It was in this moment that she looked up, saw the Pro-Life Wisconsin logo on my jacket and began sharing her story so freely. “Wow! I really love your jacket!” I thanked her for the compliment, and she continued without pause. “Isn’t it crazy what is going on in some of these states with their laws saying that you can kill a baby at the very moment they’re born and even after if the mom wants it? I just don’t understand why anyone would do that when you could just as easily put that baby up for adoption and give it life. You see, my sister and I were both adopted as babies and some of my cousins were too. “

After losing her job of 20 years, she had no idea what was next, but she prayed and trusted, hoping that something would fall into place. One day the phone rang, and the conversation that came next would go on to change the course of her life.

For so long, I thought my voice in the pro-life movement couldn’t make an impact–that trying to speak out wouldn’t be worth it because I would always be silenced, even when surrounded by mostly like minded people. One simple conversation paved the way for me to rediscover the strength of my voice. One simple conversation helped me realize that I can defend my beliefs, and just because I do it differently than the average person in the pro-life movement doesn’t mean it’s any less powerful.

 “I always knew I was a ‘surprise’ baby - unplanned but welcomed into the family. What I didn't realize was that after my older brother was born, my mom had a tubal ligation surgery that wouldn't allow her to have children anymore. But somehow that surgery didn't ‘work’ and I was miraculously conceived!”

It is important to understand that abortion on demand in America, throughout all nine months of pregnancy and for any reason, has been the law of the land since 1973. Doe v. Bolton, the companion case to Roe v. Wade, is the key that unlocked this horrible legal reality.

“We’ve been told we should be able to take motherhood on our own terms - to take motherhood whenever you choose. That you’ll say when, how, on what condition. We have been lied to for years! We know that abortion affects women’s mental health and physical well-being. Telling women at the most vulnerable part of their lives, when they’re pregnant, that its the end of the world is such a lie.”

From that day forward.  Summer.  Fall.  Winter.  Spring.  I was there.  Walking, standing, praying and talking young moms and dad’s out of having an abortion.  One day, someone asked me how much time I put in.  I couldn’t answer their question exactly, but my response was, “A lot.”  I went home that night and did the math.  Over those five years, I logged over 5,000 hours as a sidewalk counselor, had witnessed over 500 babies saved from abortion personally and 620 total over those five years. 

“Being the leader of a student organization that sometimes faces adversity can be scary at times. However, I’ve really grown in my beliefs by holding this position. I consider my position as Marquette for Life’s President a core part of my identity and do not hide it.”

In my own pride, I’ve been tempted to think “I know my faith and already live it out in many ways.  I don’t need the MOC conference.  It’s for those guys who are doing the bare minimum or don’t really know their faith.”  After my first conference, I realized how totally wrong I was.  Here’s a list of the top 5 ways I’ve noticed that MOC makes us better pro-life advocates:

For years, the culture of death has sold lie after lie to women and so many of us have bought into the sale. While I could outline each and every point of deception and a way to combat each one, it all really boils down to two  truths and a lie.