[Tweet “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 essence […]
This video is a must see! Pastor Rick Warren teams up with Nick Vujicic, shares with Oprah the “Wild Card of Life” that can change everything! Our choices & attitude & our faith toward God! We can’t control our environment, our genetics, our chemistry, our 1st relationships, our circumstances, or what we’ve been […]
If there is one thing I’ve learned in 53 years of living….. I can’t do life alone. I need Jesus! I need Him every hour! I need Him every decision! I need Him to cope, to love more fully, to see more clearly, to be my filter of this polluted world. I need His fire […]
Silent Stars by Edy T. Johnson- copyright 2009- reprinted with permission . It wasn’t Christmas, but the view out the small window made me think it could be. Above, stars—scattered like snowflakes across the navy sky—looked down on their reflection below, the twinkling lights of home. In contrast to the storm inside me, the sight […]
Lights low, snuggling on the couch, popcorn & drinks in hand, Jeff & I were riveted to- Mission Impossible 4 ~ Ghost Protocol! I guess my life is so boring (LOL) that I need to watch high adrenaline, fast paced, exciting movies just to spice it up a bit. 🙂 I love the thrill of […]
Way back when (gosh that makes me sound old LOL) I loved playing my records (Mary Poppins, Sound of Music, Jungle Book- then later, Donny Osmond & The Partridge Family) on my very own record player. I would carefully lift the “arm” that held the needle and place it gently so as not to scratch the grooves in the record. Scratches […]
Thank you Wayne, for sharing this insight as a parent who has been gifted to parent a child with special needs. I’m continually amazed by His love- Cindy A Letter to My Son- by Wayne Stauffer published 1994 – Exceptional Parenting Magazine Dear Timmy, It’s hard to think of all I’ve learned from you that […]
Guest Timmy Stauffer- Part 2- I’m so blessed and honored to share Tim’s perspective with you. God has hidden treasure in the most surprising places. 🙂 Cerebral Palsy is not ALL of who I am, but it is part of who I am. I don’t think I’ve ever consciously questioned God about why I was […]
Monday morning we went to the Dr. and learned that Bethany’s eardrum had collapsed inward and was laying on top of the bones which shouldn’t be showing 🙁 The picture is not for the faint of heart but this is NOT how your eardrum should look! Basically, the negative pressure sucked it in, diminishing the […]
You may (or may not) have noticed I don’t ever capitalize “downs syndrome” . I just can’t- never have- never will; my apologies to the British scientist, John Langley Down who discovered the syndrome. I know its grammatically wrong but it makes perfect sense to me. I refuse to capitalize my problems or challenges! This […]
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 […]
Every choice not to quit, every due diligence to try our best, every determination to live our life for God’s glory no matter what “life” throws at us- will lead us to a place in eternity where our Father will beam His approval at our “tryings”!! ~ Jesus will award His ones who have overcome […]
“Mommy- I need your help. I want to talk fast.” Somewhat distracted, but thinking how cute she is when she’s so serious about something, I reply, “Hmmm? What? What do you mean, Bethie? My brain began scrambling for an interpretation- does she mean she wants to talk without stuttering when she gets excited or […]
PIRATES don’t just live on the high seas! I’ve got a sneaky pirate, who resides with me! She “pilfers” my phone with great skill. At anytime, at any moment, a text message might be sent forth to any unsuspecting victim, from my phone. “i love you call me skype” “sonic date call me” “come see […]
B U M M E R! I had such “lofty” expectations for our vacation! Like most of the American world, we try to live within a pretty tight budget. We save a certain amount each month for Christmas and Birthdays (a necessity in a family as large as ours 🙂 ) and we set aside vacation […]