Christ proved God’s passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly! Romans 5:8,9 Bethany and I just got home from driving practice. Some days are UH-mazing and others are like today. 🙁 Gotta take the good with the bad and the ugly. 😉 By […]
He led them with a cloud by day and with a light of fire all night. Psalm 78:4 How cool would that be- to have a visible Spiritual GPS system? Wouldn’t it be awesome to have no doubt about how to navigate through life with it’s many decisions? If I had visible confirmation if […]
“It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” ~Charles Dickens If that doesn’t describe the paradox of life- I don’t know what does. The rhythm of this life is bi-polar. The beat is booming and the tempo erratic. [Tweet “Don’t panic. I AM with you. I will #help you and […]
Conversation #217+ Bethany: “Mom, I need an I Phone. That way you can go to the grocery store and I’ll be ok to stay at home. I can call if I need you. Right? You see I need an I Phone? Right?” Bethany has many variations on this conversation 🙂 lol This time, something practical […]
Inclusion is not just the law. It’s an ideology I’m convinced to should spring from respect and be integral in every person’s set of core values. Inclusion should be a core belief in all persons, leading to respecting and including all into our communities, our places of worship, our educational systems and our lives. I […]
Dazzlers is the dance group Bethany has been privileged to be dancing in for the past seven years. A beautiful picture of inclusion, Dazzlers ends each session with joining hands in a large circle, praying and after the Amen- they spell- D-A-Z-Z-L-E-R-S. We might have missed the chance to be included. I expect inclusion […]
I am a Special Needs Parent- that makes me a Rope Walker. ~ Sometimes, just 1 THANG- (you know the word”thang”- it’s a gargantuan THING) breaks me down, open my floodgates and I begin to cry. I am a rope walker. When I look down I’m afraid of falling. How do I begin to explain […]
Having home schooled Bethany until last year- we were blissfully ignorant about constructing an IEP. Each public school child receiving special education & any related services must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Each IEP is an individualized document which creates an opportunity for teachers, parents, school administrators, related services personnel and students (when appropriate) […]
Always put your hope in God. Hosea 12:6 I hope I don’t get cancer……I hope my marriage gets better…….I hope I find love…….I hope I get a better job……I hope I ace this test………I hope I make lots of money…….I hope I don’t get Alzheimers…..I hope I don’t have a child with special needs. Some […]
When I submitted this poem to Faithwriters in 2010, it became the catalyst that gave me courage to write about my journey finding the Surprising Treasures hidden among the challenges and difficulties of life. Here’s the poem that started it all 🙂 ~ Through Almond Eyes ~ With childlike faith and simpleness Trusting and […]
When we went to Disney World a few years ago- one of the highlights of our trip was a big family luau- On the wall of the entrance was a big sign 3 O H A N A s Because of watching Lilo and Stitch (see- watching movies with children are educational 😉 ) I […]
Breathing a sigh of relief here today. Yesterday was Bethany’s annual EVALUATION. Six years ago, Bethany finally got off a waiting list and was approved for a MR/DD Waiver. ick- ick- ICK!!!! (was that enough emphasis to get my point across 🙂 ) I hate the label- Mentally Retarded/ Developmentally Disabled. I mean really, who […]
Recently, I was perusing a website entitled – “SAVING DOWN SYNDROME” It stirred two conflicting thoughts; It’s my juxtaposed reality- I love Bethany- down syndrome and all- but in truth, I’d love to see the damage from that extra chromosome disabled or its power diminished! It works overtime with oxidative stress on their bodies and […]
~ “You are the light of the world- -like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14 NLT Jesus tells us- “we”- as His children- are to be LIGHT in this dark world. He is the perfect light & He lights our spirit so we may shine for Him. It’s […]
Better get a box of kleenex out. In this honest, heart-wrenching video, Paisley’s Dad- Heath White, shares his shock, embarrassment and rejection when finding out their daughter was diagnosed with down syndrome. Follow his journey; the pain of “losing the dream of a perfect child” to the “awakening that true love comes in all sort […]