March 23, 2012

     R e l i g i o u s   F r e e d o m   USA     

     A m e r i c a   R a l l i e s !     

Number 1 - The calling and preparation

[Written by Tacoma, Washington Rally Captain, Julie Covell]

We are a day out from the rally and the excitement is building. Tomorrow, at Tollefson Plaza in Tacoma, concerned citizens will gather at noon to pray, sing hymns, and learn how to stop the HHS Mandate and protect our First Amendment Freedoms.

The Tacoma rally is just one of four here in Washington State and one of over 140 happening in cities nationwide.  Our speakers in Tacoma will include Rep. Jan Angel from the 26th District; Shahram Hadian, Pastor and Gubernatorial candidate; and Wayne Perryman. Jim Anderson from Sacred Heart radio will emcee the event.

I admit that the initial thought of taking this project on was overwhelming. When I first happened upon the national rally website I clicked on the Washington state map and to my surprise it was empty. I really wanted to attend a rally and thought if I gave it a day or two there would at least be a rally in Seattle    I could attend. I checked the map again in a couple of days and still nothing. That is when I heard God calling me to carry the torch on this effort. Naturally, I argued, but not for long; He always wins. Shortly after we got our feet under us in Tacoma, Seattle hopped on, and since then Walla Walla and Spokane too. 

Praise God.

I admit this has not been an easy journey for the Tacoma team. We've had plenty of doors shut in our face. I surrendered this effort to God from the beginning, though, and have often prayed to make sure I was still on the right track.  At one point we were on the verge of quitting; that's when I read the verse 

"If God is for us who can be against us." Ok God, I thought, I hear you. Another quote that has been very powerful is Mother Theresa's, "We are not called to be successful, just faithful." Clinging to those powerful words has carried our team through seemingly unsurmountable obstacles.

No matter what happens tomorrow I am blessed for having said yes to this rally. There's some lighthearted competition between rally captains and last night the Dallas rally posted that they were aiming to put on the largest rally; they then challenged Tacoma to bring it on. First of all, I thought, it is Texas, of course they're going big. Then I assured them that yes, we'll bring it on,  but that they should know we're going for more of a David and Goliath theme. Believe me, we've been the little guy from the beginning. 

Ultimately we aren't worried because 

we know that God will bring it on, 

and who isn't excited about that!

Julie Covell

Tacoma Rally Captain