The LORD marches out like a warrior; He stirs up His rage like a man of war; He makes His anger heard; He shouts aloud; he declares His mastery over His enemies: Isaiah 42:13 Our culture soft pedals the fierce, warrior love of God. Ummm- hello- to be a good God- He has to defeat […]
Tuesday mornings, Bethany and I take our books to McDonald s for breakfast and some off campus home schooling 😉 “Mom,” Bethany whispered after we got our order, “what’s wrong with that man? Why is he so little?” I realized with a start, that although I want people to be knowledgeable about down syndrome, that […]
 My Top 5 platitudes and phrases NOT to say to a parent who has a child with special needs Is she high functioning?  Ex-cuuuuuse me?! How can there even be any kind of measurable answer to that? As compared to what? or whom? or when? Would it make you feel better if I […]
I John 4:17 The Message God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day…..There is no […]
“Above all else- [Tweet “Put on #love- which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Col. 3:14”] Â I don’t know if you’ve had a chance to read an article that’s going viral- at least in the special needs universe. I’m still shocked that it happened in our “tolerance” driven world. Written by Chuck Colson’s daughter, […]
 The entrance of special needs, disabilities, or chronic challenges can suck the dreams right out of our lives. Maybe, even ignite a nightmare or two.   There are dreamers who dream unrealistic dreams— And then there are realists who close their eyes to all dreaming—  but I believe we need to ask our Great […]
“It makes me really mad when people don’t treat everyone with respect.” Spencer Manning, 8th grade, advocate, hero, friend 3  For the past 8 years, our family has been uber blessed providing after school and summer care to Spencer and Amy. They have become our Framily. (see post on Friends + Family = Framily) […]
Children with “Special Needs”, most important “need”, is to be introduced to and grow in the knowledge of God as their Heavenly Father! *just like everyone else 🙂 Don’t believe the lie that someone who is limited or challenged in the area of intellect- cannot experience God. We are all born limited in […]
“Mom! I can’t find my Bible Verse in your phone Bible, Mom!” I looked at my screen and double checked. “What’s the Bible verse again, Bethie?” “Ephesians 2:8,9Â – It is by grace that you have been saved, through faith. It is a gift of God, not by works, so that no one […]
Brandon Heath sings a poignant song, Give Me Your Eyes. The chorus is this: Give me your eyes for just one second Give me your eyes so I can see Everything that I keep missing Give me your love for humanity Give me your arms for the broken-hearted Ones that are far beyond my reach. […]
Hustling into the bedroom, determined to “hurry” Bethany along so we could get to school on time, I stopped abruptly. Bethie was sitting in the middle of the floor, still in her pajamas, sporting a blonde wig. “Beth- you need to get dressed for school.” “This is what I’m wearing today mom. I decided.” “Well, […]
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) […]
We just remembered to change our air conditioning filter yesterday- ewwwww- ick! All that gunk would have gone in our lungs- if not for the filter! From filtering water to the new devices that filter obscenities from your TV shows- Filters are more than just wonderful- they’re necessary. After walking Bethany in, I was leaving […]
I can only think of 2 reasons why we would ascent to undergoing prenatal testing. 1) the ability to prepare yourself and do what you can to intervene or medically aid your child! 2) the ability to eliminate the child by abortion to prevent “suffering” – of the child- of the parents- of society… So there […]