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May 18 Protest of Wendy Davis at Planned Parenthood Fundraiser

The director of Citizens for a Prolife Society (CPLS) is calling for all prolife advocates in mid and south Michigan to attend a protest of former Texas Senator Wendy Davis at a Planned Parenthood fundraiser on Monday, May 18, 2015. Davis will be the keynote speaker at the sold-out event, which will begin at 11 a.m. at The Henry, a Marriott hotel located at 300 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, Michigan.

Davis became nationally recognized for her prochoice stance when she “filibustered for 13 hours to stop passage of a Texas law that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy,” according to Dr. Monica Miller, the director of CPLS and organizer of this protest.

“Substantial medical evidence demonstrates that unborn children are capable of experiencing pain, certainly by 20 weeks after fertilization,” according to a statement issued by National Right to Life Committee, Inc. (NRLC). The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act “is legislation which protects from abortion unborn children who are capable of feeling pain,” and has already been passed in nine states. The law is pending in two states.

The House is voting on making the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act a federal law this week, but even if it is passed, it is likely that it will then be vetoed by the president. If it is vetoed, the law will still be upheld in the states that have already passed it, but it would not become the law of the land.

Monday’s protest is expected to last until 1:30 p.m. Protesters are asked to arrive promptly at 11 a.m. and may bring signs, but signs will also be provided.

Dr. Monica Miller, director of Citizens for a Prolife Society

Ryan Bomberger Speaks at Celebration of Life

More than 400 people filled the Brighton Nazarene Church on April 16, 2015 to hear Ryan Bomberger of The Radiance Foundation speak about the intrinsic value of each human life. This was the keynote speech during Pregnancy Help Clinic’s 40^th Annual Celebration of Life.

Mike Ervin, master of ceremonies and member of the Men’s Team at Pregnancy Help Clinic, referred to Ryan’s life as “miraculous” because Ryan was the product of rape, but his mother chose life instead of abortion. Rape and incest are the two exceptions that even many otherwise prolife people think should be allowed when considering laws restricting abortion.

Ryan was adopted at six weeks by a loving Christian couple who ended up being the parents of three biological children and ten adopted, the latter of many races and ethnic backgrounds. He and his siblings and adoptive parents are still a very tight-knit group and proof that every human life has value. Each of those children is a productive member of society, working to make this world a better place.

Ryan and his wife, Bethany, are doing their part as co-founders of The Radiance Foundation, an organization formed in 2009 that seeks to inform the public about the value and “incredible possibility” of each human life. The foundation strives to “illuminate the irreplaceable worth each of us possess, educate diverse audiences about a myriad of social issues, and motivate people from unawareness to positive action.”

Some of the issues the foundation tackles and promotes are the racist and eugenic past of Planned Parenthood via TooManyAborted.com, compassionate outreach through Sally’s Lambs, which celebrates adoption “while cherishing birth moms,” and “character development and community action” in Shine, a branch of the foundation that aims to help people realize the value of “integrity, honesty, hard work, faith, restraint, and service to others.” During the speech, Ryan stated that more than 70% of African American babies are born to single mothers, continuing a dead-end cycle of poverty and fatherlessness. The Radiance Foundation seeks to combat that hopelessness by teaching that traditional marriage is the foundation of a strong society.

For more information, visit The Radiance Foundation at http://www.theradiancefoundation.org/

A Friend's Reaction to Josh and Brenda Burns's Nightmare -- and a Warning to Good Parents Everywhere

Please note: This article does not go into detail about the nightmare Josh, Brenda, and Naomi Burns have been living for the past 13 months. For the whole story, please visit their website at www.TornFamily.com 

Josh, Brenda, and Naomi Burns

The last year has been a real eye-opener as I've watched my friends, Josh and Brenda Burns, fight to keep their family together following an allegation of child abuse leveled against the couple by Dr. Bethany Mohr, director of the child protection team at University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Josh was convicted and began serving a one-year sentence in the county jail on March 19, 2015.

I would like to share some of the most valuable lessons I've learned by witnessing this horror story. If you have small children or grandchildren, or if someone you care about does, please share this information. It could make all the difference.

Stay away from hospitals that have child abuse specialists on staff. If you take your child to a hospital that has a child abuse specialist on staff, you are running a major risk unless your child ails from something that could not in any way be considered abuse, such as meningitis or pneumonia. For instance, if your child gets a cut that needs stitches or breaks a bone, you are putting your entire family in jeopardy by visiting one of these hospitals. If someone at the hospital decides that your child may have been abused, the specialist will be called in, and most likely, Child Protective Services (CPS) will be called next. You can kiss your life goodbye if that happens. If you don’t have at least $100,000 to fight back (with no guarantee of success), you are out of luck. In case you were unaware, CPS is a branch of the Department of Human Services (DHS).

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” This quote has been going through my head recently because it makes me think about DHS and CPS. The concept of rescuing children who are truly in danger is an honorable one, to be sure. However, since I have been involved with Torn Family, I have heard more and more stories about CPS stealing children from perfectly sound homes and NOT helping children who are truly in need. One recent case in point is the two kids in Detroit who were found in a freezer. Their mother has been charged with their murders. CPS was called twice to their home, and still, these children were abused and murdered. I also know of a woman who has called CPS on her own sister because the younger woman has substance problems and neglects her children as a result. CPS has never responded to those calls. Look up medical kidnapping to find out more about CPS stealing children from perfectly good parents.

Sometimes, innocent people are found guilty. Child abuse is horrific and one incident is one too many. It is my sincere hope that all who intentionally injure society’s most vulnerable – children – be appropriately punished. I will be the first to admit that, in the past, I never really thought twice if someone was found guilty of Shaken Baby Syndrome or something else. I, like a lot of folks, assumed that the judge and jury were correct. Not anymore. I just witnessed Josh’s criminal trial in which one doctor, Bethany Mohr, claimed child abuse while all the other expert witnesses said that Naomi’s injuries could have been caused by any number of things, including her very traumatic birth. There was reasonable doubt THROUGH THE ROOF, and yet the jury was more swayed by the emotional displays of the prosecutor than they were by the solid defense evidence.

What was once considered a solid diagnosis is now being called “junk science.” Norman Guthkelch, a pediatric neurosurgeon, first coined “shaken baby syndrome” (SBS) in 1971, after he decided that proof for such abuse could be determined if the victim displayed a triad of symptoms: subdural hemorrhage, retinal bleeding, and brain swelling. For the last several years, however, members of the medical community have been revisiting and debunking the science behind this diagnosis. Now sometimes referred to as “abusive head trauma” or AHT, it may seem as though some in the medical community are trying to hang on to this diagnosis simply by changing the name, since there is great controversy surrounding SBS. The new film, The Syndrome, by producer Meryl Goldsmith and her cousin, investigative reporter Susan Goldsmith, focuses on a team of doctors who “expose the junk science behind an unprecedented criminal justice crisis.” As mentioned previously, sometimes innocent people are found guilty. Many – but still too few – have been exonerated of child abuse/murder charges thanks to the hard work of those fighting for justice. There are “innocence projects” all over the country that aim to expose injustices and gain exonerations for those wrongfully convicted. For more information, visit The National Registry of Exonerations at https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/about.aspx

The nightmare that Josh and Brenda Burns have been going through is not an isolated incident. Unfortunately, children being removed from their homes for no good reason isn't rare or unusual. All one has to do is look at the news headlines. The government agencies responsible for breaking up families seem to act with impunity, and they also seem to have certain ideas about which children they’d be better off stealing. Remember the two kids whose mother has been charged with their murder after their bodies were discovered in freezer? CPS apparently didn't care about those poor children. Why not? There’s a money trail here, and further serious investigation is imperative.

The secret list of DHS. Did you know that DHS maintains a secret list of people who've been accused of child abuse? In Michigan alone, there are 275,000 names on this child abuse registry. One of those names is Brenda Burns! Since Josh was charged with child abuse, she was charged with failure to protect for leaving Naomi with him for the hour she was out getting her hair cut. She will be unable to get employment in her given field, nursing, as long as her name is on this list, and it is next to impossible to have it removed. Furthermore, DHS is supposed to notify the person in question within 30 days when they put said person’s name on this secret list. The person then has six months to appeal. Brenda found out that her name had been added to this child abuse registry nine months after the fact and after a jury had found her innocent of any abuse or neglect!

Passionate people really can make a difference. I have no idea what someone with no support system would do if they had to engage in a legal battle the magnitude of Josh and Brenda Burns’s. Right off the bat, their legal team estimated that it would cost at least $100,000 to defend them and no less than six months. Those estimates were actually on the low side. Josh and Brenda fortunately have good friends who, in turn, rallied their good friends. The outpouring of support for this family has been so tremendous that it has garnered not only local media attention, but national as well. Brenda and her lawyer, Elizabeth Warner, will tell their story to four million viewers on the Dr. Phil show on April 29, 2015. Currently, Josh is working on his appeal from jail with lawyers who specialize in these types of cases. It is unlikely, however, that it will be heard before he completes his sentence.

When Josh is finally a free man, he has vowed, as have his supporters, to fight for justice for families caught in similar predicaments. To join the fight or for more information about the Burns family’s ongoing nightmare, please visit www.TornFamily.com.  Please donate to help them, if you are able. Any amount is greatly appreciated. Instructions for donating can be found on the website.

The Dark Truth About Planned Parenthood: What Livingston Daily Didn't Tell You

You, the public, have a right to know what I am about to tell you. Please read and spread the word.

Just three short weeks after the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus published an editorial entitled “Livingston Daily seeks truth, serves the public,” in which they outlined basic journalism standards that they promise to abide by, they published an article by reporter Abby Welsh entitled “Planned Parenthood brings in new advocacy group.” The problem with the Planned Parenthood article is that it was one-sided, only making positive comments about the abortion giant, and not giving any room for comments from the prolife community. There was never a follow-up article, and my repeated requests to the paper, asking if and when they would publish my letter to the editor, were ignored. The contents of that letter are presented later in this article.

Before anyone thinks I’m complaining for no reason, it should be noted that just last year, when this same paper ran an article about Dr. Anthony Levatino’s keynote address to a packed auditorium during Pregnancy Help Clinic’s annual fundraiser, they made sure to get a quote from Planned Parenthood. The paper’s decision to present only one side of Planned Parenthood in Ms. Welsh’s April 1, 2015 article, and their apparent refusal to print my letter, leaves me with no choice but to publish its contents here.

Planned Parenthood was founded by a racist and eugenicist, Margaret Sanger, whose desire was to eliminate as many blacks, Jews, handicapped, and poor people as possible. She strongly advocated the use of abortion for these eugenic goals as well as population control. According to their own 2013-2014 annual report, Planned Parenthood was responsible for 327,653 abortions in 2013, making this wicked empire the biggest provider of abortions in the United States. They also received $541 million of taxpayers’ hard-earned money, according to their 2012-2013 annual report.

Furthermore, Planned Parenthood knowingly and willingly aids and abets child sex traffickers, as Live Action has proved in their undercover videos. Here is a link to seven undercover videos that prove this: http://liveaction.org/traffick/

Finally, abortion hasn’t helped humankind in any way. We have become accustomed to this culture of death, and we are no better for it. In abortion, the baby dies a usually very violent and painful death, sometimes torn limb from limb, and the mother is left to deal with the fact that she murdered her own child. A lot of women don’t easily “recover” from that, which is one of the reasons there are so many groups around the country now to help them. Our local Pregnancy Help Clinic has Abortion Aftercare groups for just this reason. They also assist with adoption. Call Pregnancy Help Clinic for more information at 810.494.5433 or visit their website at http://www.pregnancyhelpclinic.com/61.html

Here is a link to the one-sided Planned Parenthood article: http://www.livingstondaily.com/story/news/health/2015/04/01/planned-parenthood-organization/70781430/ and a link to the editorial outlining the journalism standards the paper promised to abide by: http://www.livingstondaily.com/story/opinion/editorials/2015/03/08/livingston-ethics-standards/24520687/

Help for Homeschool Burnout: How to Prevent and Alleviate It

Click here to be redirected to the article on The Old Schoolhouse website: Help for Homeschool Burnout

Protest Obama This Saturday in Detroit

Pro-life activists will gather at Wayne State University on Saturday, Nov. 1, beginning at 5:00 p.m. to protest President Barack Obama, recognized by many as “the most pro-abortion president in the history of the United States,” according to Monica Miller, director of Citizens for a Pro-life Society.

The president will be in Detroit for the Democratic Party rally, primarily to show support for senate candidate and fellow abortion supporter, Gary Peters.

Protestors will gather in front of Wayne State’s Matthaei Physical Education Center, 5101 John C. Lodge, Detroit, beginning at 5:00 p.m. in advance of the 6:00 p.m. Democratic Rally. The president is expected to address the crowd at about 7:00 p.m.

The Written Word: Make This School Year Great

The Written Word: Make This School Year Great: Here we go again. Another school year is about to start, so it’s a fitting time to ask ourselves how we --parents, teachers, and students -...

Make This School Year Great

Here we go again. Another school year is about to start, so it’s a fitting time to ask ourselves how we --parents, teachers, and students -- can make this a great and productive year. Everyone has a stake in the education of the children of this country because these youngsters are our future voters, employees, and employers.

Parents need to realize that their children’s education is ultimately their responsibility, no matter how or where this education is taking place. Even if your children have wonderful, caring teachers, these same educators have many more students that they are also responsible for, so there is only so much time they can devote to each child. It is imperative that parents understand educational milestones and check their children’s progress regularly and frequently. My sister-in-law, a New York public school teacher, said that if a child doesn’t learn to read by third grade, he or she is basically considered a lost cause. This should never happen. Parents need to be aware of what their children should know and when, and if there’s a problem, they need to address it sooner rather than later. Advocate for your child and make yourself known in the school. Be prepared to speak up if there’s a problem, and stay informed by reading communications from the teacher or other school personnel. Check your child’s homework frequently to make sure all is well.

Teachers, especially those in public schools, have a lot of restrictions placed upon them by the federal government, and unfortunately must dedicate a lot of time to bureaucratic matters rather than actually teaching. This is a real problem, and the children of this country are getting short-changed as a result. Great teachers everywhere need to remember their calling, take matters into their own hands as much as is humanly possible, and get back to imparting real knowledge that will actually educate children and make the United States competitive again. They need to spend time every day reading great works of literature, helping their students analyze what has been read. Analytical thinking hasn’t really been a focus of teaching in the public schools for years, which is one of our country’s biggest problems. Teachers are being forced to spend way too much time preparing their students for the next standardized test because successful outcomes means more money. A long-term view is what is needed instead in order for the U.S. to regain its competitive edge.

Finally, students need to internalize the fact that they are in school for their benefit, not anyone else’s. Many young people don’t take their education seriously until sometime in high school when they realize that there’s a relationship between their performance and their future. Those who realize it sooner are at an obvious advantage. As parents and educators, we need to try to get them to understand this. They are not in school for our benefit. It is their future that is on the line. So, if any students are reading this, remember that you won’t ever regret working hard in school. If you don’t work hard, however, you will likely be sorry later, and your path in life may be much more difficult as a result.

Here’s hoping for a great school year for everyone – parents, teacher, and students. Let’s give it our best.

If You're Pro-Life, Then Vote That Way

Last week, I and several hundred other people had the privilege of hearing the testimony of Dr. Anthony Levatino, a gynecologist and obstetrician who performed more than 1,200 abortions before something happened that made him stop. He, and his wife, Ceil, were the keynote speakers at Pregnancy Help Clinic’s annual Celebration of Life fundraiser on April 3, 2014 at Brighton Nazarene Church in Brighton, Michigan. While the testimony was gripping and difficult to hear – especially the details of how abortions are performed – the most important point of the speech had to do with politics.

Dr. Levatino stated that when he and his wife spoke at a prolife meeting shortly after President Obama’s inauguration, he asked those in the crowd if they had voted for him. More than half raised their hands. This stunned last week’s gathering, most of whom are well aware that the current president is not only the most Biblically-hostile leader this country has ever had, but he is also the most radically pro-abortion, even to the point that he has no problem leaving a baby who survives one to die, naked, cold, and alone, in a utility room.

So, why would so many who call themselves pro-life and Christian vote for a pro-abortion candidate? This is the great conundrum. If this were Nazi Germany, what would have been more important than ending the slaughter of the Jews? Nothing. In America alone, more than 56 million babies have been killed by abortion – almost ten times the number of Jews slaughtered by the Nazis. Why, then, is this issue not the most important one on the ballot for those who call themselves Christian and prolife? It should be – and needs to be. All the other issues that people raise to try to defend their pro-choice position (such as how will women who are unprepared for a baby care for it, etc.) can and should be handled by those in the Church, pregnancy help clinics, and the community at large. The main point here, though, is that all of the issues that people raise do not in any way detract from the fact that it is wrong to destroy innocent human life. That is the bottom line.

It is eye-opening to hear the testimony of someone who has been on the other side. When Dr. Levatino and his wife had been married for only a couple years, they discovered that they were unable to conceive and had been told by a fertility specialist that it was highly unlikely they ever would. They adopted a little girl, Heather, who was tragically killed by a car in front of their house in the mid-80s. Suddenly, Dr. Levatino’s perspective changed and the harsh fact that he was “killing someone’s son or daughter” dawned on him in an eye-opening, life-changing way. He stopped doing abortions. He also became a Christian and now, in addition to his medical work, he travels the country speaking about the horrors of abortion and the urgent need to end this modern-day holocaust.

Wake up, Christians! Wake up, prolife voters! Remember that those who are prochoice would most likely never consider voting for a prolife candidate. Why, then, would you ever vote for someone diametrically opposed to your view? Know where the candidates stand on this crucial issue and vote in such a way that you won’t be ashamed later when you face God: Defend the unborn because they cannot defend themselves.

For Dr. Levatino’s full testimony, visit this link: https://www.priestsforlife.org/testimonies/1127-testimony-of-dr-anthony-levatino---former-abortion-provider

Longtime Director to Speak at Dinner

Right to Life of Livingston County’s 23^rd annual Focus on Life dinner will be held on Tuesday, October 29, 2013, at Crystal Gardens Banquet Center, 5768 E. Grand River, Howell, Michigan. Registration begins at 6 p.m., and the event runs from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Ed Rivet, who has been the legislative director of Right to Life of Michigan for over 25 years, is the scheduled keynote speaker. His topic is “Obamacare vs. Human Dignity: What is at Stake.” Senator Joe Hune will be the master of ceremonies.

Tickets for the dinner are $50 per person or $450 for a table of ten. Student tickets are $30. Checks are payable to Right to Life of Livingston County, Inc., P.O. Box 934, Brighton, MI 48116. For additional information, call the Right to Life office at (810)227-5788 or email rtllc@sbcglobal.net. 

"Life Chain" Slated for Oct. 6

Prolife supporters across the country will gather at designated locations on Sunday, October 6 at 2 p.m. for the 2013 National Life Chain. This peaceful movement, in which participants quietly stand, holding signs and praying, is to raise awareness about abortion, which has been legal in the U.S. since 1973 and has resulted in more than 55,000,000 deaths.

Livingston County supporters are asked to gather at one of the following high-traffic locations: in Brighton at Grand River and Main Street or in front of Planned Parenthood; in Fowlerville at Grand River and Grand; in Howell on Grand River at the courthouse; or in Pinckney at the Town Square.

For more information, call Right to Life of Livingston County at (810)227-5788.

Honoring Victims of Abortion

Pro-life Americans are being called upon to attend the National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children on Saturday, September 14, 2013, at gravesites around the country. Sponsored by Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, Priests for Life, and the Pro-Life Action League, this date was chosen because it is the 25^th anniversary of the burial of hundreds of aborted children in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

As even abortion activists are beginning to acknowledge, victims of abortion are human beings. It doesn’t take a degree in rocket science to know that if a fetus (“little one” in Latin) is not aborted, after about 270 days in the womb, a human being, just like you and me, will emerge and one day walk this earth. Therefore, because these unborn victims are human -- until this sick country gets back on track (if it ever does) and stops allowing the murder of these innocents -- these poor children at least deserve recognition of their humanity and the right to a proper burial, rather than being thrown into a dumpster behind some seedy clinic.

Please join us at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, located at 9565 Musch Road in Brighton, on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 1 p.m. for the hour-long solemn prayer vigil to honor these victims. For more information or other locations, visit http://www.abortionmemorials.com/

Unconditional Love

Quiet times in my house are rare, so on a summer morning after some have left for work and the others are still asleep, I enjoy being able to think. I know that mothers with big families and/or small children can relate! The other day, though, the silence felt heavy and made me start thinking about my mom. It will be 20 years in December since she died at the too-young age of 64. I still miss her terribly and hope that someday I’ll see her again, but I really have no idea about that.

Thinking about my mom made me think about how much mothers (some – the normal ones, anyway) love their babies. The ones I’m thinking about – like me and the women I know – love their babies before they’re even born, before they’ve even seen them. They love them unconditionally, which means that this same child can (and probably will—maybe more than once) rip his mother’s heart out and although she may be very sad and angry, she will still love him. This parent* – child relationship is the only time humans love this way. This is the only “unconditional” love.

Thinking about unconditional love made me think about abortion and how it’s changed human relationships. If you know me, you know that I am passionately prolife. I cannot understand abortion or the people who support it. It seems obvious to me that it’s the murder of an innocent human being and therefore wrong. I recently read an excellent memoir about prolife activism – Abandoned by Dr. Monica Miller – in which the author explains that abortion is not only murder but the vilest form of rejection. Aborted babies are ripped from their mothers’ wombs – what should be the safest place in the world – and stripped of their humanity, even considered less than human. They are implicitly declared not worthy of inclusion in our human race; they are nothing -- rejected, unloved, unwanted.

Making abortion legal 40 years ago not only didn’t make it rare or safe, but it also permanently altered how we view each other. What was once generally assumed to be a sure and unconditional love – that love between a mother and her baby – is now not unconditional at all. In fact, this love is so conditional  that a mother has the right to not only not love, but to hate to the greatest degree – by arranging for the murder of her own child.

Now, “sacrifice” no longer necessarily means giving up something in order to benefit another. Rather, it’s been twisted in the most evil way. Sacrifice now may not be the mother giving up something in order to love and care for her child, but possibly sacrificing her child so that she doesn’t have to relinquish anything.

It’s hard for me to look at pregnant women and mothers of babies and young children without recalling the statistic that one out of three women will have had an abortion by the age of 45. When I see a young mom or one with a big belly, it makes me wonder…..did she ever have an abortion? And if she did, how then can she really love her other children? What if they find out that their mother aborted their sibling? Will they wonder, “Why not me?”

Abortion is murder. It’s a sad and harsh day, but a great day, when people who’ve participated in this atrocity finally acknowledge what they’ve done. While unspeakably difficult, acknowledgement is the critical first step. Thankfully, there is a great, healing Physician who is able and willing to forgive all sins when one truly repents. If this is you, it is my most sincere hope that you will recognize Jesus Christ for who He is – the Messiah. He is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” As He said, no one can come to the Father except through Him. He can and will save you and heal your broken heart if you ask. It will take time and support is strongly recommended. Visit http://www.rachelsvineyard.org/ or http://www.silentnomoreawareness.org/. If you live in Livingston County, Michigan, there is confidential group and individual support available at Pregnancy Help Clinic http://www.pregnancyhelpclinic.com/

*Normal fathers love unconditionally, too.

The Homeschooler's Summer: Planning and Relaxing

Just as homeschoolers are breathing a sigh of relief because a year of hard work is almost over and summer vacation is about to begin, it’s time to make plans for the next school year. Thankfully, most of us regard this as an exciting time because we are happy to be able to educate our own children, and we are grateful for the abundance of curricula choices due to the popularity of homeschooling.

After doing this for more than 20 years, I’ve got planning down to a science. I know exactly what we’re doing and when, and I already have my favorite publishers and books. When we were just beginning, however, we relied on product reviews from a few trusted sources: Cathy Duffy’s reviews (visit http://cathyduffyreviews.com/), Dean and Karen Andreola’s (visit http://www.homeschoolhighlights.com/) and Rainbow Resource (visit www.rainbowresource.com). We buy most of our materials from Rainbow Resource because they sell almost everything you could ever need, at a discount, and offer free shipping for purchases totaling $50 or more.

"October Baby" to Speak at Fundraiser

Abortion survivor, Gianna Jessen, subject of the movie, October Baby, will be the keynote speaker at Pregnancy Help Clinic’s annual Celebration of Life on April 18, 2013.

“Ms. Jessen has an amazing story to tell that is important for both prolife and prochoice people to hear. She brings truth to the conversation, a truth that cannot be overlooked: abortion takes the life of a real human being. Gianna Jessen is one of the few who have survived to tell their story. Her life is the inspiration for the blockbuster movie, October Baby,” said Ann O’Reilly, director of community development at Pregnancy Help Clinic in Brighton, Michigan.

This fundraising event will take place on Thursday, April 18, 2013, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Brighton Church of the Nazarene, 7669 Brighton Road, Brighton. Tickets are $20 each and may be purchased at the door or in advance from Pregnancy Help Clinic by calling 810-494-5433 or by visiting their website at www.PregnancyHelpClinic.com.

In addition to Ms. Jessen’s speech, audience members will be treated to an appetizer and dessert buffet, music, and updates about Pregnancy Help Clinic. According to Ms. O’Reilly, the Celebration of Life is not only “the major fundraiser of the year, but also a time to celebrate victories, thank volunteers, and educate the community about prolife issues.” Previous speakers have included Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Norma McCorvey, “Roe” from Roe v. Wade, among others.

Developing Good Writers

Editor's Note: This article first appeared in The Old Schoolhouse magazine, Feb. 2013 edition. To visit that site, go to http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine-digital.com/thehomeschoolmagazine/201302/?pg=67&pm=2&u1=friend 

As an editor, writing tutor, and homeschool teacher of twenty years, I am frequently asked for advice about improving children’s writing skills.  Most of the calls I receive are from parents of high schoolers, while some calls concern college-aged students.  Although it is never too late to improve skills, there are some ways that young parents can ensure that their children have the best start and the greatest chance at writing success. 

First, all children who are not yet reading independently should have books read to them on a daily basis.  This may sound obvious to many, but a lot of modern-day parents do not read and do not understand its value.  My daughters have babysat in homes where there are no books – and I am not exaggerating, as shocking as that may be.  It is simply unfathomable to me that there are any parents in this country who do not have a stockpile of books for their children to peruse.  This does not have to be a budget-breaker, either, since our country has thousands of libraries full of books available for borrowing at no charge. The importance of this cannot be overstated: Children who are read to develop a love for books, and tend to have greater and more active imaginations. They are also more curious and ask more questions, and they are more able to discern good literature, especially if what is being read is well-written.  In addition, parents who take time out of their busy schedules to read to their youngsters are demonstrating, in a concrete way, that they highly value books and reading. This is the first and most basic step that must be taken if parents want to ensure academic success later.

I'm a Wimpy Mother

You hear this from almost the minute your baby’s born: “Enjoy every moment because before you know it, they will be grown and gone.” I used to hate hearing that when my kids were little. It was almost always well-intentioned older ladies who would utter those words. Yet even then I was sure that they were speaking from personal experience, and I understood the painful truth; I just didn’t want the reminder. As much as I tried to avoid thinking about it, the inevitable has come true, and I am now the mother of four adults and three more who will be soon.

Just yesterday, my oldest was building things with Legos; he now lives in Argentina and we only get to see him once or twice a year. The sister he used to tease by misbehaving in the historical plays she would put on with her younger siblings is now in a PhD program six hours away by car. Even though I’ve adjusted to the concept of my kids coming and going since the eldest first went to college more than eight years ago, it still feels unnatural when they say goodbye and leave.

Wild By Cheryl Strayed; Review By Nancy Gillard Doran

Sadly and reluctantly, I just finished reading Wild, a memoir by Cheryl Strayed. I first heard about this book after reading an essay by the author in The Sun magazine. Captivated by the engaging writing style and subject matter (grief over the untimely death of the writer’s mother), I put a hold on the book at the local library. Months later, I finally got notification that the book was mine for the borrowing. I picked it up that same day and then had trouble putting it down until I very slowly turned the last page.

Ms. Strayed was in her early twenties when her mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. One of three children, the author was the only one who didn’t flee when her mother became ill. In fact, she was almost constantly with her, doing all she could to help. Nothing did help, however, and her mother soon passed. Without her mom, the anchor of the family, the author spiraled into a long period of depression and reckless behavior. She lost contact with her stepfather and siblings. Except for the hapless, kind man she had married too young and couldn’t stay faithful to, and a few friends, she seemed to be dangerously adrift.

Skyfall: New James Bond Movie Review By Matt Doran, Guest Writer

I had the privilege last night of seeing the new James Bond movie, 'Skyfall,' in theaters in Argentina. This is certainly the best Bond movie since 'Goldfinger', and Daniel Craig has now put his stamp on the character - and the series - in such a way that you'll forget about Sean Connery. Daniel Craig is James Bond now, and what a Bond he makes.

This film feels like a close sequel to the excellent 'Casino Royale'. It delivers on that movie's potential in a way that the lackluster 'Quantum of Solace' never did. Kudos to the director, Sam Mendes, who has massively exceeded all expectations.

Javier Bardem shows up as a deliciously creepy and repulsive villain, certainly the most memorable the series has had Jaws (who was a henchman and not a proper villain, but hey, let's not get technical here).

The Bond girls are a bit forgettable; Berenice Marlohe is beautiful but fails to make a strong impression, while Naomie Harris is plucky and likable but not quite lustworthy.

The movie has a number of sharp references to previous films in the series, but it never feels beholden to its predecessors. We're on fresh turf here much of the time, with meaningful deaths, serious questions about Bond's fitness (physical and otherwise) for duty, and a sharper dynamic between Bond and M than the series has ever had. We also get a compelling look into Bond's past, territory the series has never ventured into previously.

'Casino Royale' was 'Batman Begins' makeover for James Bond. In the same vein, 'Skyfall' is a homerun follow-up that outshines its predecessor, much the way 'The Dark Knight' was.

With a killer soundtrack and the best theme song in many years, courtesy of Adele (clearly relishing the chance to belt out a Bond song), this movie is the complete package and will certainly stand as a classic. I'm a die hard Bond fan and have seen all of the movies numerous times; I will be back in theaters to watch 'Skyfall' again for sure. This is a great Bond movie - maybe the best ever - and just a great movie, period.

And best of all, as the closing titles inform us, James Bond will be back. I'm looking forward to it.