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 […]
Dazzlers is the dance group Bethany has been privileged to be dancing in for the past seven years. A beautiful picture of inclusion, Dazzlers ends each session with joining hands in a large circle, praying and after the Amen- they spell- D-A-Z-Z-L-E-R-S. We might have missed the chance to be included. I expect inclusion […]
Jeff, Bethany, and I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Illinois, to visit my sister & her family, and my last living aunts and uncles, and cousins. Party Times! Precious times! As we were reminiscing, my Aunt inquired, “Cindy, are you going to McLean to visit the graves?” (my Mom, Jeff’s Dad, and […]
Family is the Template God created to illuminate His ever circling love for us as our Heavenly Father. I spend so much time & effort, BUILDING our family into a circle of faith and support, bound together by the invincible cords of love, that I tend to forget one very intricate “God-thing” that transformed my […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
My guest today is Timmy Stauffer… the son of our good friend from high school, Wayne & Debbie Stauffer. I was drawn to learn more about Timmy when Wayne posted on FB, that his son had never wanted to pray for healing from Cerebral Palsy. He has always believed that God will use it for […]
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 […]
Snap! Flash! Peek-a-boo! Trying to get all the children and babies to look at the camera was hilarious! Celebrating “Grandma Barclay’s” birthday today, we took gathered all of her great-grandchildren around her as cameras immortalized the moment. 6 great grandchildren and two more to join us next May! We sat and talked while babies were […]
“Mothers are the fragrance of Heaven’s love.” As a child, I understood Mother’s Day be a straight-forward celebration. You had one mother and two grandmothers. Three cards to make and three special gifts to give. I remember a paper clip necklace I made for my Mom, and being the “MOM” that she was, she wore it […]
“Bella! Bella! Babe, look me. What this word say?” Bethany’s patient, but firm teacher voice commanded Bella’s attention. Bella’s almond eyes crinkled shut as she smiled and shouted, “Mommy!” ~ About two years ago, I met a lovely lady named Patricia. Previously a dance teacher, she had put everything aside to become a stay at home grandma and help raise her […]
When God has blessed you with a great Daddy, I suppose you’ll always be a Daddy’s girl. 🙂 I’ve been blessed to have been given a wonderful Dad- hardworking, loving, kind, friendly, outgoing, encouraging, and a perfect example of not letting some very unfair, tragic things in life make him bitter. Nine years ago, on Focus on the Family, I […]
[Tweet “Throw off your ratty rags and put on the garment of #praise and a #crown of #beauty! “] d Those magic word…. “Please and Thank you.” It’s such a drain being around people who are grumpy, grumbling complainers. Some people are “naturally” more effusive and outspoken but I believe an “ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE” […]