Before We Forget

Hello,

We're actually having blue skies and sunshine for a few days, it's been so nice! That's unheard of here in Seattle in January. I was even able to get out and do a little yard work the other day. 

Before Christmas becomes a distant memory, I wanted to share this different take on the song Mary Did You Know? If you haven't heard it, I'll try to include the link Here.

This made me think of all the kids and adults with special needs who struggle with these very issues. The Lord knows them, He sees them, and He loves them.

Beth and I were coming home from the grocery store the other day and had this conversation. Out of the blue she says:

B: Next time I make my sliders.

(We sometimes have sliders and chips for dinner. She comes upstairs and uses our bread, mayo, meat, etc. we make them together and then she takes her dinner back down to her place. I'm guessing that's what she's talking about.)

Me: The next time we have them you can make them yourself downstairs?

B: Mmm-hmm

Me: Oh, you have all the stuff to make them? The meat, and mayo and everything? That's great!

B: Yeah.

Me: That's excellent Beth. Sure, you can definitely make them downstairs then.

B: I forgot!

Me: You forgot what?

B: To buy the stuff.

Me: Oh, so you DON'T have the stuff to make them?

B: Yeah.

Me: Oh okay, we'll have to remember to put them on your list for next time.

B: Okay.

That's how most of our conversations go. She knows what she wants to say but doesn't always know the right words. Sometimes it takes us a while to figure it out. I'm grateful the Lord knows her heart though, and her every thought.

What else? Oh, Beth came upstairs recently very frustrated. I saw her go into the kitchen, she got a cup and headed back downstairs. I asked her if anything was wrong and she said something about a drip. Come to find out our bathtub drain was leaking and it was coming out in her room, right above where she sits to watch TV and write!

The plumber came out on Tuesday and was able to fix it in less than two hours. She was at All Aboard so I sent her a photo of the work he was doing. You can see the hole in the ceiling.

We've covered it temporarily and now we've got to get someone out to put up some new drywall. In the meantime we've moved her desk back into place and she's back to writing and watching TV from her regular spot.

After church today we went to Applebee's for lunch, then she and I went to Walmart. She was looking on-line for some gel pens and I guess she found them at Walmart. She searched through the many pens for the exact ones she saw on-line and then I heard her say, "There they are!" There were 6 in a package, so she bought two.

A few months ago Diana suggested we get the Family Album app since they're on the East coast, and now they're easily able to share pictures of Adelaide and Oliver with us. Three year old Adelaide just started taking ballet lessons, and six month old Oliver took one of his first rides in a swing:

We were just there a couple weeks ago but I miss them so much already!

Well, as we swing into next week, I hope each day is on point for you. :) Have a great week!

A Difficult Decision

Fourteen years ago I felt the Lord tell me to start a Sunday school class for kids with special needs. I've been leading this class almost every single Sunday since then.

We began with one student and grew from there. Chuck, Diana and Beth all helped for the first few years and as other teachers joined, they were able to step back. We've been in three different classrooms, each new one having more amenities than the last. Each new room was a better fit for the students we had at that time.

Most students were younger grade school age and over time would grow mentally and emotionally where they could attend the typical classrooms.

The years before covid we had 5-6 leaders and up to 10 students at a time. Most of the students had mild autism and participated in the Bible study and crafts, snack, etc.

(This was taken in 2018. The classroom looks so different now.)

Post covid - everything changed. Only one teacher came back after covid, and the students mental and emotional state is different. The students have behaviors that are very complex. They come into the room, pick up the first thing they can get their hands on and throw it across the room, shattering it against the wall.  Or they give an ear-piercing scream and wipe everything off the table because another student took something they had planned to use. Or they crawl under the large round table, lay on their back and using their feet begin pushing on the table causing everything on it to slide to the other side, triggering the other students to scream or yell... 

This ministry is for the parents as well, allowing them to bring their kids to a safe, quiet space so they can spend a couple of hours in the main service worshiping and being filled with the word of God. We try hard not to contact them during service but lately we're doing it more often than we'd like. Last Sunday we put up with a lot of poor behavior from one student but when they tried to bite the other teacher, that's when I called the parents.

I find myself just standing in front of the door all morning (many are runners) and I just observe the students and try to stop behaviors before they happen. How do I 'teach' in that environment? The kids will throw tantrums, and kick and sometimes you're in the way and get kicked. I'm not even sure I understand the behavior, where it stems from, what triggers it, let alone how to deal with it. I've heard that students all over the U.S. (and maybe around the world) are struggling with the aftermath of covid and I get it. I just don't know how to address it.

I'll be honest, I've been trying to lead this class under my own power for many years. I haven't prayed like I should: for the other leaders, the students, their families. I haven't been regularly seeking the Lord for guidance... and I'm weary. I'm burned out and exhausted. I find myself dreading Sunday mornings. Not surprising.

So I've made the decision to close the class for a time of restructuring. I've got to spend some time in fasting and prayer, seeking the Lord for HIS vision for this ministry. He's already shown me three areas to focus on: recruit volunteers, provide training, and change the room a little to accommodate the students we have now. I've added things over the years but I still have a lot of things for four- to nine-year-olds. Now the average age is nine - fifteen. 

Please pray with me that I follow the Lord's leading this time; that people who have a heart for kids with special needs will volunteer; for me to find specialists to come in and train us to lead post-covid students; and for the next fourteen-plus years to be even better than the first!

Me, Beth and Kathy - she was the first non-family member to join me in this ministry.

Champions, Family, Moving

We had breakfast with Sharaya and Ally this morning, then headed to the movie theater to see Champions. Have you seen it? Some of the language was a little crude but overall it was a great movie. A man who didn't know anything about people with special needs ends up coaching their Special Olympics basketball team. He learns a lot about what's really important in life. Thankfully I remembered to bring tissue!

 

 I got word on Thursday that I would be moving desks at work. I have been at my desk in the front office for more than 16 years. And within a week I will be in a quiet 'quad' (with three other admin) on the third floor. Honestly I'm extremely nervous. A person can create quite a routine and rhythm in 16 years. But as I've been processing it, I know I'm going to love it. I can choose my hours because I won't have to fill in for lunches for the other staff in the front office; I will be able to leave my desk whenever needed and don't have to make sure one of us is manning the office at all times; no more double doors opening and closing all day; phones won't be ringing off the hook... When I really think about it I get excited about it. There's going to be a lot of adjusting, but I know it's exactly what I need and I'm going to grow to absolutely love the quiet space!

 

 My view since 2007

 

 Adelaide is learning in leaps and bounds lately! She's a little over three months and is starting to 'talk' a lot! She babbles and coos, it's adorable. She's learned to grip things, she and Poppy are starting to make a connection, and today, she found her thumb!

 

 

Sharaya trimmed Ally's hair the other day. It had gotten pretty long so she cut it and then straightened it. I love this picture of her with Moxie.

 

 Well, it's time for bed. I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Renewed Excitement!

I went to a Disability Ministry Conference today and I was 
reignited for my Sunday school class and this vital ministry God has called me to.

One thing that was brought up a few times is how you need to get the pastoral staff on board with your vision. It's one thing for them to tell you disability ministry is a great thing and you should run with it. It's completely different when they get behind the call, supporting it from the pulpit, getting to know those in the congregation who have special needs.

"If the pastors don't have the vision, the ministry will die."

So I'm going to begin again, praying that our pastors catch the Lord's vision for disability ministry at our church. None of our pastors or board members have children or close family members who have disabilities. I believe with my all heart that they care about those with special needs, but they're afraid. They don't know how to interact with them. I truly believe they just don't understand.

And deep in my heart I feel called to educate them.

I came away from the conference with renewed confidence that the pastors will embrace people with special needs and they will one day become active members of our church. Leading and serving in the body of Christ. I'm excited for this again!

Do you have a family member with special needs? 
Are they accepted at church or at school?  

An Hour At The Beach Works Wonders!

Special Connections is going well. We're getting a few more students but we have more volunteers so that's making things a lot easier. I'm having a Leaders Meeting on Friday so I've been preparing my agenda and getting supplies, thank you gifts and resources ready.

I went to a baby shower for the daughter of a friend. This is a miracle baby because she was told she could never have kids. And now she is in the middle of her second trimester. I'm so glad I got to celebrate with her!

Chuck, Beth and I went to see Aladdin the other day. As we were going into the theater, Sharaya and Allie were coming out! We thought they did a great job keeping true to the Disney version while also giving Jasmin a bigger part, more of an adult roll. It's really good!

  
I think I told you work has been crazy, we're remodeling two main bathrooms, we're changing out the sound panels in our gym/commons... and we're preparing for a Worship Night this Sunday. But the cleaning never stops!

I took some time last week to go down by the water. It was early in the morning (okay it was 8:00, early for me!) and so peaceful. Exactly what I needed!

 

What do you do to de-stress?

Teaching An Old Dog New Tricks

Have you ever felt busy but haven't really been busy? That's kind of how it's been for me this week. I haven't been on the computer much because I've been doing a lot around the house, plus I've been at work every single day, but it's not like I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. (Do chickens really do that?!)

On Saturday I went into work to check on a few things and was told our trash dumpster had been half filled with mulch. What?! Sure enough. There's nothing we can do about it at this point so I hope the refuse company actually empties it!

  

I also need to get our maintenance guy out there to trim a few branches so we can close the lids.

Sharaya and Allie spent spring break in Palm Springs, CA! Sunshine, blue skies and a pool! I was a little more than jealous. They met up with the same friends they went to Paris with and spent one day hiking in Joshua Tree National Park but other than that, they spent their time lounging by the pool. A true vacation!

 

I'm trying to teach myself sign language. It's something I've always wanted to learn and I get started and then I stop. For a long time I've felt the Lord has wanted me to learn it, through conversations with people and different circumstances, you know when you know you're supposed to do something? I've had this book by Elaine Costello (you can tell it's well loved) and it not only lists signs by category: Things, People, Food, etc. but there's also an index that alphabetically lists every word. I LOVE that! 

The last few weeks I've been sitting in the deaf section at church but there's no way I've been able to keep up. I know a few words and can sign them when they're in a song, but mostly I just watch. I'm really excited to learn this time around!

 

Our Sunday school class has been pretty quiet lately. Only 3 or 4 students each week. I need to contact the other families to see how they're doing. But, there have been no screaming outbursts. No calling the paramedics. Sometimes quiet is good.

Today they spent a lot of time reading. Teacher Rebecca (in the jean jacket) sat on the floor with one of our students looking for books about dogs. I had some soft music playing in the background and it was so peaceful. They're all on the autism spectrum and I think they just really enjoyed the quiet and the stillness of the room. 

It really was a good day.

Have you learned something new lately?

Is there something you want to learn?

 

From Student To Leader

In the fall of 2009 I felt led to start a Sunday school class for students with special needs. It's been slow growing; none of our pastors have kids with special needs so it's not something they even think about.

To be honest, I didn't think about it before Beth was born. The 'world of special needs' didn't really exist for me except when I saw someone at the mall or the grocery store. Then it was just a fleeting thought before I went back to my own little world.

But of course once Beth was born, it changed everything!

I find it interesting that once my girls were grown and our youngest had graduated from high school, that's when the Lord put it on my heart to begin a special needs ministry at my church. Not while I was busy raising them, but after. I hadn't even considered a special needs ministry before, even while Beth and our girls were growing up there. 

The past two weekends we've had a Volunteer Fair and a Serve Catalog that listed all the places you could volunteer at our church. We had a table set up along with all the others and the first weekend we didn't have one single person stop by the table. No one even glanced in our direction!

During the week I had the idea to get some fidgets (toys and gadgets that help calm and focus the students) and I put them on the table. LED lights, a timer that looks like a lava lamp and a fidget spinner. I turned on the LED wand and immediately people were drawn to the table! We had a constant stream of people and had more than 4 express an interest in volunteering in our class!

Beth has been in the class since day one and has always been considered one of the students in our class, even though she helps support the teachers and gets some of our supplies, etc.

 

She recently started praying with the teachers each week before class and has just changed the way she interacts with the other students. So I made the decision to make her an official leader. Badge and all! We'll give her a few more responsibilities and I'm sure she'll rise to the occasion!

Was there a time you found yourself in a leadership position? 

Were you ready for the challenge?

Emergency Drills - How Do We Include Those With Special Needs?

Our week of prayer and fasting went very well. There were 200+ people at every prayer meeting and the Holy Spirit changed hearts.

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I hope you all had a wonderful Easter, or Passover. For the first time ever, I think, we all went out for Easter dinner. It was fun being together and talking over dinner. Then we came back here and I hid some eggs for Allie. We had colored them last week and you know, I think this was the very first time I'd ever done an Easter Egg Hunt with her! This was a year of firsts!

 

I guess she liked the way it turned out!

 

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I had a meeting this morning with our Children's pastor. We talked about Special Connections and some of the challenges we've faced lately. When we first started this class, we had 2 or 3 students and often none of them would come. We'd wait a while, then begin putting away all the toys and we'd head out early. Well that is definitely not the case anymore.

We have an average of 9 students that come on a regular basis, most of them are high school and older. He had some incredible ideas about recruiting and just getting the word out about our class.

We also talked about Emergency Preparedness and how we don't have a plan in place. Tonight I met with a man who leads Disaster Preparedness drills throughout our region and he asked me a lot of questions and gave me a lot of ideas about how to prepare my teachers and students for an emergency situation. We mainly talked about earthquakes and fires but he gave me some good suggestions for being prepared, in case anything ever happens.

What would we do if the nearest exit was blocked?

Yes, we need to know the route out of the building, but have I checked the terrain to see if we could get a wheelchair through?

Do we have noise cancelling headphones for those students who absolutely can not handle the sound of the fire alarm?

He suggested wrist bands or a vest or something that would alert a first responder that a student was non-verbal or someone who was deaf and may not respond to instructions.

He suggested I keep a duffel bag / backpack in our room, filled with things like a flashlight, a whistle, an attendance list, bottles of water, mylar blankets, glow sticks in case it happens at night these may keep the students calm... we can just grab this bag on our way out.

It was so good to talk to B and just get some ideas about how to help our students in an emergency. Now I need to start gathering supplies and putting this plan in motion.

Do you have a plan at home for what to do in case of an emergency? I'll admit, we don't have one at home. 

But we need to get one.