Commence[ment]: "Begin: set in motion, cause to start"

tThis evening the Academy class of 2010 had its commencement ceremony.... It literally was a sending out - a beginning, a setting into motion, causing to start.

All through out the day, we to each other kept commenting that we couldn’t believe that our time at NRLC was almost over. But really, it is NOT over. My friendship with the Academy kids that have been such a blessing are not over... the incredible relationships that have grown with the different ‘experts’ in the pro-life movement that I now consider my dear friends whom I feel privileged to work shoulder to shoulder with... these will not end tomorrow either.

But one of the most important aspects of the Academy that will not end is the gift that has been given to the six of us:  the gift of truth and wisdom and knowledge about Life, bought literally with sweat and tears through the labor of the last 37 years. All the tools, resources and skills needed to pick up the baton on this Relay for Life and carry it farther than ever before, building upon the accomplishments, successes and failures of the previous generation.

 I was telling my good friend a few nights ago on the phone that this last week a specific verse had been rolling around in my head: 'to whom much is given, much is required' (Luke 12:48)... Much has been given to me, and through God's faithfulness and mercy, I am trusting and believing that he will open doors and guide me and each of the other Academy students. Natalie actually has already been offered a job with a state RTL office, starting January! We’re all so excited for her, and we know that God will continue show each of us exactly how/where we are supposed to make a difference, our specific role in this Big Story.

Tonight, our incredible professor Burke eloquently "pontificated" (as he would say!) straight from his heart , reminding us of the incredible difficult task at hand, our important, irreplaceable role, and our commitment to Never, Ever Give Up.... he quoted Thomas Paine, whose words are as true for our crisis at hand as they were in 1776 : THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. 

What freedom are WE defending today? The FREEDOM of LIFE- at any age or stage of development. What could be more "highly rated" than that?

We still have one more full day of classes tomorrow, trying to pack in as much information as possible before the time finally runs out ... then I head back home with my lovely family on Saturday (after we rent bikes and ride around DC!). My family got to be here for the commencement, and I was so grateful that they got to my meet my new extended NRLC family.

I will continue to update this blog with more insights that I learned from the Academy and other pro-life news alerts/action points, so I hope that you will continue to check back often to see if there are any new posts. (ps: I WILL post about Obamacare, part 2 very soon, I promise). Additionally - if you know any college students - your children, your grandchildren, your friends who would like more information about the Academy so that they too can be trained up and sent out, please let me know... We want this invaluable messages of truth to be spread out as far as possible!

I thank my faithful readers and supporters from the bottom of my heart - I’m so glad that you got to journey alongside me and the other Academy students in the story that God was, is, and will continue to write upon our hearts this summer. We will never be the same - and our goal is that the world won't ever be the same either.