11.28.2011
"Me soon come..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPWgSISdYRc
Sharing a brief video from my March Jamaica trip with the Nehemiah Project.
Had the opportunity to meet this little guy at CCCD Jamaica. He is five years old, but had yet to learn sign language. But really-who needs language of any type when you have expressions like him?! What a pleasure to share something so simple-and to see the joy he recieves from it.
Was also blessed to visit six public schools, another deaf school, and an orphange during my visit. Shared Rylee's life verse from Psalm, explaining how God made each of us unique-and that our differences are actually what make each of us so special. Took down some snow from WV-which the kids and teachers all loved-to illustrate how, like us, each snowflake is different, unique, and beautiful.
Had the opportunity to meet two amazing moms caring for beautiful little girls, like our Rylee. God allowed us to assist with linking them up with a local rotary club who gave each girl their first wheelchairs-and their first opportunity to be mobile, up and about. Planning to go back down this month to surprise them both with all-terrain strollers so that the girls can enjoy community activities and attend their doctors visits despite washed out roads, and crazy Jamaican taxi drivers!
So excited and thankful that God has allowed me to share a small part of these little girls' lives.
While we know firsthand one can never outgive the Lord...man, it's sure fun trying!
God is good...all the time!
Special thanks to Jerry & Carol with the Nehemiah Project for making my first overseas trip so easy and enjoyable (minus the straw market!), Pastor Cletus and Tammy-missionaries in Jamaica for picking up SweetPea and letting me meet her and her sweet momma, Michelle and the local rotary club for all their hard work and dedication, and each person here at home who prayed for and supported my trip in numerous ways. "much love"
9.23.2011
Recalculating
Life for us over the past year has been a total adjustment, a 'recalculation.'
We realized somewhere in the last twelve months, our role in life has shifted to passenger.
While some would not like the change of pace, or lack of control-we've begun to relish having a front row seat, safely buckled in, anxious and excited to see what's next on the road ahead. Aaron and I have always found it comical the way we pack for trips. We think of everything...Feeding and DME supplies for Rylee? Safe and sound in stow-and go.
Activities and snacks for Ryann? In the bookbag beside her seat.
Multiple seasonal clothing? Of course, after all you never know when you may need gloves, hat, and winter coat while visiting Florida.
Traditional travel CD (really we have a playlist, doesn't everyone?) we never leave home without? In the CD player and uploaded to my iPhone.
Sunscreen and first aid kit? Filled full last night, under the front seat.
For the record, mine is categorized by problem-Bites and Stings, Allergies/Pain Medications, Minor Scrapes and Cuts, Major Bleeding, Ice pack, Anti-septic, and of course every bandage size known to man. My Troop 1041 Girl Scout leader would be so proud!
The girls' favorite blankets and stuffed animal? Just out of the wash, smelling of home, check.
One fancy outfit per person for the fancy restaurant we never seem to get around to patronizing? In the garmet bag "hang it up please honey...no it cannot go in stow-in-go. Did you just put that under the wheelchair?"
The list goes on and on until the girls are buckled in, by now asleep-and Aaron and I are sweaty messes, grinning with relief as we lean together on the back van door to close it. We quickly high five, hop in-drive to the end of the driveway-at which time one of us remembers we didn't tie down the suitcase carrier on top of the car. My husband jokes that he has to go back to work to get a break from vacation! How often we feel that way.
Now...my girls on the other hand-are blissfully out of control passengers.
All their needs are met, they have leg room to stretch out and lean back, generally everything they need for the trip is within arms length.
As a christian it's so easy to see the life parallel.
When we allow God to become the driver-He charts our route, makes sure we are on time and don't get lost.
I Peter 5:7
Deuteronomy 31:6
Matthew 10:30-32
He controls the temperature and speed of our life trip.
He guides our pit-stops-time to rest up in Him and be fed by His promises.
Isaiah 40:31
Psalm 46:10
His direction like a life-song that plays to the tune and speed of the life He has planned out, carefully crafted and thoughtfully carved.
Psalm 28:7
We realized somewhere in the last twelve months, our role in life has shifted to passenger.
While some would not like the change of pace, or lack of control-we've begun to relish having a front row seat, safely buckled in, anxious and excited to see what's next on the road ahead. Aaron and I have always found it comical the way we pack for trips. We think of everything...Feeding and DME supplies for Rylee? Safe and sound in stow-and go.
Activities and snacks for Ryann? In the bookbag beside her seat.
Multiple seasonal clothing? Of course, after all you never know when you may need gloves, hat, and winter coat while visiting Florida.
Traditional travel CD (really we have a playlist, doesn't everyone?) we never leave home without? In the CD player and uploaded to my iPhone.
Sunscreen and first aid kit? Filled full last night, under the front seat.
For the record, mine is categorized by problem-Bites and Stings, Allergies/Pain Medications, Minor Scrapes and Cuts, Major Bleeding, Ice pack, Anti-septic, and of course every bandage size known to man. My Troop 1041 Girl Scout leader would be so proud!
The girls' favorite blankets and stuffed animal? Just out of the wash, smelling of home, check.
One fancy outfit per person for the fancy restaurant we never seem to get around to patronizing? In the garmet bag "hang it up please honey...no it cannot go in stow-in-go. Did you just put that under the wheelchair?"
The list goes on and on until the girls are buckled in, by now asleep-and Aaron and I are sweaty messes, grinning with relief as we lean together on the back van door to close it. We quickly high five, hop in-drive to the end of the driveway-at which time one of us remembers we didn't tie down the suitcase carrier on top of the car. My husband jokes that he has to go back to work to get a break from vacation! How often we feel that way.
Now...my girls on the other hand-are blissfully out of control passengers.
All their needs are met, they have leg room to stretch out and lean back, generally everything they need for the trip is within arms length.
As a christian it's so easy to see the life parallel.
When we allow God to become the driver-He charts our route, makes sure we are on time and don't get lost.
I Peter 5:7
Deuteronomy 31:6
Matthew 10:30-32
He controls the temperature and speed of our life trip.
He guides our pit-stops-time to rest up in Him and be fed by His promises.
Isaiah 40:31
Psalm 46:10
His direction like a life-song that plays to the tune and speed of the life He has planned out, carefully crafted and thoughtfully carved.
Psalm 28:7
We still have input, but everyone knows the worth of a backseat driver. Our family is constantly discovering that when we go along for the ride-He meets all our needs. He gives us room to stretch and grow up in Him...and somehow, just when we need it everything we need for our trip is within arms lenth.
2 Corinthians 12:9
2 Corinthians 12:9
Thankful for our satellite, who guides us with His GPS (God Purposed Scenery)...buckled in for the ride, excited to see where He will lead us.
Psalm 139:13-16
Psalm 139:13-16
Blissfully out of control passengers
5.08.2011
"We're back.....!"
Wow...after a very long hiatus and a whole lot of changes, we're back to blogging!
In the midst of building our home last year my email (the one I've had since high school, with no security issues, mind you) was hacked. At the same time, Rylee's Google Blog was also compromised.
Our family blog has been a great way to let our close friends and family know what was going on in our lives-how to pray and how to encourage us. What we did not anticipate was all the 'six degree of Rylee' folks who began checking in on us too! We've loved reaching out to meet these new 'groupies', often ministering to other families like our own.
While I hate to restrict this avenue of communication...I also feel the need to protect our family and ensure a stranger or a hacker in a foreign country can't exploit our girls.
With that said-Google Blogs allow me to invite 100 folks to read our blog. If you've made it this far-you are one of those we granted access to!
Sorry about the extra step to check in on RyleeBug-but glad everyone understands.
Hope you check in often. I'll be updating weekly again...promise!
Much love from our crazy crew!
In the midst of building our home last year my email (the one I've had since high school, with no security issues, mind you) was hacked. At the same time, Rylee's Google Blog was also compromised.
Our family blog has been a great way to let our close friends and family know what was going on in our lives-how to pray and how to encourage us. What we did not anticipate was all the 'six degree of Rylee' folks who began checking in on us too! We've loved reaching out to meet these new 'groupies', often ministering to other families like our own.
While I hate to restrict this avenue of communication...I also feel the need to protect our family and ensure a stranger or a hacker in a foreign country can't exploit our girls.
With that said-Google Blogs allow me to invite 100 folks to read our blog. If you've made it this far-you are one of those we granted access to!
Sorry about the extra step to check in on RyleeBug-but glad everyone understands.
Hope you check in often. I'll be updating weekly again...promise!
Much love from our crazy crew!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
