One Right Decision.

Well the time has come again - walk time. I know this is the time of year that people are constantly getting hit up to support a whole bunch of great causes. Don’t think I’m not one of those people who’s getting hit up, because I totally understand. And honestly, I want to support pretty much all of them but I know that we’re all on budgets and we can only do so much. Whether or not the fight for the sanctity of life is something that makes your heart ache the way it does mine, I wanted to share with you a little about how much the walk means to me, personally. This is a chance to let you know me a little more intimately and share with you a bit about my family.

I do the Walk for Life as a tradition that I feel is my personal tribute to my Dad & his birth mother. My Dad was born to a 15-year-old unwed mother. By current US standards that would have made him the perfect ‘candidate’ for abortion. His birth Dad wanted no part and his mother was but a child herself. My Dad always describes her choice to give him a life with my wonderful grandparents as ‘selfless’. A true sacrifice of her own choosing that has given my Dad the chance at a full, incredible life. Wherever she is, I love her for that choice, and my walking year after year is with her in mind. What a brave woman she was, and what long-standing good her choice has made.

Here’s my Dad’s take on it, he always says things more eloquently than I:

‘I can't help but think of a 15-year-old, unwed, pregnant teen who made a courageous decision not to abort her child, but instead gave him a chance at life that over 50 million children since have not had. That child was me," he said....I am a husband, a father of three terrific daughters, and I'm an NFL football coach. I don't know of anyone whose life has been more blessed than mine," he says. "Coaching has given me the opportunity to influence many young lives throughout the years. And today, my own beautiful girls have and will continue to impact this world for good. What an impact one right decision can have’ – Clyde Christensen, www.lifenews.com

I could probably end this entry right there because that really brings home the heart of the matter. The fight for life has weighed heavy on the Christensen hearts over the years. Both of my parents have taken an incredible stance to value life and to bring a positive message about adoption. My Mom volunteers weekly at a Life Center in Indianapolis, and both of my parents have spoken many times over the past few years, including with former President Bush to encourage more people in their area and all over to fight for the lives of the unborn.

My sisters and I have had the love of life instilled in us from a young age. I think each in our own way we continue to carry that torch and take a strong stance ourselves for the sanctity of life. The Walk is just my way of contributing with more than just my verbal support but a chance to raise money for my local center and give more women the resources they need to choose life.

I hope for those of you who haven’t heard this story before this gave you a little insight into the Christensen crew. The Lord has certainly had a plan for my family from the beginning and I see daily how he’s blessed us. My hope and my prayer is that he’s blessed that sweet woman who made all of this a reality for us – who ultimately gave not only my Dad but my sisters and I a chance at life. My only regret at not knowing her is that we can’t thank her ourselves and that she can't see what she made possible. If you’re interested in helping me out with the walk, I’d certainly welcome that as well and you can check out my page here.

Love,

B