVEN women condemned the children in their wombs to death at Forest View Medical Center in Des Plaines. ** One brave young woman chose LIFE! She came out of the clinic with her two friends around 11:00. Although it was a bit early to be leaving after an abortion, I assumed she had gone through with it. When I tried to hand her a Project Rachel brochure, she walked right up to me and said, “I didn’t do it.” I smiled and offered her a pair of blue baby booties which she happily took. She did not want to visit the Women’s Center, but took the information, thanked me and left with her baby safe, snug and secure! Glory to God! ** On Thursday, March 21, we estimate that FIVE precious innocents lost their lives. ** Our 7:00 am counselor, Terry, approached one young man with an offer of help, but the man only said, “Don’t you have somewhere to be?” Terry just smiled and said, “Yes! Jesus said to be here.” Indeed, in Acts 20: 35, we are encouraged to work hard to help those who are weak. Many of those who enter the doors of an abortion mill do so out of weakness. ** Is Jesus calling you to be there for them? If you have never prayed outside of an abortion clinic before, maybe now is the time. You do not have to interact with the people entering or leaving. Simply standing witness in prayer is enough. Please feel free to call us (847-651-4877) if you would like more information about standing vigil. More information is on www.NorthWestFamiliesForLife.weebly.com. Also see the Pro-Life Action Leagues video, No Greater Joy ** On Thursday, March 28, we estimate that TWELVE babies were murdered by Dr. Goyal at Forest View. This is the highest number of abortions we have seen on a Thursday at Forest View since February of 2012. We mourn this increase in loss of life. Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus had been condemned, he deeply regretted what he had done. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’ But they said, ‘What is that to us? See to that yourself!’ Flinging the money into the temple, he departed and went off and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27: 3-5)
How many wounded post-abortive women are there in this world who, like Judas, deeply regret what they have done? Some statistics say as many as 94% of post-abortive women regret their decision. How many former abortionists and clinic workers want to “throw back” the blood money they earned by “betraying innocent blood”? Former Planned Parenthood Director Abby Johnson has helped more than 40 abortion workers leave the industry since June 2012 through her organization “And Then There Were None” (www.attwn.org). How many fathers? How many people who “just drove” a friend? We must not allow them to suffer the same hopeless fate as Judas. As we near the time of Jesus’ death and Resurrection, let us pray that all those who experience or participate in abortion will enjoy a “Resurrection” of their own. And pray that God will use YOU personally to help in some way. Let us not be like the chief priests saying, “See to that yourself!” Put phone numbers and websites for Project Rachel in your bulletin. Reach out to a post-abortive friend with compassion. Donate to organizations like ATTWN, Silent No More, or Rachel’s Vineyard. And, pray daily, specifically for Dr. Goyal, the abortionist who owns and operates 6 abortion clinics in Chicago and its suburbs. We greet him every Thursday at Forest View with, “Good morning! We are praying for you.” Pray that the Holy Spirit will profoundly touch his heart. Join us for a special Forest View vigil on Good Friday, March 29. Come stand “at the foot of the cross” to pray for all victims of abortion. WHEN: Friday, March 29, 10:00 am – 11:00 am WHERE: Forest View Medical, 2750 S. River Rd., Des Plaines Prayer will be led by Deacon Larry Schumacher. The Pro-Life Action League has produced a beautiful, ecumenical “Way of the Cross” booklet for use at abortion clinics. If you would like to download a copy and host your own, go to http://plal.org/hotline/2013/goodfriday-2/#tools . Also, please let us know so we can publicize it for you. Since many of us have that day off, it is important to remember why we have time off that day. It is time to recognize the tremendous suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As Eric Scheidler writes, “It is fitting that we solemnize Jesus’ suffering and death in connection with the pro-life ministry He has entrusted to us.” VIGIL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS WEEK Please see the vigil schedule tabs for days of the week and times when faithful people will be praying outside seven of the too many Chicago-land abortion facilities. News from the last two Thursdays’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, February 28, we estimate that SEVEN women condemned the children in their wombs to death at Forest View Medical Center in Des Plaines. ** A young man named Tim brought his girlfriend Gabrielle to abort their child. They were convinced that the child would be deformed because Gabrielle had gone tanning. Of course, this is very untrue, but types of ignorance like this are sadly quite common. This couple did not even bother to get a doctor’s opinion. Despite this ignorance and their tragic mindset that only a “perfect” child is wanted, we were able to forge a positive relationship which we hope will bear fruit someday. If you meet a couple with a real negative prenatal diagnosis, you can let them know about resources suchas www.isaiahspromise.net . No child is unwanted!** We believe there was a SAVE! A young couple left without getting an abortion. They did not stop to talk but the woman looked happy. ** On Thursday, March 7, we estimate that FIVE precious innocents lost their lives. ** One man, Sam, who dropped off his wife to kill their child, informed me that it was “not the right time.” He and his wife Toni have one child already and can’t afford another. The idea of adoption was rejected immediately. Despite his unwillingness to change, he listened to all I had to say and took a Project Rachel brochure. Again, we pray that a seed was planted to bring about recognition and healing for this family. ** When we sidewalk counselors have such personal interactions with couples and yet they still go through with the abortion, it can sometimes leave us feeling like we should have done more. Will you please pray for Terry, Laura, Monica, and myself that we will not lose heart, but instead submit ourselves to God’s will for us and for the couples we encounter? ** A special thank you to one of our devoted Prayer Warriors, Kathy, who taught herself to knit using the pattern from last update (and attached again) and created a pair of beautiful BLUE baby booties for us to give away at the clinic. If she can do it, so can you! "Return to the Lord, your God. For gracious and merciful is He.” (Joel 2:13)
Today is the first day of Lent. Are you ready? I’m not! It always makes me a little anxious as I consider what I will do, how I will encourage my children, when I can fit in more prayer, and on and on. Yet, as I read from “The Word Among Us” magazine today, I found that I need to look at Lent a bit differently. They write, “The last thing anyone wants to do is reduce this season of grace to a to-do list. Your heavenly Father is ‘gracious and merciful.’ He is calling out to you so He can bless you. Our works during Lent are meant to arise from a heart that wants to know a deeper freedom from sin and fear – a heart that is looking to God for more of His love. We don’t do them to prove ourselves to God or convince him to bless us. We do them because they can help us feel the presence of God. We do them because they can change our hearts and make us more like Jesus.” So take a deep breath, soften your heart, and keep it open to the Lord this Lent. He will use whatever effort you make over these next 40 days, no matter how small, for your good and the good of others. Need some ideas of ways to “return to the Lord?” Here are a few: 1. 40 Days for Life begins TODAY! – There are four aspects of this worldwide campaign to end abortion: prayer, fasting, peaceful vigil, and community outreach. See “Upcoming Events” below to find out more about this mission which has had amazing results in converting abortion workers, closing abortion mills, and saving babies. Vigil locations are in Glen Ellyn and Aurora. Watch a video of the Aurora site’s kick-off rally where they witnessed a save that very day!: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXRWkZqLqIQ 2. Two Lobby Days in Springfield Feb. 20 and March 13 – Visit your state Congressmen in person and make an impact! You will be provided with all the background to speak with authority on the issues. See the upcoming events tab for more information. 3. Click HERE to view “40 Ways to Embrace Life” . Choose one thing that you will do this Lent to promote LIFE. UPDATE ON A SAVE - We have a little more information about Kathy who chose LIFE at Forest View last July. Her baby girl, Kylee Elise, was born on January 15. Kathy is so appreciative of the presence of people praying for her that day and throughout her pregnancy. She texted, “She really wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you, so thank you so much for that!” - From the update when we first met Kathy, “She came with two Hispanic young men. Neither was the father of her baby. As God would have it, the two men dropped Kathy off and then parked in the parking lot in front of the Women’s Center building which allowed us the opportunity to go right up to their car and talk. We are not legally allowed on the premises of the abortion mill’s parking lot, so it really was an amazing blessing! The one young man, Angel, was willing to listen and was very moved by the pictures of developing babies and aborted babies in the pamphlet I shared. He immediately texted Kathy to come out. And she did! All three came with me to the Women’s Center and left later with a plan for LIFE! - May God bless each person who pleaded to God for the life of this child. We have sent a gift to Kathy and Kylee from all of you! News from the last two Thursdays’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, January 31, we estimate that SEVEN children died at the hands of a “doctor.” ** One couple arrived at 7:00 am and left 20 minutes later. They did not stop to talk or even look our way, so we do not know what happened. ** On Thursday, February 7, we estimate that again SEVEN women chose death for their unborn child. ** As much as we would love to report that there was a save on one of these days, we simply don’t know. Of course, this doesn’t mean there wasn’t one. Former Planned Parenthood director Abby Johnson said that on abortion days when there were people present praying outside, their no-show rate shot up to 75%. However, even if not one baby was saved on these days, our prayers were not in vain. We must continue to go to these places of death. We may be the only ones who mourn the passing of these children at the site of their murder. Each one was a unique individual, a precious baby, who will never be seen in this world. “Blessed are they who mourn for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4) It is a sacred duty to never forget the youngest victims of abortion. To this end, the Pro-Life Action League has launched a project to remember these little ones. Read about it here: http://prolifeaction.org/hotline/2013/topten03/#more-27984(You can also find some comfort here by reading Eric Scheidler’s list of the top ten accomplishments of the pro-life movement!) “This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
I couldn’t help but think this joyfully as I looked out on the energetic crowd of almost 500 who gathered last Saturday in Palatine for the first-ever NorthWest Families March for Life. God blessed us with warmer weather and even sunshine as we reached the plaza. It felt as if God was smiling on us, and I know He was. THANK YOU to each and every one of you who came to bear witness to LIFE. We especially want to thank - - Our wonderful speakers: Carol Rybacki, Jim Sable, and Joe Scheidler - Those who led us in prayer: Bishop George Rassas and Scott Phelps - The many Knights of Columbus - Our generous, anonymous donors - Countless people who donated their time and energy to make the march a success. You can view a video of the March: http://vimeo.com/57767279 Thank you to Chris Iverson of “Prevail: Prolife Events & Activities of IL” Facebook page for creating this beautiful video. Read an article about the March in the Daily Herald: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130119/news/701199889/ Despite the fact that the reporter was biased against life referring to us as “anti-abortion” and including quotes from Planned Parenthood, she did include some good quotes from the moving speakers of the day. View photos of the March at our website. Click on the “March for Life” tab at the top of the home page. Finally, if you missed the March, we have created a handout called “40 Ways You Can Embrace the Gift of Life.” It has many ideas for doing “something new” for Life this year. Even if you were there, the handout has been revised, so be sure to check it out! (on this website under "easy ways to further the Pro-life cause") After 40 years of Roe v. Wade, you will be part of a renewed call to LIFE. UPDATE ON SAVES - Kathy, a young woman who chose LIFE last July at Forest View, gave birth last Friday to a beautiful baby girl, Kylee Elise. In a text Kathy writes, “I’m feeling great and very happy J.” Thank you, God! He has plans for this little girl’s life known only to Him. We will share pictures when we can. - Speaking of pictures, we received a Christmas card from Kim and Josh (a couple who chose Life Feb. 2012 at Forest View). Their daughter Khylie was born Sept. 18 and what a cutie she is! Consider how different each person’s life would be right now if they had made a different “choice.” Praise be to God! News from the last two Thursdays’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, January 10, we estimate that EIGHT babies lost their lives at Forest View. ** One young man stopped to talk to me on the way out after dropping his girlfriend off for an abortion. Chris told me that he was against the abortion, but it was her decision. No matter how I tried to empower him, he left feeling powerless to save his child. We need to pray for men to accept their God-given duty to protect women and children, like Joseph did for Mary and Jesus. ** One couple chose LIFE! They pulled into the parking lot but sat in the car for about ½ an hour talking. Blessedly, they were parked facing the sidewalk where we stood praying and holding up signs of “free help” for the couple to see. Finally, they left! The man gave us a big thumbs-up and smile and accepted a brochure about the Women’s Center. The woman seemed distraught but we called to her, “God loves you!” Praise God! Please pray that this couple’s hearts may be filled with hope and peace. ** On Thursday, January 17, we estimate that SIX women made a “choice” that they will never forget. ** One man spoke to our 7:00 am counselor, Terry. He told Terry that he is Catholic, but he and his wife already have 3 kids and can’t afford a 4th. When Terry brought up adoption, the man said that his wife had “medical problems.” Sadly, nothing Terry said could break through this man’s wall. We must pray for this whole family to seek healing. The siblings have been robbed of their little sister or brother. ** We pray at Forest View (2750 S. River Rd, Des Plaines) every Thursday to offer help to the women and men who arrive between 7:00 am and 10:00 am. We stay and pray while the abortionist, Dr. Goyal, takes the lives of the children from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. We are there until 1:00 pm as the women are leaving to offer hope to them. Could you come for even a half hour? You would be such a blessing! “So they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.’” (Mark 10: 49)
This verse comes from the story Jesus healing a blind man named Bartimaeus. The apostles tell Bartimaeus to have courage and go to Jesus, for Jesus is calling him. What an amazing thing for this man to hear! The One who has been called “Wonder Worker” and “Messiah” is now calling him personally to Himself. However, the apostles’ role in this story is one that cannot be overlooked. They were the ones sent to bring Bartimaeus to Jesus. Indeed, Jesus counted on the apostles to go bring this blind man to Him just like He relies on each one of us. That is one of the main reasons we need to pray at the abortion clinics. It does take courage to stand up in front of a clinic and pray, but Jesus is depending on us to be there for those who are “blind” to LIFE and say to them, “Jesus is calling you.” We pray that their eyes will be opened to God’s love and the gift of His blessings, no matter what the circumstances. But you don’t have to be at an abortion clinic to be like the apostles. Is there someone in your own family or circle of friends whom you have been avoiding talking to because you don’t know what to say or know they disagree with you? Maybe today you are being called to minister to that person who is blind to some aspect of their own life: a bad relationship, a hurtful habit, a lukewarm attitude towards God, misinformation about the upcoming election. “Take courage” and “stand up” for the truth. God will be with you. And in case you’re feeling like the “blind” one today, we hope you find an “apostle” in your life whom you can talk to about God! *The upcoming election may be difficult to discuss with friends, but we have an obligation to do so. Get the information you need by printing out the Family Research Council’s Voters Guide (http://downloads.frcaction.org/EF/EF11L04.pdf ). Share it with your friends! *If you are Catholic, you can also share the “Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics.” It does not discuss any candidates, but it explains the 5 “non-negotiables” of the faith: abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, human cloning, and homosexual marriage. It clearly states that voting for candidates who support any of these issues is a sin. Finally, here is a link to a 3 minute video that is very powerful and should be shared with every Catholic. http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=D9vQt6IXXaM&hd UPDATE ON A RECENT BIRTH I was blessed to meet Veronica’s little miracle, baby Eliana, last week (see attached picture!). The whole family is doing wonderful! Yet, Veronica told me that she sometimes feels guilty because of what she almost did. I assured her that God loves her for what she DID do – give her daughter LIFE! Still, this had an effect on me: If someone who did not have an abortion can still feel so guilty about the attempt, how much worse is the suffering of the post-abortive woman? Please reach out to those who have had abortions and share God’s love. Here is a phone number and website for help: 1-888-456-HOPE, www.AbortionRecovery.org News from the last two Thursdays’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, October 18, we estimate FOUR infants were killed inside a place called a “medical center.” ** One couple in their 30’s told me that they already have two children and don’t want a third. I told them about the Women’s Center and the financial assistance, but he said they have enough money. “It’s just too much work” to have another the man told me. Personal choice is the reason that 98% of women give for aborting. ** One woman chose LIFE! Felicia and her friend came out of the clinic just after the doctor arrived. They both got in the car, but then the friend got out telling me that Felicia was keeping her baby. I asked if we could help, and the friend said that Felicia was “good, very good!” I gave them information about the Women’s Center and a pair of pink hand-knit booties (Still could use some blue ones!) and they drove off smiling. Praise to God for this save brought by prayer. ** On Thursday, October 25, we estimate that FIVE women allowed a “doctor” to murder the child in their womb. ** Again, we believe there was a save! I saw the big white Cadillac SUV pull in and got to the car in time to hand the young girl (about 15) in the passenger seat a brochure. She took it, but then her mother pulled it out of her hand and hustled the girl inside. I could see the confusion in her eyes. A little while later a different woman, Gail, who was not there for an abortion came out of Forest View for a cigarette. I began talking to her, and she told me that she too is pro-life. I asked Gail to go back into the clinic and give a Rosary to the young girl. Gail went back in, Rosary-in-hand, and ten minutes later the young girl and her mother came out and left! Pray that they will never return to this place of death. “Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” Psalm 127:3
The world and our NorhtWest Families for Life family has been blessed with another gift! Kim and Josh welcomed Khylie Nichole into their family on September 18. She is an absolutely perfect little girl at 7 lbs, 6 oz, 20 inches long. Kim is also doing well. We met Kim and Josh at Forest View on a cold day in February. They were struggling with their decision and did not know where to turn. I approached them with an offer of help and they gladly came with me to the Women’s Center. As they left, I gave them a pair of hand-knit pink baby booties predicting the baby would be a girl and now we all know that those booties were right! Speaking of booties, we are completely out of blue baby booties. Would you be willing to spend some time this month to knit some blue booties? Maybe your Bible study could knit while you talk. Or maybe you know someone in a nursing home who needs to be needed. A sweet pair of baby booties not only makes a woman feel cared for and loved, but it also shows the humanity of the life inside her. Yes, children are a gift, a reward, not a disease or a “problem” to be “taken care of.” We need to pray that all others would realize this truth, especially during this election season when so much is at stake. At the end of this email there are two different election prayers. Please join in praying daily for our country before this election. In addition to prayer, get all the information you can and share it with others. There are several election guides. Family Research Council has one contrasting the presidential candidates at http://downloads.frcaction.org/EF/EF11L04.pdf . Illinois Family Institute has one that also contains information about local offices at http://illinoisfamily.org/ifi_news/general-election-resources/ . Priests for Life also has a Voter’s Guide: http://www.priestsforlife.org/candidates/index.htm . Ask your pastor if one of these could be passed out at your church. It is perfectly legal and would not harm their 501c status. You can check the Priests for Life website for more legal information. October is Respect Life Month across the country. There’s no better time to get involved! Contact us for a vigil schedule if you need one. Don’t forget that “40 Days for Life” has a 24 hour a day, seven day a week vigil site on Chicago’s north side and another location with a daily 6:00 am – 6:00 pm vigil in Downers Grove. See below for more details and many more ways to get step into LIFE this month. Today’s reflection is taken from Father Pavone’s blog: http://www.priestsforlife.org/blog/
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Reflection: A woman who saw the photos of aborted babies on the Priests for Life website wrote to us, “I have a dear friend who is very ‘pro-choice’ and I said: ‘Have you ever seen what an abortion looks like?’ The answer was: ‘No.’ I showed her the pictures. She was rightfully and truly horrified about what this REALLY looks like. And, she started to cry. She isn’t ‘pro-choice’ anymore.” Prayer: You are truth, Lord Jesus, and in you we find the truth about everything. Assist us to expose the truth about abortion. Amen. *As seekers of the truth, there are many upcoming opportunities to educate and empower yourself to be a beacon of truth for others. Please see “Upcoming Events” page. There are a ton of events! Pick one, grab a friend, and go! *With the upcoming election, there are even more opportunities to share the truth. Ask your pastor about handing out or stuffing bulletins with the FRC voter's guide (http://downloads.frcaction.org/EF/EF11L04.pdf ). It is perfectly legal and WILL NOT jeopardize their tax-exempt status. News from the last three Thursdays’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, August 23, we estimate FOUR innocent lives were lost. ** There was a SAVE! Georgiana and Ryan have been together for three years and have two children, 2 years old and 9 months old. They walked out of Forest View to talk before her abortion feeling confused and unsure. I handed them a brochure which they immediately began to leaf through. They then came with me to the Women’s Center and set up an appointment for an ultrasound! As they were leaving, I asked if I could give them a rosary, and Ryan not only took one for himself, but asked for one for Georgiana as well saying, “We need all the Jesus we can get!” I pray that Ryan will realize that all he needs to do is ask and he will “get” all the Jesus he needs! Please pray that this young couple will accept help in choosing LIFE. ** Keep praying for the male nurse at Forest View. He has been very friendly lately and we are so hopeful that God will bring him to a new life-affirming job. ** On Thursday, August 30, we estimate that SEVEN women made a “choice” that they will never forget. ** A heartbreaking scene unfolded as a group of three older women brought in a 14 year-old girl for an abortion. I was able to talk to the girl’s mother, Helen, when she came out by herself for a cigarette. This poor woman had no idea how to help her daughter. She wept as she told me about her daughter Michelene. I offered to take them to the Women’s Center but was interrupted when the office manager of Forest View came outside. Helen hurriedly rushed back inside. I did manage to give her a Project Rachel and a hug before she left. Please pray for this family. Helen is also recently divorced. ** On Thursday, September 6, we estimate that FOUR babies were murdered by a “doctor.” ** We believe there were two saves this day! Both couples left long before the doctor arrived. One couple told one of our counselors they were only there for the test. Many couples say this and then go through with the abortion. But this couple left after only being inside for 5 minutes! Praise be to God! News about your spiritually adopted baby: ** HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABIES!! It’s time to rejoice. It’s time to celebrate. It’s time to praise God for His blessings and for allowing us to be a part of His loving plan for this child. A member of our NorthWest Families for Life family made a great suggestion that we’d like to pass on to you. Every time a “saved” baby is born, this man makes a donation to a crisis pregnancy center as a “birthday present.” Would you consider giving your spiritually adopted baby a birthday gift? You can donate money, goods, or even time to one of the centers near you, like the Women’s Center (www.womens-center.org ),Heather’s House (www.helpaidforwomen.org/services/heathershouse), The Well of Mercy (www.thewellofmercy.com), or Woman’s Choice Services (www.womanschoiceservices.com ). Who knows? Your spiritually adopted baby may even be receiving services from one of these very agencies. You may never get to meet your baby here on earth, but perhaps in Heaven a “stranger” will approach you calling you “mom” or “dad” and thank you for LIFE! To spiritually adopt a baby, pick up a prayer card in the vigil kit or go online at www.spiritualadoption.org. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights has this verse on a sign in front of their school building. As I drove by the other day, I thought how truly priceless this advice is, especially as we have seen an increase over the summer of very young teens (ages 16 and 17) coming to the abortion facility. We have to teach our children the truth about abortion. Former Planned Parenthood Director, Abby Johnson explained in her bookUnplanned how her parents never talked to her about abortion, and so it was up to her and countless outside influences to help her decide about abortion. Although it is a difficult topic, we cannot shy away from discussing abortion with our children and grandchildren. If they don’t hear about it from you, they will most certainly hear about it from others who may or may not believe that life is sacred. There is much information out there to help you with this. One easy way to introduce your child to the sanctity of life is through spiritual adoption. In this way, you can explain to youth that not all babies are safe in their mommies’ tummies, and we can pray that they will be. Heritage House 76 produces a brochure titled “How to Talk to Your Child About Abortion” (www.hh76.org/details.aspx?prod_id=4695). Father Frank Pavone has written an informative article about the topic that you can read at www.gospeloflife.com/articles/children.htm. And while you’re at it, if you have college-aged children or grandchildren, please share the truth about Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood facilities exist on or near countless college campuses. Make sure your teen knows about PP’s record of supporting underage sex trafficking, covering-up rape, handing out faulty “free” condoms, and jeopardizing patient’s health with deadly delays in calling ambulances (as they did in Tonya Reaves’ death www.lifesitenews.com/news/tonya-reaves-killed-by-incomplete-abortion-perforated-uterus-and-delay-docu/), all for more than $1 million a day of taxpayers’ money. This next generation of Americans is becoming more pro-life. We are needed to encourage this beautiful shift! News from the last three Thursdays’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, August 2, we estimate SEVEN innocent lives were lost. ** A male nurse, whom we see regularly entering Forest View, stopped to talk this morning. He has been at the clinic for about two years and expressed an interest in leaving. He told me that it was hard to work there but he needs the job. He wouldn’t go into much more detail. I told him we would all be praying for him to find a new job. Do you know of an office hiring nurses? I gave him a letter from the new Abby Johnson site for abortion workers “And Then There Were None” (www.attwn.org/ ) and am hoping he will find the courage to leave this place of death. ** There was a remarkable “save” of sorts brought about oddly enough by someone inside the clinic! I watched 16 year-old Andrew and Yessica come out of the clinic. Yessica was in tears. I approached their car and found out that Yessica did not get an abortion that day because the clinic refused her based on the ultrasound which showed she was 17 weeks and 4 days pregnant. Forest View will not kill children who are older than 17 weeks and 3 days old. We’ve never seen anything like this and are amazed! Could this have been the work of the male nurse I spoke to earlier that morning? Either way, it seems clear that the Holy Spirit is at work in the clinic. However, Andrew and Yessica are scared to tell their parents, so please keep them in your prayers and pray they will not seek a late term abortion elsewhere. ** On Thursday, August 9, we estimate that SIX women made a “choice” that they will never forget. ** Thank you to all of you who responded to our call for prayer warriors to take over while Laura and I were away. We had a great turnout! You are in our prayers! ** On Thursday, August 16, we estimate that NINE babies were murdered by a “doctor.” ** One older gentleman, a Muslim, dropped off his wife to abort their third child. I stopped him at the exit and saw that he had his two young sons (6 years and 3 years) in the back seat. Nahiziz told me how sad they were to abort, but he was out of work and they just couldn’t afford another child. However, he also told me that they wanted another child. Very confusing. He then went on to tell me how bad he was and I tried to help him understand that he is just confused. I spoke with him at great length about every aspect of abortion I could think of, religious, biological, the health of his wife, the responsibility of being a man, the sibling for his sons, the possibility of a daughter, children as a blessing… He sat there crying and listened to it all. But nothing could make him go back and save his child and wife. Nahziz was very touched, though, because when he returned later, he told Laura how kind everyone was and how much he appreciated us being there. All we can do now is trust in God’s divine plan. God can use even the evil of abortion to make a change for good in someone’s life. We pray for this change for Nahziz and his family. News about your spiritually adopted baby: ** Your spiritually adopted baby is 38 weeks old. Many children are born at this stage. We just celebrated the birth of Elijah Ernesto, a child spared from abortion at Forest View. Has your spiritually adopted baby just been born? Every time you see a newborn for the next month, you’ll have to wonder, “Is that MY spiritually adopted baby?” To spiritually adopt a baby, pick up a prayer card in the vigil kit or go online atwww.spiritualadoption.org. |
Our vigil update writer:
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