Yesterday I posted about the horrible weather expected in DC and how I was reluctant to make the trip for the March for Life. Now that we are back home, safe and sound, it is clear to me that although the devil didn't want us to go, God wanted us there more! Not a single drop of rain touched us the entire day! The weather was mild compared to most of what we have experienced on Long Island this winter so far.
So, here is how our day played out:
10:00 Thurs. night - Say good-night to the pre-cana couples who had a meeting here and scurry to get things ready for a smooth departure in the morning. Finally in bed around midnight.
4:00 AM - Mom and Dad wake up and get the coffee brewing!
4:30 - Once we are ready we wake up the three children who are joining us and make it out the door in time! yay!
5:00 - Mass at our parish with the other marchers... total of 51 in our group.
5:30 - The bus pulls away and I am back to sleep before we leave Long Island
5:45 - I am awakened for the first time by Thomas who needs a drink
5:50 - Hannah this time, needing something or other...
(I won't continue listing my many wake-up calls,but you get the idea)
I finally got back to sleep and didn't wake up til we were entering Delaware.
10:00 (ish) - we stopped at a very crowded rest stop. Dan checked the laptop to see the weather report. All indications were for a very wet, dreary day in DC. Good thing I had packed all our gear!
11:30 - The bus leaves us at our destination and we begin the walk to the rally. For the next 2 1/2 hours we stood there waiting... and waiting ... and waiting. Most challenging was keeping the littles from wandering . From this spot we saw quite a few familiar faces... friends from PA, Illinois and my son Ben who attended with his high school group. They were all passing the spot right where we were waiting.
2:00 - We're walking. Slowly. But we're walking. Gradually the pace picks up and for the first time, you get the sense of the magnitude of the event. People in front of you as far as the eye can see. People behind you as far as the eye can see. It is amazing to be part of this. I've gotten over the thrill of wondering what the world will think when they see all these young enthusiastic pro-lifers taking over our nation's capitol. The world won't see it at all. Most major media outlets treat this as a non-event. Imagine 300,000 people peacefully marching for the babies, and the day is virtually ignored. It gets my blood boiling. But I digress.
4:30- We re-group at The Old Post Office in time for a quick slice of pizza and bathroom stop.
5:00 - As Willie Nelson once sang "On the road again..."
After a long day, we are all looking forward to home sweet home!
11:15 - We pull up right where our day started, a little more tired than when we began, but rejuvenated in our zeal for the pro-life cause. There are many, many pro-lifers in this country and according to polls, the numbers are growing! These numbers can't be ignored forever. We need to stay strong and believe that the tide is turning, because it is!
On the bus ride home we watched the movie Facing the Giants. I'd heard it was a good movie, but I'd never seen it. I have to admit, I found it a bit heavy-handed in getting its message across. BUT.. it was exactly the message I needed to hear. One particular exchange in the film stood out for me. The coach is asked this question: Two farmers are praying to God for rain. For the longest time it doesn't rain. The first farmer does nothing but prays. The second farmer also prays, but he goes out and prepares the fields for rain. Which farmer had more faith? The answer is obvious that the second farmer prayed with the expectant faith we are called to. When the rain came, his fields got the most benefit because he was ready for his prayer to be answered. The pro-life movement can be likened to the farmer preparing his fields, even though the rains have yet to come. He trusted God would take care of his situation. We too, must pray for life, but we need to prepare for those prayers to be answered. We need to act. Be more willing to speak up for life and be an encouragement to those who don't yet "get it". I know in the coming days my prayer is going to be for God to show me what more I can be doing to prepare!
Well, here are some pictures from the day. I love all the thought-provoking signs. That is usually what I like to focus my photography on at the March.
Since I placed this day under the protection of St. Michael yesterday, I'll put this picture at the top. It says "St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle for life!"
Men are usually the forgotten victims in abortion.
Both old...
and young were well-represented
Love the wordplay
JPII was invoked many times today!
This one really got to me. I kept thinking of that hymn "Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers"
Turning his own words on him. I like it!
Plain and simple.
Never heard it put this way, but what would you answer?
Hopeful for a turnaround on the 2010 and 2012 elections. I see a trend.
A pro-chastity t-shirt. The front said something about keeping my virginity. I don't think I like the idea of wearing this on a t-shirt, but I love the idea of loving your future spouse even though you may not have met yet! I will definitely include this idea in any future talks with my children!
Beautiful banner of the Blessed Mother and St. Elizabeth. It depcits St. John the Baptist and Jesus in their wombs.
OK, Susan, you're on the blog. You know I love you because I would never have otherwise posted this picture of myself!
Hannah and her buddy Annie from PA. No matter how many thousands of people are at the march, we see them every year! And we don't paln it ahead of time, either.
Thomas and his buddy, Hollis. The future of pro-life!
The end of the day. Some sun and blue sky. Take that, Satan! We stayed dry!
I was praying all day that the rain stay away! Great pictures Chris.
Posted by: Mary Ellen Barrett | January 23, 2010 at 05:17 AM
Thanks for chronicling your day. Hope went too. I was home sick but with you in spirit.
Posted by: Heather - Doodle Acres | January 23, 2010 at 06:56 AM
What a lovely post Chris! Sorry we didn't see you there. But you know, with that many people there, it's not surprising. We were commenting all day about how God provided such beautiful weather for all of us to be there. What a bountiful blessing!
Posted by: Heather | January 23, 2010 at 11:40 AM
Great pictures and recap of the day!
Posted by: Kimberlee | January 24, 2010 at 12:48 PM