Duck, Duck Goose and a New Friend

I have so many memories of playing duck duck goose with my own children, children in my classroom and on mission trips. Their joy is contagious! Getting the kiddos together to form a circle-like shape can be an awkward challenge. Often children want to be near by their closest friends or the known fast runners. Sometimes the quieter children or children new to the group have a harder time at first. Soon, the game gets going and everyone is taking turns to run and to chose the goose. The sounds of clapping and cheering each other on, replace earlier awkwardness. Usually, all children are laughing especially when the teachers try to catch the really fast runners! Good times!

Recently, I was with a group of kindergarten and first grade children getting ready to play duck duck goose.  Helping to guide the children  to make a circle-like shape. Watching as several children not-so-subtly refuse to grab hands with a particular child, complaining loudly, and even going as far as to move to the other side of the room or sit in the middle of the circle-like shape. Eventually the children sit down and the game begins. Soon, the familiar sounds of laughing, cheering and clapping are heard. One by one the chidlren take turns mostly, giving everyone a turn.  Some kids taking two or three turns.

I watched the same child that had trouble getting others sit beside him was one of 3 that were still waiting to be picked. Another teacher helps to guide the children to select someone that hasn't had a turn. One of the 3 waiting children is selected.

Soon one of the other waiting children turns to me and says, "Where my turn?"

Tears sting my eyes, because it is my son.

 I was very much aware of the other children staring at him, moving away from him or loudly complaining. I was sitting behind the circle and saw how many of the children walked past him without tapping the top of his head. 

Duck, duck...ouch!

I struggled to have a gentle answer and positive words for him. Managing a smile and mumbling, "Soon." while silently praying and pleading for him to be picked.

Thankfully, he is selected soon and the game continues. The children start to just run and I see the boys that were complaining the loudest now running with a new friend.

Thank you God for my son, that shows such grace to others and loves with your heart.
This boy is amazing:)

Wow, I'm disconnected!

We've outgrown our house. Over the summer I began working on updating and decluttering to make selling and moving easier.  We've never moved with children before and well, moving with 5 kids is very intimidating and takes a LOT of planning! We have really great kids and they have helped out a lot. Their rooms are so clean and organized!! They helped pick out what toys to have out and what could go in storage or be given away. Very grateful.

Prayerfully, we started making plans to build or buy a house that could work for us now and as the kids grow. We started to dream and look carefully at our budget. (maybe I dreamed more and glanced at the budget) Through the process, it became clear that it wasn't just a house that we were needing, it was connection. Connection and a sense of belonging in our community.

Wow, I am disconnected!!!

Our area is really great and we have acquaintances here, but we are not connected. Our church is also great and we have acquaintances there and some deepening friendships, but we are really disconnected there too. Our family is unique and there are some challenges in raising children with special needs that I am still learning how to navigate. One of the biggest challenges I face is vulnerability, letting others see deeper inside my heart and our family.  Other challenges are safety and privacy. It is hard to carry on a conversation with someone while making sure my 5 creative and often adventuresome kiddos are safe and reasonably well behaved. It does get really uncomfortable being asked personal questions about our children and family in a large group setting by people that I have just met or those that happen to be nearby and see me with our kiddos. I've tried to be godly while giving gentle and appropriate answers...but if you've read any of my other posts you already know that doesn't always happen;)

So we started praying and really looking at our family's housing needs but more importantly our family's need to be connected. It is amazing that in years of ministry, serving, teaching, trainings and Biblical study we didn't see how fundamental (and really crucial for ministry to gain traction and support) being connected was. Honestly, I had to admit to God that I had let past hurts, my failures and fears about being rejected personally and as a family keep me so guarded with others that real connection really wasn't possible.

Ouch, owning my stuff hurts.

BUT like the Daddy I have, He has given grace and brought some really amazing people to my life that my family and I have been getting to know better.  He has allowed me to see His glory and His connectedness.

He created a world-a place filled with people created for connection, offering up his own son as proof of His love and deep desire to remain connected with people.

He connected a community- to rally together to love and support a precious family's efforts to secure a wheelchair accessible van. This precious daughter, Elise, has accomplished incredible things to raise awareness, encourage others and give God's message of hope. Read her story and about her family's journey here.

He connected a family-a far away orphan with severe facial disfigurements became an accepted and beautifully connected son, my son. Hudson has the biggest heart and has taught me and so many around him the depth of God's love, faithfulness and provision. This little blessing is awesome!!!

There are many more connections to come.

For now, our house is under contract and set to close in a month. We have plans to stay in the area to finish out the school year and participate in the isd's summer camps:) Our heart's desire is to be open to His leading, deeply connected to God first, and moving to a closer connection with others in whatever community He places us. For our good,His glory...and hopefully some more space for the 7 of us:)

This Teacher

I stepped into her world, I could not help myself. 

Her existence, a challenge to value system, cultural belief and the meaning in life.

Her smiles, reminders of joy during intense moments of pain.

Her laughter softens a calloused heart.

Her silky hair dances free from atrophy under the colorful night lights.

She speaks  loudly without possessing the gift of language.

The Almighty, His steadfast love radiates from her porcelain skin.
 
This teacher who does not have the ability to move her own body efficiently has stirred millions to step into her world and passionately step out for Christ.

This teacher, Elise.

You can read more about her and her family here Life with Elise

Hope

Hope.
A small word with so many meanings. The hope we have in Christ that we are children of God,  here on earth for purpose and by careful planing. Hope that I have for my children's future and for a better world. Hope in the truth of God's Word that pouring my life into my children will yield a generation of godly men and women. Hope that I will get all of our laundry done...some days that seems like an impossible task!!

Hope  in certain seasons of life especially when the diagnosis is worse than expected or the bank wants to foreclose on the house. Holding on to His hope of completing an impossible task that God has clearly called you to and you know you are completely unqualified in your own strength and resources.

Sometimes hope is seen and heard in the most unexpected and miraculous of places. Hope is clearly seen and heard from my sweet friend Elise. Look and let God speak His hope to you through Elise's smile. Remember her giggles as His praise.

Psalm 71:5-8 For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you,  you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you. I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.

Nurse Mom

July brings us to the end of the pic line!!! Our home health nurse was wonderful ! Thank you Nurse Bryan!!!

One of us was very excited about the last day!

 

 All gone, thanks Nurse Bryan!!!
















Recovery snuggle with gege.