Social Justice - Daddy's Letter to the Editor

"The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats it's most vulnerable members" - Mahatma Gandhi 

In 2012, a young girl in Seattle was saved from an injustice that claims the lives of thousands of women every year. Her mother was homeless, drug-addicted, African-American, and could barely care for herself let alone her daughter. 

The girl had no idea who her father was. In fact, she didn't have the mental capacity to comprehend much about her life. 

Underdeveloped vocal chords made it impossible to speak in her own defense; and because she was unable to walk, it was impossible to escape those who wanted to harm her. She is arguably society's "most vulnerable member." 

But at least she was in Seattle, where the many defenders of social justice would come to the aid of a vulnerable woman like her, right?  Wrong. Unfortunately, she had the one deficiency that placed her outside the protection of social justice activists: She was unborn. 

It didn't matter that her natural eye-hair-skin colors, height, sex and adorable laugh were decided the moment she was conceived. Nor that all her vital organs, including her brain, had been functioning perfectly for many months. It didn't matter that scientific fact had declared her both human and alive at conception. 

Because she had not made the trip down the birth canal, nearly all of society had condemned her as unwanted, unloved and sentenced to death. All but one, that is.  Her mother: homeless, drug-addicted, African-America hero of my daughter's story. 

Her self-sacrifice on behalf of one of society's most-vulnerable women speaks volumes. 

Her message to all of us is summed up in a single word, the word she spoke when doctors asked her the name of her baby: "Marvelous." My adopted daughter is truly marvelous.

Hardly a day goes by where she has not brought joy, smiles and laughter to complete strangers; and been fought over by a crowd of siblings!  She is one-of-a-kind, wanted and irreplaceable, just like the 60 million who have died by the tragedy called "choice." 

Like the tens of thousands of other families, we waited years for the chance to give Marvelous a home, and would gladly have done so for other abortion survivors. 

Standing outside Planned Parenthood the past 40 days, we saw and heard many things. but no one was willing to defend what we were standing against: abortion. If you consider yourself pro-choice but not pro-abortion, please recognize that pro-choice equals pro-abortion.  The choice you are defending is the choice to kill an innocent baby like Marvelous. 

This is the most deadly social injustice in America; and the multi-billion-dollar abortion industry will do anything to hide this fact with deceptive slogans and personal attacks.

If you've been on the wrong side of this issue, if you've been victimized by "pro-choice" deception, we want to help. We'll help you find truth, hope and healing, no matter what

Please contact us through: 40 Days for Life - Centralia

Ted Bowes 

Mossyrock, WA 

The day Marvelous legally became Brielle Jubilee Bowes!

Waiting for our turn at the courthouse on adoption day! :-) 

Brielle LOVES Valerie's Lab puppies! 

(Photo credits: Bonnie's Custom Photography, Robyn and Valerie Bowes, Lydia Tevis, Evan Smythe) 

Below is a discussion that took place online after the letter was printed in the paper and posted online. 

SMH Apr 27, 2017 2:38pm

My husband and I are happy that you and your adopted daughter found each other. One of the primary points of your letter is that the mother made the right choice to give birth and put the child up for adoption. That is what many pro-choice people like my husband and myself want for every woman -- the right to make the best choice for her, given her specific situation. We believe a variety of birth control measures should be widely available and affordable for women and men. Additionally, young people should be educated about birth control, family planning, etc. Statistics show that the abortion rate in the US has been declining for decades, and we believe it would decline even more if our above suggestions were fully implemented. There may still be times, however, when an abortion is the preferred choice of the woman (for a variety of reasons) and we believe she should have that choice. It is her body, after all.

Mom in Mossyrock Apr 28, 2017 10:30am

Dear SMH - The title the editor used for the letter might give the impression that a mother’s choice is most important. But the letter makes the case that some choices are just wrong. I do think the birth mother made the right choice; but not if right means “the best choice for her, given her specific situation”. Wouldn’t you agree that on that basis “right” would have been to abort (kill) the baby? Her choice was right because killing an innocent and defenseless human being, just because their life is inconvenient, is always wrong. All of us experience inconvenience to accommodate of the lives of others at times. Who would argue that our convenience is more important than someone else’s life? You close your comment by saying, “It is her body, after all”. In the first editorial on this subject, the question was asked, “When did you get your body?” How would you answer that? Based on the science of embryology, the baby (and you!) received the gift of her body when she was conceived. So when does a baby’s right to live outweigh a mother’s right to “make the best choice for her”? Let’s keep talking . . . 

SMH Apr 28, 2017 4:41pm

Thanks for your response. I disagree with your statement that the right choice for the mother was to have an abortion. The right choice for her was to give birth and have the baby adopted. There is always going to be a debate about whose rights are paramount -- the fetus's or the mother's. How would you feel about a case where the mother will die if she does not terminate her pregnancy? You address that question in your last sentence. Our laws set limits on when an abortion may be performed (when the mother's rights outweigh the fetus's and vice versa). And not every abortion is performed just because the pregnancy will be inconvenient. What about if a fetus, at around 14 weeks, is found to have anencephaly? This is a condition where the skull, scalp, and brain have not properly formed in the womb. Some or most of the brain is missing and the condition is always fatal, with babies living only hours or days after birth (assuming they are not stillborn first). Should a woman be forced to carry this baby to term? As I said, I would wish abortion to be rare but available and safe. And I believe a woman should have control over her own body. Thanks for the good discussion!

Mom in Mossyrock May 1, 2017 7:59pm

Thank you so much for continuing the discussion SMH and for sharing your thoughts and questions. As far as the right choice . . . in the case of my daughter what society would tell her mother to be the right choice would have been to abort because of her situation and the list of difficulties stacked-up against her. Is it ever right to give another human being the higher right to take the life of an innocent child? As far as the question of the mother's rights being paramount to the child's in the case of a difficult pregnancy - those cases are extremely rare and in most cases the medical professionals encourage the mother to abort, not because she is in any danger, but in order to safeguard themselves from law suits. There is a very good video that explains this and many other hard cases on the blog here: http://lclifeline.blogspot.com/p/videos.html It's the first video on the page. I personally have carried two pregnancies to term that medical professionals encouraged me to abort; a set of quadruplets and my last child. Over 900,000 abortions take place in the US every year and according to the Guttmacher Institute 74% of women had an abortion because of inconvenience. https://www.guttmacher.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/journals/3711005.pdf . . . and why would they think twice in doing so? If it's legal, it must not be wrong, right? There's the link and scroll to page 4 for the graph of reasons women give for abortion. I agree Anencephaly is an extremely difficult case and I'm sure painfully emotional for the parents to wrestle with. I personally have not had an Anencephaly baby so I can only imagine how hard it would be. But I do have 2 close friends who have carried Anancephaly babies and neither of them regret carrying them until it was their time to pass away. Despite the emotional difficulty, they still loved their baby as long as they could and because they did not abort they are not experiencing and having to deal with the added guilt of taking their baby's life before it was time. I agree with you that women should have control over their own body. But, the teeny body of their baby developing within the womb is not a part of the mother's body . . . it is a distinct, living human being with a completely different genetic code, in many cases different blood type, and 50% of the time with a different gender. Again, when did you get your body? When did every woman get her body . . . and when would you say it becomes wrong for someone else to take a very young woman's life? Baby girls are completely dependent on another adult(s) for a long time after they are born. Thank you for this continued discussion!

SMH May 2, 2017 8:04pm

Thanks for your comments. I disagree with your statement that a fetus is not a part of a woman's body. The fetus is attached to the woman's body and is completely dependent upon her. That certainly sounds as if it is a part of her body. Your friends who carried anencephalic babies made the best choice for them, and that is great. Not all women would want to make the same choice, however, and I want them to have that option. It appears we have reached the end of our conversation as we seem to be going in circles now. For me, it all comes down to a woman having control over her body and making decisions that are best for her. And as I have said, I want abortion to be rare but available and safe. I also want birth control readily available and affordable and I want young people properly educated. I hope you support these efforts. Thanks for the discussion! 

SMH May 3, 2017 6:08am

After I posted my comment last night, I thought of another point I would like to make. Abortions are not a modern procedure. They have been around since ancient times. After just a quick bit of research, I found that women have been obtaining abortions (or performing them upon themselves) as far back as 400 BC. And as we know from modern times, many women were seriously injured or died as a result of unsafe abortions. Do we as a society really want to return to those dark days? Therefore, I return to my main point that we should make birth control widely available and affordable and educate young people so that abortion will be rare, but available and safe. Thanks!

Mom in Mossyrock May 11, 2017 12:31pm

Hello again SMH! Sorry for the delayed response and hope you see this! I'll keep this short as I do agree that we're covering some of the same ground . . . but I guess I'd still like to know your answer to my question "When did you get your body?" You've never responded to that, but keep talking about how important it is to respect a woman's right over her own body. The big question in abortion is not whether we should respect such a right, but when it should be granted. When does a baby "woman" receive the right to prevent someone else from ending her life prematurely? Should it be withheld until she is able to ask for it, or comprehend what it is? If so, you must agree with the man I spoke with in the conference room where "Pro-Choice" signs were being made in early April. He finally admitted that if it's morally OK to kill a baby before birth, it must be morally OK to kill a fully dependent infant after birth. At least he was thinking with logical consistency and willing to be honest . . . but are you willing to accept this logical conclusion of your "pro-Choice" position. Or will you agree with modern scientific fact that you received a unique human body at conception, and though you lacked the capacity to ask for or defend your right to keep others from killing you, you still deserved the right to live. Again, if you were not granted the right to live by your mother at that stage, what other rights would ever have mattered. The only reason any of us are able to discuss this matter today is that our right to life was protected while we were growing inside our mother's womb. How can you not see the wrong in denying that same protection to those growing inside their mother's now. Are they not the "most vulnerable" that Ghandi spoke about? And shouldn't we protect their right to life as the fundamental right of any human being? If you'll answer those questions for me, I'll gladly answer the "unsafe abortions" and "affordable birth control" questions . . . but none of that matters if you won't agree that the right to life is fundamental and should always be protected.

Response to Teen Vogue From a Pro-Life Teen

You may have heard about the article in the magazine Teen Vogue, seeking to "normalize" and "trivialize" abortion to young teen girls. The name of the article -What to get your friend Post- Abortion. It then lists 10 things to bring your friend after her abortion from a comedy show, to a F U-terus Pin, to an "angry uterus heating pad" and more. It even encourages young girls to become escorts for abortion clinics to make it "less scary" for the next teen girl. I haven't read the article and frankly I don't even want to. How horrible that this kind of material is being fed to vulnerable young teen girls. And how insensitive it is to the terrible trauma and pain abortion causes women. Behind this article is the abortion giant Planned Parenthood whose billion dollar corporation will do anything to normalize abortion and encourage young girls to have them. 

Autumn, a brave young 16 yr old girl from Students for Life responded to Teen Vogue in a YouTube video now gone viral. I encourage you to watch it and hear the truth she so eloquently exposes. 

We must de-fund the abortion giant Planned Parenthood and send that million-dollars-a-day of tax payer funding to expand access to affordable healthcare through non-abortion Federally Qualified Community Healthcare Clinics.  

If you haven't signed the petition to defund Planned Parenthood please do! 

Sign the Petition

The inspiring story of an AMAZING Mommy!

With Mother's Day approaching I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for Mommy and everything she is and does for the Lord and for her family! She has meant so much to me, my family and all who know her! Love you SOOOOOOOOOO much Mommy!


My goodness, where to start?  In order to even scratch the surface of who Momma is; her amazing heart for the Lord, her joy, her love, her servant's heart, her Godliness, her tenderness, her energy and devotion to mommy-hood, her beautiful and amazing character, her love for children and especially for orphans, her beautiful smile, her encouraging words and advice, her caring warm hugs when I need them the most, her sense of humor and mischievous pranks she so enjoys pulling on her innocent (halo headed) victims, her adorable laughter, her creativity,  her love for sunshine and flowers and fall and pumpkins and chocolate and coffee and family and babies and being a Grandma. . . I'd need to write a book! 

Thankfully, she already wrote one!  Yep, that's right! One of the biggest blessings of my life is not only to have all of who she is in my life, but also to have it written down in a beautiful, God-honoring keepsake book called BIG and small ways. . . a memoir of all the miraculous ways God has provided for her and Daddy through the years. In that book, she humbly writes of all the challenges and joys of life through marriage, being a missionary in Hungary, going through infertility for 6 years, and then miraculously being blessed with my amazing big sis Lydia.


Then she tells of her pregnancy with us quadruplets and the incredible sacrifices she gave, the providence of God, and the support of the body of Christ as she carried us to 32 weeks and gave birth via-C section.  The challenges she went through to carry Kyle, Valerie and Victoria and I always makes me tear up in awe of what a mother will do for her children. Mommy's love is incredible, and she is the closest example to me of what it looks like to lay down your life for the lives of others!

Then the daunting task of feeding and changing diapers on 5 babies (Lydia was 16 months old when we were born!!!). And raising us up to love and fear God, honor our parents and cultivate friendships with our siblings. Teaching and homeschooling us was no simple task, but she did it with such energy, joy and fun! She poured all she had into teaching us the essentials in school growing up, and I'm so thankful she taught us how to write and communicate well!  I remember those years growing up in Flagstaff, AZ and experiencing life with Mommy in the blue house with the tall pine trees to climb and plenty of lizards, bugs, spiders and tarantulas to catch; all of which she would allow us to keep in the house! (And sometimes that would escape!) And the hot chocolate, and sugar cookies in the winter as she bundled 5 little ones up to play in the snow and make igloos and eat chicken-noodle-soup and snow ice-cream!

What an amazingly joyful and beautiful childhood I had because of my amazing Mommy!

Then Timmy came along the year we moved to WA! Love him so much, and my goodness he is growing into an awesome young man. And THEN the miraculous pregnancy and birth of Joseph and ALL the BIG and small miracles God performed on October 26th, 2006, his birthday, when both mom and Joe were not expected to survive. All these little miracles are written in that book, so maybe in a later post I will share Joe's story!

Then the Lord began growing in her heart a love and desire for opening her heart and home to "the least of these." Little precious orphans in need of a forever family. Again her love continued to inspire me as she spent so many long nights finishing paperwork, going through training's and workshops, preparing the home study, waiting and praying and waiting some more for the precious children God had for us. Those were trying times as she looked so forward to opening her arms to needy children! And I might add, at first the thought of adoption was scary to me. But, as mom kindly and tenderly read to us scriptures of adoption, and showed us God's heart for orphans, and read us stories of families who had adopted. . . my selfish heart began to change. We went into adoption as a family, eagerly waiting for our new siblings! And because of this model of adoption she's given us, most of us kids have a desire to adopt children one day too!

Then Benjamin came to us as an infant! That was such a happy day for us all; but it was so neat to see Mommy SO giddy and joyful . . . even more than her usually cheerfulness and joy!  And I'm SOOOOOOOO incredibly thankful for her and Daddy's devotion to continue to pursue adoption. Benjamin is my best bud and special little friend. My goodness I CAN'T bear to imagine life without him. . . and he came to us because of God's providence for one, but also through Mommy's perseverance, dedication and prayer!

Our sweet baby girl Brielle, came to us in the winter of 2013! I remember the JOY that day when we went to pick her up from the foster home!  Us quad girls were old enough then that we thought we could each take a night a week to stay with Brielle and feed her during the night. . . well I got so exhausted and impatient I decided I better leave that job to someone much farther along in the sanctification process!!! :-)  It takes a special Mommy to care for an infant; and Mommy always did it with such joy, as if every minute with her babies were priceless. Her selflessness is so inspiring!

W. and G. were then brought to our doorstep one late, stormy night. We love them so dearly, but those first few months were the most challenging and stretching months of our lives. I know I, and the whole fam sometimes, struggled and became quite impatient and exhausted. . . up until Christmas. Then Mommy led the way as the Lord did a work in Her heart to show us how to love unconditionally and rely on His strength and grace that is sufficient. I remember the night when Momma and I were up super late and couldn't sleep. We cried together and shared our hearts, and it was so awe-inspiring and heart-melting as I watched God's power and love in her as she serves her family each day, despite the challenges. She CHOSE to love; even when it wasn't easy. She CHOSE to be cheerful, even when it was challenging. She is my hero. When I grow up I want to be just like her.

She's modeled to me what it looks like to be a Christ-like wife and mother. Her gentle and quiet spirit is so touching and refreshing. She's modeled what it looks like to rely on God's grace day by day, and seek His Kingdom first.  Her heart for orphans and needy children has modeled what pure and undefiled religion in the sight our God looks like. (James 1:27)  And although she's not perfect, her humility, genuineness and openness with the struggles and weaknesses she faces always inspires me as she grows and matures in her faith day by day.  If you ask me she's pretty close to perfect.  :-)

She's always been there for me during the stretching and challenging seasons in life. She's always pointed me back to Christ and is courageous and kind enough to point out areas in my life that need growth or just need a different perspective. Her guidance as I've grown up has been such a blessing! A hug from her is the best!! And her joy, smiles and laughter are so contagious and heartwarming!  Seriously, the best sound in the world is Momma's adorable laughter when she's especially tickled over something!   Love it!

How could I ever thank you Mommy for all that you are and all that you've done? And this is all just BARELY scratching the surface. I couldn't be more grateful and blessed by you!

Love you SO much Momma! Here's a heartfelt Happy Mother's Day to the best Mother in the world.

I should add; she's also now the BEST Grandma ever to the cutest baby girl ever!! :-)

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good all the days of her life. . . she gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family . . . she opens her arms to the poor and her hands to the needy. . . 

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, he praises her, "many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.". . . a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised!" 

(Prov. 31:10-30 some punctuation added.) 

A Thank-You Letter From a Courageous Friend

I received this letter from a dear, sweet friend and sister in the Lord at the end of 40 Days for Life. Her incredible courage to share her story inspires me so much. . . more than I could ever express.  

With her permission I'm sharing it with you all. Although it's written to me, please make it personal and read it as if it was written to you. Because it is, really.  Your prayers and sacrifice during 40 Days for Life are changing hearts and saving lives. I could never say thank you like my friend does in this letter.  I can tell you nothing has inspired me more to stand in the gap for vulnerable women and children than this, and I know it will do the same for you.   

~

Caroline, 

I'm writing this to you so you will know how much I admire what you have been doing with the 40 Days for Life.  What I am about to share is extremely personal and something that only God and my husband know about.  Please know that I have no objection to you sharing my story if you choose to; however, I know you will understand why  I ask that you do not disclose my name if you should decide to share my story. 

During high school I was engaged to someone and we had plans on getting married a couple of years after graduating, which was 1981.  During high school and after graduating, we had lots of friends that we would get together with and one night, in fall of 1981, a couple joined us for dinner.  Approximately 30 minutes after everyone left, the male friend of ours, who had just left after having dinner, was at my door knocking.  I opened the door, he was pushing his way in and I attempted to stop him but he forced his way in and raped me.  It was a couple of weeks later that I found out I was pregnant. I told my fiance' and we decided it would be best to terminate the pregnancy.  We went together to PP and they paid for and provided a referral to a small building (almost like a motel) in SeaTac where the procedure was performed.  To this day I remember the numb feeling I had from the cocktail of "relaxing" drugs that they gave me and the sounds of the "vacuum" as they removed the child from my womb.  I remember (although extremely foggy) going back home afterwards to take a nap and then that evening going to a babysitting job.  The parents of the child I was babysitting allowed my fiance' to stay because we told them I wasn't feeling all that great.  From that night on we never talked about what we did - it was like we went on with our lives as if nothing ever occurred. 

In 1985 there was a program on t.v. about abortions and I thought it would be good for me to watch and hopefully would bring healing/closure.  Let me tell you that was a horrible idea and only brought back all those memories to the forefront of my mind as if it had happened yesterday. 

I have never discussed this part of my life with anyone, even my closest friends do not know about it. Sometimes, I want to share my experience but how do you do that knowing there is a possibility of being shamed, hated, or rejected.  I only wish someone, like you, would have been around to talk some sense into this "then 18 yr old".  Do I get uncomfortable when the topic is brought up? Absolutely. Am I afraid for others to know that I did a horrific thing?  You bet.  Can I change what I have done? No way. I support what you are doing and encourage you to keep up the good work - don't stop getting the message out to others. You never know, you path may cross another person who is experiencing the same thing I did and it might change their mind - which is what I wish would have happened to me. 

God does have a plan for us all.  I know that I am forgiven and that is why God has blessed me with the ability to have children even after this took place.  I often wonder if the first pregnancy was a girl but know that I will never know; however, I am blessed to now have not only 5 grandsons but to also have 3 granddaughters from those blessings I was able to give birth to. 

Thank you, Caroline, for reading my story and knowing that I truly wish someone like you had crossed my path back when I was 18 - my story would have been different than it is today. 

~ 

How could I say thank you in a more meaningful way than this heartfelt letter from my friend?  

Doesn't your heart break to think of the millions of young women just like her (nearly 60 million) who have experienced the emotional, psychological and physical pain of abortion first hand - many sometimes more than once.  How many young ladies in a time of such fear, vulnerability and despair are led to believe abortion will make everything better? 

I couldn't say it any better than my friend - I encourage you to keep up the good work - don't stop getting the message out.  You never know, your path may cross another person who is experiencing the same thing she did and it might change her mind. 

~ 

I've been so thankful to discover many ministries that help post-abortive parents find healing and restoration after abortion. Not only are women harmed, but men also experience the same pain and trauma of losing their child. These places are safe-havens - many times led by women/men who have walked in those same shoes and know the intense pain, fear and shame firsthand. Healing and forgiveness is readily offered through our friend and savior Jesus Christ - who gave His life so we could be redeemed. Praise God He gave us His Son. He knows the anguish of losing a child; but He loved us- sinners -so much to willingly transfer the penalty of our sin to His Son so we could be forgiven. What amazing love, and what boundless freedom found in Christ alone!

Rachel's Vineyard Post-Abortion Healing 

Silent No More Awareness Campaign

Surrendering The Secret

IRMA Network (I Regret My Abortion)

Abortion Recovery

'This is how God's love was revealed among us; God sent His one and only Son into the world; so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 

(1 John 4:9-11 BSB emphasis added) 

Testimonial Video from the Symposium!

Here's the video!  Thanks to my mom for taking it. :-) 

I'm so thankful for my parents and their amazing sacrifice to give us Quads life. How could I ever thank them enough for being our defenders when the medical professionals suggested selective abortion? I can't imagine what life would be like without two of my siblings. . . but I'm so thankful I'm alive to imagine, and that my imagining is not a reality. SO grateful for how they sacrificed SO much during pregnancy and the months and years to follow of countless dirty diapers, baby-burping, demanding tummies and screaming babies. :-)  And most importantly, I'm so thankful they raised us up in the fear and love of and for the Lord! Love you both SO much, and I thank God for you! 

Thank you all so much for praying for me and my family on our trip to CA, too. We arrived home safely late last night. :-) 

Here's a passage that came to mind as I was writing this blog. May it encourage us all to keep our eyes on Christ and what He has done for us.  

"Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. . ." 

(Hebrews 12:2 BSB emphasis added) 

Amen! 

40 Days for Life Leaders Symposium!

The Symposium on Friday was so helpful and informational! Many leaders shared their tips and advice from what they have learned during their vigils/campaigns. And there were also SO many amazing and heartbreaking as well as inspiring and hilarious stories. What a blessing to be a part of! 

My speaking time went very well with only a few mistakes. :-) I felt nervous as usual at first, but the audience was so gracious and engaging it put me at ease pretty quick. God's grace is always sufficient, and I hope what I shared was encouraging to them all! Thank you so much for your prayers for peace! 

Hopefully I'll be able to post my speech on the blog once I can get it downloaded. :-)

A couple pictures! 

Julia (right) and her friend Annie, are so sweet and were such a blessing to meet! Julia is younger than me, but is so mature and is thinking of leading a campaign sometime in the future. She's very courageous! 

Adorable and bubbly Cynthia! :-) 

Catherine made me laugh as we shared our same fears of public speaking! :-) She's hilarious and so humble too!  

The front half of the symposium room full of around 60 leaders and their spouses! 

 After the Symposium ended we drove 5 hours to Monterrey Bay, CA and after a good night's rest spent the day today (Sat.) at the Monterrey Bay Aquarium! So much fun seeing some AMAZING animals and sea creatures! (Sorry for the picture quality; these are off my phone) 

Beautiful evening to end a wonderful trip! 

These last two are from my mom's blog!  For more pictures check out her blog here! Only One Day Like Today

We leave tomorrow morning to head back home! Thank you all again so much for your prayers! Love and miss you all, and may God bless and uphold each of you with his grace, love and strength as you love and serve Him.