Day 1:  Today we pray for women for whom pregnancy is not good news, that they know they have choices ~ like chastity, parenting, and adoption.
Day 2:  Today we pray for compassionate religious voices to speak out for the dignity and autonomy of women ~ and that these religious voices will speak out on behalf of the innocent children that are being killed.
Day 3:  Today we pray for our daughters and granddaughters, that they will always know the power of making their own good decisions ~ and that these decisions will not include killing a baby.
Day 4:  Today we give thanks for the doctors who provide quality abortion care, and pray that they may be kept safe ~ and that they will be spared the pain and agony felt by the children that they aided in killing.
Day 5:  Today we pray for medical students who want to include abortion care in their practice. May they receive good training and find good mentors ~ and may they be reminded that a doctor’s roll is to heal, not to kill.
Day 6:  Today we ask for blessings upon the women who pass through hostile protesters on their way into an abortion clinic. May they be shielded from physical and emotional harm from those who do not know them ~ and may they see that in reality, these people are loving, caring and compassionate individuals who are praying because they care about what happens to a mother when she allows her baby to be killed.
Day 7:  Today we pray for the 45 million American women who have had safe, legal abortions. May they stand tall and refuse shame ~ and we pray for the 45+ million Americans who were never allowed the opportunity to stand anyway because they were victims of abortion.
Day 8:  Today we pray for elected officials, that they may always support a woman’s right to make her own medical decisions ~and that these elected officials realize that they are voted into office by individuals and there are about 50 million less Americans because their lives were ended legally by abortion.
Day 9:  Today we pray for women who are afraid of their lovers. May they find the confidence to turn away from abuse and take care of themselves ~ and may they turn to the open arms of our Lord and Savior for their support, care and love.
Day 10:  Today we pray for women who were joyfully expecting a child, but have learned that the pregnancy is not sustainable ~ and may they experience the comfort of knowing that their little boy or girl is being held gently in the arms of our Blessed Mother.
Day 11:  Today we pray for better access to all forms of birth control ~ and that the knowledge that Natural Family Planning is the only safe, natural, effective choice that promotes health, intimacy and trust in a marriage relationship and that all other forms of birth control have the potential to increase medical, emotional and spiritual complications in men and women and that pregnancy still occurs with most birth control options resulting in a spontaneous abortion.
Day 12:  Today we pray that women know the power of their own stories. May they find their voices and tell their truths ~ and may they be truthful in acknowledging the emptiness and pain they have endured due to the absence of a child that they chose to abort and the power of forgiveness that will make them whole again.
Day 13:  Today we pray for the men in our lives, that they may offer their loving kindness and support for women’s difficult decisions ~ and may these men in our lives have the courage to speak on behalf of their unborn child and be the voice of reason, support, and encouragement.
Day 14:  Today we pray for Christians everywhere to embrace the loving model of Jesus in the way he refused to shame women ~ and that Christ will deeply touch the hearts and minds of women who are shamefully considering killing their innocent child.
Day 15:  Today we pray for parents whose teen daughters are pregnant. May they help their daughters through this difficult time with kindness and openness ~ and may these parents celebrate and rejoice as they help their daughter prepare to give birth to their grandchild and may they be open to the loving choice of adoption.
Day 16:  Today we pray for the counselors in abortion clinics that they may listen with their hearts and offer wise guidance ~and may their hearts be filled with compassion for the mother and the baby and that they promote life as opposed to death.
Day 17:  Today we pray for increased financial support for low income women to access contraception, abortion, and childcare ~ and that all women will discover the freedom of standing firm to their values and the support and care they receive from our Heavenly Father.
Day 18:  Today we pray for all the staff at abortion clinics around the nation. May they be daily confirmed in the sacred care that they offer women ~ and may they quickly realize that the care they are giving these women is anything but sacred.
Day 19:  Today we pray for all pregnant women. May they be surrounded by loving voices ~ and may the pregnant women walking into an abortion clinic to end the life of their baby hear the voices of the people praying outside the clinic as they are – loving.
Day 20:  Today we pray for the families of yesteryear who still mourn the loss of their mothers, sisters, and aunts due to illegal abortion ~ and we pray for the millions of innocent lives of yesteryear lost as a result of illegal and legal abortion.
Day 21:  Today we pray for women in developing nations, that they may know the power of self-determination. May they have access to employment, education, birth control, and abortion ~ and may they develop a strong set of values so that as they become educated and employed they may be able to stand firm on them.
Day 22:  Today we pray for an end to all violence against abortion providers ~ and we pray for an end to the pain and violence imposed on innocent lives as they are being provided an abortion.
Day 23:  Today we give thanks for the strong women in our lives who have given us examples of good decision-making ~and we pray for all the strong women that will never know the power of making good decisions because their lives were taken by abortion.
Day 24:  Today we pray for an end to hateful language that diminishes the dignity of women ~ and we pray for an end of the lies that lead women to believe that abortion is a loving and unselfish choice.
Day 25:  Today we pray for women who have been made afraid of their own power by their religion. May they learn to reject fear and live bravely ~ and may they be overpowered and freed by the love of God and his encouragement, protection and guidance in all situations.
Day 26:  Today we give thanks for the intelligence, talent, wit, and wisdom of all the women and girls in our lives ~ and we grieve the loss of these attributes in all the women and girls that should be in our lives that are absent because they were aborted.
Day 27:  Today we give thanks for abortion providers around the nation whose concern for women is the driving force in their lives ~ and we pray that God will be merciful to them as they explain why concern for women involved killing innocent life.
Day 28:  Today we pray for the women who travel hundreds of miles to get an abortion. May their determination be rewarded with spiritual strength ~ and may these women be sent an intercessor that will reveal that true spiritual strength and freedom comes from making God approved choices.
Day 29:  Today we pray that all women will know that they are created in the image of God, good and holy, moral and wise ~ and may they understand that God is the designer of all life and that He doesn’t make mistakes.
Day 30:  Today we pray for women to throw away their secrets and claim their histories with power and truth ~ and we pray that all women will know the truth that abortion is not power.
Day 31:  Today we pray for all discrimination against women to cease ~ and we pray that all women will cease in the self-destructive behavior that may result in a discriminatory act of violence against their baby.
Day 32:  Today we pray for an end to the stigma perpetrated against women who have abortions ~ and we pray that they will instead understand that they are not under scrutiny or judgement by others.
Day 33:  Today we offer a prayer of remembrance for abortion providers who lost their lives because of their commitment to women ~ and we acknowledge that killing – in any form is wrong.
Day 34:  Today we give thanks for abortion escorts who guide women safely through the hostile gauntlets of protesters ~ and we pray that these escorts will see that they are guiding these women to the wrong side.
Day 35:  Today we pray for girls everywhere, that they may have every opportunity for education, sport, health, art, and vocation ~ and we pray that girls everywhere will have loving mentors guiding them with truth and honesty as they continue on their life’s journey.
Day 36:  Today we pray for the families we’ve chosen. May they know the blessing of choice ~ and may they know that for every choice they make there is a possible consequence and that they will make all choices with courage and clarity.
Day 37:  Today we pray for women to claim their equality and demand their rights as citizens ~ and we pray that all women will know that as citizens they have the right to know that abortion isn’t their only option and that they have the right to choose parenting or adoption for their baby.
Day 38:  Today we pray for a cloud of gentleness to surround every abortion facility. May everyone feel calm and loving ~ and we pray that the calm and love will surround everyone to the point of transforming
Day 39:  Today we pray for a contagious love to overflow from our spirits ~ and that the Holy Spirit will guide us and consume our lives with His joy and peace.
Day 40:  Today we give thanks and celebrate that abortion is still safe and legal ~ and we eagerly anticipate the day that the senseless killing of innocent babies will soon be a thing of the past.

And now, in my own words, prayer for day 41~

Today and everyday we pray for an end to the senseless killing of innocent babies.  Today and everyday we pray that those working in abortion clinics will learn the truth of their actions and that they will under go a transformation from the culture of death to the culture of life.  Today and everyday we pray that men of all ages and backgrounds will find the courage and strength to be Godly men.  Today and everyday we pray that all women, near and far, will live pure lives.  Today and everyday we pray that those who chose abortion in their past will find forgiveness and healing as they turn to our loving God for reconciliation.   Today and everyday we pray that the light of Christ will shine through us so that everyone we encounter will know that they are loved by an amazing God!  

]]> http://angelorum.org/wp/2012/04/prayer-for-day-41-and-everyday/feed/ 0 http://angelorum.org/wp/2012/03/please-pray/ http://angelorum.org/wp/2012/03/please-pray/#comments Tue, 27 Mar 2012 01:09:10 +0000 Kathy http://angelorum.org/wp/?p=393      I’m sure you remember all the snow that the Seattle area was blessed with in January, specifically for me, I remember all the snow on January 17th for a couple of reasons – the March for Life in Olympia was that day and it was my birthday.  I was really looking forward to spending my special day on a bus traveling to our state capitol with my church family and students from St. Pius X School, holding a red rose and standing up for life.  Instead, I stayed home with my wonderful husband and got lots of phone calls from friends and family telling me they had intended on getting me a present, but with all snow, they couldn’t get to a store.  I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve heard that in my 54 years!

A few months ago a friend asked me to take her to her “pain-management” appointment.  Her doctor wanted to do a procedure on her back and she would have to be under anesthesia so she couldn’t drive home.  I wasn’t familiar with what a “pain-management” doctor’s scope of medicine was, but I knew she hurt her back pretty severely a few years ago, and honestly, I was glad she asked me and it was my pleasure to help her ~ for many reasons this woman is one of my heroes.

Upon entering the clinic’s waiting room, the first thing I noticed was a sign on the wall advising that weapons were not allowed there.  Hmm, I thought, that’s interesting, I wonder why they felt it necessary to nail that to the wall?  As the receptionist handed her the needed paperwork she told us they were running behind and it would be about an hour’s wait.  This gave me plenty of time to observe the patients that were also in need of having their pain managed.  Looking around, I saw that the waiting room was full of mostly women in their 50′s and being in that age range myself, again, I was intrigued.  In the three hours I waited for my friend, I learned a lot ~ and it was mostly very tragic.  These patients all began their addiction to pain medication legitimately, because of accidents or surgery, and it got them through their recovery period, but for one reason or another, they began using these medicines illegally just to get through the day.  Interestingly enough, once they found out where I worked, an eerie silence fell over the room and then one at a time the women  began to confide in me about their past abortion experiences.  The sad truth is, it didn’t surprise me that this was a common denominator for patients in a “pain-management” waiting room.  Now I knew why I was here, these women needed to talk.

Sometimes I think I am uncommonly empathetic to people’s pain ~ I really feel their pain.  It is a trait that God has entrusted to me and I am thankful, although it can be pretty painful for me at times.  It is my love for God and for all His children that sustains me.  We have a responsibility to love each other through the mistakes we made in our past and through the mistakes we are about to make.  We must allow the light of Christ to shine through us and be welcoming to those we encounter on a daily basis, whether we are at the mall, in the office or in a waiting room.  And we must never judge or accuse.  We were made this way, all of us. 

We all have good days and bad.  We all make mistakes.  We all wish we could have a do-over or a fresh start.  We all beat ourselves up and feel undeserving at times.  We have all felt the pain of a devastating choice and we have all been broken.  These women in the waiting room are no different that you and I, althought their circumstances may be.  The pain they are feeling is real and unbearable. but instead of going to the true source of love and forgiveness, they are numbing themselves with pain medication.

I am empathetic,  inquisitive, curious and caring ~ but I am not special.  We were all made this way.  I would encourage each of you to accept the invitations that God is extenting to you and to step out of your comfort zone as often as you can and discover the incredible attraction of letting Him shine through you to His children in need.

Joy & Peace,

Kathy Dizard

      We all know what happened – the nation’s number one abortion provider joined forces with the national  media and together they bullied The Komen Foundation until they crumbled under pressure.  Not only did Komen reverse their plans to halt donations to Planned Parenthood, hundreds of thousands of additional dollars were pledged by individuals and groups buying into the deceptive scenario of all those women who would not be receiving “vital healthcare services” because The Susan G. Komen Foundation had the audacity to rethink its giving policy.  As the Executive Director of a Pregnancy Help Center, disappointment does not even begin to explain my disposition.  Am I surprised?  Sadly, no.

     I do believe, however, that God has a reason for bringing this situation to the mainstream media at this time in our history and that ultimately, good will triumph.  Current polls show that better than 50 percent of Americans are pro life.  I would encourage all of us to apply His armor, join hands and continue our quest that all life is to be celebrated and that all women deserve honest, accurate, dependable health care providers.

As it was a very busy time in our office, and because of the absolute confidentiality and respect we have for everyone that comes to Next Step, I kept my distance ~ simply smiling at them through the window in my office as they passed by.  I knew they were in good hands ~ God’s.  I said a prayer that the Holy Spirit would speak through Laverna and that His love would be evident to this young couple.

About 45 minutes later, I heard Laverna check with our nurse manager, Mary, about the availability of our ultrasound room.  Jenny’s test was positive ~ a baby was growing and had been for at least eight weeks, I gathered, because that is the beginning stage that our nurses will do an ultrasound on a positive pregnancy test patient.

After the ultrasound exam and some additional time in the counseling room, the threesome walked down the hall and Laverna and Jenny stopped to look at maternity clothes.  I noticed her boyfriend standing right outside my office holding a string of ultrasound photos looking a bit overwhelmed.  Our eyes met and I walked over to him.  I simply asked him how he was doing and he replied, quietly, that this was a lot to take in.  We engaged in a very short, but to the point, conversation.  He is 18 years old, he is very scared to tell the families about the baby, he doesn’t have any other children, he can’t afford a baby, and he loves Jenny.  I asked him about his relationship with Jenny’s family and he said it was good.  Not knowing anything else, I did my best to reassure him that everything would be ok, I confirmed with him that his is now a father, and I told him that he has the strength to do the right thing for his family.  I told him that we have a wonderful group of supporters that are very kind, caring and eager to help. Then I gently touched his shoulder and told him that we would be praying and that God will guide him.

That is when I witnessed the first hug.

Jenny, with tears in her eyes, walked towards Laverna and gave her a really sweet hug ~ a touching and emotional hug.  The kind of hug that is given when there are no words to fully explain your gratitude.  The kind of hug that says “I needed you and you were there for me.” The kind of hug that says “I now have hope.”  Before the couple left the office, there was a second hug even more beautiful than the first.  Honestly, it was amazing ~ God was there, and it was amazing.

I thought about how differently this could have turned out if Jenny had gone to a planned parenthood type clinic.  I thought about how it was providential that she came to Next Step.  I thought about how blessed we are to have Laverna Sebranke as one of our volunteer nurses.  I thought about you, our partners and champions, for your constant prayers and support.  I thought about how young Mary was when she gave birth to her baby.  I thought about love, true love, true honest pure love.  I thought about how we are surrounded by God’s love.

One song that we both really like is called Courageous and it is by the group Casting Crowns.  This song is geared towards men and it challenges them to make a commitment to win the battle ~ from the battle of the heart to the battle of the hand.  This song is about making a stand.  It’s about ending the war within our minds.  It’s about refusing to sin and to be courageous.

One afternoon as the song ended, I smiled at Dave and said ” You know they are talking about you, not me.  You were made to be courageous ~ you’re the man.  I can just be timid and quiet and shy.”  He smiled right back at me and said “ya, right, as if!”

Dave’s right ~ and it doesn’t pain me at all to admit that.    God has equipped us to speak on behalf of the unborn.  He created and designed all of these children and they have a divine purpose ~ just as we all do.  God knows us ~ inside and out ~ and He knows how we are most effective.  For some of us, as with our nurses here at the clinic, He has given the gift of education and knowledge so that they may properly address the medical questions or concerns a patient has.  For others, as with our volunteers that sort and fold the donated baby clothes, He as given the gift of organization.  Still, for others, such as with our volunteer, Sheila, who isn’t available during office hours to work in the clinic, He has given the gift of time in the evening to work on mailings and other projects from her home.  The one thing all of the people involved with Angelorum/Next Step Pregnancy Services have in common is compassion.  Compassion to helping those in need.  Compassion to saving the life of the baby.  Compassion to truly care about the soul of the abortion minded mother.  Compassion to speaking the truth out of love.  Compassion to ending the atrocity of abortion.

God is calling you.  He wants you to be courageous.  He is urging you to take a stand.  He is prompting you to make a commitment.  Please listen, think, pray and respond.

Joy & Peace,     Kathy

The month of December, 2011, will forever be remembered of by us at Next Step as a month of many Christmas miracles.  The outpouring of material supplies, monetary donations, prayers and Christmas cards that we received from from YOU was amazing.  We would like to thank all of our Angels, especially ~

The parishioners at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Mill Creek for Christmas Giving Tree donations
The parishioners of St. Mark Parish in Shoreline for Christmas Giving Tree donations
The parishioners of St. Alphonsus Parish in Ballard for Christmas Giving Tree donations
The members of Queen of Angels FIAT (Faith-In-Action-Team) in Port Angeles
Assumption Catholic Church in Seattle
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bellevue
Holy Family Catholic Parish in Kirkland
Catholic Cursillo Group of St. Brendan Parish in Bothell
St. Brendan Respect Life Group in Bothell
The Free Methodist Church of Lynnwood Knitting Group
The Lynnwood Food Bank
The Students of Brighton School in Lynnwood
The Lynnwood Senior Center Knitters
The Knitting and Crocheting group from Alderwood Community Church in Lynnwood
and all the other groups and individuals that contributed to our Christmas miracle!

Meet Sean, Lindsay & Shannon Mullins!  Their mom, Denise, has been on the Angelorum Board since its inception in 1998 and their dad, Kevin, is our IT volunteer.
Denise & Kevin hosted four parties this holiday season and they asked their guests to bring diapers or baby wipes in lieu of gifts.  This fun idea resulted in 850 diapers and 1200 wipes!

Thank you for taking the time to read my first Blog ~ it only took me five days to write it!  Considering my age and my complete ”not too sure of how all this computer stuff really works” mentality, I don’t think five days is too bad, and as I mentioned earlier, may you be blessed abundantly by our loving God in 2012!   Kathy Dizard

Today a frightened, unmarried young woman came to our office and had a positive pregnancy test ~ a child was conceived and is developing in her womb. She doesn’t know who the father of her baby is. Her family has recently moved to our state and she doesn’t know anyone so she feels isolated, lonely,     and depressed. Her mother and stepfather have always told her that if she came home pregnant, she would be kicked out of their house ~ clearly not the best of circumstances to have a baby and she knows she can legally end the life of her child ~ but this would not be the best she could do for him. As she walked out of our office across the dark parking lot to catch a bus, it began to snow. While she was waiting, I took her a scarf that a supporter handmade for just an occasion as this. Noticing the tears in her eyes as she wrapped the scarf around her neck, I prayed that an angel would appear to this mother, rejoicing and announcing that the birth of this baby is great news and a reason for the whole world to celebrate!

Of course we know that every baby is reason to rejoice and celebrate ~ just as we know that every abortion is cause to mourn. Until abortion is a thing of our past, there will be no peace on earth. Until the indifferent and uninformed stop killing their innocent offspring, we will not have comfort and joy. If we heard a siren every time a baby was aborted, there would never be a silent night. As we approach the Season of Christmas, let us remember these little ones, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and let us place them in the arms of Mary so that they may know how it feels to be held by the same arms that embraced our Savior. God does not make mistakes, people do. He does not abandon us, we walk away from Him. Please pray that God and sinners will be reconciled and that the hopes and fears of all the years are met in Him. Let us pray for each other that we may continue to put on our armor and face each day with faith, courage, and confidence as we persevere in truth and love ~ because this is the best we can do!

Kathy Dizard

Wondering what the perfect gift would be for that person that has everything?  You can give the gift of life by making a donation to Angelorum in their name!  Call or email Kathy at 425 329 4569 or kathy@angelorum.org and she will send a personalized appreciation card announcing your gift.