SWEET SIXTEEN

It's a big day tomorrow!  Joshua is turning sixteen!  Our efforts  to celebrate his birthday a day earlier with a fun lake day with jet skiing and tubing grew a little soggy in the constant rain at Lake Placid.  What was supposed to be a party on the dock wound up being an indoor party.  We were all together and it was fun and filled with laughs,  just not what we had planned.

Sixteen years ago when Joshua was born, it began the same way.  It was a celebration, but not what we had planned.  What an extraordinary journey it has been to see this beautiful boy grow into a young man.

 I wish I could have been better prepared for that happy day.  How could I know then that he would teach me more about life and love than anyone in this world.  And, that knowing him would make me a much better person.

 Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."  I believe Joshua sees God everyday.  I don't know about you, but I want that kind of heart.  I have so much to learn from him.  And not just him, but all special needs kids and adults.  If we could all just see through the eyes of God.  This is my prayer each day.

Happy Birthday, Joshua!!!!  God has given you a unique ability to touch hearts.  I thank God because you touch mine everyday.  I love you so much. 



Benjamin

I haven't blogged in forever - and I mean forever.   But, I am starting back up because of a boy named Benjamin.  I met his dad today.  My family and I went to Echo today to their farm day.  While waiting on a family member I began to talk to the gentleman next to me.   We made small talk for ten minutes till I mentioned my son, Joshua.  I explained to him Joshua's special needs and he became very quiet.  He spoke in an almost hushed voice as if revealing a painful, sacred secret. "My son has recently developed .... "  And, he told me the long medical name of the mental condition that had been developing in his son progressively the past two years.   Benjamin was becoming a different person before his eyes and it was scary and sad.  He talked about how he keeps comparing Benjamin to other kids his age and that just triggers more pain.

My family member returned and I promised the man I would pray for him and his son.  I reminded him to see his son through the eyes of Jesus.  Benjamin is a beautiful person and doesn't have to be like anyone else.  Please pray for this family.  They walk unknown territory everyday.  They are the bravest of the brave.  I pray they know they have a God who will walk with them through this journey - as He walks with me through mine.