The snow was heavy this morning as I drove to the abortion center. But then, shortly after I arrived there, it turned to rain. Unfortunately I forgot my umbrella, but it was bearable.

First to pull into the parking lot was a mother and her daughter. The cute little girl jumped out of the car and went for the door. I greeted her with a smile. She smiled back. I handed her the crisis pregnancy center card and she looked it over. Before I could say a word, her mother stormed forward shouting at me to leave her daughter alone. She brushed past me and tried to open the door, but could not get in because it was not yet 9:00 AM. They make people wait outside, as if they were standing in front of a Target store waiting for someone to come with the key.

A rickety old van slowly rolled up the small driveway and parked. I saw two car seats in the van. An Arabic man, and his wife wearing the full black garb and head wear came on the sidewalk. She quickly went inside, but I was able to stop him and ask him to talk with me. He explained to me that he has no job, and can barely feed their two children. He is a former National Guardsman. He said the help they tried to get through Social Services was a nightmare. He is right. I learned that Social Services and government aid is a very difficult process to wade through for help. The system is apparantly a mess.

I never thought I would ever say this, but I have come to understand that sometimes our society drives people to the abortion center. I understand why some women would have an abortion. After talking with so many people in front of the abortion center, with so many different situations, I truly understand why some go there. Of course, it is an abomination to God, and I hate abortion. But when I hear pro-lifers say, "I can't understand how a woman could kill her baby"....I immediately think...then you are clueless! Way too many pro-lifers talk-talk-talk, but they do not listen. I am sick of Christian and Catholic radio hosts and guests make ridiculous comments about people involved in abortions when they do not know the situations.

Project Gabriel puzzles me ...is that program more helpful than a CPC? Will they talk-talk-talk, or will they listen? I don't know. I have talked to the volunteers and read the material. I am concerned that the Project might take women away from the real help they can receive at a crisis pregnancy center. Is "Angel" training realistic? I am sure the volunteers are sincere, good-hearted, and well-meaning people, but can they take the place of professional counselors who can guide women and men through their crisis including the help to get through the complicated government aid? I wonder why they don't partner with a good CPC or two.

It is so easy to be a vocal prolifer from your nice suburban home where your husband takes care of you, and you have a car and go on vacations. I am talking about the prolifers who shout at politicians, the abortion center staff, and the abortionist saying things like, "Hey, why do you kill babies?" Is that helpful? They say, "these women go to abortion centers because of this or that"....and I have heard them say, "they feel like...this or that" I have even heard MANY say "the women feel like they have no other options". Sometimes that is true...but not ALL THE TIME . Take the mothers who bring their little daughters. Oh please, they know about options! It is not about having options. Most often, it is simply about living a selfish life.

The Arabic woman did not have the abortion. Her husband said they are going to The Lennon Center for help. I started praying at 9:30 AM. A man named Gerry came, and he prayed with me. Chris was there too. We prayed in the pouring rain only three feet from the door. I was surprised to find myself fighting back tears today as we prayed the Rosary, and Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. Little girls with pink ribbons in their hair are having abortions. Some say that is "choice", and some even call it "reproductive health". I call it child abuse.

I was thinking about the little girl inside this terrible place, brought here by her mother. She will remember March 1 forever. I thought about how angry her mother was at me, and about this young teen's shy little smile when I approached her. I prayed for her mother (who threw up in the parking lot). The little girl had an abortion. She left in tears; but instead of the CPC card in her hand, she was grasping her birth control pills.

My friends on the sidewalk at the abortion center tell me it has been very busy! Well, let's see, yes, six weeks after New Years...it would be. Then again six to eight weeks (or more)after Valentine's Day, and then again after the prom. On and on. How sad.

I have been away from the sidewalk because I have a new job. After praying about it for a long time, I accepted the job because I believe it is what God wills for me. I loved doing sidewalk ministry for Him. I asked Him not to take me away from it, and away from my friends. I prayed to be able to come back to the abortion center. And...thanks be to God, my prayers are answered! Things have settled down at my new job, and it looks like I can return to the abortion center where I can minister to people, and just as often, if not more, they minister to me.

I have been trying to stay in touch with Kathy. I have received emails from Chris. He is really tenacious. Even though I do think he is way out there...I also think he is a saint! I have been praying for Stan because he hurt his back. I miss Connie, and Charles, and the homeless man, Carl.

My new job is very time consuming, and I work alone most of the time. I am outside working in the woods. It is very peaceful and I can pray and meditate on God's love and mercy. I can say the Rosary and Chaplet of the Divine Mercy out loud as if I am on the sidewalk at the abortion center. Even though I have not been there physically, I am there every day mentally.

I think God put a passion for sidewalk ministry in me...I want to be there, but only for Him. So, wherever He sends me, whatever it is He wants me to do...I will look to Our Blessed Mother for guidance. I will ask her to help me so that I will diminish my own will and do His will. She is the perfect model for all women, and especially for women in a crisis pregnancy. She said yes.

I arrived on the sidewalk in front of the abortion clinic at 8:45 AM. Stan was there in his bright yellow rain coat wearing his sign that say Pregnant? Call 800 No Abort. It was pouring rain! I also had on a rain coat and used my pitiful little burgundy umbrella to try and stay somewhat dry. It is more difficult to persuade people to stop and talk in a terrential downpour! It was a gloomy morning, especially for the women coming for abortions.

Everyone took my CPC information, but they were not receptive to talking in the rain. Most people arrive by 9:15 AM. But at about 9:30 AM, a couple pulled in to the parking lot. They got out of their van and immediately started screaming and swearing at each other. He continued to yell as he went ahead of her. She tearfully followed him inside the clinic. Obviously, this was not the time to approach them. It appeared that he was pressuring her against her will to have an abortion, but I have learned to assume nothing!

After a few minutes, she came out with tears streaming down her face. I walked next to her and offered to help her or call someone for her. She said no, but she stopped and faced me. I asked her to take my card for help and put it in her pocket so that he does not see it. She took the card, and quickly shoved it in her pocket just as he came out to yell at her some more. She does not want the abortion, he does. They left...but then...unfortunately came back. It appeared that he hit her when she was in the van, but I could not see that for certain. When he came back to the abortion center door, I asked him if I could speak with him. He whirled around to look at me, and in no uncertain words made it quite clear that I should not talk to him again.

I tried to talk to her again, but she was visibly shaken and crying. I asked again if I could call someone for her. I told her that I will pray intensely for her and her baby. Chris came on the scene, and I told him what was happening. I warned Chris that the man is very volatile, and that he should be careful. As usual, Chris is fearless. He shouted to the man, "Sir, don't kill your baby."

Stan and I prayed our various prayers, Rosary, and Chaplet of the Divine Mercy in the down pour. A young girl left the abortion center with the tell-tale white 24 hour notice folder. I started to talk with her, gave her my information, and she stopped because she clearly wanted help. I told her she would never regret having the baby, but would regret an abortion forever.

Kathy came by to tell me that a mother and daughter came to the abortion center looking for me while I was on my trip. She described them, and I remember talking with them about two months ago. They wanted to tell me that they did not go through with the abortion, and now they are very excited to soon hold this little boy or girl in their arms. What a huge ray of sunshine that news brought!

Chris emailed to tell me that the couple came out at 2 PM, and she did have the abortion. She cried to Chris that now it is too late, and she screamed "He killed my baby." Sadly, we have seen this before.

We see this (and other sad situations which hurt women and children) all the time at the abortion center. No one ever comes there because they want to, and no one ever leaves healthy. They leave knowing they are the mother of a dead baby. They are wounded in body, mind, and spirit. This is happening in your neighborhood. It is the greatest tragedy and terror to women and children of our time. If you doubt this, then you have never been on the sidewalk to see what abortion really looks like.

The rain pouring down and wetting the abortion center sidewalk is like millions of tears coming down from Heaven to mourn the deaths of the innocent babies. And when it doesn't rain tears from Heaven, it rains tears from the women and men who regret ending the life of their very own son or daughter.

I just finished a great book called Unborn Jesus Our Hope by George Peate. It is an amazing reflection on the missionary work of Jesus while He lived in Mary's womb. This unique book sites many scholarly and scriptural references. Unborn Jesus is the champion of all unborn children. We pray to the Divine Child and to the Divine God-man, so why not pray to Unborn Jesus? If you are interested, you can read sections from the book at unbornwordalliance.com. The site is listed as one of my links. This book was very inspirational to me personally, and as a prolife activist. Who better to give the dignity of personhood to the unborn baby than Unborn Jesus?

I took this picture from Fr. Paul's web site (fatherpaul.org).

I am back from a two week pilgrimage to Turkey and Greece called: In the Footsteps of St. Paul. The pilgrimage was packed with great sites and incredible information. My mother and I had a wonderful time together visiting many ancient sites. Our vacation was an amazing site seeing tour, but not really much of a religious pilgrimage.

I was disappointed that we never prayed together while traveling on our tour bus. We did not even say a prayer together before our meals. We did not pray at Mary's house. Mary's house brought tears to my eyes. The Mother of God in such a lowly and humble dwelling; what a huge message!

We had a very nice priest to lead us on the pilgrimage. He was substituting for another priest, and I do not think he is familiar with this type of religious pilgrimage. I think he did his best to please everyone. He was very kind, gentle, and patient with our large group of 39 people. He was Christ to all of us.

I quickly learned the dynamics of the group when the Michigan election results were announced. I was shocked and dismayed! Most of the group, including two nuns, celebrated the victory of the re-election of our pro-abortion governor, Jennifer Granholm. I was horrified. I told the nuns that they are celebrating with Planned Parenthood, NARAL, homosexual marriage advocates, the porn industry, anti-Americans, and anti-God Hollywood people like Madonna. They are celebrating with Satan himself! They are accomplices to the murder of over 47 million innocent babies. I ask the Lord WHY he put me together with all these pro-aborts? He says, "Endure what I give you...with...joyful acceptance. He knows what is good for me better than anyone....joyful acceptance...OK then...there is always a plan!

It hurt me to watch these pro-aborts receive the Lord in the Eucharist. Catholics? I say no way! One of the nuns even prayed for the unborn during Prayers of the Faithful at Mass. How could she truly mean that and then support abortion with her vote? I responded with a prayer to support only politicians who embrace life....Let us Pray to the Lord!

I learned that the nuns are involved with Call to Action. They support "choice", homosexual lifestyles and marriage, and among other heresies CA supports a female priesthood. They wore earings and dyed their hair, but St. Francis cut St. Claires hair.

Yet He calls us to be charitable. OK, I do love them, but I am angry with their refusal to support life. I had my own little pilgrimage...in my mind. I prayed the Rosary and Chaplet of the Divine Mercy on my own, silently. There were others on the trip whom I admired very much as faith-filled Catholics. I was blessed to meet Mike, Fariel, Muntaha, Elaine, Moira, and Leonard. Interestingly, Elaine's deceased husband was instrumental in founding Call to Holiness which was created to oppose Call to Action.

I am looking forward to getting back on the sidewalk. It has been over two weeks. I have been praying for the group and for all the people coming to the abortion center. I pray that I will not become hard hearted against people who support abortion. I learned on this pilgrimage that St. Paul's preaching and St. John's writings in Revelations could apply to the state of the Church today! I know that I turn people away from me when I speak up for life and against the culture of death. I question myself at times. But then when we were in Ephesus, I remembered what St. Paul said to Timothy as he struggles to evangelizing the Ephesians. St. Paul said, "I entrust this charge to you Timothy, my young child, in accordance with the prophetic words once spoken to you. Through them, may you fight the good fight by having faith and a good conscience." 1 Tim 1:18 Let's continue to fight the good fight!

Last week was a bad week for the abortionist. He had few customers during the week, and no one on Friday or Saturday. Or else, he went on vacation Friday and Saturday. But this week is another story.

It is so rare that a father would bring his daughter for an abortion. Usually, the father is dragging his daughter away from the grips of the abortionist. But sadly, this week a mother and father brought their young daughter for an abortion. I was at the door when they arrived. The mother ran inside the center. The daughter stopped and listened and took my information. She was a very small teenager. Somewhere between thirteen nd fifteen. She wore jeans and a pink jacket with a furry fringe around the hood and sleeves. The brand of her jacket was splashed across her back with sparkly writing. She had little girl braids, and a little girl face...wearing a look of sheer terror. She went inside as her father approached me.

I asked him if his little daughter was pregnant. He said yes. He confirmed to me that she is having an abortion. I asked him why he wants to end the life of his grandson or grandaughter. He said there is no baby yet. I told him that the baby is there, complete DNA, completely human, completely his grandson or grandaughter. He will not take on the expense of a grandchild. I told him that he will severely hurt his daughter by this abortion, and it will be forever. She will know what happened to her child forever. He said she should have thought about that before she laid down and opened her legs. He said he is doing this for himself and he does not care about her.

All I could say is, "Some day, you will care." I don't often tear up on the sidewalk, but his hard heartedness choked me up. After about an hour, she came out with her mother and father. It was too soon for her to have an abortion. I approached the father. He put up his fist to me and told me that he would hit me if I came closer. I backed away, but I had no trouble hearing their conversation as they walked to their car. The father was yelling and screaming at the mnohter and his daughter. It is hard to know the whole story, but it appeared that the little girl was too frightened to have the abortion, and the abortionist refused to do it. I hope that is true.

Kathy has been working to evangelize the abortionsit and the staff for years. I joined her in that effort. We talk with them lovingly and kindly in order to establish a relationship with them. They do not think we are crazy people who want to hurt them. Currently, two out of the three women who work for the abortionist, hand out our CPC information from the inside. Unfortunately, the group that comes when we are not there, does not do the same. We had to tell the staff that we are not a part of their group. We can't work with them.

I am leaving on a two week trip with my mother to Turkey and Greece. It is a religious pilgrimage called In the Footsteps of St Paul. I am looking forward to seeing the countries and spending some time in prayer and contemplation with the Lord. I'll pray for Kathy and the group while I am away. I will also pray for the the little girl in the pink jacket, and for her baby. Some people on the sidewalk are impossible to forget, and she is one of them.

I have been away for a couple of weeks on business...yes, I do have a job that I need in order to pay for things...like college tuition...actually three college tuitions! I have to admit that I really dislike being away from the sidewalk. I think about what is happening there, and vicariously, I pray with the group at 9:30 AM.

When I came back to the sidewalk, unfortunately, the abortion center was very busy. I arrived just before 9:00 AM and the parking lot was packed. My hear sank. I immediately began talking with the men and women planning to go inside. Most everyone took my CPC referral information, but sadly, no one left the abortion center.

After a short time, a man came out to get something to eat at the party store. I asked him if his wife or girlfriend was inside waiting for an abortion. He said yes, his girlfriend was already being prepped for the abortion.

I asked him to please go inside and get her out. He said that she is determined to do this, and he cannot stop her. I touched his forearm, looked deeply into his eyes, and said, " I am so very sorry for the loss of your son or daughter." He looked directly back into my eyes. His eyes welled up with tears, and they started to stream down his face. My eyes welled up too. He told me that it will never happen again. We can only pray.

I went back to my fellow prayers, and for awhile, I could not speak. I was fighting back more tears. I think that being away from the sidewalk for a little while can be a good thing. Going there so frequently can harden a person. I think it can instill an attitude that the horrific act performed right in front of us is more of a common occurrence than a devestating act on humanity.

I am ready to hit the sidewalk tomorrow morning. I carry two briefcases in my car at all times. One is a soft briefcase containing my lap top and sales materials. Out of this briefcase I sell Lawn & Garden products...for money. The other briefcase is hard, and contains my CPC referral cards, prayer sheets, umbrella, rosaries, gloves, holy water, and pro-life sales materials. Out of this briefcase, I sell life...for God.

The sight of people joining together to pray in front of an abortion center is startling! Sometimes our public prayer really bothers people. I think it rattles the conscience. Some people will stop to pray with us after driving by many times. Some like to ask questions, or debate pro-life vs. pro-abortion. Some just want to yell and scream at us...venting, I suppose. The truth is that the prayers we say in front of the abortion center is our power source.

The words we speak to the women and girls is not what stops them from having the abortion. The literature or CPC referral cards we give them is not what turns them away. No, we do not have that kind of power. It is God who is in charge on the sidewalk in front of the abortion center. He decides what the outcome will be for every person coming and going, including the abortionist and his staff.

I cringe when I hear sidewalk counselors spewing out numbers of "saves" and "turns". These are PEOPLE, not "saves" and "turns." It is not for us to know what God has planned for the people we speak with at the abortion center. Truthfully, we rarely know the outcomes. It is our mission to do whatever His Will is for us, and do it to the best of our ability. To me that means to act and speak with complete charity, obey the law, and respect everyone we come in contact with including the abortionist and his staff.

And now that being said....I am having a hard time with a sidewalk counselor who comes one day a week with her group. She intentionally breaks the law, harrasses people, and is rude to the staff. The police came when I was there with them. I explained to the officer that I am not with her, and I showed him our written agreement from the police chief. I feel she is unraveling the relationships Kathy established and we have maintained with the police, the neighbors around the clinic, and with the abortionist's staff. Our relationship with the staff is vital. This is the second time a nurse has offered to ditribute our cards from the inside. Our relationship with the police enables us to BE THERE. Chris has already been removed for breaking the law.

But, She does not care about the law and such. She follows the Joe Scheidler, Chicago method, and we are of the Fr. Riley, Helpers of His Precious Infants persuasion. She told me that we are not on the same team. I agreed! This is a sad situation. Satan is the divider. I am sure he would love to have us go against each other to distract us from the reason we are there....to be His instruments in front of the abortion center...doing His will...witnessing....evangelizing...and living the Gospel.

My Pastor, Fr. Browne, said in a homily that when you put yourself "out there" to do God's will, the road will get rocky. I wondered, at the time, what he meant by that. Now I know. We are challenged. God steps back to show us our true selves. Ouch...now we can learn just how charitable and humble (or not) are we really are in the face of a challenge! When the road is smooth it is SO easy. Now that is rocky, what will we do or say? I will have to pray about it. I am too weak, I need His help to know. When the police officer came to the sidewalk because laws were broken, he asked us in a loud voice, "Who is in charge here?" For obvious reasons I did not say it, but I knew the only right answer to that question was, "God is in charge here!"

Last week my neice, Maureen, came to the sidewalk with me. It is a difficult thing to do for many people, most especially for a teenager. It was a busy morning. Maureen witnessed to the fact that two lives walk in the door, and only one broken life comes back out. Maureen did very well. I was impressed and pleased that she knelt with us to say the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy and other prayers. Kneeling at this very busy intersection is humbling. I think many teenagers would find it totally embarrassing. We say the prayers loudly at the abortion center. I laughed when I heard from her mother that Maureen said we shouted the rosary! There is truth to that....we are heard inside! I hope Maureen comes again. It is very powerful to have young people with us as witnesses to Christ's teachings, and to taking a stand against the crime of abortion. Maureen seemed truly concerned for the women going into this filthy place.

I had several debates with people driving by. They pulled over and we discussed the pro-life vs. pro-abortion issue. The people I talked with were very reasonable and interested in hearing the pro-life case. I think it is a very easy discussion on the pro-life side of the debate. One man has stopped three times to talk with me about it. I think he is seeing the light! At first he blasted his horn rudely, now he toots and waves! That is our method....charity....to the people having abortions, people that come with them, the staff, the abortionist, and the people who drive or walk by the abortion center.

Most people take our information which is on a business size card that can be put into a pocket. It works, we know this from the CPC's that notify us about the women coming to them from our information cards. I told Maureen that even though sometimes it seems no one is leaving, and the cards are not working, women DO leave, and never have the abortion. She thought our friendly method was right; she said a more aggressive method and constant chatter would scare these young women away. Maureen knows girls who have had abortions. She was very sure that our smiles and gentle conversations were much more likely to turn women and girls away than the constant talk and begging other sidewalk counselors do.

We left the abortion center after praying. On our way home, we talked about a particular girl at the abortion center. I talked with the girl, and her mother and cousin at some length. She was having a pregnancy test, and it was positive. She was very upset. I think she will go see Laura with her mother. Maureen asked me if I thought she would keep the baby or have an abortion. I told her I don't know, it is our mission to get her to the CPC. Then after Laura talks with her....she will decide....she has a free will. I mentioned to Maureen that I usually go to my church and pray in front of the tabernacle for the mothers and babies I saw that day. I asked Maureen to pray for them too. She was right there. She saw the pain in thier faces; she witnessed the murder of an innocent person. Maureen went to Calvary, and stood at the foot of the Cross.

What a fruitful day! Women coming to the abortion center today stopped to talk, and took our information referring them to a CPC. They were genuinely interested. That was great, but what made it a fruitful day is what happened just before we were about to leave....just after Kathy, Joe and I prayed.

As we stood up after saying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, an employe came out and asked us to give her a stack of our information (which is on a business size card) to distribute inside the abortion center. God is good! Kathy has always said that we are there for everyone, including the abortionist and his staff. Our way is loving and caring, our model is Jesus Christ.

My son, Nick came to the abortion center with me last week. He had information cards to pass out, but Connie came to visit and occupied most of his time. One of her cats died, and she was very depressed about that. He was very kind and patient with her. I think God sent Nick there for Connie. I hope he will come with me again because I think he would be very good at turning people away from the wretched place....charitably.

A man came out of the abortion center that originally entered with his girlfriend. She was having an abortion, and he was obviously against it. When he came out, I approached him. I asked him why he won't be a father to his baby. He turned to me and said, "I don't want this, I have no choice." He told me that people inside the abortion center could see and hear us pray. He said that when we dropped to our knees to pray, people inside started to insult us and mock us. He told me that he said to the people in the waiting room, "...those people on the outside are doing the right thing, all of us in here are wrong. I want nothing to do with this sin." Then he said he walked out, and now is leaving because he wants no part of it.

I still mourn for the babies, and pray for God's mercy for everyone who took part in ending these lives. I thank God for allowing us to see the fruits of our labor in others who are turning to Christ and away from this evil.

The city has accused Chris of disturbing the peace. He cannot come to the abortion center with his huge gruesome pictures of aborted babies until after his case. He is very upset, and concerned about the babies and women. Even though I don't agree with his way, he was effective with some people. We must not be divided! Hopefully, he will be back soon. God has a plan for Chris.

The fruits of our labor. Whatever happens on the sidewalk is God's work. We are just His instruments. I have to remember that. He sends me there, and He decides to show us the fruits, or not. Often times, my challenge is to accept what He gives me to do, even if I don't want it! And then, I am challenged to do His work with humility. I think St. Paul defines that as true service.

Jim had a very nice fundraiser for the Lennon Center (a CPC) at his house. A few of us sidewalk counselors attended. The director, Laura, told Kathy and me that our efforts are a big success based on the number of women coming to her after talking with us at the abortion center. What great and up-lifting news! Just after hearing that, I suddenly got busy with work, and then went on vacation. I thought about Kathy being there, and at 9:30, I prayed with her from wherever I was at that time. I will never comprehend how hurting women and killing children (called reproductive "health" services) is legal, acceptable, and to most libs....desirable.

How can I make that statement? Most libs are Dems, and Dems vote for Dems, and the Dems they vote for support reproductive health services, ie. abortion legislation. They love abortion so much that they want it for our little teens. They can now jump up on the table at a filthy abortion center while a so-called doctor invasively rips out their little unborn baby. Then they ask, "where did my baby go?" The little teen comes with fears, and leaves in tears. If you think I am exaggerating....come and join me at the abortion center and see for yourself! Yep, the Dems love it....now we have Plan B...abortion in a bottle. This is a good time to read, or re-read Humanae Vitae!

Let's see, yes women's reproductive health services. Every time we go to the abortion center we see it in action. For example, yesterday, I spoke to a strawberry blond haired woman who looked to be in her thirties. Her name is Laura. She was very upset. She does not want an abortion, and she knows it is wrong and will haunt her. I tried to convince her to talk on the phone with Laura from the Lennon Center. I talked to her again when she went to stand by her car. She was whispering to me, and pointed inside her car. Her husband and teenage daughter were inside sleeping. When I asked her why she was ending the life of her child, she started to cry. We moved away from the car. He is forcing her. We talked about how she is an adult woman and he cannot make her do that. I tried again to have her talk with Laura. I told her I could help her. She walked away towards the abortion center door. I told her we would all be here outside praying for her. She stopped, turned around, touched my arm, thanked me, and went inside to have the abortion.

I decided that if her husband gets his butt out of that car, I would speak with him. Eventually he did....not to console her....but to have a smoke! So I told him that Laura is very upset and does not want this. I asked him to help her and his child. He reeled around to face me, and told me to shut up, and leave him alone. Isn't this great reproductive health? Women being abused, and teenagers being abused. So HEY....where are the feminist to protect the women? Oh, that's right, they are Dems voting for Dems, who LOVE abortion.

Every time we are there, people suffer and babies die. When it is in your face on the sidewalk, a moron could see that abortion is unhealthy, dangerous, and mentally and spiritually devastating. There are so many other options that are healthy and good for women and babies. But as long as those in power continue to de-humanize a person for money, it won't go away. Power and money. It won't be called homicide, it will be called women's reproductive health services. What a pathetic lie. You say you don't like abortion but can't force your beliefs on others.....tell that to God when He asks you what you did to to protect His innocent ones. The baby in his mother's womb is created as a gift from God to the whole world; He is the Author of Life. We can't see the unborn baby, but we know he is there, he is the essence of innocense, completely human, just like Jesus Christ His Son.

Monday was a very bad day for the abortionist....only two abortions, and one woman coming for contraceptives. That is only $900 in revenue for the day. Unfortunately, he has another abortion center several miles away. His business has been down here on Schaefer, but I really don't know if it because of our presence, or if it is typical of the summer months. I am not sure.

Today a Muslim girl and her mother came to the sidewalk. This is very unusual, even though the neighborhood is predominately Muslim. I asked the girl if she is here for an abortion. She said yes. She looked so young I asked her age. She is only 17. She told me she is just a baby. I reponded to her that she is not a baby! I told her that she is a mother, and a real baby is growing inside of her. I tried to talk with her mother, but she answered me in Arabic. I told them both that I am sure they know that this is a great offense to God, a total abomination! The girl said, "yes, I know". I spoke to her, but she went inside and did not come back out. I was praying that a Muslim man would walk by so I could ask him to go in there and get her out. That was not God's plan today.

A young black girl stopped by the driveway to talk. She took my information, and seemed interested in the CPC. She did not have an abortion, and she had my information in her hand when she left. As soon as she got in her car, two older white women appeared walking very quickly to the door. At first they would not talk or take information. But finally, one of them told me she had an abortion and does not regret it, and she is bringing her friend to have one. Her head was held high. I told her that she knows what a traumatic event the abortion is, and if she cares, she will help her make the right decision to leave this place before it is too late. She said her friend has too many problems to have another child. I told her friend that this will only add to her problems, and it will be forever. This mother never said a word. They went inside and came out occasionally to smoke. I tried again to no avail. Then Chris went to talk with them, but they would not listen to him either.

Carl came to the sidewalk to visit. I have been praying for him because he wears so many clothes including a leather jacket and a wool hat. I am concerned he will get heat stroke in this 100 degree weather. I told him that, and he laughed. He said his hair will turn brown without a hat. I asked him "what is wrong with brown hair?" He looked at my hair and laughed. I offered to get him some bottled water, but as usual he turned me down. He not only wears a lot of clothes, he carries around four huge bags of his belongings. Charles came by to wait for the bus. Lately he has been slurring his words. I don't smell alcohol, I think he is taking pain killers for his leg problems. He surprised me when he took out the rosary I gave him weeks ago, and prayed with us. He asked us to pray for his children. Kathy with her dog Sadie, Joe, and Richard came to pray too. We had a nice group of witnesses of Christ love today!

I prayed alone today, and I asked God to send more people to help us. I don't think He calls everyone to go to an abortion center to speak to those whom are coming and going. But I am sure He calls all His people, if they are able, to come and pray.

I would say the street comments today were about half "fuck you's" and half "keep up the good work's." I guess they cancel each other out! I was sad today. I mourn for those babies that are alive right in front of me at the abortion clinic door. I picture what they would look like by the features of their mother's face. I even name them before they die. I give them names that would be for a boy or girl like Sammy, Robin, Morgan, Erin, or Carey. I recognize each life by saying the name I chose, and then I say to myself, "I love you, God loves you, and I am so sorry your mother does not."

I mentioned this sadness to Kathy. She reminded to me to remember to "wear the armor" every day for protection against allowing this tragedy to knock me down so low that I can no longer continue the battle. It is a special armor that protects against the abuses of the external world, and against the attacks of the internal spiritual world. It is the armor of St. Michael the Archangel. We pray, "St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray. And do thou art Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the divine power of God, cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits who prowl the world seeking the ruin of souls."

Kathy is right....you do not have to travel far to witness miracles. She has seen many miracles here at the Schaefer abortion center in the past ten years. I have been coming here for only six months, and I am in awe of the miracles that happen right before my eyes!

Kathy and Joe were at the abortion center praying. I could not come that day because of car trouble. Kathy called me to tell me that a woman, Cherie, four to five months pregnant with twins and the mother of a two and six year old, came to the abortion center. She came because she had seen us outside the abortion center talking with people. She came to ask for help. She was living in her car. As Kathy was helping her find shelter, another pregnant woman came looking for help! She spoke to Joe. They both went to the Lennon Center.

The next morning I was able to go to the abortion center. As Kathy and I started praying, Kathy noticed Cherie's car on the side street. She went to talk with her. Apparently the shelter was full, and she spent another night with her kids in her car. Kathy, Chris, and I called different social agencies for shelter. Finally COTS agreed to take her and her children. I was appalled at how hard it was to find help for her; the beaurocracy was ridiculous. We all threw in some money so that she could buy gas and food. I noticed that the only food they were eating was pop corn and oreo cookies. Cherie looked haggard, and her feet were swollen.

Lately, I have had numerous conversations with men outside the abortion center door. I asked a black man who approached if his wife or girlfriend was having an abortion. He looked quite angry, and said yes, his girlfriend is in there. I asked him why he won't take care of this mother and his child. He said that he wants the baby but she refuses to "keep" it. He went into a rant. He pointed to a motorcyclist stopped at the light in front of the center. He said if I kill that guy on the bike right now, the cops will come, throw me in prison, and it will be all over the News. He pointed to the abortion center. He said all these women are in there killing people right here and now. But they are not arrested, hauled off to prison, and there is no News articles about them! He was shouting. He said that the father should have a say. I agreed with him. I also said that I would allow someone I care about deeply to have an abortion over my dead body. He looked away.

A very handsome young black man came walking by the abortion center. He asked me what I was doing. After I told him, his eyes narrowed, his forehead furrowed, and he marched right up to the abortion clinic door. He opened the door and shouted inside, "Hey you women get on out of there! You are killing our race. You are killing our next generation!" He stood by me for awhile and passed out information cards. The women stopped right in their tracks when he approached them.

Two teenage guys came walking to the abortion center door as we were praying the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy on our knees. I popped up and asked them if they are going inside. One of them, Derrick, said he saw Chris's gigantic aborted baby pictures and was shocked at the truth. He wanted to go inside and pass out literature to turn the women away. He got cold feet, but he took the literature with him and promised to pass it out to girls he knows.

On my way to the car, an older man and baby were on the sidewalk near the condos. I asked him if he knew someone at the abortion center. His face fell. He said, "What did you call that doctor's office?" I told him that is no doctor office, it is an abortion clinic. He told me that his daughter and son-in-law are there. I told him I am sorry they are aborting his grandchild. He looked horribly sad and heart broken.

I think we are all a little tired this week. Even Chris seemed tired. Stan has not come for three weeks and I miss him. Richard is taking care of his mother and can't come. Jane is on vacation for three weeks. Debbie is coming more regularly. Carl the homeless man came by and was in great spirits in spite of the heat. Connie from the neighborhood came by one day, and she was really proud of her new outfit and new shoes. She looked very cute. Charles was not doing well. His leg was hurting him and he needs a doctor. He promised me that he would call his son to take him.

I will be at the abortion center tomorrow morning. Maybe I will experience a miracle; if God wills it, it will be. I have learned more in these six months at the abortion center about life and death than I ever could have imagined. I am a different person now....and that is a miracle!

We are a witness of Christ's love to anyone who sees us talking to people and praying on the sidewalk. We offer our love and we mourn for the babies who have been forsaken by their mother. We pray that God will soften the hearts of the mothers and lead them to choose life. We pray for the conversion of the abortionist and his staff. We pray for the souls of all the mothers, brothers, husbands, and friends who participated in an abortion.

I arrived early today. Good thing since so many women came well before the clinic door unlocked. I spoke with Tamara for some time. She has three children aged thirteen, nine, and three. She said she gets too sick during pregnancy and she can't afford another "one". I gave her information on a doctor who will help her, and for material needs and financial assistance. She took the information. I asked her if she will use it, and leave this place now. She said no, she is having the abortion. We talked about how difficult her life is. I referred back to the help she could receive if only she would take the time to call the people on the card who are WILLING and ABLE to help her. We talked about the baby being a separate and unique person from herself. We talked about her other children. I asked her if she believes in God. She shrugged. She turned her back on me, grabbed the door handle, and then suddenly swung around to look at me. I asked her to slow down and think about talking with the people at the CPC who are experts and want to help her. I asked her to give them a chance for the sake of herself and her baby. I asked her to think about and picture what she is allowing the abortionist to do. For a few moments our eyes locked, she opened her mouth to say something but no words came out. I told her we will be praying for her. She looked down and said, "thanks." Then, she went inside.

The abortion center is busy today. Everyone took my card. All the men stopped to talk. One man came on to the sidewalk alone. He looked angry and anxious. I asked him if he was going inside to be with his friend or wife. He said his girlfriend is inside and he is coming to get her out of there. HMMMM....usually a lie, but this time I think he may be sincere. I pointed out the pitiful decrepid condition of the place. I commented to him that I wouldn't bring a dog to this filthy place, let alone someone I cared about to have such an invasive surgery like an abortion. He looked at the trash stuck in the black lava rock in the front weed beds, and at the peeling paint. He winced. I asked him to please protect her and his child. He took my information, and went inside. His name is Dantell.

Chris came a little early today. He started his singing and preaching at the door. I don't agree with his unrelenting aggressive approach. I am glad that I was able to talk with and hand out information to everyone who came thus far. Chris is very passionate, stays all day, and is successful with some poeple to turn them away from an abortion. But, I believe the kinder and gentler approach works best to get the information for help in their hands and talk with them about options. I don't like being with Chris because he causes confrontations with people, and I think that is dangerous and counter-productive. His aborted baby pictures scare people. We could debate who has the better approach all day long. To his credit, he is out in front of the abortion clinic all day long!

Jane and Joe came to pray. We said our various prayers, prayed a rosary, the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy (on our knees) and then started to walk away. Just as I got to the corner, a car pulled in. I went back to talk with the mother heading for the abortion center. She was a very tall large white woman. I walked up to her and she put her hand out to signal me to stop. She screamed at me to fuck off, and she said that she hopes I die and go to hell, and that she hates my guts, and will murder me if I come near her. I told her that I am sorry I upset her. I said maybe if she feels better while she waits, she would consider coming back out to look at information that could help her. I braced myself for another barage of insults, but she looked me over, up and down, and went inside.

A man and woman left without having the abortion. She was clutching my referral card, and smiled and waved to me. I did not feel that the Holy Spirit wanted me to approach them the second time. I prayed for them immediately. It is not for me to know God's plan for them, but I still watched them drive away and wondered how it will all turn out for them.

A short heavy white man with a lot of hair and a bitter look on his face walked by. I greeted him and asked him if he was going inside the abortion center. He stopped and looked at me. I could tell that he was working up a mouthful of spit to eject on something or someone; I assumed on me. He shot the mouthful of spit on the front of the building near the door. He walked up to me, and this time, I backed up. He screamed at me, "I hate this fucking place." Then he apologized to me and walked on. I have been cursed at so often at this abortion center that I think differently about the use of vulgar language. It turns me off so much that I try more than ever to never use it, and I have asked people not to use it in front of me. That is a switch from my past.

As I drove away from this Hell, I pictured the faces of the women I spoke to today. Young, pretty, soft faces with red teary eyes. I know that if they have the abortion they will have the same face, but will be totally different inside. I mentally revisited our conversations. I thought about how their babies will be dismembered, sucked into a jar, and tossed inside a dumpster. I started to feel depressed. Then I remembered what Laura from the Lennon Center told me. She said that I should ALWAYS leave the abortion center praising and thanking God that He chose me to be the one to bring Christ to all who come and go in front of the abortion center. She said to let them see Jesus through my smile and kind words before they go inside. So, I stopped at my church, and praised and thanked God in front of the tabernacle for using me and my wonderful companions as His instruments to do His work. When I pray like that, I get a little teary eyed too.

Between work and car problems it has been difficult getting to the abortion clinic to sidewalk counsel these past two weeks. Last week, I was there three mornings, and this week only two mornings. The good news is that business seems to be down for the abortionist. Hurray!

Very few Muslims come for abortions in this predominately Muslim neighborhood. So, last week when a Muslim man and woman came on to the sidewalk headed for the abortion clinic, that took me by surprise. She would not look at me, but he took my card with information on where to go for free health services at a CPC. He came out of the clinic to smoke. I followed him to the bar parking lot. I asked him if he brought her for an abortion. He said, "Yes, but she is my friend's girlfriend and he begged me to take her here." I know that is a lie! I asked what he thinks about abortion. He told me that he is a "man of God", and does not agree with it. I asked him if he feels that he is an accomplice to the killing by bringing her here. He shrugged. We talked some more, and he told me he will try to get her out of there and leave. He did! Other women took the information we distributed, which Kathy designed. Some turned away, and some went inside. Most of the girls and women come and go in tears.

Tuesday was very slow, thanks be to God. I was there alone early on. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a man coming down the sidewalk towards me. I don't recall seeing him before. As I would to anyone, when he got close, I greeted him. He moved as far away from me as possible on the sidewalk, put up his hand, and said in a loud mean voice, "Get away from me, you are evil!" His eyes were popping out and he actually looked frightened....of me? He was a large man....how could I possible hurt him? He kept on eye on me as he walked on as if I were going to cast a spell on him. Soon after that, Joe, Richard, and Jane arrived and we started our prayers. Only three women were in the clinic. A mother and daughter came out and left. They did not have time for an abortion, and they did not have the dreaded 24 hour notice envelope. I walked beside the mother, and she finally agreed to take my card.

Today I encountered another unusual situation with a man at the abortion center. I was working away trying to get women to leave to go to a CPC. Few were very responsive to my conversation attempts. Stan was with me wearing his sign that says, "Pregnant? Call 800 No-Abort" I always watch to see who is pulling in to the parking lot. I saw a man pull in who was alone. That is strange. I watched him get out of his car. He was a big muscular white man with sunglasses and a confident gate. I thought, "Here he comes, he can hardly wait to harass me." His shirt had a police patch. I waited for him to approach me. He whipped off his sunglasses, and stepped too close to me. I would not back up. I smiled and said hello. He told me that he drives by us all the time and today he felt compelled to stop and let us know that he supports us and our ministry. Shame on me for being so cynical!

His name is Jim. He stood close to me because he wanted to tell me something personal. He told me that he brought his girlfriend to an abortion clinic twenty years ago, when he was 21 years old. He has been struggling with that guilt and regret ever since. He has talked with a priest, and confessed. This big strong man had tears in his eyes. I listened to him becuase I could tell that he wanted to tell his whole story without being interupted. When he finished I asked him if he would stay and pray with us. Kathy, Katie, and Debbie were coming towards us. I gave him our prayer sheet and offered him a rosary. He smiled and said no thanks, I am a Knight of Columbus, and I have my own rosary. He knelt with us when we prayed the Chaplet, which he knew. It was great to have him pray with us, and I am sure it helped us be more noticable as witnesses from the street to have this great big muscular man pray his rosary with these four little women and Stan, who is not much bigger than me. I hope he comes back to pray with us again. We prayed for him.

Next week Tuesday is the Holiday. We think the abortionist will only close on Tuesday, but we will call. Afterall, he was open on Christmas eve, so what would he care about the Fourth of July eve? Before we leave the abortion center, we always pray Fr. Frank Pavone's prayer called The Prayer for the Closing of an Abortion Mill. A part I particularly like says, "...We pray, then, for the least among us, the children in the womb. Protect them from the violence of abortion. Give new hope to their parents, that they may turn away from the desperate act of abortion. Grant conversion to the abortionist and to the staff. Show us how we are to respond to the bloodshed in or midst....." That is what Jim did......he responded to the bloodshed in our midst!

Last Friday, Teresa Tomeo of Ave Maria Radio, interviewed Alicia Wong and Ed Miller on their sidewalk counseling experiences. I did not hear it because I went to the abortion center to join Meg to talk with women before the door unlocked at 9:00AM. Laura from the Lennon Center heard the interview. Alicia and Ed had worked to shut down Dr. Alexander's abortion center in Ann Arbor. It did close, but he now opened up for business in Ypsilanti, and they are currently working there.

Our world is the Schaefer abortion center where Kathy has been working daily for ten years. She has established a relationship with the Dearborn Police so that we can maintain a peaceful presence there by abiding by their rules. Abortionists have come and gone under her watch. Kathy knows them all, and knows the staff. It is part of her ministry....to evangelize, convert, and pray for them. She does not denagrate or disparage them. Stan and Chris have been working there for a long time too. Richard, Joe, Jim, and Jane always come to pray. I am the new member, and they have welcomed me as part of the team. The team also includes Laura from the Lennon Center, who is very important because ultimately our goal is to send the women to her. We are not really sidewalk "counselors" we are more like intermediators. Laura is the counselor.

When I came to join Kathy on the sidewalk five months ago, I had no idea how much this work would affect me. I had no idea how much I would learn from her about God, prayer, abortion, sin, evil, and about people who live on the street. I learned a lot about myself too. Another person who has helped me, even though I did not think I needed any help, is Laura. She helped me to stay focused, and gave me encouragement when I was frustrated and disappointed. She said I should never leave that place discouraged. She said I should leave thanking God that He allows ME to be the one to help do His work, and thank Him for letting the women see His light shine on them through me. What an honor! Laura told me that many of the women who come for an abortion have insurmountable problems, and they want to hurry hurry hurry to solve this one of many problems by a quick and "easy" abortion. Also, she stressed that we do not know what God's plan is for these women, or for us, and we must trust in Him because it is Satan who wants to thwart our efforts by discouraging us. My pastor, Fr. Browne, also gave me encouragement by telling me that he thinks God has sent me there. He said, "When I look at you, I see..." I thought, oh no, he is going to say...."a big fat sinner" or "an over zealous evangelist"...or "someone who needs lots of help". But he said, "When I look at you, I see a wonderful transformation." Whew what a relief; I almost laughed aloud at my insecurity! God knows I need these wonderful people.

Friday was a slow day for the abortionist. Most of the women took Meg's and my information. Meg did not want to stay there alone, and I had to rush off to work in Grand Rapids. Fortunately, Chris was coming towards us just as I was leaving.

I was happy that Stan joined me this morning. Two young white girls came to the door. They took the card I gave them with information for help, but they would not talk. A black couple came to the sidewalk next. They both looked distraught, and they both took the information. I sensed that there was tension between them. He came out for a smoke. I asked him if she is pregnant. He said she is having a pregnancy test. I asked him if he would be the father. He said he did not know. I talked about how nice it would be to have a baby so close to Father's Day. He said she might abort. I told him how badly that would hurt her, he looked down but did not reply. I asked him to consider using the information on the card for help. He went to stand by his car, and she came out to join him. They argued for awhile. I moved away to give them some privacy. They quieted down, and left. She did not have a white 24 hour notice folder. She was holding my card. We prayed they will not return.

A young girl went in alone. She hurried in and would not talk with me. She looked very upset. I smiled at her and gently suggested that she come back out to talk when she is ready. She did not come back out. Others took information, some went in the center, and some left. Kathy was there to help and to lead us in prayer. She designed our prayer session. It is perfect. The three of us prayed the Rosary, Chaplet of the Divine Mercy on our knees, and other prayers. I am not sure what else could be as humbling as praying on my knees at a busy intersection in front of an abortion center. I think it is powerful, and I would not do it any other way! We pray for certain people and situations. Often, the people on the street and even the people inside the abortion center come out to ask us to pray for their special intentions.

They can hear us praying in the waiting room. And believe me, they wait a long time. There are no appointment times. The door opens at 9:00AM, and everyone just sits and waits until the abortionist is ready to see them....and their baby. They hear us pray for forty-five minutes....."blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus...."...evangelize, convert, pray.

We are a little community. There is more to us than just tne interaction between the sidewalk counselors and the abortionist's customers. There is the interaction between sidewalk counselors and the neighborhood folks. Let me see, there is Connie, Charles, Carl, and now Jamie who comes to talk with us before getting on the bus to visit her boyfriend.

Connie has physical and mental problems and she is lonely, Charles's leg always hurts and he has some financial problems, Carl is homeless, and Jamie told me she is poor but she kept her babies. I have learned a lot from them. Although they struggle more than most with various hardships, they do not despair, or complain. I believe God brings His Dearly Beloved Son to me through these friendly and caring people. They are a witness to me of His love, they are the face of Christ.

Every person took my referral card and information to a CPC today. All but two women left. One of them was a Hispanic women accompanied by a man. I tried very hard to talk with him. He would not look at me, until I asked him if he is Catholic. He shot me a hard look, but would not speak. I took that as a yes. He quickly went inside the abortion center. The other woman never came back out; she is alone.

I felt bad calling Kathy to check up on her because she was not here this week, and this place is really her turf. She is on vacation, refreshing herself before coming back to fight in the battle. We talked a bit about the women who refuse to accept the truth that the life inside of them is a separate person from themselves. They do not have four eyes, four ears, two noses and in half of the pregnancies, a penis! They deny personhood to the fetus, they reason this by rationalization, not by truth and honesty. Kathy has been sidewalk counseling for ten years. She heard my frustration and she advised me to read Mark 6. "If any place will not receive you or hear you, shake the dust off your feet..." Ah yes, just the encouragement I needed to keep on keepin' on.

Chris came with his huge gruesome aborted baby pictures. I looked at him and gasped. His face was a mess. Yesterday he got into a "discussion" with a woman who just walked out of the center after her abortion. She was headed to her boyfriend's car; he was in the driver seat. She told Chris that God understands abortion, then Chris quoted Bible passages to her refuting that. They argued. Then the boyfriend attacked Chris while she kicked him when he went down on the pavement. The police came but Chris won't press charges. I don't know why Chris does that. She already had the abortion. The abortion center atmosphere is highly charged and very intense, emotions are raw. We all know that what we do puts us at risk of being hurt, but we are careful. Chris is so confrontational that he increases the risk for everyone. He has been attacked several times.....his face will heal....this time. I am concerned for Chris, and troubled by this incident.

Stan and I prayed the Rosary, Chaplet of the Divine Mercy on our knees, and other prayers. Chris moved away, as always, while we prayed. The two women did not come out of the center. After praying, Stan walked me to my car while Chris took over in front of the door singing and preaching about Jesus. I said hello to a man working on a traffic light as we walked past him, and I thought it was odd that he did not respond. Seconds later he called out to us and said, "Wait a minute, I want you to know that you are doing the right thing here, and you should keep on keepin' on." I looked at him and said thanks, and saw the face of Christ once again.

This picture represents open adoption; a loving and honorable alternative.


Today was one of those sidewalk counseling days when you just can't help shedding a few tears for the babies and mothers at the abortion center. Sometimes I wonder if a mother would have changed her mind on death for her baby if only I would have said more, or said less, or said something different. For example.....

Two young white women came to the sidewalk. They took the CPC information and listened to me only as far as it took them to get in the door. One of the women left. The other, Jenny, came out for a smoke. She told me she is pregnant and getting an abortion today. She has three other children. We talked for a long time.....two cigarettes worth. She said she cannot afford another child. I talked to her about adoption, and she said she could not give her baby away. I told her that since we both agree that she is carrying a baby, then as a mother, she must believe that giving her baby to a loving financially stable couple is the right choice over killing her baby. I also gave her information on where she could get free pregnancy care, and financial help for her other children. Then she said that her baby will go to heaven and be with God and she will see her baby one day. I told her that it is not God's will for her to have an abortion. God has a plan for her baby, and for her as the mother of four children. I had to say to her that what she is doing is so offensive to God, that her place in heaven is not assured. Besides, I asked her what she would say to her baby in heaven? Would she say, "Hi, I am your mother. You know, the mother that did not want you, did not love you, did not name you. Instead I killed you and your broken little body went into a jar that was tossed in a dumpster in an alley behind the abortion center." She said that it is God's fault that she is pregnant, and that it is His fault that there are abortion clinics. I said, "Come on Jenny, you are smarter than that and you don't really believe that this is God's fault." I reminded her of our free will to choose to love God or turn away from Him. I asked her to tell me why she REALLY thinks abortion centers exist. She shrugged. I told her they exist because mothers, like her, keep them in business. I asked her to change her mind, to do the right thing, go and get her money back. Do God's will, not her own will. Her chin quivered, she said her minister told her that it would be alright to abort. I challenged her that he NEVER said that. She admitted he did not. I told Jenny that she would never regret having her baby, but would forever regret an abortion. She agreed, put her head down, and tears fell from her big blue eyes, down her pale cheeks, and on to the sidewalk. She is very petite, and very pretty. I told her that she must love her three very cute children and would love this baby too. She took one last drag, then threw the cigarette butt so that it landed with all the other hundreds of butts in the weed bed by the door. She went back inside.

Other mothers came and went, and all of them at least took my information. A man came to pick up the white 24 hour notice folder. I asked him if he was planning to bring someone here for an abortion. He said yes as he walked to his car. I told him that she will get hurt here, and that he should protect her from a place like this. He drove off.

Connie, who lives in the neighborhood, came by to visit. She has diabetes, and is bipolar. She likes using my cell phone. She is lonely. I enjoy talking with her. She told me all about her health problems and about her sons. I love Connie. I thought she was unaware of what we were doing here, but then she told me that her doctor advised her to abort her sons because of all her health problems. She pointed to the abortion center door, and said, "that is so wrong!"

A mother and daughter came towards me. They were smiling and I greeted them. I asked if she is pregnant. She said yes, and she came to pick up her ultrasound. I asked if she is planning an abortion. She looked shocked, and said no. She said she is having financial difficulties, but she is very excited about having the baby. I told her about the Lennon Center, and her mother encouraged her to go there for pregnancy help. Her husband just left for Iraq. She suddenly realized that people stopped at the traffic light were looking at her. She asked me why people were staring at her. I told her that they think she is here for an abortion. She looked at her mother and said....O my gosh, let's get out of here!" I wish they would all say that.

Here is a great picture of a tiny little person! This morning was a bad morning for tiny little people at the abortion center. I think there was at least four abortions today. A black man in a van drove up, and out popped a perky young white girl headed for the abortion clinic door. I stopped her and she talked with me briefly and took my CPC information. She told me she was having an abortion today and giggled about it; clearly a nervous reaction. He never got out of the van. He played a loud rap CD. During the "chorus," which was repeated often, he turned the volume even louder so that everyone in the neighborhood could hear the words, "She's a Bitch."

Cars were pulling in one after the other. Next came a white couple. He was literally pulling her in the abortion center door by the hand. They would not talk to me nor take information. Just as they went in the door, a black woman came on to the sidewalk. She listened to me, took the information and went inside. The man she was with came to the sidewalk. I asked him if she is his friend. He said he is her cousin.....ummmm....maybe....maybe not. Anyway, I told him what would happen to her inside this wretched place. He was polite, listened, asked a couple questions, thanked me, and walked away to smoke. That was useless.

An older white woman brought her daughter for an abortion. They were both very upset. I spoke to them, but they went inside. After only a few minutes, the mother came back out. I followed her to her car while talking with her. She told me that her daughter had several miscarriages, and doesn't want to go through another. WHAT??? I asked her if she thought having the baby ripped out in pieces would be less traumatic for the mother and child than a natural miscarriage? No response. I asked her if she believes in God. She said yes. She did not respond when I asked her who gives life and takes it away....her or God? Finally, she said that having the baby could kill her daughter (a lie). I told her having an abortion could kill her daughter. As she got into her car, I asked her to please get her precious daughter and grandchild away from the hands of this abortionist. She drove off, leaving her precious daughter to experience an abortion all alone.

Stan arrived. I was happy to see him. Then, down the street, I saw Chris coming with a young black girl that he brought with him to help. Kathy did not make it today, so Stan and I started praying our various prayers, rosary, and Chaplet of the Divine Mercy.

Afterwards, I spoke with the young black girl, Anna. She is about four feet eleven inches tall and eighty pounds. She is twenty-two, but looks more like fifteen. Anna shouts at people, and is very harsh. I am concerned for her safety. Actually, I think she is wasted, but I don't know what she is on. Maybe I can ask Chris tomorrow. Suddenly the white couple came out. She had an abortion. I gave HIM a card for counseling for her. She whirled around and told me to fuck off and shut the fuck up. He was speechless. I told her that I am sorry that HE upset her so badly by bringing her for an abortion.

Stan, as usual, walked me to my car. When we got there, I turned around for one last look at the abortion center. I only saw Anna, holding up one of Chris's aborted baby pictures and twirling around like a ballerina. Anna has a problem.

Monday, May 22, Alicia called me as I was driving to St. Martha's for Mass at 7:30 AM. She is very concerned about a young Mexican girl whom she spoke to on Saturday. She thinks she may come this morning for an abortion. I assured her that I would be there before the door opens. But the problem is that I do not speak Spanish, and this girl speaks only a little English. When I got to the center, Alicia was there talking to someone in their car. For a Monday the parking lot is rather empty. Hopefully that is a sign that fewer women are coming here for abortions.

Alicia and I talked to women and handed out information on better options than abortion. Alicia gives out information about a wrongful death case that the abortionist, Dr. Ann, lost a few years ago. She will take women in her car to a CPC which has ultrasound equipment but is located quite far away from this center. I spoke to a CPC director, Laura, about bringing people to a CPC. She strongly advised against it for several good reasons, and I agree with her. Alicia is willing to take the risk. Too bad there isn't a CPC within walking distance. The Mexican girl did not come.

Stan came to help. He tells people who are coming and going that this is not a place for Christians. Some people actually argue with him about that. I like when Stan is here. He has told me about difficult times in his life, which I think has made him very strong and wise. He wears a sign that says, "Pregnant? Call 1 800 no abort".

Chris came and said he has a court date today. He was accused of assault by a pro-abort who attacked him. I am sure that Chris would never assault anyone. He shows everyone who even comes near the center huge aborted baby pictures which he carries around with him. He covers his van, which is parked across the street, with more huge aborted baby pictures. They are horrifying. He gets in people's face. Kathy, Stan, and I have a different approach. Alicia is somewhere in between. Even though we do not agree on how to approach women to turn them away from this wretched place, we understand that Satan is the divider and that he will win if we fail to stand together.

When Kathy arrived, we began our prayers. Chris leaves us alone during this time. Most of the women who will have an abortion are inside the clinic by 9:30 AM. We pray loudly so that everyone inside the clinic can hear us. Usually some will come out to smoke, make a phone call, or go to their car. That is another opportunity for us to persuade them to leave. Kathy is in charge. She arranges for one person to do the talking, while the others concentrate on praying. This works very well. It is impossible to do both. I am the talker when I am there. I think that is because the others have been coming for years, and they have talked plenty!

On Tuesday, May 23, I was alone at the abortion center early on because Stan was with the Sisters of Charity. A mother and daughter came first. I asked her if her daughter is pregnant. She looked me right in the eyes and said, "no, I am". She was young enough, but I knew that was a lie. I acted like I did not hear her say that. I gave her options for a better way. I usually make the point that she is a mother now, she has a baby in her womb...it's just a reality check.

Next, two women who looked like either sisters or lesbians got out of a car. They were very tall and thin. They had bright red streaks running through their black hair which was severely pulled back in a ponytail. They both had on tight jeans and red knit tops. Their features were very sharp. They refused to make eye contact with me when they came to the sidewalk. They were both talking and laughing as if they were walking in to a tattoo parlor. They would not respond to anything I said.

Carl, a homeless man, came by and asked me if I was a reporter from the News. I asked him why he keeps asking me that. He said I look like one. I asked him if that was good or bad, and he just laughed. He has no idea what we are doing at the center. He talked about his newspaper and other things, but I have trouble understanding him.

Then Charles came by to catch the 10 AM bus. I have not seen him for awhile and asked him about his leg. He said it is better. As we talked, Joe, Richard, and Kathy came to help and pray. I can tell that Charles likes talking to the men, especially Stan. How about those Tigers?

We started to pray and Charles joined us for the first time. Kathy explained to him how we pray and what our prayers mean, and I gave him our prayer sheet while Kathy gave him a Rosary. He prayed the entire time and even knelt with us for the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. I felt bad when the bus came and he struggled to get up to catch it. I think his leg still hurts.

While we prayed the two strange looking women came out of the abortion center. I stood up to try to talk with them, but one of them shouted, "fuck you", and then began to mock me. Everything they said was crass and caustic. After that, they mocked our prayers and went into fits of laughter. A woman who came for an abortion stepped out of the clinic for a cigarette, and they ran to her and pulled her into the parking lot away from me. I told her that they cannot help her. They fired more insults at me. The poor woman did not know what to do so she went to sit in her car. I thought maybe we should say the St. Michael the Archangel prayer early! I kept my eyes on them the entire time and continued to pray facing them...for the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, have Mercy on us and on the whole world.

We gathered our things to leave, and Chris came to take over. He usually stays until the abortion clinic closes at 2 PM. As I walked to my car, the song he was singing at the abortion center door started to fade away, " ....Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red, black and white, they are precious in His sight......."