Thank you Wayne, for sharing this insight as a parent who has been gifted to parent a child with special needs. I’m continually amazed by His love- Cindy A Letter to My Son- by Wayne Stauffer published 1994 – Exceptional Parenting Magazine Dear Timmy, It’s hard to think of all I’ve learned from you that […]
Timmy’s Testimony (part 2) Finding Surprising Treasure in Cerebral Palsy

Guest Timmy Stauffer- Part 2- I’m so blessed and honored to share Tim’s perspective with you. God has hidden treasure in the most surprising places. 🙂 Cerebral Palsy is not ALL of who I am, but it is part of who I am. I don’t think I’ve ever consciously questioned God about why I was […]
celebrate, cerebral palsy, encouragement, eternity, limitations, overcoming, perseverence, perspective, thankfulness, Timmy, Timmy Stauffer, treasureTimmy’s Testimony~ part 1~ Surprising Treasures Found in Cerebral Palsy

My guest today is Timmy Stauffer… the son of our good friend from high school, Wayne & Debbie Stauffer. I was drawn to learn more about Timmy when Wayne posted on FB, that his son had never wanted to pray for healing from Cerebral Palsy. He has always believed that God will use it for […]
cerebral palsy, disabilities, encouragement, eternity, inspiration, limitations, living between the trees, perspective, special needs, thankfulness, TimmyStorybook Life- God is the Good Author

Who doesn’t love a good story? My Dad is a walking “story” book of past days- go ahead, ask him anything and it will trigger a story- but be ready to sit down a spell to listen. 🙂 Cohen, Finley, & Bethany love me to read and “make up” stories where they are the adventurers […]
encouragement, eternity, fallen world, life, living between the trees, perseverence, stories, transformation, treasureHappily Ever After is Coming~

Our Happily Ever After is Coming! “Once Upon a Time” and “Happily Ever After”. The stuff all good stories begin with and end. Each one of our stories began with His intimate plans and details. Our life is a journey to discover His love and His purposeful redemption. *But Happily Ever After doesn’t come until […]
Happily Ever After, Jesus, Living Betweem the trees, Once Upon a Time, perseverence, perspective, prayer, Steven Curtis ChapmanThe Six Year Old Sage- or Finley’s Divine Discernment

We just got back from an incredible Barclay Clan retreat. We tried to “unplug”! We left behind TV and FB but still held fully charged cellphones, 1 I-Pad, 1 Kindle, and 3 I-pods, but perhaps the most interesting electronic aid was enjoyed by the children; a full-screen fireplace they viewed on the IPad while going […]
Christian family, down syndrome, Finely, God of Grace, joyful journey, retreatBlazing Glory- Autumn’s Secret Lesson

Cohen and I were running errands and completely enjoying the crisp, autumn makeover the Lord is bringing us! I pointed out a magnificent red maple that was almost completely decked in crimson. “Cohen, isn’t that tree beautiful?” Cohen answered seriously, “Well, Nana, it’s partway beautiful, but it’s also partway handsome.” Curiously, I […]
autumn, blazing glory, Christian family, Cohen, God of Grace, joyful living, special needs parentingNew National Awareness Day(s)

October is National Downs Syndrome Awareness month. Bloggers are being encouraged to post 31 days to bring awareness & celebrate people with DS are deserving of inclusion and equality. October is also National Clergy Appreciation month, Fire Safety month, Pregnancy Loss & Infant Loss awareness, Rett Syndrome month, Breast Cancer Awareness month, Domestic Violence awareness, National […]
Awesome God, celebrate, down syndrome, God's love, identity, love, special kids, special needsHearing Problems or Problems Hearing

Monday morning we went to the Dr. and learned that Bethany’s eardrum had collapsed inward and was laying on top of the bones which shouldn’t be showing 🙁 The picture is not for the faint of heart but this is NOT how your eardrum should look! Basically, the negative pressure sucked it in, diminishing the […]
Bethany, disabilities, fallen world, hearing, life, limitations, living between the trees, overcoming, prayer, special needs, thankfulnessAre we Hearing God’s Voice?

Are we hearing God’s voice??? “Bethany?” There was no sign of hearing on her end. “Bethany (this time I spoke louder). still no recognition. I automatically walked around to capture her attention by looking in her eyes, and said, “Bethany?” Smiling, she answered, “Oh, hi Mommy. What you say?” “I said- do you want to […]
Bethany, downs syndrome, fallen world, God talking, listen, prayer, treasure hunterAre We There Yet?

Measuring TIME is tricky! Ten minutes in a car can seem like an hour. A fabulous day flies by while a dreary day drags depressingly along. [Tweet “There is coming a day when ALL things will be made new. #hope”] Cohen and I were looking at tree house pictures on Pinterest the other day. I […]
Cohen, encouragement, eternity, fallen world, living between the trees, New Heaven and New Earth, perspectiveGrandparents, Crowns and Tiaras ~

Snap! Flash! Peek-a-boo! Trying to get all the children and babies to look at the camera was hilarious! Celebrating “Grandma Barclay’s” birthday today, we took gathered all of her great-grandchildren around her as cameras immortalized the moment. 6 great grandchildren and two more to join us next May! We sat and talked while babies were […]
birthday, celebrate, crown, eternity, family, grandchildren, great grandchildren, riches, thankfulness, tiara, true wealthSoaring on Wings of Eagles

I think we all agree that LIFE is a challenge- a shake-up- a test- a roller coaster- a journey that will have constant twists and turns and more than enough lemons for lemonade. Some days we are eagles in the sky, gliding untouched by the gravity of life’s challenges, soaring on the wind of His […]
chicken, children, eagle, encouragement, eternal perspective, flying, gift, grace, Jesus will meet you there, life, Noah, perspective, Sarah, Selah, SilasBeing Faithful With What We’ve Been Given

Faithfulness with your talents will bring God’s reward!
Akeelah and the Bee, Bethany, home school, home schooling, limitations, living between the trees, perseverence, perspective, school, spiritual spectacles, treasureLosing Your Life to Find It

[Tweet “Do you have to lose your life to find it?”] Some of my childhood memories of family nights, consisting watching a 19 in black and white TV with only 4 channels! We didn’t know what we were missing because it was “normal” for that day. Incredible advancements of technology have ushered us into a […]
Bethany, Christian family, eternity, God of Grace, joyful journey, Special need parenting