When we went to Disney World a few years ago- one of the highlights of our trip was a big family luau- On the wall of the entrance was a big sign O H A N A Because of watching Lilo and Stitch (see- watching movies with children are educational ) I knew right away [...]
Read More Bethany, children, disabilities, downs syndrome, encouragement, family, home schooling, inspiration, limitations, living between the trees, ohana, perspective, transformation
Breathing a sigh of relief here today. Yesterday was Bethany’s annual EVALUATION. Six years ago, Bethany finally got off a waiting list and was approved for a MR/DD Waiver. ick- ick- ICK!!!! (was that enough emphasis to get my point across ) I hate the label- Mentally Retarded/ Developmentally Disabled. I mean really, who wants [...]
Read More Bethany, disabilities, downs syndrome, encouragement, family, labels, life between the trees, limitations, living between the trees, MRDD Waiver, special needs, thankfulness, transformation
I live the life on a roller coaster- and sometimes I plunge and twist into Depression and Anxiety. Even though I love Jesus and He loves me, D/A seem to take me for an unexpected ride. But He is my HELP. I’m learning how to FIGHT and FLEE. One day, I’ll do a post about [...]
Read More anxiety, depression, encouragement, fallen world, Fear Not, inspiration, Jesus, Jesus will meet you there, living between the trees, perspective, transformation
Celebrating 33 Years of TREASURE To my life song with Jesus- my beloved husband and friend, We go together like: peanut butter & chocolate, like a wink & a smile, like a wave & the ocean, like copy & paste, like melody & harmony, like cookies and milk. ~ Through the years I’ve thought of [...]
Read More celebrate, children, Jeff, life, life between the trees, living between the trees, marriage, overcoming, perspective, thankfulness, transformation, treasure
Someone will always have it “better” than me. Someone will always have it “worse” than me. I’ve learned to keep my hand in Jesus’ No Jesus- know pain- Know Jesus – know pain will be healed Have you ever been blown away by someones testimony? Their joy and faith that doesn’t [...]
Read More disabilities, encouragement, God's faithfulness, inspiration, living between the trees, Sandy Rios, Sasha Rios, Sasha's song
I had decided to buy some patio tomato plants this year. They were already a great size with a few barely ripening, cherry tomatoes dangling from their stems, making my mouth water with anticipation. I strategically placed it outside in the sun. That night, it frosted. As I looked out to snowflakes the next morning, [...]
Read More Cohen, eternity, fallen world, inspiration, living between the trees, perspective, treasure
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
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
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
~ “You are the light of the world- -like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14 NLT Jesus tells us- “we”- as His children- are to be LIGHT in this dark world. He is the perfect light & He lights our spirit so we may shine for Him. It’s [...]
Read More Bethany, disabilities, downs syndrome, fallen world, inspiration, light of the world, living between the trees, Shine, special needs, transformation
My husband, Jeff, has always been a runner. When he was 16, he had a heat stroke when he was running and almost died. His mom was told that they “couldn’t do anything more” for him, that he would be a “vegetable” (yes- the medical profession used this unbelievably illiterate word to describe his supposed [...]
Read More Cindy, encouragement, eternity, finish line, inspiration, Jeff, living between the trees, perspective, run your race
You cannot lose what God lovingly treasures in the palm of His hand. To continue….. Yes- it feels like you’ve “lost” your loved one. You have in one sense. But have you truly “lost” something if you know where to find it? Perhaps “hidden” is a better word. Your loved one’s true [...]
Read More Alzheimers, eternity, fallen world, God's love, grandchildren, Grandma, living between the trees, Marilyn, old age, overcoming, perseverence, treasure
Three years ago this month, we said our “final” goodby to Grandma Marilyn, my dad’s second wife. I say “final” because we had many goodbyes along the way. We lost her memory by memory before she died. She had Alzheimers. Previously, I had firmly believed CANCER was the most devilish enemy; after watching my mom, [...]
Read More Alzheimer, Alzheimers, Chuck, death, eternity, fallen world, Grandparents, living between the trees, loneliness, Mariyn, perspective, prayer, treasure hunter