Sarah!

As many of you know, Jonathan and I had the opportunity to attend a Sarah Palin rally last night in Jeffersonville, Indiana with two ladies from our church. We arrived early, so we were able to get right up to the runway - not really knowing if she would come in near us or not. I had made a sign saying, "I'm 'X-tra' special - just like Trig" hoping Sarah might see it. When we got in line, someone came down the line saying that we couldn't have signs or food in the building. I was so upset. I ended up just folding up the sign and putting it in the bottom of the stroller. Believe it or not, it made it through security. All the signs you see on the video were passed out after everyone got in the building. I guess it keeps people from putting ugly things on their signs that might be seen on tv. Funny, though, my sign was the only homemade one in the building, and that is the one she referred to!!!

Sarah's bus pulled right up to the runway, probably about 15 yards from where we were standing. When she got to us on the runway, she put her hand over her heart and grabbed her husband Todd's arm and said, "Todd, he looks just like Trig!" Then she blew our Jonathan a kiss. She went on up to the platform and began her speech. About 38 minutes in, she began talking about something that was dear to her heart - children with special needs. She stopped and said, "And I just have to say something about this sign." - gesturing to us. She then (which you can watch in the video link) began to speak of us and to Jonathan directly for a few minutes. It was INCREDIBLE!

That is not all, though. After the rally, two people from her staff came and found me and Jonathan and escorted us to a private place to meet Sarah and Todd. They placed us at the end of the line because they said she would want extra time with us. When we got to her, she immediately took Jonathan and loved on him the entire time we talked. She said, "He was the first person I saw. He just stands out." I had the opportunity to share with her and Todd that we love the Lord and that we knew - much like they did - that Jonathan had Down syndrome before he was born. I shared with them that we had to live out what we had talked about regarding the sanctity of life. I then told them that the "unknowns" of having a baby with special needs are so much more difficult than actually having one. She said, "That is exactly how we feel. That is what I want the world to know." They asked me about Jonathan and his heart surgery. She just couldn't believe how much he and Trig favor. Todd patted me on the arm and said, "Thank you for being such a great mom." I told them how much we as a family appreciated them and what they were doing for people like us. I asked her what WE could do for them. She said, "INTERCEDE FOR US." So... that is what I am asking you guys to do. Election is drawing near. Please pray.

I am including pictures and links to various places online that we have found stories about last night. I have Sarah's assistant's e-mail address so that we can stay in touch with pictures and things. What a privilege.

Just thought you guys would want to know.

LINKS:
www.wave3.com - go to video links and scroll through to the raw video of the rally; go to about 38 minutes in and watch

http://gretawire.foxnews.com/2008/10/29/latest-from-governor-palin-on-the-campaign-trail/ - I actually just submitted pictures to them from last night telling them "we are the people" she talked to

http://www.whas11.com/video/index.html?nvid=298117 - another video of the speech. she talks to us right at the end of this one - part one, and then you can click on part two to watch the rest