“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NLT [Tweet “Blessings come to those who #persevere in doing #good. #blessings”] s Jeff and I grew up in a small farming community. Harvest time […]
Rehearse. Learn. Grow. Repeat!

One of the first things I discovered to help Bethany succeed in learning was the skill of “rehearsing”. You know- repeating, reiterating, review, study, and doing a new skill or word over- and over- and over-;). Bethany might not get it the first or second, or even the third time- but with repetition and rehearsal […]
Christian family, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parentingDancing With the Golden Rule of Inclusion

photo credit: UnshakeableBelief.com [Tweet “Isn’t the Golden Rule another way to live #inclusion? #unconditionalLove #understanding”] d It wasn’t until I grew up and went to college that I realized how amazingly unprejudiced my parents were! We were taught to judge each person by their character- not by their color, abilities, or disability. Mom […]
Christian family, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parentingIndependence is Over-rated

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:7- MSG Another Step in Bethany’s Quest for Independence [Tweet “Shoot for #interdependence– NOT #co-dependence […]
Christian family, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parentingDancing With Life and Death

[Tweet “That is why we never give up.Though our bodies are #dying, our #spirits are being #renewed daily.”] II Corinthians 4:16 NLT photo credit- @Jesuswhosavesme s Maybe it’s my mid-life musings, but I’ve been thinking about how much crud, sin, and brokenness I still deal with! Uggh! (or should I say ugly 🙂 ?) […]
Christian family, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parentingGotta Tell Somebody!

[Tweet “”Tell your friends how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you. #praise “] photo credit: www.belovedwomen.org s I just feel like praising and shouting today! WHOOOOOOHOOO! Life can depress, overwhelm and beat me down. But our great God will lift me up! No matter what “bad” […]
Christian family, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parentingGo Ahead: Start Your 2nd Childhood

[Tweet “God encourages becoming like a #child to be #great in His #kingdom.”] Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such […]
Christian family, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parentingFor the Love of the Babies- by Bethany

Bethany loves. Bethany especially loves babies. And that’s an understatement. Life is simple for Bethany. Her mantra: If we love everyone, everything will be all right. Bethany recently turned 15. We’ve dreamed of God using her to become an advocate for down syndrome and for LIFE. Because of prenatal testing, fear mongering, and […]
Bethany, Christian family, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parentingCalled to be an IEP- Involved Effective Parent

It’s funny how the summer begins with so much promise of lazy, hazy days and sizzles away at a bewildering speed. The days are getting shorter and I just bought my cinnamon apple candle that I love to burn when the crisp fall air begs open windows and the leaves begin to burnish. School shopping √ […]
Christian family, God of Grace, joyful journey, Special need parentingDo You Want Peace? The World Can’t Give It To You!

[Tweet “The #peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.- Jesus””] I want peace in my life. When I look at everything happening in this world- I am troubled and worried. I am afraid and overwhelmed. But God has promised to never leave us or forsake […]
Christian family, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parenting15 Candles: Shining Bright

[Tweet “Be #intentional! #Celebrate every #good #gift! #thankfulness”] 15 Candles – Shining Bright Bethany’s birthday is a mysterious conundrum. July 23rd is forever intertwined in my head and heart with Bethany’s sister, our 2nd daughter, Kristin Faith. * Kristin and Bethany share birthdays- July 23rd- separated by 17 years. Though they share birthdays, they’ll never […]
Bethany, Christian family, down syndrome, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parentingOn Earth As It Is In Heaven

Recently, my hubby, Jeff got to have his meniscus repaired on his knee. What a hurtful blessing! Knee surgery hurt for the time being but the end result is going to be worth the pain. [Tweet ““Change comes with pain… But this pain later becomes a gain”] Of course, the medjusin (medicine) was great too- […]
Christian family, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parentingDon’t Let The Little Things Steal Your Joy

[Tweet “Seize the little foxes – destroyers of vineyards: don’t let little things #steal your #joy! “] YLT Song of Solomon 2:15 I bought a gorgeous hibiscus plant in April. Daily, new blossoms of beauty delight me! I love my gardens in the spring/summer. Baby birds, hummingbirds, blooms galore, and a sweet, little bunny nibbling […]
Christian family, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parentingBecoming Great in God’s Kingdom

[Tweet “Jesus said, “If you want to be great in the kingdom of God, learn to be the servant of all.””] Parents spend a ton of time, money, and effort raising their children. Multiply that time, money, and effort for a parent of a child with a disability. But my effort will be […]
Christian family, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parentingChasing Righteousness; a People- a Nation

[Tweet “We all want to be #right- but do we want to be #righteous? “] [Tweet “God blesses those who hunger and thirst for #righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Matt. 5:6”] r What is righteousness? I’m not talking about “self righteousness” which so many people accuse Christians of being if they dare […]
Christian family, God of Grace, joyful journey, righteousness, special needs parenting