Answered Prayers!

Wow! God is SO good!!

Christian starts the 1st Grade tomorrow and he is starting at a new school this year. We've been praying all Summer that when he started school, we'd meet with Christian's IEP (individual education plan) team to see about altering his plan so that he is in a regular classroom more. Right now his IEP is written so that he is in a regular class half of his day, and the other half of his day he goes to special education.

Just this morning a co-worker was asking about Christian and I shared our hopes for Christian with her. We went into our staff meeting, and during our staff meeting I was praying for this change to happen. An hour later,  Christian's Special Ed teacher called me to touch base with me before school starts tomorrow. As we were talking, I shared with her that we really would like to push for Christian is be in the regular class as much as possible by mid-school year. She was so excited to hear this because she is an aid (that specializes in Autism) in the classroom next to the one Christian was going to be in, and said that if we wanted him in the regular class all day, they could switch his teachers, and she would be his aid all day in the other class instead of pulling him out for half days!!
This is so exciting for us! So he won't miss any of the academics the other kids are doing or be flip-flopping between 2 classrooms everyday! I'm so excited about this and am so thankful that God totally provided this for us. Christian has come such a long way and I know that it's all because of the guidance from God. HE has brought Christian such a long way, we were just the vessels to accomplish it for Him. :)

Having trust and faith in the Lord and what he is doing in our lives is something that the Lord is really putting on my heart lately. I shared this during staff meeting last week at work, but wanted to share it with others, so here ya go:

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.- Hebrews 1:11

There are great examples of ordinary people acting in total faith and trust in our Lord and as we look in scripture, and many examples of people taking a step of faith and trusting God in situations to which they will not know what the outcome will be or even the implications for stepping out in faith. The example that keeps coming up for me over and over again lately is Matthew 14:23-33:

After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning. Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here! Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water. “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong[c] wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted .Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

Two weeks ago during JAM, we had the discussion with our kiddos about stepping out of the boat and going in water if God is calling you. Most of the kids analyzed the logistics and logic of stepping in the water and decided that they just didn’t know if they would be too paralyzed by the fear of drowning to step out in faith and obedience. One girl said that she would wear a life jacket so that she knew that there would be no way she could drown, but she could still be obedient in acting in what God was calling her to do. Which is interesting logic, but is this truly trusting God? And as adults in our daily walks with God, do we analyze the implications for us first before we just trust God in where he is calling us? Peter knew logically he would drown, but he stepped in total faith and trust.

Max Lucado says “we need to remember that the disciples were common men given a compelling task. Before they were stained-glassed saints in the windows of cathedrals, they were somebody’s next-door-neighbors trying to make a living and raise a family. They weren’t cut from theological cloth or raised on supernatural milk. But they were an ounce more devoted than they were afraid, and as a result, did some extraordinary things.”

It’s not that the many greats that we see in the Bible didn’t have fears, it’s that they had more faith than they had fear. You don’t need to understand why God is asking you to do something or every detail on how you can accomplish the task being presented to you. Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. We’re told in Joshua 1:9 “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” And we know that if our God is for us, then who could stand against us?

I just want to encourage you to trust in God and what he is doing in your life. He has your life in His hands, we just need to trust Him!! :) He is stirring up so many things in our hearts and lives and I can't wait to see what else he is doing!!

Love you Forever

The boys and I have a favorite book called Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. The theme of the story is a mother that watches her sweet little boy grow up, and always sings the song 'I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.' It's become our little thing to always tell each 'I love you forever!' Yesterday I was walking with Daniel, and I was carrying him. I told him that I loved him forever, he replied with, 'No, I love YOU forever!'. It then really hit him what that really could mean.

Forever is forever. Never ending. All eternity. The only way to live for all eternity is to accept and know Jesus Christ as your savior. This overwhelming feeling came over me to think of these implications. I know that Craig and I have accepted Christ, and that we will indeed get to live in heaven for all eternity, and now we have this absolutely responsibility to raise our children in Christ and in a Godly fashion. So when I tell my babies that I love them forever, I truly will in fact get to love them forever. And they are not my babies as long as I'm living, but in fact my babies forever.

I was overwhelmed with feelings of happiness of knowing that I get forever with my husband and children, but also burdened thinking about those that don't have this certainty. I couldn't imagine living my life not knowing what would happen when we passed from this life or not knowing what would happen to my children. This is a matter of life and death.

Hebrews 9:26-28 says If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice. And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.

Ephesians 2:8-10 says For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ------ We can't claim that we will get to go to heaven because we are "good people", it doesn't work that way. Romans 3:23 says that for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We need a savior. None of us are good enough to get into heaven on our own merits, we need the grace and salvation from Christ.

John 5:24 says "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my work and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." ----- If we don't accept Jesus Christ as the son of God, sent to save us from our sins, we are destined for death for all eternity. But we get life by accepting him.

This is a matter for life and death, forever. Once we're gone, there is no changing our decision to then accept Christ. We have to make this decision while we are living. I truly urge you, if you don't know where you will live forever after you pass from this earthly life, you need to seek out the truth now. No one is guaranteed tomorrow, so don't wait. Call me, email me, seek out a trusted friend, read the book of John in the Bible, to start (if you don't have a bible, you can find this online) do something, anything to know 100% what will happen to you when you die.

I can't imagine not living with Christ in my life. It's this relationship that is above all relationships, it's a deeper love than any human person can give you. It's hope, love, joy, peace, comfort like you'll never experience anywhere else. Don't wait and don't live life in anxiety, uncertainty, insecurity, helpless. There is hope. There is life, forever. Seek answers please. Your life depends on it.

I'm not Sorry

Yesterday I was waiting in the eye doctor's office and there was an older couple sitting across the room, waiting also. It was such a warm day, and being the Californian that I am, I HAD to wear my sandals ;)

The wife said quietly (but I could still hear her talking) to her husband, do you see the puzzle piece tattoo on her foot? He kinda just nodded and said "Hmmmm....". A few minutes later, he asked me what the story was behind my tattoo. I told him that puzzle pieces are the national symbol for Autism and that both my children are on the Autism Spectrum. He sorrowfully said, "Oh, I'm so sorry." I quickly replied with a, "I'm not sorry." I went on to explain how wonderfully blessed we are to have such special, unique little boys. That I get to experience things and see things that other parents don't get to. I said that it we are so blessed and thankful for our boys and God didn't make any mistakes.

I light up when I talk or think about my boys. A joy comes over my heart that I can't express and immediately results in a smile, so I'm pretty sure that I didn't come off as upset or angry as I explained how grateful I am for my sweet little guys. But it's true: I'm not sorry for any of their circumstances. They are 100% perfectly created. PERIOD. There is nothing to be sorry about. We absolutely have our struggles and challenges; but that has only made us stronger as individuals, parents and a family. And let's face it, what parent doesn't face a struggle with any child, special needs or not?

I got to tell this couple that I am so happy that I have kids with Autism. They challenge me to view things in a way that I never have before. I also got the wonderful privilege of telling them a little bit more about Autism, because they admitted they knew very little about it. Getting to spread Autism awareness is such a big deal for me, and I was so happy that 2 more people knew just a little bit more about it thanks to Christian and Daniel. :) And come to find out, they asked about the puzzle piece, just because they both really loved puzzles, so they thought it was interesting that I had puzzle pieces tattooed on my foot. :)

Psalm 139:13-14- For you formed my inward parts;You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous works are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

I love you boys more than I could ever put into words. I love every quirk, every challenge, every victory, everything. YOU ARE wonderfully made. :)

Being an Active Parent

Being an active parent has really been on my heart lately. I don't mean the active like run all around the yard with the kids (although I do enjoy doing that!!) but active as in making diligent choices that cater to their hearts, minds, spirits. I've always tried my very best 'be a good mom' and such, but everyone hits seasons where we are busy, tired, etc. and it's easier to let the little things slide by, or we realize there is more we can be doing to cater to our children's needs. I've realized lately that while I may have been doing my best before, there is so much I could have been doing. Or I was being and active parent on an on again/off again basis, but I don't want to be hot and cold for my kids. I want to always be an active parent. So what do I mean by that?

-Discipline: This is a huge issue on my heart. It is so much easier to quickly address the situation and tell the kids to stop the bad behavior and walk away or set them in time out. But this teaches them nothing. What a huge teaching opportunity that is being tossed away! But to sit down and talk with them about the actions, how it affects the other person, how it makes God feel, and how it makes Mom and Dad feel to see them act like that opens up conversation with them. Then asking them to pray for forgiveness for their actions and for the anger they are holding in their hearts is teaching them to pray throughout the day, not just at night as so many children do. This also gives us the opportunity to talk to our children about sin and the forgiveness we receive from our sins, how and why we get forgiveness.

-Taking that time to be on the floor playing with them. This is a hard one for me. All they enjoy doing is playing trains, and frankly, there is only so many times I can push Thomas or Gordon or Percy or whoever around the track before I'm bored out of mind. But that's not the point. Those are precious moments to spend with them. It's about building a relationship, trust, love, friendship. It's not about the fact that pushing a train on the train is silly to me, it's the fact that I'll never get today back, and my sweet child WANTS their mommy to play with them. How does it make them feel when I say, 'not right now' and go off to do something that in all reality, can wait (like the laundry or dishes).

-Setting the best example possible for the boys: Last week Craig was reading his Resolution for Men book and read a passage of it from it and it really caught my heart, so I'll share it:

God's word must "be on your heart." Children who forsake the faith are usually those who did not see God actively working in their parents' lives. But they develop an appetite for God when they see their dad and mom truly loving Him and walking with Him, when they see the blessings and rewards of your obedience firsthand. Whether itj's delighting in His creation, enthusiastically telling them stories from His word, or celebrating His goodness in ordinary conversation, you should delight in the Lord around your kids. You can't inspire them with truths you're not living yourself. So when God answers prayers, tell your kids about it. When He changes your heart or you overcome temptation, celebrate it with them. When you face a season of suffering or persecution, let them see the strength of your faith. Point out how He works. One clearly answered prayer can powerfully instill faith toward God in the heart of your child. One humbly confessed mistake can help them see the everyday reality of God's redemption. Every day gives you fresh material for making your life with Christ a front-row experience for the whole family.
I just found this to be such a great paragraph. We thought back over it and we could see direct examples of how this it so true. Making these choices every day is being an active parent.

I can only pray that doing each of these thing for Christian and Daniel are going to help raise them to be strong, courageous men of Christ, but in the last couple of weeks that I've made the decision to be more intentional in my parenting, I've found that I've been incredibly blessed by it. :)

These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and whenyou walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6:6-7