Blessings

It's been over a year since I came home from the hospital. I read over my journals last night and was amazed at how far I'd come and the healing that had occurred in my life. I was talking it over with my accountability partner today and she recounted back to the days when I was so stiff I could hardly express emotion from my medication to seeing my self confidence grow week to week right before her eyes. There is so much to be thankful for in my life. I am thankful for an accountability partner who has been a cheerleader and truth-bearer over this past year. She has seen me at my worse and knows the secrets of my heart. I am so grateful for this relationship. It was definitely a God thing-something He brought together and continues to live out His purposes through it. I am blessed...

The Driving Season

This week, I experienced the chauffeur syndrome and missed eating together as a family three nights out of the week. All of the sudden our kids, who are in middle school, got really busy. Along with our schedule it really made for a week where we weren't sitting down for dinner together every night and I found myself driving all over. It seemed like this time just snuck up on us. We were managing middle school schedules and finding time to spend as a family without too much effort but I think that time has gone. This is a time to be very intentional about our kids and spending what time we do have together. As busy as this time is right now I know it's a season with important car time. The next season will be driving and I know I will miss being with them in the car. A plus of this is some more date time with my best friend! The other night, Isaac had to practice with the band and it wasn't enough time to go home and come back so we decided to go out for dessert and make it a date. It was a relaxing time in the midst of the week.

Stepping into Fall

Wow-it's been a couple months since I've blogged. I'm excited about the changes we've had in our family since then. Both kids are now in middle school and I have to say that most times I love hanging out with them! I started a new job. I'm a behaviorial therapist supporting preschoolers and work through a special needs company to do that. I'm enjoying my job but it's funny in that it's the first job I've had where I'm not identified with what I do. Before I've been much more attached to my job as a teacher, pastor, or preschool director. I'm home when the kids are home and don't bring any work with me. It's a beautiful thing. Jon and I are excited to help start a new couples group for middle school parents from our church. We are also involved in leading a service group called H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Everywhere). This is a family group that meets twice a month. This month's activity is Cradles to Crayons! We are embracing fall and this season at the Stolpe home.

Special Friends

Tomorrow is my last day at the special needs camp I was helping out with this summer. Getting to know these incredible children and seeing what brings them joy was my highlight to this experience. One of the children didn't talk but was so cooperative. He loved puzzles and was so good at them. Today, he laughed as I was chasing him in the gym with the ball-precious. There were other children that were nonverbal and yet God's love lit up in one of their smiles when they were happy. One child had the gift of mercy and she tried her best to comfort others that were sad or distressed. These children live in the present. They know they need help sometimes. They have special gifts and abilities given by God. It was an honor to be his hands and feet at this camp. These amazing children taught me so much more than I taught them.

Do you know any children with special needs?
What do they teach you?