Friday, September 26, 2008

Getting Somewhere...

So, my writing is beginning to get somewhere. I mean, it's a small somewhere, but I have a feeling that God can use it to make a big impact for His glory.

My last story (for ICL) I wrote was called "Ada's Story," a story focused on pro-life, and though my professor wasn't as sure it would really make any headway in the wide-world of publishing, I took the chance and sent it to several different people, who might be able to use it for their ministry. I sent it off to Regular Baptist Press, The Baptist Bulletin, Baptists for Life, Steve Deace and the Alpha Women's Center in Des Moines. The Alpha Women's Center has already expressed definite interest in using it.


I have been intrigued by the pro-life ministry since I was saved at the age of 16. I started my journey by doing a persuasive speech my Junior year. Now, I am hoping to impact this generation for life and for Jesus with the writing skills God has given me.


Depending on the interest it generates, I may even get it copyrighted, which surprisingly only costs $35. But, for now, enjoy and reflect. God is good. Life is good.


"I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well." Psalm 139:14




Ada’s Story
By Sarah Engle

May 21

Today is my first day of life. I am sure I am going to be a girl. My eyes will be a calming green, and my hair – a full array of blondes and browns. Someday I will grow it long and put in up in braids and weave it around my head. Only nine months to go, and I will meet my family and show them all how I am wonderfully made! I especially can’t wait to meet my mother – to see how much I may look like her.

June 11

I know I am small now. But I have such potential. I may be a speck of life in a big world, but I am life nonetheless. I can feel the little flutter, flutter of my heart as it begins to beat!

July 9

Ooo! Aah! Oh, the shapes I can make with my mouth as it develops! Soon, I will be able to tell my mother that I love her. And my arms! They are forming into such beautiful arms!
I am growing so fast and today my mother and father discovered that I am coming! They must be planning a big to-do for my arrival. It will be my first birthday ever!

Aleine walked down the rigid and dimly-lit hallway of the clinic – Christian by her side. He reached for her hand, but she pulled it away and crossed her arms over her stomach. Doctors and nurses walked briskly by them, eyes focused on charts and patients. Aleine and Christian’s pace slowed as they reached the elevator. Christian said that it had been a long day. He hoped Aleine would get some rest tonight.

July 14

Wow! I can move! What a wonderful feeling! I doubt my mother can feel me moving around yet. I’m still just tiny- only 1/8” long, but many of my organs are developing so well! I have a feeling I am going to be a strong and healthy child. I will be able to play tag with my siblings and give my father great big bear hugs! Oh, we will have so much fun!

Christian and Aleine were standing on the bridge by the lake where they first met. He tried telling her that it didn’t matter that she was only 16. People weren’t going to be as hard on her as she might think. Christian’s words only seemed to make Aleine more upset. Frustrated, she flung up her hands and walked back toward the car. Tears filled her eyes. She glanced back in the direction of Christian, only to find him sitting on the bench that lined the bridge, head in his hands. She told him to stop crying; she would think more about it. She told him that she would tell her parents that night, and maybe they would help her to know what to do.

August 13

Hmmm. I never knew how much I’d like to stick this little part of my hand in my mouth. It’s comforting. I can feel my body become stronger, and I have ribs now to protect my heart and lungs. So I think it’s safe to move around a little more. I want my mother to feel me and be able to know that I am O.K. Once she can feel me, maybe she will show father how I move and move and move. I’m sure he will be able to see my feet stretch and make little bulges in Mother’s tummy. Oh, how funny that will be! But, that won’t be for quite some time. So, I will have to keep on growing!

Aleine sat on the edge of the couch, her mother‘s arms wrapped around her. She said that Aleine would learn from this mistake; she just knew her daughter would be a better girl from now on. With angry eyes, her father paced. His hands were balled up into fists. Aleine asked if he was going to hurt Christian. He said he wouldn’t; he was thinking of a solution that would be best for everyone. But, Aleine cried anyway. Very hard. Her father paced and paced and paced.

September 5

Oh, my eyes! They are becoming more sensitive to the light now. I can tell when mother turns off the light to go to bed and when we step outside in the morning.

Now I can frown and smile and be as expressive as I feel. I also get the hiccups a lot and I think Mother can tell because she puts her hands on her belly to calm me down. But, it never works. She ends up getting the hiccups, too!

Christian followed Aleine into the clinic. He told her he had given up. She could do whatever she wanted with her body. It was hers to do with as she pleased. But Aleine became more enraged at his words. She told him she didn’t need a guilt-trip and that her mind was already made up.

September 19

I can hear now. My favorite thing to listen to is my mother’s heartbeat. It is so strong. I will grow up to be like her someday. Strong and loving. I know she loves me, because I am kept safe inside of her.

She is talking to me, I think. And I hear a lower voice – my father’s. I bet they are trying to think of the perfect name for me. I hope they call me Ada. It has such a pretty sound to it.

Aleine was alone today. Christian had refused to come to the appointment. She flipped through magazines in the waiting room. A woman with black hair and a quick pace stepped out of the office. Aleine asked her if the procedure would be painful. The woman told her it would feel like getting a tooth pulled and that would be it. Aleine asked if the baby would feel it, too. The woman assured her that, at this point, it was just blob of tissue.

I hear other voices that are not my mother’s or father’s. I can hear my mother’s heartbeat getting faster. I have never heard this thump, thump, thumping before. I hope that she is safe. Ouch! I feel a twinge of searing pain on my body and in my mouth. It is hot and burning and I feel as if I can’t breathe. My lungs are burning. My fragile skin is disappearing, and my body is becoming limp. Mother! Please, please help me! I want to see you! I want you to hold me and protect me!

Mother, I want to know…what…it’s like…to be…alive.

4 comments:

Steph said...

Sarah,

You don't know me, but Tara Davis (my sister-in-law) sent me this link and I had to take a moment to tell you how powerful your message is here. It broke my heart in ways that I cannot express. This issue has weighed heavily on my heart for my entire adult life, but never more so than the day I held my newborn son.

It is far too easy to feel helpless against such a widely accepted atrocity. To be so overwhelmed by the grief...the tragedy...of it all, that hope becomes faint and unrecognizable.

But you have demonstrated something here. Your powerful words have shown me that EVERYONE can do something to fight for these precious babies. I know with all of my heart that this story will someday be read by a desperate and scared young woman...and it will save a life.

That gives me hope, Sarah. More than you'll ever know.

Please continue to send this message out to all who will listen. One organization that I recommend is FFL, www.FeministsForLife.org. It's not a religious group, but they are making great strides in the fight against abortion and I believe they would be interested in your story.

And please continue to follow God's calling in your life, Sarah...for if we are the body of Christ, than you are surely the heart.

I know that the Lord has wonderful things planned for you and your family.

Much love,

Steph Chandler

Sarah said...

Steph,

Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. Thank you also for the link to FFL. I just sent Ada's Story in to them.

Your words were so kind and moving that I have a hard time knowing exactly how to respond, except with overwhelming gratefulness! Thank you one hundred times over.

Life is Good...but, more so is the God Who grants it so graciously!

In His Love,
Sarah

Sarah said...

P.S.
It was nice to meet you! :)

Anonymous said...

Sarah,

This was so touching, but of course, what else would I expect? You have so much talent. Keep up your wonderful work. I know that God has great plans for you.

Love, Mom

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