A Story and a Prayer

Hello, friends! Today I have a story for you. It's about the second-best day of my life.

On December 23rd, 2014, I was in Arvada, Colorado, visiting my extended family for the holidays. My parents and I arrived in Arvada about an hour before my brother and sister-in-law did and went out to eat with my grandparents. We all went in one car, my parents and I nice and cozy in the backseat.

When we got back to my grandparents' house, we saw my brother's car. My mom was so excited that she quickly got out of the car and slammed the door... right on my forehead as I tried to exit the backseat after her. Naturally, this hurt. A lot. A lot a lot. Did I mention it hurt? We went inside, where my grandma got me some ice for my head and some Advil for the pain. I sat on a couch next to Zach and Lindsey, and my poor head was aching like no other.

You may be wondering, "Why on earth is this the second-best day of your life?" Just wait.

Zach told my parents that he and Lindsey had a Christmas present for them. My dad protested at first, saying that we weren't supposed to open presents until Christmas Eve, but finally he gave in and Zach handed him a small box. My dad opened it, my parents read what was inside, and my mom started to cry.

Keep in mind, I'm across the room, holding ice on my head and feeling very disoriented. I asked, "What does it say?" My mom said, "Come and read it!" Suddenly I realized what it had to be about, and I jumped up and ran across the room. It read, "Roses are red, violets are blue, on July 3rd your grandbaby is due."

I squealed and jumped up and down and then decided that was a terrible idea and sat back down before I fell over, but that didn't abate my excitement one bit. Lindsey was pregnant! I couldn't believe it! The rest of the night consisted of all of us freaking out (me most of all, to the surprise of none of you). When we got to our hotel that night, I texted some of my friends. I think the texts looked something like this: "Oh my gosh oh my gosh OH MY GOSH I'm an aunt!!"

Any guesses about the first best day of my life? No contest, the day my nephew was born, even if he was born two weeks early and I had to wait that long to meet him. I'll bug him about that inconvenience until my dying day, but June 19th, 2015, is still the best day ever. Ask Sarah Dittman about that one. I think she'll always remember it, too. :D

I tell you this story partly because I think it's hilarious that I probably had a minor concussion when Zach and Lindsey announced that they were having a baby. But the real reason is that the March for Life is being held today, and therefore I feel compelled to write about something pro-life. When Zach and Lindsey announced that they were expecting a baby, my first thought wasn't "I'm going to be an aunt!" My first thought was "I *am* an aunt!" My love for little Kylen Bjorn started that day, long before he was born, because he was as fully human on December 23rd as he was on June 19th. There were all kinds of developments between those two dates, but one thing didn't change - he's a person. That's a fact.

There is far more to the abortion debate than the personhood of the unborn, but I think it has to start there. If the unborn weren't people, I don't think there would be a debate. If the unborn weren't people, there would be no reason to argue about the legality of abortion. But they are. And so there is.

I can't be in D.C. today with the Marchers, but that's where my heart is. My heart is with those who march in the snow and the cold to protest abortion. My heart is with those who give up time and money and energy and comfort to bring attention to what may be the greatest issue of our day. My heart is with my nephew and all babies, born and unborn. I pray that they will be able to grow up in a world where children and women both are protected and valued as they should be.

We All Have a Voice

Hello, friends! Wow, it's my first blog of 2016. When I started this back in 2014 I never imagined I would have this much fun blogging. That shows what I know!

Anyway, I just finished watching the clip of Ellen DeGeneres winning the Humanitarian Award at the People's Choice Awards. She's a truly inspirational person - someone who firmly believes in one ideal (be kind to one another) and embodies it in every aspect of her life. Obviously, there are many points where I disagree with Ellen, but no one can deny that she is incredibly kind. She uses her talk show, her wealth, and her sense of humor to spread kindness around the world.

Sometimes I look at the problems in our world and wonder, what can I do? How can I help the homeless people in Enid or Syrian refugees overseas or bullied kids in our schools or people in abusive relationships? What can I do? I'm just one person. I don't have the influence that someone like Ellen does, and even she hasn't been able to solve these problems.

I don't think anyone reading this has quite as global of a voice as Ellen does. (If you do, please let me know, because apparently you're famous and I didn't know it.) But the fact is, we all have a voice. We all have a chance at influencing the people around us. If we as Christians truly embody our ideals of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control - if we make them a vital part of our identities and use what we have been given to spread them to those around us - then we can change the world. While I was in Florida, my mantra was "every person matters." This applies here. We can't change the world all in one fell swoop. But if we manage to influence one person, who influences one person, who influences one person, then the world will change gradually.

I'm a Director of Christian Education. My goal is to influence the people of Redeemer Lutheran Church with those ideals, the fruits of the Spirit. I almost wrote "I want to influence everyone I work with," but then I realized that even that is too big of a scope. I am one person. I can't do that. But I can influence the teenagers in my youth group. I can influence the leaders who work with me directly. I can influence the parents in my congregation. By narrowing my vision, my goals become clearer. I'm able to recognize my limitations and emphasize my strengths.

Let me give you an example. I was bullied as a kid in middle school, so bullied kids are a particular source of passion for me. I have one in my confirmation class. She's one of those awkward preteens who attracts a lot of teasing, just like I was. So as I was planning for my junior high youth group, I decided to focus on friendship this semester. I probably won't ever address the problem directly. This is something that I can't fix directly, just like my teachers couldn't. But I can influence it. I can point out the principles of friendship, the problem of excluding others, and biblical examples of good friends. Through this message, repeated over and over again throughout the semester, I'm hoping that I can show the bullies what they're doing wrong, and the bullied what she is truly worth to me and to God.

That's my example. What's yours? How are you influencing those around you?