Washinton, D.C...Saving Babies One Step at a Time

At the end of January I went to Washinton, D.C. for the Pro-Life march. I didn't go through Rockhurst, though I'm very involved in Hawks for Life and we did send a group of students; of course, I went with the teens. I served as a chaperone for the youth group.

It was my first time, I'd never been able to go to the March in high school, though I had always wanted to be there. Pro-Life issues are so important to me and my faith, and it made me very sad never to have been there to show that in this wonderful way. And it's not just about abortion, as so many think. Though that is one of the most heated, well-known, and pressing Pro-Life issue, it is not the only one. I went on the March, well, because I love the teens, but also because I wanted to march against abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, unjust war, and any other issue that places life in the hands of man, that takes life before its natural end.

It was a wonderful and exhausting experience (18 hour bus rides aren't quite conducive to sleep). But I do so love Washington and the teens. And may I just
take a moment to say how much I love Lincoln and how the below words can bring tears to my eyes...


Love and prayers

N'awlins

The group outside of St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter

Who Dat?!

At the end of Christmas break I went on one of the Rockhurst service immersion trips to New Orleans. Who would have thought I could fall so in love with a place in just one short week? I've always felt drawn to it for some reason and I've known for quite some time that I want to spend a year working down there after school, but I didn't think it would be so difficult to leave after just seven days. It took a long time for me to feel at home again at Rockhurst, like I wasn't where I belonged anymore.

New Orleans is such an incredilbe city with a character and spirit that you can't encounter anywhere else, food that's beyond this world, and hospitality that you can only find in the South. While we were there we did landscaping at the homes of the elderly and sick who can't leave their homes, we did some organizing, cleaning, and painting around the Catholic Chariities Operation Helping Hands building, we got rid of vines and overgrown plants that were actually growing into the house, and we gutted a bathroom so it could be made handicap accesible (by far the most fun). Our group had so much fun working together and with the long-term volunteers. It was so incredible to hear people's stories, and everyone was willing to tell you everything about their lives. Ms. Kathey, the cook at OHH was one of the most incredible and warm women I think I've ever met. It was also so powerful touring the city, especially the Ninth Ward. It was absolutely heart breaking, but at the same time it gives one so much hope. You see all the destruction and hardship that's still there, but then you see brand new houses being built and people who just won't give up. And to see how people have made any building, tent, etc. they can find into a makeshift church so they can still give praise to God through all of the bad times and loss. It was beautiful to be a part of and to witness. Then of course there was the French Quarter. Need I say more?

On one of the levees





Tearing that bathroom apart


Love and prayers
Sarah

Hello Again

Let me re-introduce myself. My name is Sarah. I know it's been awhile but now I'm back. These past few months have been unbelievably crazy. I feel like I've hardly even sat down. I'll take the next few posts just to get you caught up, and in case you don't remember this is me...

Anyway, we're back at school now and the spring semester is well underway. I'm taking 18 hours right now. It's a heavy load with a new book to read a week for each class. So, yeah, lots of reading, but I think it'll be worth it. They're all good classes and I'm enjoying them thoroughly. I'm trying to get my mind back into my extra-curricular like Hawks for Life and APO right now. So we'll just see how things go. Anyway, I'll write again soon about all I've been up to.

Love and prayers
Sarah