<em>Is Anybody There?</em>: Things That Made Baby Jesus Smile In 2011

OK, I looked at some things that made Baby Jesus cry this last year. But there was also plenty that made him smile as well. Here are a just a few of those things:

1. Probably 1 of the biggest things was the widespread defunding of Planned Parenthood in many states as well as huge cuts in funding in others. The U.S. House of Representatives voted to federally de-fund Planned Parenthood as well but it got nowhere in the Senate. In September the U.S. House of Representatives launched a formal investigation into Planned Parenthood’s practices. These actions were the result of investigations by Live Action & Operation Rescue among others. 1 of the fruits of that defunding was the closing of many Planning Parenthood sites that put some huge crimps in the abortion pipeline. In fact, 1 leader of Planned Parenthood has called 2011 "one of the most discouraging years ever". & other leaders aren't very optimistic in their evaluation of 2011 either (Planned Parenthood Leaders Say 2011 Was Worst Year Ever)

2. As LifeNews story also pointed out: "The Guttmacher Institute reported for the first 6 months of 2011, states enacted a record number of pro-life laws, more than 80, more than triple the 23 enacted in 2010. States like Nebraska, Idaho, and Ohio are three who have already enacted fetal pain laws that protect preborn children from abortion after 20 weeks. Arizona and Virginia have enacted a law to regulate abortion facilities, forcing them to comply with the same set of medical standards that other types of medical facilities must follow. And others like South Carolina and Texas passed ultrasound laws that require abortionists to mothers the opportunity to see her preborn child. All of these laws will reduce abortions, and they enjoy broad support with more than 60% of Americans supporting these laws." No wonder PP calls 2011 discouraging.

3. Attempts to silence Pro-life Crisis Pregnancy Centers in the state of Maryland & the cities of Baltimore & New York got shot down by the courts for what they were, attacks on free speech. Meanwhile, all across the nation these centers continued to offer multitudes of women alternatives to abortion & saved countless lives as a result. These successes are what lead to abortion industry cronies to pass those laws there as well as start the process elsewhere.

4. The continued peaceful, prayful presence of Pro-life protestors outside Planned Parenthood sites & other abortion clinics that has lead to saving many more lives by their being able to share the truth with women as they entered.

5. The shut down in October of the Rockford Abortion Mill by the Illinois Department of Health of the dangerous conditions inside and its being a threat to public health. This has resulted in the saving of hundreds of lives in the Rockford area. (Note: a hearing is scheduled for 4 Jan 2012 on whether to allow it to reopen. Please pray that it will stay closed.)

6. The continued work of groups like Project Rachel, Silent No More & others to bring God's forgiveness & emotional healing to women & men scared by their participation in an abortion

7. More defections of Planned Parenthood workers to the Pro-life movement.

Not everything that made Baby Jesus smile is abortion related.

8. On the 1st Sunday in Advent, the new & definitely improved translation of the Novus Ordo Mass in English speaking countries took effect. The discomfort it caused to the dissidents who opposed it & attempted to sabatoge its implimentation over the past year & their failure had to bring a smile or 2 to His face as well.

9. Everytime Cardinal Burke openned his mouth to defend Catholic Church teaching.

10. EWTN celebrating 30 years of being on the air defending the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church & proclaiming the Gospel.

Finally, I can't end this post without mentioning 2 other things that I am absolutely certain made Baby jesus smile more than once over the past year.

11: I am refering to 2 blogs, Acts of the Apostasty written by the (in)famous LarryD (occasionally abetted by thesisterpatricia ) & The Curt Jester aka Jeff Miller. Using humor they defend the Catholic Church as well as occasionally taking a lighthearted look at living "la vita Cattolica".