I have been fractured, broken into so many pieces I didn’t think I’d ever be able to be put together in any semblance of wholeness every again. And this is how I know there is a God~ Only our Creator can take broken and transform it to unbreakable! Inconceivable Love that flows through the ability […]
brilliance, Bruce Carrol, diamond, diamonds, disabilities, encouragement, eternal perspective, miracle, Sometimes Miracles Hide, special needs, strength, transformation, unbreakable
* Q- When you look at this picture- what do you see? The correct answer is carbon. But when God looks at carbon, He sees what it can become. ************************************************* In these shadowlands- the “fallen world”- “living between the trees”- we have to remember we are living impoverished lives. This isn’t […]
carbon, diamond, downs syndrome, encouragement, fallen world, God's value, identity, inspiration, treasure, value
Thank God for organizations like Up with Downs (http://www.upondowns.com/), Einstein Syndrome (http://einstein-syndrome.com/) NADS (National Association for Downs Syndrome) (http://www.nads.org/ ) for their positive message and information. Thank God for people like Mary, Melody, and Sue (Beth’s tutors and early interventionists). They encouraged us to believe the best for Bethany. “Reach for the Stars- reject stereotypes. Expect her […]
Chris August, down syndrome, God of Grace, joyful journey, reach for the stars, special needs parenting, Starry NightBB– Before Bethany- I was largely UNAWARE of the “special needs” population. I spent the first two years or so, denying that she had any special needs. In fact, even the word “special” was like hearing fingernails drag across a chalk board. Oh, if I only had $1.00 for every time I heard: “You must be […]
Bethany, God's glory, limitations, living between the trees, special needs, weaknessYesterday I talked about using our imaginations to think about eternity and all that God has prepared for us. The Bible says we can’t begin to imagine how awesome it is, but I love trying to imagine it! Today, I’d like to talk about the importance of DREAMS. Not just any dreams- but the dreams […]
Bethany, dreams, inspiration, living between the treesA line in a famous song urges us to “Imagine there’s no heaven.” No thank you Mr. Lennon. I’m going to imagine the promise of my Father who sacrificed His only Son so that I can live with Him forever in heaven!!! Lately, one of Bethany’s favorite phrases is “Can you imagine?” Wish I […]
determination, disabilities, eternity, fallen world, imagine, inspiration, limitations, overcoming, perseverence, Team HoytAfter 30 years of marriage, being a HENS (Home Executive Nurturing Specialist- aka stay-at-home mom) I have graduated to the supreme status of GHENS– (translated Grand Home Executive Nurturing Specialist- aka a stay at home mom and grandma)! I can’t even measure the blessing of teaching and sharing Jesus and helping pass on the “spiritual baton” to Finley […]
Cohen, humor, lifeI wonder what it would be like to see the “baggage” I carry around?! Is depression an umbrella, opened over my head, blocking “Son Rays” from my life? Is regret a backpack filled with heavy rocks of self incrimination? Perhaps, the reason my feet feel like lead and I stumble through the day is they […]
depression, eternity, gaining, inspiration, losing
” This Too Shall Pass” My mom used to tell me this phrase when something unpleasant was happening; like a trip to the dentist to have a cavity filled, a zit on the forehead erupting on a school day, a test in math, or some other such trivial thing. Of course, those things weren’t […]
Bethany, eternity, promises, restorationOur granddaughter, Finley Faith (5) is amazing, wonderful, beautiful, sweet, kind and very talented! 🙂 I read somewhere that it’s perfectly proper and acceptable for a Nana, Grandma, or Oma to NOT ONLY THINK these things but SPEAK OUTLOUD the truths about their grandchildren! LOL She’s also very artistic. It seems she is […]
Finley, humor, perseverence
Ahhhh. Christmas is over, New Year’s is past Maybe we can be normal at last. During the “holidays”, we tried to focus and remember the Reason for the Season, but it seemed as if our life kicked into “extreme crazy” instead of “normal crazy”. Does your life ever do that? I guess […]
Christmas, crazy, Emmanuel, God with us, humor, inspiration, Jesus, lifeA New Year- a New Beginning Have you ever thought about what our Father in Heaven has planned for us this year? Or, do you worry about what “life” has in store for you? “Life” may throw almost anything at us but greater and wider and deeper is His power and love for us! […]
inspiration, life, thankfulness
Excitement- anticipation- wonder…. Isn’t this the childlike perception of Christmas? As a parent, I meticulously shop for gifts that will bless and delight our children. I can hardly wait to hear their squeals of surprise and see their faces light up with joy. Nothing quite like watching as they discover what treasure lies beneath the tape and wrapping paper! […]
Christian family, Christmas, joyful journey, special needs parentingAfter my ranting and raving yesterday, you probably had a clue that I hit on a sensitive topic for me. 🙂 sorry…I know I way oversimplified the topic. Starting over: Labels are good for many things: organizing, categorizing, identification, and informational. Doctors need to be able to label or group “like” symptoms together so […]
Bethany, disabilities, downs syndrome, labels, special needs, stereotypesLabels are a great thing for cans or merchandise, but for people- labels really stink! I still cringe every time I hear some one say “Oh, those “down syndrome kids” or even worse the stereotype- “those downs kids” are so loving.” My heart wants to cry out- my child is a “child” and her name […]
Bethany, disabilities, downs syndrome, labels, special needs, sterotypes