So, the other day while I was running, I feel like I had one of those things where you finally realize something that you’ve always known, but never really internalized.
I was just doing some meditations before my prayer while running, on the pro-life cause. Then, I thought about something an acquaintance once told me, about how “the pro-life/pro-choice debate is never going to be anything more than a talking point for politics and how nothing is going to change”. What I realized while running (internally, I’ve been aware of this fact for awhile) that there was a point in time when abortion was illegal. But, someone wanted abortion enough, that it was their “right” that they made it legal (although now she fights against abortion). Since then, there have been literally millions of people who dedicate their lives working against the pro-life cause.
Granted, biking for babies, has a very small place within the pro-life movement. I just hope that we can just do one small part to help out a couple of organizations who do the real dirty work and make the biggest difference fighting for our cause with some financial aid and bringing more attention to the work that they do.
All of what the pro-life movement does isn’t just about “proving” that the fetus within the mother is truly a human life, but that we all care enough about the babies and the mothers to give huge sacrifices because the cost is huge if what we seek to do continues to be lost on over a million children each year just in the U.S. Of course, everything would be worth it if just one life could be saved, but what could I really say to those children who don’t survive–that I didn’t care enough to fully respond to God’s call in protecting the dignity of their lives? I know that I won’t ever be able to respond as completely as I should. But, with events like this, it’s undoubtedly difficult to maintain focus on our mission. But, the answer isn’t to just ignore the physical aspect of the ride. What I hope people realize when they hear what me and my friends are giving up for spring break isn’t that we’re doing this for ourselves, but that there are a lof more people than just us who are willing to answer the call for life in the way we feel we were called. We’re all called to make the sacrifice in different ways.
So, that’s part of my resolution this Lent–to more actively defend life from the depths of my physical effort. Because, while more pain or more distance is not going to directly save any lives, I hope it does show someone that me and my friends are willing to show the pro-choice movement that “pro-life” is more than something we vote for to make us feel good, but something that we all live out as often as we can, in every way that we can, “to protect the dignity of life everywhere”.
Check out these photos of Rose, a Biking for Babies volunteer. She’s sporting the 2010 Biking for Babies t-shirts. Don’t miss out on your chance to get this good looking t-shirt. Get your shirt today! Scroll down to order.
T-Shirt Front
T-Shirt Back
+ To Order online click here.
+ To Order locally:
For UW students contact Jimmy at Jimmy@bikingforbabies.com
For UIUC students contact info@bikingforbabies.com
Less than a month!!
First, I’d like to recognize Nick Dobrinska and Jordan Maternowski for joining team UW. I’d also like to announce our pit-crew captain, Ms. Stephanie Dunbar. It’s a tremendous joy and blessing to share the enthusiasm with such phenomenal men and women.
Please continue to keep all the riders in your prayers! As you are all aware, winter training in Illinois and Wisconsin is not the most ideal; however, it’s God’s outpouring grace and mercy that allows us to sustain.
Please also pray for a greater unified front within the Pro-life movement. The devil thrives on disunity! That said, pray that we may overcome our differences and recognize that we are in this together to promote a greater respect for life and the dignity of the human person.
To respect life is not just a matter of killing the innocence. That’s where it starts! So, yes, this is our greatest feat to overcome; however, ask yourself: How can I better respect life and the dignity of the human person? It’s through our actions, and in the day-to-day, that we can work together to transform our culture, the Culture of Death. And, it doesn’t end there… As St. José Maria Escriva said, “action is worth nothing without prayer: prayer grows in value with sacrifice.”
I’d like to thank you for your contributions and challenge you to continue offering up prayers and sacrifices for a greater respect to life and the transformation of our culture!
Dudes and Dudettes,
I’m super excited!
So I have to be real with everyone, it has been very difficult for me to believe the fact that biking 600 miles in 5 days could actually benefit anyone, even myself. It has been hard to embrace any other reality in my efforts other than boredom and fatigue.
I often catch myself being very impatient and I realize I am prone to desire instant gratification. I generally do not enjoy participating in activities unless I see results very quickly. That is one reason why I am prone to injury. I want quick results so I jump from 1 hr to 4 hr training days. It works, but what comes quickly also leaves quickly, or breaks you.
So because of this weakness I frequently fail to fully experience the joy of giving. I’ve seen all the good that biking for babies has done in the past, so I believe it in my head. But its been awhile, and I have found it hard to believe it in my heart. Opposed to popular belief, I don’t like to suffer, especially when its purpose is not obvious to me. But it is true that sometimes we will never see the fruits of our labor and we need to trust in God’s grace and have patience. Once in a while God will let you taste some fruit. This is great!!! because then you know it tastes good so you keep growing more! I’m super excited now because this weekend God totally let me taste some awesome fruit. It’s deliciously SWEET!
This weekend I went home to speak to my parish, Christ the King, and asked my neighbors to support our efforts in promoting the culture of life. Their support and encouragement was amazing. Thank you Christ the King parishioners, you helped my efforts become real to me. You helped my heart feel the reality that my mind could not. The reality that what am I doing is not about biking. We are not just biking for babies, because honestly biking does not physically save babies.
This bike ride is a physical manifestation of the love for life we and our supporters hold in our hearts. Each mile we ride and each calorie we burn is really our burning desire for the freedom and right of every individual to LIVE, no matter how small. This ride is making the invisible, visible. But we are not just signing a petition that says “we love life”. We are not just vocalizing our beliefs, because we do not just believe in love and life, we hunger for it, we NEED it. We are willing to sacrifice our bodies, our time, our money for it. This is what I need to keep in my heart while I am riding. Mike, Jimmy, Jared and I are not riding, ALL of us are; every baby, every mother, every father every human that desires true freedom, love and life.
Thank you supporters. Your love for life is a comfort and encouragement to my impatient and restless soul. The honor of burning up 600 miles of road for your burning desire for life, has finally become a reality that brings me much joy.
Gotta live it, gotta love it,
Stacy
Hello from the North,
Up here in snowy Madison I write my first post after a very exciting B4B meeting this morning! My name is Jared, first year rider for B4B, Team Wisconsin edition. Training has been few and far between with a spinning class here and a stair machine workout there, but I’m thinking about a little 18 mile jog today to hit the ground running, literally, and not look back…for the babies right!?
Being new to the experience I want to start out by saying thank you! Thank
you already to Jimmy and Mike and John-Paul for their relentless work to bring the kingdom of heaven here as best they can. Thank you to all the supporters that make this event what it has been in only one year! Thank you for all the sacrifices that so many have made! God has blessed all of us so much and His passion within all of us has already amazed me with this event. When Jimmy asked me what I was doing for spring break a couple months ago I would have never imagined this would be the result, but I thank God so much that it is! We are going to be biking 1200 miles throughout Illinois to glorify God and His most beautiful creation…the human life. How beautiful and cool is that!? So when we are plugging along on our bikes, you’ll be there with us, fighting the good fight, in prayers and spirit united through Christ, we are one body, with several parts. Can’t wait to spread the excitement about B4B!
God Bless
Hello everyone!
for all of you that do not know me, my name is Stacy Hague and I will be riding with Mike this spring break. I had planned on riding last year but developed a stress fracture in my femur, so I just went along for the ride. It was a great experience. A little about myself, I am a junior and am currently working toward my degrees in nutrition and psychology. I’m on the cross country and track team but I also enjoy being on the triathlon club. I have been very active my whole life and I am extremely excited to finally get a chance to use my athletic ability to support a cause that I have always been very passionate about. My training is going great but there has been a minor set back. Over two weeks ago my doctor said he thought I have a stress fracture again in my femur from running. The MRI showed that I had caught it in time so I only need to take about another week off running. But I have still been biking and swimming. Being part of this cause is making me extremely cautious so no worries, I will make sure I’m ready for the babies!
Take care everyone and God Bless,
Stacy
I must admit, I’m very impressed w/ the time and effort Mike has invested in B4B. And, I’d also like to thank John Paul and Stephen for their work. Further North, we’re fighting very similar conditions, but trekking along and making due. It’s been an adjustment to the schedule, working to set aside the necessary time for training, but it’s worth it (for the babies!) If you were to ask me: “Where are you at right now in your training?” Well… I’d say: “the mentalityis getting there the physicality is a working progress…”
That said, as we continue preparing for this endeavor, I encourage you, above all else, to pray. Prayer is essential! In prayer, reflect on these questions…
- What can I do? It is important to recognize: the Liturgical season. It’s no coincide that our endeavor occurs during the season of Lent. Why is that? Well, Lent is a great time to draw closer to Christ’s passion. (fasting, prayer, and alms giving) And what do I mean by that, well… we can rest assured in knowing that God’s greater Glory will triumph over any and all evil. That said, as His faithful stewards (Soldiers for Christ) it is our duty to unite ourselves to His suffering and recognize His grace poured out in/through us. Keep in mind, “grace builds on nature.” – St. Thomas Aquinas. God will work with what we give Him. That said, if we truly believe that we can transform the “Culture of Death,” let’s start working to transform the culture. It starts here, it starts now. How? I’m sure you have heard this before, but it’s always important to refer back to… ”Some give by going, others go by giving.” We’re all in this together. Let us unite for His greater Glory through our prayers, efforts, encouragement and support!
- Why am I doing it? It’s always important to refer back to the intention. We’re doing this to raise awareness, promote hope and unity, and encourage our fellow brothers and sisters working directly in Satan’s line of fire.
- Is it worth? Absolute. It’s worth every penny and/or ounce of sweat. Use the gifts God has given you for His greater glory. If you want to see your light shine, turn it on. If you want to make a difference, take action. We are His instruments. Trust in His will, follow His way, prepare for the battle and know that the journey is difficult.
I’ll keep working on our (UW) end to prepare for this endeavor. I encourage you all, as well.
Mary – Queen of Victory (Pray for us!), Sister Mary Joseph (Pray for us!), St. Michael – the Archangel (Pray for us!), St. Sebastian (Pray for us!), All our guardian angels (Pray for us!)
Well, reporting here from cold, snowy, and windy Champaign–brrr! Champaign is sitting under about 7” of snow I guess between yesterday and this past weekend’s snowfalls. It’s been making for some tricky running, but believe me when I say that the cause has definitely motivated me to get out the door and run when I otherwise wouldn’t have. Today I was able to get in 11 or 12 miles–about 3 or 4 of which being through some thick snow and yesterday a bit over 8 was through about 7” of snow through U of I’s Arboretum cross country course. This past weekend, Stacy and I tried spreading the word about the cause and the ride here at St. John’s. The weekend after this it’s back home to Freeburg for the masses at St. Joe’s. Can’t think of a whole lot else about updates regarding the ride. 40 days for life starts next wednesday, so b4b will certainly be trying to send up as many prayers as we can for that. Try to check out Living Alternatives’ website, www.hopeforafuture.com, to take a look at the awesome things that they do there. Signing off.
Hello all,
Me and Stacy finished another hard week of training amidst snow and coldish temperatures. T-shirts will be out soon–stay tuned on those. You’ll be able to order those off of the website for about $5 in a couple of weeks. Just finished the design tonight. Put in around 36 miles or so running on the roads this week plus lifting yesterday and today as well as biking today and tomorrow.
Kind of anxious about the time that I’ve put in on the bike so far (or lack thereof) due to the snowy conditions. I was forced inside today for my two hour or so ride while watching “the dark knight”–nothing could have inspired me better…
Stacy and will be speaking at the masses at St. John’s here in Champaign this weekend to get the word out–pray that people’s hearts will be moved to help out our cause any way they can. I’ll be heading home in a couple of weeks for the same and Stacy will as well at some point in the coming weeks. Hard to believe that there’s just over 5 weeks left until the ride starts–I hope that Stacy and I are ready! It’s going to be difficult, but as likes to say Jimmy…”for the babies!”
If you want to help in the simplest way—join the facebook group and invite your friends! Spread the word about the cause!
Hello all! Hope that you all enjoy the new website layout for this year. Special thanks to John Paul and my friend Stephen for putting that together. It’s time to really batten down the hatches and get to work getting the word out again for B4B. Hard to believe that it’s only 7 weeks away (I think–or is it 6?). Anywho, really feeling the pressure now to wear out the kinks in the body at the ripe old age of 21. My training has consisted of running 7-10 miles 5 days a week, lifting one day a week, and riding for a 2 or 3 hours one day a week. Anxious about tackling nearly as far of a distance (almost 600 miles this year on my half) in only 5 days–but, we’ve got to offer up these little challenges, or “crosses” in our lives for what we believe in. Thanks again to all who gave their time, prayers, and financial assistance last year–we’re going to need more of that this year! We’ll be riding for Students for Life of Illinois again and Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center here in Champaign. So, once again, spread the word, pray for the unborn, good weather during the ride, and training free of physical injury and I think we’ll be in good shape come March 24 when team U of I starts in Cairo. Peace!
(Note: my first posting should obviously be “1/8/10″, not “1/8/09″. Man time flies way too fast!)
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