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?

Waiting

There have been a few times throughout this past year, strategic times, that God has brought this verse to me on the bottom of a journal or in a card: "Wait on the Lord. Be strong and wait on the Lord." Tonight in our bible study, we read a portion of Psalm 37 in which verse 7 states, "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him." There it is. The P word. I have a lot of patience for other people, especially children, but when it comes to something I want I have a hard time. You see, I'm in the process of job searching for the fall. It's been an interesting process of figuring out what I'm looking for and I'm almost gun shy to think I've figured it out because I've been there in the past and God has changed directions. I do know that He's asking me to do some waiting. How much do I do and what is my role in this waiting time?

Have you ever waited for something you've really wanted? How did you make it through the wait time?

What I Want to Be When I Grow Up

I've been around enough mom circles to know that many of us are still searching for that career as the kids get older-What do we want to do when we grow up? I know that this search comes from a result of wanting to make a difference and contribution to the world that only we can make. For the longest time, I was confident that I knew what I wanted to do when I grew up. I taught school, raised my kids, and went to work for the church. I felt fulfilled and knew I was doing what God wanted me to do for each of those seasons. I decided to resign as my position as Providence Christian Preschool director to work more closely with children but I wasn't sure if I was going back to teaching or another area with kids. Honestly, I really felt lost and confused for this season. During this summer, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and as a result had a huge compassion for people, especially little people with special needs. I began volunteering at the YMCA with children that had special needs. I soon discovered that these exceptional little people had so much love to give and so very much to teach me. This summer, I'm helping out at Camp Majic-a special needs camp at the YMCA. I've had an opportunity to talk with some of the children's one on one's. I'm currently investigating some of the agencies that work with these amazing kids. I'm also contemplating going back to school to get my special education certification. For those of you that are searching for something else and wondering what your next steps are I'd encourage you to volunteer, ask questions, read books, and pursue your search. It will find you!