Does sadness ever come calling? Sadness can settle in on me like fog settles into the low places in the morning; banished only by the Son who has the power to dispel it. When I first saw The Lord of the Rings, by Tolkien, I was enthralled by parallel theme of their journey to ours. [...]
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I want you to meet an incredible family! Aren’t they just beautiful? I want you to love them as much as I do! Meet Sarah, Noah, John, and Genev’e Here is there amazing story- in my friend, John’s own words! In April of 2004 I received a call from our Doctor informing me that there [...]
Read More disabilities, down syndrome, encouragement, inspiration, John Leslie, living between the trees, overcoming, treasure hunter
My most challenging ongoing lesson: ”Letting Go-d” Years of protecting, nurturing, & shielding her from the “looks”, “nonacceptance”, negative experiences, or situations where she would flounder, have left me with a bit of a “nest” mentality. I know the “nest” where we are safe- where we thrive- where Bethany is safeguarded and secure – where [...]
Read More Bethany, downs syndrome, encouragement, overcoming, perspective, special needs
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:3 On becoming a mom- mother- madre- mutter- mum- mae- mommy You don’t arrive at being mum, just because you conceive a child. Mommyhood happens in a myriad of mysterious ways. A seed [...]
Read More children, inspiration, mothers, thankfulness, transformation, treasure, trees of splendor
I want to shout it loud and clear For every heart to hear You’re not an oops, mistake or blob You’re a God thing. No one is all good and that means we’re all badly in need of a Savior. God’s love was so extreme, He put our bad on The only Good – Jesus- [...]
Read More identity, inspiration, perspective, transformation, treasure
Do you ever question your “purpose” in life; your “identity” and “worth”? Have you ever felt like a loner? a misfit? Why not watch Wreck-it Ralph and pocket a special nugget?! Meet Wreck-it Ralph (is a loveable, bumbling character unhappy with his persona, his calling, his “job”) Ralph is told- “You wreck everything” “You’re [...]
Read More disabilities, identity, living between the trees, overcoming, perspective, treasure, Wreck It Ralph
Definition – Beautiful Things #7387 Watching our grandson, Cohen (4), jumping on the trampoline and singing at the top of his lungs- “You Make beauuutiful tings out of de dust! You make beauuutiful tings, you make beauuuutiful tings out of us! When I first heard this song, You Make Beautiful Things, by Gungor, the poignant [...]
Read More Cohen, eternity, fallen world, inspiration, life, living between the trees, transformation
The morning birds sang songs of Glory Tweets and Warbles filled the air with Joy & Praise Gifting wings to hearing hearts. There’s a curious “uplifting” and “wholeness” that happens when I’m surrounded by song. Whether it be in nature, from instruments, or a person lifting their voice in melody; music washes and heals, refreshes [...]
Read More inspiration, Jesus will meet you there, Joyce Landorf, living between the trees, melody, perspective, song, treasure
For the last year and a half, Bethany has been home schooled part time and public school for music, art, & speech. But something happened to make us rethink the benefit of public school and “inclusiveness”. Bethany recently had a traumatic experience- not with the kids at school but with her para. I was confused and [...]
Read More advocate, Bethany, Betty, home school, para
John 21:21 “Turning his head, Peter noticed the disciple Jesus loved following right behind. When Peter noticed him, he asked Jesus, “Master, what’s going to happen to him?” Jesus said, “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you? You—follow me.” One of the most liberating truths I’m learning that [...]
Read More comparing, disabilities, fallen world, Jesus, living between the trees, perspective, special needs, thankfulness
I blog from a bit of a different perspective when I talk about special needs. I don’t want to try to convince everyone that Bethany is the same as me- or you. I want to illuminate the truth that WE are like HER! All of us need our Creator’s touch of grace and restoration. I [...]
Read More brokenness, encouragement, fallen world, special needs, treasure
The first 4 lines of the song, “How Many Kings” by Down Here- should be enough to make anyone fall to their knees in abandoned love- surrendering to the unrestrained Love He has demonstrated to the world! How many kings stepped down from their thrones? How many lord have abandoned their homes? [...]
Read More I AM that I AM, inspiration, Jesus, overcoming, passion, perspective, transformation, victory
Recently, I was perusing a website entitled – “SAVING DOWN SYNDROME” It stirred two conflicting thoughts; It’s my juxtaposed reality- I love Bethany- down syndrome and all- but in truth, I’d love to see the damage from that extra chromosome disabled or its power diminished! It works overtime with oxidative stress on their bodies and [...]
Read More disabilities, downs syndrome, encouragement, eugenics, IDSC, saving down syndrome, World Down Syndrome Day
World Down Syndrome Day is March 21st IDSC is uniting with bloggers and parents all over the world to celebrate “Who I Am” – an awareness campaign to help people understand that ALL of life is precious! Don’t forget to come back this Thursday, the 21st, to view the exciting video but for today- Here’s [...]
Read More Bethany, celebrate, disabilities, down syndrome, encouragement, perspective, special needs, treasure hunter
Do you remember the story of the two women coming before King Solomon….. begging him to cut a baby in half so that they could “share” the baby? ~ I read an even more bizarre news story today! Thankfully, as in the Bible account- true love wins. A surrogate woman was offered $10,000.00 [...]
Read More adoption, Bethany, choose, disabilities, encouragement, gift of life, inspiration, life, perspective, surrogacy