I am passing this along, because I thought you would like to participate in Red Envelope Day, on March 31, 2009.
1. Get a red envelope. (You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores).
2. On the front, address it to:
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington , D.C. 20500
3. On the back, write the following message:
This envelope represents one child who died because of an abortion. It is empty because the life that was taken, is now unable to be a part of our world!
**We will mail the envelopes out March 31st, 2009.**
4. Put it in the mail, and send it.
5. Then forward this event to every one you know through: E-mail, Blogging, or Facebook/Myspace. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes! One for every child who died (in the U.S.) before having a chance to live.
It may seem that those who believe abortion is wrong are in a minority. It may seem like we have no voice and it's shameful to even bring it up. Let us show our President and the World that the voices of those of us who do not believe abortion is acceptable are not silent and must be heard.
Barack Obama spoke at a Planned Parenthood Action Fund event, uttering the now infamous line, "Well, the first thing I'd do as president is, is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. (Applause.) That's the first thing that I'd do."
An empty red envelope will send a message to President Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue! (The Freedom of Choice Act, which will essentially "undo" every law currently in place to limit abortion in the U.S. . (i.e., parental consent laws, parental notification, waiting periods, prohibition of transporting a minor girl across state lines to obtain an abortion, etc.)). It is a quiet, but clear message of protest.
I'm getting my red envelopes ready. How about you?
If you are not familiar, you can read more about The Freedom of Choice Act here:
http://www..lifenews.com/nat4359.html
http://www..barackobama.com/2008/01/22/obama_statement_on_35th_annive.php
http://www.jillstanek.com/archives/2008/07/one_year_annive.html
To add my two bits in, I just wanted to share a few thoughts of mine :) The visiting teaching message this month is: Uphold, Nourish and Protect the Family. When I was teaching this lesson, the red envelope idea came to my mind.
Julie B. Beck (Releif Society general pres.) said:
"As a disciple of Jesus Christ, every woman in this church is given the responsibility for upholding, nurturing, and protecting families. Women have distinct assignments given to them from before the foundation of the world. And as a covenant-keeping Latter-day saint woman, you know that raising your voice in defense of the doctrine of the family is critical to the strength of families the world over." ('What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable.' Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 110).
Not only do I think that woman in the church have the responsibility for upholding, nurturing and protecting our families, I think all women have that responsibility! We need to teach our children how to live! We need to teach them what to do and what not to do in this life. This world is a crazy place and if we teach them the right things all we can hope for is that they listen and make the right choices in this harsh world! If we teach them the right things then we know we did our part. It is not a one time teaching! Those of you who have chilren, know you are teaching and guiding your children daily! If we live our lives the right way our children are sure to follow. Ya, they will make wrong choices (we all do) but ultimately they know what's right! I'm sure all of you have heard the saying, "Actions speak louder than words" We need to act the way we want our children to act. We all have our good and bad days. Some days I feel like I am the worst mother in the world, other days I feel like I am doing okay. All we need to do is try our best.
Elder Robert S. Wood (of the seventy) said:
"We need to be vigorously engaged in the world. If our schools are inadequate or destructive of moral values, we must work with fellow members of the community to bring about change. If our neighborhoods are unsafe or unhealthy, we must join with the civic-minded to devise solutions. If our cities and towns are polluted, not only with noxious gases but soul-destroying addictions and smut, we must labor to find legitimate ways to eliminate such filth.... We have the responsibility to be a blessing to others, to our nation, to the world." ('On the Responsible Self,' Ensign, Mar. 2002, 30-31).
Wow! What a responsibility! Alot of the time I find myself in my own little bubble and don't care much about what is going on outside of the bubble. We need to care! We need to voice our opinions and help keep this world from falling! Our opinions do matter and we need to stand up for what we believe in. It is so sad that innocent babies are dying, even after they are born! Healthy active babies are left to die because no one is taking the responsibility to care for them. If you cannot be a mother, give your baby up for adoption. It's that easy. There are so many women in this world who can't have children and are waiting for that phone call to hear that they are getting a baby! I believe the women that can't have children are sent here to be infertile so they can be a mother to those children who need one. Every child needs a mother. Our role as women is to be a mother. Wheither we have our own children or we adopt. I also believe that the babies who have died innocently are living in a much better place :) and they are happy!
So if you can, participate in the red envelope day! Thanks for listening to my spill :) What is your opinion? Tell me what you think!
