Here's a Quote or Four

The smartest thing "abortion rights" advocates ever did was to coin the phrase "pro-choice." That shifted our attention towards the act of choosing and away from what was being chosen-the dismemberment of a human being in utero. Chuck Colson

To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of an idea which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.
Thomas Jefferson

If you ask a woman to choose life, you better be there to help her. Eleanor Ruder

But is choice truly choice when a lack of knowledge and access gives one no choice?
The Raving Theist formerly known as The Raving Atheist

Plans

There is a lot going on!!

January-Speaking at my church for Sanctity of Life Sunday, January 18th. I will be sharing my abortion testimony.
I will be traveling to Wash. D.C. for The March for Life. Will be staying with my Operation Outcry ladies from across the nation.

Board meeting for local pregnancy care center.

February-Possibly going to Wisconsin Right to Life Conference.

April-1st National Operation Outcry Conference
Fundraising for River Falls Pregnancy Helpline

May-Guest speaker at Latte. The women's ministry at my church.

In addition to all of that I continue to seek others to help spread the word about Operation Outcry. I am making as many contacts as I can.

My Girl

Dearest Aubrey,
You should be here. You should be 18 years old. Driving, working, studying, babysitting your siblings. Laughing with me. Loving me. I picture you with long, brown hair like your sisters and big, blue eyes. On September 5th, 1990 you died. I was distraught even as you grew. I was distraught before the vacuum suctioned your body from mine. I was distraught after. Regret hardly conveys the depth of my emotion. A grief and a sorrow that consumes me at times. I can hardly bear it because I did not fight for your life. Fight to protect you. Fight for your right to live and grow and be. I did not place your life before my desperate thoughts of self-preservation. I was deceived into thinking you were a clump of cells, tissue, you were nothing, you were not even a baby.
I know what I have done. I carry it. I own it. I live with it. I would give anything to go back there though, and tell them all to go to hell, walk out that abortion mill door and embrace your life.
The grief I feel is hardly as big as the love, Aubrey. The love I have for you knows no bounds. The joy I have in knowing that I will see you one day. The hope I feel in telling others about you.
You are my daughter and I will honor your short life in every way that I can, as long as I live.

I love you, Aubrey,
Mommy

Beyond the Dark Valley

A new television program will begin airing thanks to The Justice Foundation. Read more here.

My To Do List

I have been approached to be on the Board of Directors for the River Falls Pregnancy Helpline. They are looking to me to be a voice for women who need abortion recovery. I will gladly step into this new role and look forward to the experience!

I am meeting with my pastor tomorrow to discuss what we could do for Sanctity of Life Sunday, January 18th. I would love to give my testimony of abortion regret to my congregation, which I consider my family. I am praying we can come up with something that speaks to the women that attend that have been hurt by abortion but have not found their voice yet.

Wisconsin City Leaders!!
Eau Claire- Paul Snyder
Milwaukee- Robin Becker
West Bend- Laura Denk
Madison-possible
Green Bay-possible

Recruit

I recently asked a man from Eau Claire, WI if he would be interested in being the city team leader for Operation Outcry. He has a story of abortion regret to share and I am so thankful that he agreed to be the city leader!! My goal is to recruit city leaders across WI in some of the major cities. Madison, Milwaukee, GreenBay, Lacrosse etc. I also need to do the same for MN. I pray that God raises up His people, in His perfect timing.

Abortion Testimony

You can watch my abortion story of regret.

The Gig

Madison was awesome! The student prolife group was very excited to have us come and speak. We met their crew and the four ladies from Operation Outcry spent time in prayer. We spoke for around 30 people and I was glad to see quite a few young men!! Abortion stories of regret were shared and then I spoke about Operation Outcry and the declarations we are collecting from others hurt by abortion. I also gave them information on where to find hope, help and healing in Madison. I took some questions. Interesting. I guess someone was there from the campus paper and someone else from Planned Parenthood. :)
We all talked for quite awhile afterward and I enjoyed the joy and hope in their eyes. God raise up our young people for our good and Your glory!!

UW-Madison

I leave tomorrow for Madison, WI. Operation Outcry WI was invited to speak by the prolife student group at the U. I am excited to go and share my story of abortion regret. Please pray for safe travel, protection and that hearts will be touched.

Praise!

A couple of months ago I received a call from someone concerned about a young girl who found out she was pregnant. She was being pressured to abort her baby. I am happy to report she carried that child and just gave birth not too long ago!!

One Million Voices

The goal of Operation Outcry is one million declarations and women and men into abortion recovery to find hope and healing. I am going to the Barlow Girl concert tonight. Their song Million Voices is our theme song as we gather thousands of declarations to be used in prolife legislation across the US.

Race for the Cure

In case you are doing a Race for the Cure in the near future please be informed that the Susan Komen Foundation gives to Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider. There is an increased risk of breast cancer due to abortion. Why would the Komen Foundation give to an organization that would contribute to breast cancer at the same time trying to find a cure for breast cancer?

Happenings

I met with the Director of the Pregnancy Helpline in River Falls, WI. We had a wonderful talk and I told her about the BellaHero project and handed her a stack of the movie Bella to get her started. We talked about Operation Outcry and how I can help her with abortion recovery at the Helpline. The Stillwater Pregnancy Center is next on my list.

I ordered some resources for those that need them and cross my path. Forgiven and Set Free bible study, I'll Hold You in Heaven, Tilly, Forbidden Grief and some others.

I will be speaking in November at UW-Madison along with others from Operation Outcry. I am very excited about this!!

I have also been very busy as a moderator on Jill Stanek's blog ProLife Pulse. She is the nurse that held a baby until he died due to an induced labor abortion. Jill testified in Illinois for the Born Alive Infants Protection Act. The act was to offer care to infants that survived abortions instead of shelving them to die in soiled utility rooms. The only senator to vote against it 4 times was Barack Obama.

Palin

This article from Lifenews tells about Operation Outcry and our response to Sarah Palin as VP candidate.

I Need Your Help

The APA issued a biased report that ignores abortion risks in women.
Please go the the Family Research Council website and take action NOW.

Olympic Boycott

I haven't watched the Olympics and will not be doing so. For China's horrific human rights abuses and forced abortions on women who are 9 months pregnant with their 2nd child, I am boycotting.

Read more here.

Holy Cow!

This Wisconsin adventure was called The Holy Cow Project. Tracy from Operation Outcry came up from Texas and several other brave women came from other states to be filmed for the show Faces of Abortion. I was there to offer support and encouragement as the WI State Team Leader. I also got to sit in a chair by the camera so my ladies told their stories to me and not the camera. Oh, and I got to do that cool countdown thing! 5,4,3,2, out loud and 1 silently and point!! I have always wanted to do that!They told their abortion stories for the In Her Own Words segment of the show. There was a lot of praying, crying and laughing. These stories are hard to bear in the stark reality of abortion but there is always rejoicing to see what God has done in the lives of His daughters! The cameraman started to sob at one point because he was so moved. We surrounded him to pray and offer hugs. The segments turned out AWESOME and we blew off steam at a restaurant. 5 hours in the car with 80''s tune and The Best of Sade and I am home!!

See Ya

I leave today for West Bend, WI. I am helping with the filming of Faces of Abortion and to meet more amazing women who regret their abortions. I am praying they will want to be a part of the WI team for Operation Outcry. :)

Obama and Infanticide

A very good article about how Obama voted in the Illinois Senate on infants born alive after failed abortions.

Another Friend

I am thanking God for this news! I met Eileen Smith in Texas while filming Faces of Abortion. She told me the story of her beautiful daughter, Laura.

World Net Daily

This is my friend Kay Painter. She is the Idaho State Team Leader for Operation Outcry.

Breaking News

Just received this!!

Operation Outcry Testimony Influences Second Court to Protect Women from Abortionists

San Antonio, TX - July 2, 2008 -

The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit on June 27th upheld South Dakota's statute requiring abortionists to tell a woman that "the abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being," defined as a member of the human species (Homo sapiens).

The most basic question many women ask before an abortion is "Is it a baby?" One would assume that abortionists and courts would be able to answer this question. However, Planned Parenthood does not want to tell women abortion kills a human being. They consistently do not tell women that abortion is being performed on a human being, a member of the species Homo sapiens, a living organism.

The women of Operation Outcry and other women are extremely pleased that the Courts are now listening to real women who have been hurt by abortion and beginning to protect women from abortionists, rather than listening only to Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion seller. The women of Operation Outcry are also extremely pleased that the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals cited the portion of the Supreme Court's recent Gonzales v. Carhart decision in which the testimony of post-abortive women of Operation Outcry was cited to show that "some women come to regret their choice to abort the infant life they once created and sustained. Severe depression and loss of esteem can follow."

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals cited this Supreme Court passage on page 16 of its opinion.

This citation of post-abortive women's pain by this second major court demonstrates again that the voices of the women of Operation Outcry are beginning to have a deep and long lasting impact on the courts of the United States.

While the Supreme Court and the Eighth Circuit have now recognized that abortion hurts some women, the Supreme Court also said "we find no reliable data to measure the phenomenon." That is why Operation Outcry needs more declarations (legally admissible evidence) to take back to the Supreme Court. Women can go to www.operationoutcry.org and complete the Declaration form online (confidentially) or download it and mail it in. We need One Million Voices to take back to the Supreme Court to show them the size of the problem.

Lisa Dudley, Director of Outreach for Operation Outcry, and one who has suffered from abortion herself, said: "I am thrilled that the courts have taken an important step towards protecting women's lives. Women like me, who have had abortions, need to complete the Declaration to give more evidence to courts who are dealing with abortion. It is time to stop the pain."

Home

The show. Let's talk about the show. I was thrilled to have someone do my makeup. Very fun. Very cool. I was the first interview of this 5th season of Faces of Abortion. It went really well, I thought. It is meant to be a conversation with the host and I, as we talk about my abortion experience. 9 minutes later I heard one of the cameramen say, "We're out!" I was done. I cannot talk about my babies(Aubrey who was aborted, Jamie and Lee lost through miscarriage)without crying. The grieving process continues. I was relieved to be finished and I got to sit back and watch all of the other interviews and see how a tv show is made. Amazing. I must say that I found all of the abortion experiences so hard to bear. I cried through much of the first day. And much of the second day of taping. All of the glory goes to God for His forgiveness and grace, but I have never felt so emotionally drained. I met so many amazing people. I love them all. Each and every single one. When you meet others who share an abortion experience and have found forgiveness in Jesus it is like coming home. We laughed as much as we cried. Of course some of the laughter had to do with my being from Wisconsin and the whole cheese head, Packer thing and an alleged accent. Whatev. :)

I am so grateful for this amazing opportunity to share my story.

Men

I am happy to report that all 3 times that I have gone to Texas for OO stuff, I have sat next to a Christian man. A divine appointment, if you will. This trip was no exception. They all asked me what I was doing in Texas and I told them about the show. Each one listened to my story, told me how amazed they were and asked for my card. One asked if he could pray for me. Abortion is not easy to talk about, especially when responses can be negative but I truly felt heard by total strangers! Well, they are not strangers anymore.

Thank you Jeff, Tim, Bob and James. You have affirmed the path that God has before me and I will continue to do all I can to get the word out that abortion hurts women.

Faces of Abortion

I leave this Wednesday for Texas. I am flying to Texas to be a guest on the show Faces of Abortion and will be telling my abortion story. If you have Dish it is on SkyAngel. I will let you know when it will be aired. I am getting nervous! For now, pray that my cold goes away, I don't forget to pack deoderant and that I make my flights. Oh, and that my dear husband and my four cherubs do a splendid job taking care of each other.

Photo Op

I went to Dallas in April for an Operation Outcry conference and these are some pictures. The first one is Carla and Norma McCorvey, the Roe of Roe V Wade. The second one is Carla and Eduardo Verestuegi, the lead actor in the movie Bella. Good times.

Thank You!

Thank you to those that continue to send donations to me. I am completely overwhelmed by the outpouring!! You are helping me share my abortion story with many. I couldn't do it without you! Oh, and it's all your fault that I stand by my PO Box and cry....

Obama

Let me be very clear on this. Obama is not prolife!! He may sound like it. He may say that abortion is a "morally wrenching" decision between a woman, her doctor and her pastor.(and if you don't have a doctor or a pastor??!!)He is proabortion. He has a 0% prolife voting record in the Illinois Senate. He voted against the Born Alive Infants Protection Act. Babies that survive abortion are not entitled to medical care. So he thinks. One only has to google his voting record.

Here is an article all about BAIPA-
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121261107480446197.html

Now that he is the Democratic presidential nominee, we have our work cut out for us.

Rally

I stood with 5 other women last night at the rally for Obama. We were right in the thick of it with our signs that said I Regret My Abortion. I am still amazed that I did that! It was exciting and horrifying at the same time. I was proud to stand for the unborn, stand for life and stand with my sisters. I was horrified at some of the reactions of people. One mom came up with her two daughters and started in. Yelling, swearing, pointing her finger in our faces. She said, "My daughter just had an abortion and it's the best thing she has ever done!" The daughter who had not had an abortion started yelling about separation of church and state and what were we thinking standing with those signs??!! Also, this daughter went on and on about just who is going to adopt all of these unwanted babies?! My thoughts...mom might have had an abortion and justifies her own through her daughter's abortion. Others were just as openly hostile. One woman yelled at me from her car that women who are raped don't have a choice. I tried to explain but when one is so irrational how can you?? Some walked by and said Freedom of Choice, Keep Your Laws off My Body, I Don't Regret Mine, Keep it Safe and Legal. A man walked by and asked, "Did you kill your baby?" I told him yes. He laughed right in my face. I noticed they did not stop to chat but yelled as they went by. I watched as many people read my sign, looked into my eyes and quickly looked away. There were people that did not know why we were there. They did not have a clue that Obama is proabortion.

Better things were said. We received many God Bless Yous and Keep It Up and I Am So Glad You Are Here!! Warmed my heart. Others actually came and spoke respectfully about why they were proabortion. Imagine that. Getting your point across without screaming and swearing. Huh.

I was interviewed by the Star Tribune and tons of people took our pictures. For what I am not sure. I am wondering if I should be worried about that. :)

I am earnestly in prayer today for those whose hearts are hardened and whose experiences with abortion come out with such hatred and anger. I witnessed much pain on the faces of others. I am honored to pray for their healing.

I am grateful to those that went with me!! Love you!!

Stand

Obama is coming to St. Paul tonight and some girls and I will be there. We will be standing with our, I Regret My Abortion signs as a silent witness for the unborn.

Mod

I have been asked to be a moderator on Jill Stanek's site Pro Life Pulse. I have been shooting my mouth off, I mean, commenting thoughtfully and respectfully for about 7 months. Jill was the nurse who discovered babies being aborted alive and left to die on shelves of a soiled utility room. She now blogs for life and her site averages into the millions of visits a month from all over the world.

Just a note-Jill's blog sometimes has pictures of aborted babies and stories that describe abortion procedures. Not for the faint of heart but also not what you would find in the mainstream media either. The truth is- Abortions Kills.

Operation Outcry in Florida

My friends from Operation Outcry!! Go girls!!

May Update Letter

Thank you so very much for your generosity to me as I began fundraising!! Your gifts have been such a blessing and this letter is to let you know what God is doing through your giving. The goal of $3,500 was achieved – in fact, as of May 24^st, you have given a total of $3,645! May God bless you!

Public Testimony at Silent No More - I spoke at the Minnesota State Capital in St. Paul in January with Silent No More. I gave my testimony and stood with others who regret their abortions. It was wonderful to meet so many people who share my pain and walk the path of healing that I am on. There are more opportunities to speak with Silent No More in the future.

Letters to the Editor - In January I sent editorials to newspapers in Hudson, Eau Claire, Stillwater, New Richmond and River Falls telling about Operation Outcry and the goal of one million declarations (testimony) of how abortion hurts women and men. I received 3 very supportive phone calls and a letter telling me to keep it up!

Helping to get MN and ND on board - I volunteered to be the contact person for the state of MN and ND for Operation Outcry. They do not have a state team leader at this point so when a declaration comes into Operation Outcry from MN of ND, I make contact with this person, thanking them for submitting their story and asking if they have received any form of post abortion counseling. I offer resources for them, if they have not. They are placed on our national contact list to receive updates from Operation Outcry.

Healing Retreat - I attended a Rachel's Vineyard Retreat in February, 2008. I went with a friend and we shared our stories of abortion with others that attended. It was an amazing weekend full of laughter and tears and scripture. We walked through many verses together, prayed and sought healing throughout the weekend. The last day of the retreat culminated in a memorial service. We were to write letters to our babies lost through abortion and miscarriage and were given dolls to symbolize our little ones. I stood with friends and read the letters to Aubrey (lost through abortion) Jamie and Lee (miscarriage) and placed the dolls in a basket. Tough stuff but it moved me more than words can say. I continue to think on that weekend as God brought another layer of healing to my soul and equipped me in another way to care for other women.

National Conference and Television Show Taping - I attended Operation Outcry's Dallas Conference in April. I met Norma McCorvey (the Roe of Roe V Wade) and Sandra Cano (the Doe of Doe V Bolton). Their two cases paved the way for unlimited abortion in our country through all 9 months of pregnancy for any reason. They are both Christians now and long to see their cases overturned. I also met Eduardo Verastegui the lead actor in the prolife movie Bella. He spoke at a banquet of the babies that have been saved through the movie Bella. Three hundred of us marched through the streets of Dallas to the Dallas Supreme Court House where the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act was upheld. We celebrated and rallied at a park nearby. I also taped my abortion story for the television show Faces of Abortion. It airs on SkyAngel in Dish Network and Direct TV. I met so many wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ and made many connections to the State Team Leaders in other states.

Pregnancy Helpline - When I got back from Dallas, I met with someone from the River Falls Pregnancy Helpline. I asked if I could be a contact person for those women desiring post abortion healing and recovery and also I would like to serve as a liaison between Faith Community Church and the Pregnancy Helpline. The director is also available to speak with me, should I desire that. The connection has been made and I am overjoyed to be able to help others in the St. Croix County.

Plans and Prayers for the near future

· Continue to write editorials to newspapers in order to keep spreading the word about the declarations. Green Bay, Madison and Milwaukee are at the top of the list.

· Start a resource library. There are many excellent resources available for women who regret their abortions. I want to have them on hand when the need arises.

· Offer a healing bible study through Faith Community Church of Hudson in sometime in September.

· Facilitate a local Rachel's Vineyard Retreat. My next step is to go through training.

· Speak at UW Madison in the fall. I have an invitation from a student group.

· I accepted an invitation to do the live show of Faces of Abortion in Texas in June.

· I have a dream to attend the March for Life in Wash. D.C in January, 2009.

· Continue to develop relationships with River Falls Pregnancy Center and churches in St. Croix Valley. I would like to meet with all local area pastors in order share my story, hopes, and dreams.

· Ultimately I would love to open a maternity home right here in Hudson,WI. God has layed that on my heart recently and I am earnestly praying about it.

The donations and prayers continue to come in. You have given me a tremendous opportunity and through your giving many lives are being impacted for the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for heeding God's voice. God Bless You!!

Initial fund raising

In January 2008 I sent out the following fund raising letter

Dear Family and Friends,

God is moving and opening doors for me to finally share my abortion experience to help others.

Recently I became the Wisconsin State Team Leader for Operation Outcry - a project of The Justice Foundation. Operation Outcry seeks to end legal abortion by exposing the truth about its devastating impact on women and families.

Through Operation Outcry we are making our voices heard! Abortion kills the unborn. Abortion hurts women, men and it destroys families. One of the main goals of Operation Outcry is the gathering of declarations (stories) from women and men hurt by abortion. These declarations have already been to the Supreme Court where the pain and remorse of abortion has been documented and are now part of Supreme Court doctrine. They also have been used in courts in South Dakota to support the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act and many other states ask for these documents in their pro-life legislation.

I am thankful that after 17 years, I can be free of the guilt and shame abortion causes. I will always live with the regret that I did not allow my baby to live. I pray that others will want to join me as I partner with Operation Outcry in this fight to someday overturn Roe V. Wade and help women find hope and healing from their abortions through Jesus Christ.

There are many opportunities for me to help others who are hurting and to spread the news about the declarations.

My Local Vision (What I pray God will allow to happen locally in 2008): · Lead the formation of an on-going Forgiven and Set Free Abortion Healing Bible Study group at Faith Community Church Hudson, WI. · Meet with women one-on-one, providing soul care, helping them work through post-abortion issues. · Partner with Crisis Pregnancy Centers in River Falls and Stillwater – serve as liaison to local churches and residents of St. Croix County.

State and National Participation (Events I would like to attend for trainings and networking): · Rachel's Vineyard Ministries’ weekend retreat in February (West Bend, WI). · WI Right to Life Conference in March (Wisconsin Dells). · Operation Outcry National Conference in April (Dallas) - marks one year of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act. · ProLife Wisconsin banquet (2009).

Because of Jesus’ great healing work in my life I sense a deep calling to serve and minister to other women – I believe in 2008 I am to focus my energies on the activities listed above. I cannot do this alone, so please join me with your prayers. I am praying specifically that I will have boldness in sharing my testimony, that God’s spirit will work through me, and I will raise funds as needed. To pursue the activities listed above, I estimate I need to raise a total of $3,500. I am asking you to be a part of my local vision and the national pro-life causes by investing in my life and in the lives of the people I speak with. Any amount you give will be greatly appreciated.

If you would like to be a partner in what the Lord is doing, there are several options for how you can give described on the enclosed donations flyer. I am confident the Lord will bless you mightily for your giving and your prayers!

If you have any questions or comments, you can call me at 715-760-2564 or carlastream@gmail.com. Thank you so much for your consideration. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated!

His for LIFE!

Carla Stream
Operation Outcry Wisconsin State Team Leader
www.operationoutcry.org