The opening days of Iowa’s Legislative Session are surrounded with many events, including our elected leaders taking the oaths of office, the Governor’s Condition of the State Address, the formal Inaugural Ball, and more.

This year, The FAMiLY Leader was honored to be a part of it all and even added to the festivities by organizing a praise and prayer event at the Iowa Capitol to start this Legislative Session right by committing our state and our leaders to the Lord.

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The Iowa Supreme Court has agreed to “expedite” – in other words, hurry up – its hearing and ruling on a challenge to reinstate Iowa’s Heartbeat Law.

What does this mean for life and for saving babies in Iowa? The FAMiLY Leader’s podcast team breaks it down and explains why this is such good news …

The FAMiLY Leader lost a dear member of our extended family in 2021. Lucas Vander Plaats, third son of Bob and Darla Vander Plaats, met his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, cheek to cheek and face to face, where every tear and disability were wiped away, on November 22, 2021. He was 28 years old.

Lucas was born with a very rare brain disorder, Partial Pachygyria Lissencephaly, resulting in life-long physical and mental disabilities requiring 24-hour care. Yet Lucas’ life displayed the glory and mighty works of God …

Bob and Donna Red Wing were often quoted in the news media on opposite sides of contentious issues. Bob leads a Christian organization that advocates for public policy consistent with biblical values. Donna was a longtime LGBTQ activist and, in her own words, “a sometimes agitator.” They were natural “enemies” who became the most unlikely of friends.