Such innocence. Such sweetness. What joy and beauty to behold in the face of the newborn baby as his parents cradled him in their shaking arms. The responsibility to raise and care for the Son of God must have weighed so heavily on their hearts that first Christmas morning. For four-thousands years, the prophecy was told to dark and war-laden lands: "The kingdom of God is coming." Hearts and … [Read more...]
Have a Merry, Messy Christmas!
The world rushes by you—a flurry of last minute shoppers—pushing, stressing to get it all done. You look around and see the harsh florescent lights, thick mall crowds and crammed parking lots. You listen and hear tinny, overplayed Christmas songs, car horns, and toddlers crying. This is not your idea of a Merry Christmas. Have you lost your holiday spirit? If so, take a Christmas … [Read more...]
Is He Missed?
Is he missed? When we can't attend the parties, the get-togethers, sporting events, or even church, is Evan missed? There are many times we are unable to attend so many events because we know they are just fuel to Evan's behavioral fire. They could send him out of control and may cause an unfortunate situation. They are usually very over-stimulating for him. Just being out of his normal routine … [Read more...]
In Search of Rest
Read below for a guest post from Sheila Temple. Today I am high above the cloud lines, aboard a jet, on my way to a much-needed sabbatical. My destination is China to see my oldest sons and daughter-in-law, during the holidays. In the distance I have jetted away from autism, bi-polar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and a critically challenged colon, just to name a few. Having adopted … [Read more...]
I Am Thankful: The Special Needs Way
When my daughter was born with Down syndrome, I never imagined that someday I would be thankful for her diagnosis. At the time of her birth, our future seemed bleak and limited. But disability was so different from what I thought it would be, and years later, there is so much I am thankful for. I am thankful disability is not the horrible green eyed monster I thought it was I was scared … [Read more...]
Obsessive-Compulsive Deliverer
We tend to think of OCD, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, as a bad thing. But I'm choosing to remember that I have an Obsessive-Compulsive Deliverer to see me through it. Yes, in its extreme form, OCD is not easy. It can affect so many different areas of life and people in different ways. Many people think they have OCD. There are so many jokes about it. I get it. I know there are varying … [Read more...]