I abhor prejudice! I detest the unjust treatment of someone based on their gender, color, IQ, age, wealth or lack thereof. I believe God detests prejudice also. God is no respecter of persons. (Acts 10:34) He makes the rain fall on the just and the unjust. (Matthew 5:45) God’s Son was sent to save […]
Bethany, Christian family, discrimnate, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parents
s Usually, my joy meter is off the chart in the month of December! l mean, what is better than choosing gifts that will bless others, baking special goodies, writing & reading Christmas letters, reconnecting in small ways around the hope of the world and celebrating Jesus!? a [Tweet “Jesus isn’t found in a #perfect […]
Chris Tomlin, Christian family, Christmas, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parenting, Stable Influence
Nothing is “normal” or “typical” anymore. Our journey is uncharted and uncertain. But take comfort that our Father God walks with us- always. I believe 2014 is going to be an Epic Forward in our Journey toward our real home. While I believe God has hidden His joyful treasure to surprise us with His goodness, […]
compassion, faith, God's love, hope, journey, New Year, surprise
I’m excited to share this story with you- I asked our daughter, Sarah, to share, not because we wanted to have a “brag fest” about our children or grandchildren 😉 Rather, when we discover the joy of making God smile, life becomes infinitely sweeter. May you know the God of love and graces smiles upon […]
Allie, birthday, Christmas, Finley, gift, give, inspiration, World Vision
Hey Moms! Have you ever felt a bit like a “town crier”? You know- walking your “beat”, repeatedly ringing your hand bell and proclaiming- “Hear ye, Hear ye, listen up! Here’s the scoop- hey- are you really listening?! a If there was only a way to say it once and for all! 🙂 s If […]
Christian family, Christmas, downsyndrome, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parenting
Have you read or watched the movie, Skipping Christmas, by John Grisham? (the book was adapted to the movie- Christmas with the Kranks) Can you relate in any way, shape or form to Luther Krank? He wants to skip Christmas- just for one year. s No stress at the mall, spending money you don’t have, […]
Christian family, Christmas, God of Grace, Jesus, joyful journey, special needs parenting, xmas
[Tweet “Daily- we’re compelled to live in an #attitude of #gratitude. #ThanksGiving”] So whatever you’re doing for Thanksgiving- Just remember- thanks giving is a verb! May the Lord Bless You all and keep you – may our thanks giving be as a symphony of Praise! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; […]
Christian family, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parenting, Thanksgiving
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) […]
Bethany, disabilities, downs syndrome, education, home schooling, IEP, learning, limitations, perseverence, school, special needs, teachers, treasure
Mankind is our Business Life is a blessing- a gift from God. But when life gets overwhelming- it’s easy for me to wish, fixate, yearn for “the better Life ahead” you know, the one where all our troubles will be over, God will wipe away our tears & He will live with us and be […]
encouragement, eternity, fallen world, inspiration, life, life between the trees, living between the trees, perseverence, perspective, treasure, treasure hunter
How many of us think about this truth every day? [Tweet “Our story is written daily- don’t get bogged down in a chapter you don’t like-“] we’re not at the end of the story- Yet! Happily Ever After isn’t something Disney movies and fairy tale books made up. They got their idea from the great […]
Bible, Cohen, encouragement, end of the story, eternity, everything sad coming untrue, fallen world, God is the Author, God's love, Happily Ever After, heaven, Jesus, living between the trees, making all things new, overcoming, perspective, Sally Lloyd-Jones, story, transformation, treasure
When my heart is overwhelmed- lead me to the Rock that is higher than I! It wasn’t pretty, but it was loud and earnest; we began singing Psalm 61 and praying as I drove my husband, Jeff, to the Emergency Room Monday night. w My anxiety climbed as I watched Jeff struggle […]
anxiety, Christian family, God of Grace, heart attack, Jesus take the wheel, joyful journey, special needs parenting, stress
I love the story of the man methodically picking up and throwing starfish back in the ocean- one at a time. Someone ridiculed him and chided, “You’ll never be able to save all of them….why even bother- does it really make a difference?” He wisely replied, “It makes a difference to this one!” We can’t […]
adoption, Bethany, Cohen, family, home, living between the trees, orphan, Reece's Rainbow, Saige, treasure
Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you; you’ll sweep them right off your […]
Barclay, children, eternity, family, gift, heritage, living between the trees, overcoming, retreat, transformation, treasure
“Nana! Nana!” Finley and Amy came running back to the house from the church parking lot where they had been playing. Bethany was close behind with a guilty look on her face. “What Finley? What’s going on, Amy?” Wide-eyed and breathless, the girls told me Bethany had called 9-1-1 on her cell phone. I […]
911, Bethany, call, fallen world, help, life between the trees, living between the trees, overcoming, prayer, troublesome times
Who among us hasn’t said this or at least thought it? Not once, but many times! Perhaps, you, like me, have an acute sense of “fairness”. When I was a teenager, I would champion for the weak and get on my soapbox to preach fairness and equity 🙂 Life seemed it continually doled out “situations” […]
adoption, eternity, fair, fallen world, inspiration, John Simmons, living between the trees, perspective, To Sing Frogs