You wore the veil, you walked the aisle, you took my hand And we dove into a mystery. ~Casting Crowns from the song, Broken Together Weddings and babies are on my brain! Our daughter gets married in 2 days!! Our daughter-in-love is expecting their 2nd girl less than two weeks after that, our oldest daughter […]
celebrate, God's blessing, God's glory, love, marriage, mystery, one, overcome, treasure, treasure hunter, triumph
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 […]
disabilities, down syndrome, dreams, encouragement, inspiration, life, perspective, special needs, treasure
Good Morning Treasure Hunters! I want to share a relentless Joy Spreader with you today! Better than spreading peanut butter and infinitely better than spreading a cold, Marie is on a mission to spread JOY Daily. Meet my sweet friend Marie Wikle- founder of Joy Corporation and author of Spreading Joy Daily! I’d like to […]
encouragement, joy, Marie Wikle, ministry, overcome, perspective, serve, spread joy, Spreading Joy, treasure, treasure hunter
“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) […]
advocate, Bethany, down syndrome, friendship, hero, inclusion, kindness, school, special needs, Spencer, understanding
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 […]
Bethany, disabilities, downs syndrome, inclusion, overcoming, perseverence, perspective, respect, school, specialneeds
We won’t ever be a perfect mother. But when we live in God’s LOVE, we’re given SUPER POWERS! Love will flow from God’s heart through ours and SUPERcede our mistakes. [Tweet “[Tweet ” “Love is from God, for God is Love. When we live in Love, we are given Super Powers.”] Becoming a mother […]
celebrate, children, God's love, identity, mom, mother's day, perseverence, treasure
All of our children are in some kind of countdown mode! You know- that joyful anticipation of a future event that you eagerly look forward to and count down the days until it’s the appointed “TIME”. COUNTDOWN to CELEBRATE. “Mom! Only 48 days until I get married!” Moriah and Jonny- EXCITED “Nehemiah will be 1 […]
Adrienne, Amanda, anticipate, Bethany, celebrate, family, hope and future, Jesus, Jesus Coming Again, Jonny, Joshua, joy, Keith, Micah, Moriah, Nehemiah, Noah, rejoice, Sarah, Wedding
Cohen arrived this morning. “Hey Nana!” he shouted on his way to the refrigerator. He quickly announced. “Nana- I’m hungry for breakfast- real bad. I looked in your friderator and you’re out of milk for cereal!” (he had eaten first breakfast at home but was ready for second breakfast at Nana’s 🙂 ) Still enjoying […]
blessing, Cohen, empty, encouragement, grandchildren, perspective, wisdom
Definition – Beautiful Things #7387 [Tweet “To #behold #beauty is to understand the heart of #God. “] d Watching our grandson, Cohen (4), jumping on the trampoline and singing at the top of his lungs- “You Make beauuutiful tings out of de dust! You make beauuutiful tings, you make beauuuutiful tings out of us! […]
Cohen, eternity, fallen world, inspiration, life, living between the trees, transformation
[Tweet “The beginning point of #healing is recognizing you’re #sick. #wholeness”] Jesus said He had come not for the healthy but for the sick. I’m done pretending I’m O.K. My choices, my fallen state, and “Life”- these things work together to disable me; spiritually, mentally, &/or physically. What about you? Do you ever feel broken […]
disabilities, disabler, hope, Jesus, life- resurrection, love, Messiah, power, Redeemer, Restorer, salvation, Savior
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 […]
child of God, down syndrome, family, God our Father, God's love, grace, joy, knowledge, learn, parenting, special needs, spirtual growth
Bethany came home from Dazzlers with her yearly dance pictures. On the top of the photo sheet was her individual pose- on the bottom, the picture of the team- she is absent- missing- vamoose. Her daddy asked her, “Hey Beth, why aren’t you in the team picture? Where were you?” Immediately she covered her ears, […]
Bethany, children, disabilities, encouragement, humor, perseverence, perspective
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year- It’s not because of Hallmark Specials, gifts, feasting, or family get-together s (though that’s an added bonus 🙂 ) It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year because we pause …….. from the craziness of life to contemplate the wonder of His coming. I treasure this season […]
Advent, Christmas, Fear Not, Jesus, marvel, Savior
It’s bedtime again. The end of yet another day. I still tuck Bethany in at night, even though she’s 13, because that’s when we ramble about the adventures of her day and what excitement and responsibilities await her the next day. Then we pray- and dream. I lay in her bed, rubbing her back. Sometimes, […]
Christian family, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parents
“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 2:8,9 – It is by grace that you have been saved, through faith. It is a gift of God, not by works, so that no one […]
Bethany, child of God, childlikeness, compassion, disability, down syndrome, encouragement, Father God, inspiration, Jesus will meet you there, limitations, perspective, special needs, treasure hunter