Our trip to Washington D.C.

Mike and I took a day trip over to Washington D.C. while we were visiting family in Pennsylvania.  We love to stroll through museums and tour historical landmarks whenever we can.  Since Abigail is easy to travel with right now, we decided to brave the cold wind and go on a family adventure! 

Despite the cold wind, it was a gorgeous day for exploring this amazing city!

My uncle Lee served in the Vietnam War and I thought so much about him as I walked through the park and saw the Vietnam Memorial.  

We also got a chance to see the reflecting pool, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial.  

We enjoyed every minute of this mini vacation and packed in a full day!  We saw the Civil War Museum at the Smithsonian as well as the Capitol Building.  Don't we scream tourist!?!  

Abigail's favorite was probably the Museum of Natural History.   I say it was her favorite because she slept through most of the other ones!  This little girl does love to watch people though, and I think she enjoyed seeing all the children playing and gasping at the sight of the amazing exhibits! 

Finally, what will forever be ingrained in my mind and on my heart are the haunting memories of the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.  I didn't take any pictures there, and yet I'm certain that I will never forget the horrifying details of the Holocaust.  I will never forget seeing the footage of innocent people tortured for the purpose of research; treated as if they were sub-human.  I can't get the picture of rooms filled with decaying shoes out of my mind.  I walked around for a solid hour thinking to myself, " how could this have ever happened?"  

I hope that one day people will be just as appalled at the idea that we as a society kill babies and convince each other through political agendas and propaganda that it's okay.  I hope that people are sickened at the thought of genocide and abortion one day and wonder how we ever let it happen.  

Proverbs 31:8 says to " speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves" and I feel more convicted than ever to speak up when I see injustice.  There was a quote mounted on the wall of the museum as you exit and it continues to challenge me and how I speak up for the least of these...

"First they came for the Jews"

First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.

~by Pastor Niemoller