The greatest lesson we can learn from the past is that freedom is at the core of every successful nation in the world

This weekend has been pretty intense, I had the opportunity to get to know my coworkers better and we had a bunch of interesting conversations, such as the differences between America and Europe. And this is what I want to point out today.

Life is what happens while we are busy making our excuses, so we must slow down and enjoy right now. This seems to be the moral of the story; people nowadays (and specially youngsters) are so worried thinking about where they want to go or what they want to achieve or become that they forget who they are in order to be who the rest of the world wants them to be. This doesn't mean that we should live with the maxim of Carpe Diem but that we must be who we are and enjoy each moment of our lives. If I am a 20 year old woman I must act like it and not pretend to look older or sillier or different. We are who we are. Apparently being yourself is easier here in the USA than in Spain, because people here do what they want and wear what they want but deep inside we all have the same problem. Both countries (I chose those countries but I could include other ones) are proud of letting their citizens be free and to express themselves but reality is that we are all coerced to behave in a concrete way or to wear some clothes or to go to some clubs, even to practice one or other religion or to have this or that friend!

Since the beginning of civilization men have fought for achieving liberty, they have died trying to raise their children in free land; after speaking with my friends(they are no longer just coworkers) we realized how important is it to keep fighting, because he who thinks that he already lives in a free country, is either blind or lazy. We should stand up and speak up for being ourselves, EVIL TRIUMPHS WHEN GOOD MEN DO NOTHING so next time you see an act of injustice, protest; next time somebody tries to impose wrong ideas on you, refuse and next time you hear that someone wants to abort her kid under the excuse of "freedom and rights" think: not only that somebody ought to do something about this but realize that you are that somebody.

What life brings you

There are many girls who come into our office feeling nothing but hopelessness, and leaving with loads of hope. How many are offered it, but don't take it preferring to stay with their money, their plans, afraid of such a big change. But what is life without change?

It's amazing how the girls that better understand the great importance of the life they're carrying, or the fact that they are already prepared for this new responsability as women and mothers, are usually the ones with less financial resources. These women might have no papers, no job, no close family. Maybe not even a home!

This wonderful wisdom, a gift from God to these women who probably will be confronting great challenges, is something our society lacks nowadays. But here they are. Keeping their modest lives, showing us how selfish we all can be sometimes. Because there are times when you don't keep your plan, but you keep a life.

"Suffering cheerfully endured, ceases to be suffering and is transmuted into an ineffable joy."

Mathama Gandhi

Land of Hope

This week I have learned a lot about American History. I've discovered that the United States of America began with a little English seetlment in Jamestown and I have seen how the country achieved his freedom and the freedom of her citizens with the Civil and the Revolutionary War. If there is something that we can learn about American history is that it is a land of hope and freedom.

We, prolifers, have to show people the values of this country, because if there's something that can motivate you to allow your own son to be killed it's desesparation. We have to teach people that they are in the land of the opportunities, that America is bound to give to her people and his future children hope and opportunities.

The Free Services at EMC Help

Today at our office in Queens a couple came in that was not sure whether they were pregnant. What they were sure about however, initially at least, was that if they were they were going to have an abortion.

They were immigrants from a culture where there is still a major stigma against having children out of wedlock. They thought that an abortion was just a simple and easy thing and it would be the answer to their problem.

I mainly spoke to the boyfriend because the girl did not speak English well and mainly talked in a rather obscure language, but it went great. It turned out that the pregnancy test was negative but we were able to show them the truth about abortion anyway. Like many immigrants, they had no clue about the risks, emotional factors, and most importantly for them – prenatal development.

Like I mentioned – they were not pregnant but they both listened and watched happily as I explained to them the truth about this issue. When they left they were very grateful and even asked me if they owed anything.

“Of course not, our services are free.” – I love being able to say that.

Borja

Hi I'm Borja Cocho, I'm 20 and I come from Valladolid in Spain. I'm studing medicine at the University of Navarre and I think that life is the best thing ever so this is why I'm doing medicine and become active in the pro-life movement with EMC.

About me: I'm the youngest of three siblings which makes me realize the importance of family and team work.

Racial Equality

After all that our country has witnessed, experienced, and endured, I still don't understand why there is still bigotry, ignorance on social issues that plague all, and the maintained disregard for our fellow men.

One would think between medical, and social advances simple things like racism would not longer exist, as well as morals not being shoved aside. However, the fact is that there is a blatant disregard for morals, and the well being of others.

After counseling several multi-racial girls today in the Bronx office, I came to realize that not everyone may look at race as a huge deal. I mean, after all living in a Hispanic neighborhood in the Bronx, working with various ethnicities, and being a white male, I thought people would look at me differently. But, instead I came to realize that it wasn't about me, or my race, but rather it was about the girls in crisis pregnancies. It doesn't matter if your black, white, asian, or hispanic, the fact f the matter there is a child in the womb of these women and that is a human being who has the right to experience life and make choices to guide his own life.

Thank you to the girls who have made me recognize this simple fact of life.

Importance of Remaining Intact

While working in the Bronx office this morning, I had the chance to speak with two young women who were uncertain in their pregnancies. Being impressionable and young, these two girls listened to everything I had to say, in addition to watching educational videos. At the conclusion of each of the sessions, both girls commented on how being informed would have changed their decisions, if in fact their pregnancies had been real.

This led me to contemplate how abstinence has been disregarded in our culture. It is sad that contraception is being passed out to the youth of America, as though it were Halloween, and those pills and condoms were candy waiting to be devoured.

The re-emphasis of remaining a virgin must be recognized by our youth, as well as the administration within the American education system. However, it has consistently been disregarded as the moral integrity of America slides down a slope. Remain steadfast in prayer and hope, for the truth always prevails.

STDs? At least I look hot.

Where'd all the good people go?

I've been changing channels

I don't see them on the TV shows

Where'd all the good people go?

We got heaps and heaps of what we sow

They got this and that

With a rattle a tat

Testing one, two

Now what you gonna do?

Bad news, misused, give me some truth

You got too much to lose

Whose side are we on today, anyway?

OK, whatever you say.

Wrong and resolute but in the mood to obey

Station to station desensitizing the nation

Going, going, gone.

~Good People by Jack Johnson

On Sunday the pastor at the church I’m attending talked about cultural acceptance. He preached on how Sarah (Genesis 16) being barren was cause for cultural ostracism. If a woman had a husband and children then she was culturally accepted. He warned us that before we jumped all over this for not being “politically correct” or being gender biased that we should consider what OUR culture considers to be acceptable. Achievement, career and sexual appeal are our cultural acceptance norms. From the young age of kindergarten children are pushed to excel and achieve, to get into the best schools, the best internships, the best careers and look hot doing it.

Not only are achievement, career and sexual appeal “encouraged” but they are broadcast in our magazines, TV, radio, and clothing styles. I especially see this in the young women who come into the pregnancy centers. They are so wrapped up in achieving a career and being successful that they would rather abort than change their plans to make room for their child. I am not saying that being successful, having a career or looking nice are bad. These are good things. I am glad that young women want to succeed but they are distorting the good.

Who is teaching these young women that a child “ruins your life”? That they can’t succeed with children. How is this a good view of women? I have seen women who make it work. Yes, maybe it’s hard but it’s not impossible. Life throws curve-balls all the time. No one has complete control over their life. Death happens. Accidents happen. Unexpected good things happen. Who are you to say that a child will ruin a woman’s life? That’s an extremely presumptuous statement.

This value of achievement in career over life is self-destructive. Secular culture says we can have it all: success, career, sexual appeal and no commitment. Post-modernity preaches a religion of non-commitment and relativism. Actions don’t have consequences. Nothing needs to be logically thought out. If you don’t want it get rid of it.

Who has post-abortion syndrome in Hollywood? What girl gets STDs after a one night stand in a “no-strings-attached” sort of movie? Where is reality? Hollywood teaches us that it will all work out. That our actions don’t have bad consequences. We’re taught to follow our hearts!

For example: typical Hollywood movie.

Scenario A.

Boy meets girl. Instant attraction. Jump into bed. No commitment. Agreement to have sex whenever they want. Boy falls for girl. Girl doesn’t reciprocate. Estrangement ensues. Girl in a sudden bout of enlightenment falls in love. Reunion. Happy ending.

Scenario B.

Boy meets girl. Instant attraction. Jump into bed. Girl gets pregnant because she forgot her depo appointment shot and doesn’t know that if she goes without it the birth control will not be effective. Girl is scared because she’s unmarried and in an entry level job. Boy doesn’t want a kid - just sex. Girl wants to stay with boy because they had SEX and he’s her baby daddy. Boy pressures abortion and shirks responsibility. Girl gets abortion to stay with boy. They break up one month later.

Haven’t seen scenario B in the movie theaters lately. Let me know if you do - I’ll buy the popcorn.

Selling a bike?

I visited Dr.Emily´s website today. It's funny (if you can call it like that) how on their homepage the first thing you see is prices. FREE PARKING, FREE ABORTIONS WITH MEDICAID. Then the different types of abortions, also showing off their prices.

When getting more information about the different types of precedures, the usual words are painless, anesthesia, asleep, verified insurance, quick, safe, gentle.

Can you see any information about the procedure there? The consequences? Only for the aspiration method it suggests that you have to "have a high tolerance for pain". I don't think I see the gentleness here. Even when taking an aspirin people make note of the risks it has. So why don't they if not only one, but 2 lives are at risk?

They sell their product...procedures. We help them to be informed. They talk about women's rights, we fight not only for their rights but for their lives.

They've Been Hurt, Not Helped

I finally got a chance to work in Brooklyn! I loved it. It amazes me how many different styles of counseling there are, and yet how well they all can work. The details are different. The people are different. But the truth stays the same.

No matter who you talk with, they have been hurt. No matter what the situation, they believes something better is out there. Guys, girls, they all need the same things. Truth, in love. We can’t tell them the truth and not care about them too. We can’t care about them and not tell them the truth. It is a win-win situation!

Before these couples come to us, they are told lies. They are pushed into things not knowing what could happen. I see it every day. Women who seem hard and bitter, are lashing out because they are in pain. My Mom has a saying, “hurt people, hurt people.” It is so true.

These people need God, not death. They need strength, not the “easy” way out. Every one who helps them will be blessed.

Fredericksburg

Last week I had the opportunity to learn a lot about American history. There was a thing in the battlefield of Fredericksburg that impressed me a lot and remind me of pro-life, the story of Richard Rowland Kirkland, a Confederate Army sergeant.

Kirkland had a close up view to the suffering and like so many others was appalled at the cries for help of Union wounded. He gathered canteens and in broad daylight, without the benefit of a cease fire or a flag of truce, provided water to numerous Union wounded lying on the field of battle. Union soldiers held their fire as it was obvious what Kirkland's intent was.

This action made me think about our work in EMC, we want to help the unborn babies who can’t speak for their own and fight for their lives. One of the most remembered things about the civil war was this action I’ve explained, that wanted to save the life of defenseless people.

Talking on the Sidewalk

One of the great benefits of sidewalk counseling at Dr.Emily is the chance to speak with many people – even if they aren´t necessarily abortion bound. I had the opportunity to do just that on Saturday when I talked with a woman who was not pregnant but has been going to the clinic regularly for her GYN appointments.

Of course many women do lie and say just that even though they are going for an abortion but I am confident this was not that type of woman. We probably spoke for about twenty minutes right there on the sidewalk about the abortion issue in general, patronizing a location that commits abortions, and God.

And I must say it was very uplifting being able to share with an open minded person. Although no baby was necessarily saved right then and there – I´m sure she left the conversation more pro-life than when we started. Her and her mother had both had abortions and I could tell the pro-life message was really resonating with her. She knew first-hand the emotional side-effects and devastating consequences. I knew she was glad I was there because she said as much.

Anyway the goal of sidewalk counseling is definitely saving moms and babies from abortion, but being able to evangelize the beauty of the pro-life idea makes going to the sidewalk worth it just the same.

Following the Fathers of America

In the 16th century a group of people from diverse backgrounds, crossed the Atlantic in order to create a better and free country.

To reach this goal, the Founding Fathers made ​​the Constitution providing for freedom of citizens, democracy, the right to life...

Today America is known as the land of freedom, as one of the world's strongest democracies, but the unborn right to live is not respected.

We seek to make a reality the objectives of the Founding Fathers fighting for life.

Hola everyone!

Hola everyone;

My name is Gabriel Muzás and I have just finished a journalism degree at the University of Navarre, in Pamplona, Spain. However, my hometown is Vitoria, a small city in the north of Spain.

I have a big family: I'm the oldest of three brothes and two sisters. We all know the good values of life, family and charity.

For a long time I have been looking for a volunteering possibility to do in the summer. Last year, a friend of mine who came to EMC two years ago told me about this intership program. I found it interesting from the first time and it seemed to me a good way to help people to know the importance of the life.

I'm very exited to start working at EMC at New York. I'm sure that this is going to be a good summer and an important time for me to help and learn at the same time.

Please! Please!

While I was working outside of Doctor Emily Women's Health Center yesterday, a white SUV pulled into the back parking lot. A woman was driving and a man was sitting in the passenger seat. They sat in the car for several minutes. Suddenly, I heard a loud episode of muffled screaming and yelling coming from inside the car which was parked on the opposite side of the lot from me. It was so loud and frightening that all of us there, including the clinic escorts, turned around and tried to peer into the car and see what was going on. After about thirty more seconds of screaming, a woman abruptly emerged from the car and rushed into the clinic doors. A few more minutes later, the man climbed out of the car and stood against the back wall to take a smoke. When he was finished, he walked back to the car and sat in the drivers seat. Shortly after, the woman returned and opened his door. The arguing began again, except this time it could be heard clearly.

"Get over it! You can't force me to have a baby! How are you gonna make me keep this baby! You jerk!" yelled the woman

"Please,please!" he begged and then broke down crying. He sat there sobbing, truly weeping, and pleading with her as she walked around to the passenger side and filled out some paper work.

This reminded me that even though we think of the stereotypical man involved in an abortion as one who is for it or doesn't care, that is not always the case. However, the men who want their child legally have no say in the matter. No matter how much they beg and plead and ask please!

What it means to be Pro-life

Being pro-life is defending life from conception to natural death.

Being pro-life is a conviction that leads to action, that´s why we are doing what we´re doing.

Being pro-life means preaching by example, our commitment to life is seen in our complete care and respect. Therefore we respect those things that make a risk to human life avoidable: both ours and everyone else´s. It would be inconsistent to adopt routines, habits and vices that belie the assertion to defend life (drugs, for example).

But it goes beyond the exterior expression of their actions and is also reflected in their views: a pro-life person cannot be in favor of the death penalty, death or violence under any circunstances.

Being pro-life means respecting motherhood. We believe that respect for motherhood begins with and is based on education and will necessarily lead to helping expectant mothers.

We are prolife independent of our politics, religion, income, origin or ability.

What can we do?

Today a 20 year old girl came to the South Bronx Center. She had spoken with somebody before so she had come for some information. I talked to her and she told me that she was a bit afraid but with our help she is having a great pregnancy.

When people say that our work is in vain they don’t really know what we do.

It easy to say that we don’t know about these women’s situation because we don’t walk in their shoes. It’s true that it's difficult to talk about abortion when we’re not pregnant. But we really believe that there is a life in these women’s wombs. We open their eyes.

This is the country of liberty and opportunity. Babies also should be treated in that way.

God’s give us the life and it`s not fair to discard it.

Women come to us because they need support. They need somebody to talk to. We try to do the best for them.

Back on the Block

After not being outside of Doctor Emily's Abortion Clinic for nearly two weeks, I realized how much I missed assisting confused women in that setting. When I went on Saturday morning, I knew I was tired and really didn't want to be there. But as soon as the girls came strolling onto the block, I knew this was all part of God's plan, thus I knew to accept it.

After two hours of uninterrupted sidewalk counseling, two friars showed up outside the front of clinic to pray and sidewalk counsel. When they arrived a feeling of calm instantly surrounded the entire area, however that tranquility was soon interrupted by several shouting girls and escorts.

In the middle of the squabble was the one of the friars who was peacefully counseling a girl, meanwhile one belligerent escort yelled about the rights of women and other rude comments. The friar took it all in a stride, turned his cheek in Christ-like fashion, and continued to explain abortion-related things to the girl.

This is the example of Christ on the frontline of the battle is a sight to see, as is witnessing the emotional and angry display of a woman who is simply ignorant.

John Lennon and his son

This afternoon after being working in Queens I’ve gone to see John Lennon memorial. John Lennon, the author of Imagine, avoided the abortion of his son Sean Lennon, who was a son not planed. This story teaches us two things.

The first thing is that being prolifer doesn’t have to be related necessarily with conservatives ideas or orthodox Christian ideas.

Secondly, John Lennon is remembered as the singer of love, peace and truth. Which are values that have a lot of relation with pro life cause. Maybe because of that it was so easy for the musician to save the life of his son.

The Strength of a True Father

We see many beautiful people coming through our office in Brooklyn. Those who come resolved to keep and care for their baby and those who leave with a changed heart and new love for the little life they are carrying. Those are the women. We also have the immense gift of a somewhat rarer miracle: the conversion of a father's heart.

This one Linda calls Samson, because as she says, "His strength is not in his hair, but in his heart, in his resolve to be a good father." He came resiliantly pursuing abortion and now has redirected his once selfish passion into a determination to keep and protect his child and it's mother. In this picture he stands with his own mother along with Linda and his strength, both internal and external is evident.

Oh Me Of Little Faith

She moved to NYC with her new husband six months ago. She needed to get a job and provide for her family back home in Nigeria. She wanted to stay long enough to become a citizen and bring her mom and younger siblings to America. She got into nursing school and thought she might become a nurse. She did not plan to have a baby.

Last Friday, after the group session and her sonogram, I brought Victoria* into a counselling room, sat down, looked her in the eye, and asked her how she was doing and what was going through her head. She looked at me with her big, brown, African eyes and began to cry. "I can't have this baby, I can't have this baby!" she repeated over and over. "I've already made up my mind, I can't have this baby," then she wiped her eyes. "Why are you crying then? Do you want this baby?" I asked. She was quiet. I looked down at her paper work and saw that she had already had two abortions in Africa. I also saw that she was Pentecostal and went to church weekly. I then preceded to tell her that God loved her and that He loved her baby. I told her that God can forgive any mistake and sometimes her blesses us with second and third chances.

For the next hour or more we sat in the room speaking now and then about how God feels about abortion, how her husband told her she had to get an abortion because he couldn't provide for a baby, how she felt alone as a new comer in this Big Apple and had no support system without her mother. But mostly we were silent. There are no magic or right words to say that will convince a woman to keep her baby. What she really needs is love, a listening ear, clear advise, and most importantly, peace and quiet. After a while, she stopped crying and I told her that she could stay and sit and think in the office for as long as she would like. I also told her that everything I said to her was not at all coming from a place of judgement, but was simply a plea for life on behave of her baby who didn't yet have a voice and was at risk of never getting the chance to thank her for giving him life. I walked out thinking, "Well, it was a good shot, but I doubt she will keep her baby. After all, women who have already had abortions are harder to turn around." Oh me of little faith...

At 9:45 on Monday morning, in walks Victoria wearing white nurse's scrubs and a smile. "I'm keeping my baby!" she said. I was so overjoyed and shocked not only to see her but to hear those words come from her mouth that I almost cried. Victoria now has a supportive husband, a forthcoming nursing career, and a happy baby on the way!

*name has been changed

Follow-up Joy

A few days ago I received a great phone call. One of my old clients gave me a call and updated me about her situation. An unfortunate fact is that with many of the girls we see it is very hard to keep in touch – addresses and phone numbers change commonly. So too, this girl had ended up moving to a very distant state but luckily found my number I had given her way back in January.

I was so glad she told me about how well she was doing – completing school and brushing off attempts from some of her family and friends to abort. Now, most of her family has come around and she was excited to tell me that where she is staying she has her own room where they will put the crib.

Her due date is in late August and I can’t wait for her to send me the baby pictures!

What matters is how much love we put into our work.

Yesterday I went to Dr. Emily´s Abortion Clinic, it was amazing. When I had just arrived I saw a women that I knew because I had spoken with her last Saturday, she was going to abort but was very afraid. She wasn´t really sure about what she was going to do because she wanted to have the child but motivated by her circumstances, she had decided to abort.

For the procedure, she wanted them to take it out in one piece in onder to be able to kiss the baby before saying goodbye to it forever. It sounds very cruel, but one person can do things like that whe she is very desperate. That shows the love that this mother felt for her baby and we recognized this love.

Our work consisted of revealing this love between mother and baby. In the end the mother decided to keep the baby. The situation was then turned into a blessing for both the mother and the child.

If you want to make God laugh..tell Him your plans

The other day I went to fight for life again, this time it was at the doors of the abortion clinic "Dr. Emily's".

We are not able to cross a line on the ground which separates the clinic from the rest of the street, it has been referred to rather harshly as the line "between heaven and hell".

Saint Josemaria Escriva used to say that in our daily battle for saving lives we must go until the gates of hell, not far off because the love of God can enter in a place with so much evil taking place. That is what an abortion clinic reminds me of: I can stand at their doors, talk to the women and pray for the babies in the womb but I could never cross that line.

My story today teaches us that even when we think we are right and we have the perfect words to offer a girl to help her realize the best option is keeping her baby, God has other plans and other words for us to say.

Yesterday, I saw a girl coming out of Emily's, she was taking on the phone and I smiled at her thinking that she would refuse to smile me back but guess what? She smiled at me and looked at me asking desperately for help with her eyes. I started talking with her, she went there for an abortion, she was 5 months pregnant, she just did her sonogram and she still wanted an abortion. In a non abortionist clinic, a sonogram of a 5 month old baby would show a completely formed little kid so I was pretty amazed by the tone of confidence she was using, like she didn't care that the life of the baby she just saw would be ended; but eventually she told me that in the sonogram she saw nothing, only white and black stripes and they didn't let her listen to the heart beat of the baby. I asked her: do you wanna see your baby? Do you really wanna hear his heart beat? She said yes and she started following me to our van with the sonogram machine. It was God whispering words of love right into her heart that made her come.

Once we were in the van and we showed her the size of a 5 month unborn baby and we told her what she was about to do she burst into tears"I almost killed my baby!" We told her not to worry, because she hadn't done it. She had the sonogram and we listened to her baby's heart in the van, it was incredible, I had goose bumps. Then she started crying again "Its a girl, its a baby girl! I'm having a girl!"

She showed us pictures of her other two children, she was only 21, she was brave and she was beautiful. I'm glad God used me as his instrument to show her see the truth.

First day in Emilys

Yesterday I went to Doctor Emily's Clinic. I realized that we have to pray a lot because only God knows the needs of every mother. Each woman has special needs. We were there to explain to the women what abortion actually is because most of them wouldn’t do it if they had more knowledge about the problems and risks it presents to that person. We also offer them pregnancy tests and sonograms. Most of them think that an abortion is the best way to solve their problems, but it only aggravates their problems, they don’t know the physical and serious psychological problems abortion can cause.

Some women don’t want to talk with us because they don’t want to face reality, so we have to pray a lot in order to say the right words to each woman so we can assist them and save the future generation.