Thanksgiving and CT Scan

Our thanksgiving outreach was wonderful and even made our local news. You can see it here: Thanksgiving Dinner

We served more than 1200 guests and 500 volunteers. This was our 30th year and some of us were talking about how much it's changed over the years. When we started it we got a lot of first responders, and even doctors who work at our local hospital would come by on their lunch break. A lot of people who had to work and couldn't go home would come by to eat. Now, it's mainly immigrants, people who are new to the area or even to the country. Many don't speak English. We also had a lot from the deaf community. We have a small deaf ministry and they invited a lot of their friends. It was a blessing to serve so many.

All ready for the guests to arrive

Beth had her CT scan on Wednesday. We watched a few videos on what to expect and I wasn't sure who was more nervous, me or her! It's hard to describe the feeling you get when you're nervous for something that's happening to your child. I actually felt the knot in my stomach - and I wasn't even having the procedure! They got her on the table and I was able to hold her hand while they got her situated in the machine. Then the doctor and I left the room while they did the scans.

When they put the dye contrast in her arm she had to keep it raised while they did the next set of scans. The entire procedure took about 25 minutes.

After we helped her sit back up she took a deep breath and just sat there for a minute. Then she said she was ready to go, she stood up and we left. That was it. She did really good, she always does.

How was your Thanksgiving? (We're having our family Thanksgiving on Sunday.) 

Do you get nervous when someone you love is having a procedure?

She Was The Ride Along

Deep Breath. Exhale.

Thanksgiving is over and now we can think about Christmas.

Our church puts on a free dinner for the community every year and so that's where we spend Thanksgiving. 

We serve over 1000 people and it takes more than 500 volunteers to get it all done!

I was in charge of the Busers and Servers this year, a job I've never done before so things have been a little stressful for me the last few months.

It was my job to place all 46 tables in a way that allowed space for the busers and servers to move around; for the large food carts to get through and for everyone to leave in an emergency if needed.

Thankfully another group of volunteers actually set the tables!

A few of the busers and servers getting ready.

 Servers, busers and table hosts ready and waiting for the guests to enter.

 The doors opened and the guests poured in!

(We did this 3 different times - 11:00, 1:30 and 3:30. As soon as the guests from one seating left, we reset the tables and did it again!)

 

  

We also provide transportation for those who need it and that's where Chuck and Beth volunteered. Chuck drove the shuttle bus and Beth was his 'ride along'. He told me that they picked up an older couple who was blind and Beth gently led the woman off the bus and into the church! (No pictures though.)

This was our 22nd year and it is always an honor to serve so many people!

We hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving too!

One of the Most Interesting Things About Raising a Child With Special Needs

One of the most interesting things about raising a child with special needs is the reaction from the people around us.

When our family walks into a restaurant and the host seats us, I'm usually in the back. You know, to  make sure all the kids follow dad and make it to the table.

I can see the other customers faces as the host walks by, then Chuck, then usually Sharaya or Diana and they keep talking to the person they're with or they take a bite of food. But then Beth walks by and almost every single time they stop... fork half way to their mouths or mid sentence - and they turn to look at Beth. And they watch her walk all the way past.

Sometimes they look up and catch my eye and the look on my face varies. I'm sure it depends on the look on theirs. Sometimes it's knowing - an older couple with great big smiles and they'll wink at me. I wonder if they have a child or grandchild with special needs.

Other times it's people who just don't know what to think about her. They just look.

Still others will whisper something to the people they're with and kind of point to Beth, like they're saying, "Quick. Look at her." They don't smile. They just stare.

It's hard.

But then there are people who look at your child with love. They look at her and know she can do anything she puts her mind to. They look at her and are proud of her accomplishments.

I actually caught one of the moments with my camera. It was at Beth's high school graduation in 2004 and she had just walked across the stage, shook the principal's hand and received her diploma. Then she made her way down the stairs, past some of the faculty and was headed back to her seat when I snapped this:

 
She's completely oblivious to them but you can tell they're celebrating her accomplishment. They're genuinely excited for her! That doesn't happen all the time and I love the way they're looking at her!

The Day Before

It's the day before Thanksgiving and Beth and I just got back from working at the church. Each Thanksgiving we serve a free dinner to the community. I'm the team leader for the condiments area; we prepare the black olives, pickles and cranberry sauce, plus dish up all the pies. It's exhausting but fun.

Today Beth and I prepared the room where I'll be working tomorrow. We laid down heavy mats, moved tables, hauled the big Costco size containers of olives and pickles... then we went out for frozen yogurt. :)

Tomorrow Beth will be working in the childcare area, helping with the kids all day. Diana is helping me in condiments and Chuck will be in the transportation department. If someone doesn't have a ride, we go pick them up and then take them home after dinner.

We do this three times. There are dinners at 11:00, 1:30 and 3:30. There is entertainment during the meal plus door prizes and a raffle for an IPad. We have a professional photographer taking family photos and a reception room with coffee and snacks while you wait for your seating. It's a pretty involved event with more than 400 volunteers to make it all happen. I guess you could say this is our 18th Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner!


Tomorrow is Thanksgiving (I can't believe it's the end of November already!) and I just want to say how thankful I am for some of the basic necessities. A hot shower, my bed, a roof over my head. I know so many in this country, due to the weather or house fires don't have even these basic things and I know how precious they are. I'm thankful for my husband. He has been so faithful and such a calming influence in my life. I feel safe when he's around. I'm thankful for our three girls, Beth, Sharaya, Diana and for Ryan and Allison. They bring joy into my life. I'm so proud of each of them and am blessed that they all love the Lord.

From our family to yours, we hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!