He is Enough

‘Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy 

abundant peace and security.'

Jeremiah 33:6

 

When I wake in the morning

He is enough

Throughout our day

He is enough

When no one is there

He is enough

In every trial

He is enough

Lost on the journey

He is enough

When tears fall

He is enough

Overcome with grief

He is enough

When the pain is unbearable

He is enough

When I close my eyes at night

He is enough

In all things

He is enough

Home Education and Down Syndrome

I've spent a great deal of time over the years researching how children with Down syndrome learn.  As I read and researched, I began to collect information and slowly begin to put the pieces all together.  Learning in children with Ds is a complex interaction between strengths and weaknesses, motivation and learned helplessness, errorless learning and targeted interventions.

I have shared most of what I know in an easy to use, easy to read format in my free e-book, Homeschooling Children with Down Syndrome. 

Now, I would like to share the paper that contains the research behind the e-book.  It is found on the best site for information about Down syndrome - the Riverbend Down Syndrome Association website:

 Home Education and Children with Down Syndrome - The Primary Years

If research is your thing, you'll love the reference section!

Life Beyond Homeschooling

No, I am not retiring from our homeschooling lifestyle as of yet.  We will continue this homeschooling journey until I know in my heart that we need to seek a new direction.  Reagan is in a prime learning period.  She is picking much up at a rapid pace so we will continue on learning together.

I am encouraged (but not surprised) by studies that show that cognitive skills continue to develop with increasing age in individuals with Down syndrome and, in fact, they may be more developmentally ready to learn when they reach young adulthood.  (Down Syndrome Across the Lifespan, Chapter 7)

So, for right now, we will continue on this path.

Sometimes, my mind travels beyond homeschooling.  I have so loved this period in my life.  What will I do when I do retire?

What will I do with that big hole in my heart left by the passion of living and learning with my girls?

I must admit to some trepidation when my thoughts move to the future.  But not to fear. 

New, strange, exciting things are coming into my life.  For most of my life, I did not believe I had an artsy bone in my body. 

Now, I am driven to write.  In the past, I have written many informational kind of pieces.  I have written much about my passion for homeschooling children with down syndrome.  My free e-book Homeschooling Children with Down Syndrome has been read by over 16,000 people in the various places it is available.

So very grateful for the journey!

I have written many pieces for our regional homeschooling association creating awareness for those of us homeschooling children with special needs.  It has worked.  For the first time in a long time, we will have workshops at our local convention targeting those of us homeschooling children with significant special needs.

Now, I am driven to write stuff that is kind of off the wall for me - creative writing and something akin to poetry.

Now, I am obsessed with my camera and photos - some of which I share here.

All I know is I must create.

I know my work isn't all that good but a new phase has begun and a new path is forming!

Seeking beauty and spreading hope have become my passion.   Perhaps it always has been but now I am driven in a different way.

I want people to know that hope and healing are inevitable.  No matter what the crisis you face - God waits for you to bring Him your heart and soul, your tears and your pain - to give it all to Him.  He will create something new and beautiful of all that we endure here on earth.

I know God is at work in me.  As I transition into a walk on a different path, I find I am not lost but only finding a new direction.

And I find that exciting!

Journey to Acceptance

"The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?"  Exodus 4:11

Some parents have difficulty with the miracle before them.

A miracle imperfect in their eyes

But a miracle made perfect in the eyes of God

Most come immediately

Recognizing Love

In the miracle

Many find

Grief swiftly descends

Then rapidly departs

Only to reappear periodically

Some come slowly

Their grief intense

Gradually fading

With sporadic resurfacing

A few struggle

Grief unabating

Wrestling with societal demons

Refusing to accept

What their heart sees

As imperfect

In the end

Most will know

As Purpose revealed

Finding Grace sufficient 

Love wins

The imperfect

Reaches perfection

In Love

Joy Lifts My Soul

Joy lifts my soul

And makes my heart sing

A dark, bitterly cold morn

Cannot steal it away

A new day

Snow gently falling

Greeted by beauty

Before me and around me

The past is distant

Given to the Great Physician

Coming to this day

Healed and whole

To approach what lies before me

In Love

Without fear

Safely resting in Him

 

I walk in the Light

Knowing grace surrounds me

Light flows from broken places

Peace settles into my soul

Confident the day before me

Will know Love

In the ebb and flow

Of all I give and receive

Everyday Heroes

Who are the people you admire and respect?

Those on the cover of People Magazine?

Those who obtain financial success?

Those who boast of their wonderful deeds and service as they ladle soup into bowls?

We live in a culture which has a star mentality.

Nobody really wants to hear the stories of everyday heroes.

Few can tolerate the reality that many families face.

A reality that knows great suffering

Yet knows greater love

How about those parents who tend to their precious little ones receiving chemotherapy?

How about the parents who labor in love with their child who cannot talk, walk or feed themselves?

How about the parents who advocate over and over and over for the child who has no voice.

How about the parents who adopt and rescue children from poverty, sickness and despair?

How about the parents who must hand their child back to the Creator after serious illness?

Parents who struggle

Parents who weep

Because they love

And understand the call before them

Heroes who give beyond their own brokenness

 

Who walk in grace

Infused with Divine strength

        

Few will have their story told or make the cover of any magazine. 

 

They will never receive a medal for their service

Heroes just the same

Lent

Sometimes I think I take myself too seriously during penitential season.  I'm very serious about my spiritual growth.  I put a great deal of effort into it.   My personality leads me to a more contemplative lifestyle. 

This year I'm going to make it a different experience.  I will still read my Bible and the devotionals I've collected for Lent.  I'm also going to study George Herbert's work.  His poetry moves me so.  This is one of my favorites:

The Altar

A broken ALTAR, Lord thy servant rears,
Made of a heart, and cemented with teares:
Whose parts are as thy hand did frame;
No workmans tool hath touch'd the same
A HEART alone
Is such a stone,
As nothing but
Thy pow'r doth cut.
Wherefore each part
Of my hard heart
Meets in this frame,
To praise thy Name:
That if I chance to hold my peace,
These stones to praise thee may not cease.
O let thy blessed SACRIFICE be mine,
And sanctifie this ALTAR to be thine.

I won't go into great detail about the rest of my devotions in Lent, but I intend to reach outside of my own private study and reach out to others.  I am such an introvert that it does take great effort for me to go beyond the regular rhythm of my days.  I feel called to reach out to those who are considered shut-ins a part of this Lenten journey.

So, I'm leaning on God to give me the strength and grace to do the work He has called me to do.  

My your Lent be blessed and may the power of the Holy Spirit do great works in you and those who surround you!

Finding Joy in the Journey...

....when we find ourselves in the desert - times where we experience physical, emotional and/or spiritual dryness.

It is common this time of year to find  homeschool burnout rampant.  Grey skies, inclement weather, deep questions as to how we are fulfilling God's will and the call to homeschool all contribute.

The role we have raising children and homeschooling may come to seem a drudgery at times.  A veil lowers over our hearts and we see little joy in our days.

I know - I've been there, done that.  I've been formally homeschooling for 18 years...

It is not all a bed of roses.

I want to assure you that the joy remains but perhaps muted by our state of mind and heart.  It takes effort for our eyes to see and our hearts to move.

It is an effort worth making!

For the sake of our loved ones, I want to encourage you in the little things which will lead to the big things.  The joy is there waiting for eyes that see and hearts uplifted!


Baby steps, my friends!

A grateful heart

Start the day counting your blessings.  At first it may take some practice if it is not your nature as your body wakes but an invaluable exercise in seeking joy.  I've face some devastating events in my life and I will say I had to "practice" much but that practice lead me to where I am today.

I wake up these days gleeful and grateful that I have another day with my family to seek God's will and live in His grace and mercy.

Pray

Keep the communication open between you and the Lord.  He knows your heart and wants what is best for you and your family.  He is your strength in weakness.

Keep your Bible close

Everything you need to know for the journey is there!  Memorize verses that keep you focused on the Lord and the goal you have set for your family.  My favorite verse this time of year is:

 ^"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."  Philipians 4:8

You've been called to homeschool your children - this verse says it all about the call, the beauty of  living in the call and God's will for your family. 

Include your spouse

Share your journey with all its ups and downs.  Pray together.  Seek strength together.  You were both called to this lifestyle - be there for one another.  


Go through the motions

Keep the structure of your days.  There is comfort in structure.

A counselor once told me to "act as if" and the feelings with follow.  There is so much truth to this!  Mothers are often called to "act" beyond what our human nature has to offer.  At times, we are weary,  patience tested, sleep deprived and yet we continue to respond lovingly to the little ones looking to us for care and nurturing. 

Sometimes we just need to put on a smile on as we greet the day and so very often the feelings will follow.

Take a break

Sometimes, a short break is needed for a hard working, homeschooling mom's spiritual and mental health.  We school year-round so that we can take breaks as necessary.

Time filled with escaping from the routine can be conducive to improving your quality of life when in the throes of burnout.  Sometimes a cup of hot tea and ten minutes uninterrupted will do and, at times, a day or two (or perhaps more) will help you get a better perspective.

Devotionals

I keep a variety of devotionals close at hand for encouragement.  I have two favorites right now.

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young has very short entries for a busy homeschooling mom.  From today's entry:

"I am ever so near you...Let Me be your positive focus.  when you look to Me, knowing Me as God with you, you experience Joy."

Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman.  A book for those of us who tend to spend more time in the desert - especially those of us who homeschool children with special needs.  From the book cover:

"Filled with insight into the richness of God's provision and the purpose of His plan, this enduring classic has encouraged and inspired generations of Christians.

From today's entry in regard to those who struggle:

"Your heavenly Father knows.  (Matthew 6:32)"

"Yes, Father, for this was your pleasure (Matthew 11:26)

 to "claim  an eternal truth upon which the most mature believer, and even the youngest child of God, may securely rest - the truth that God is your Father."

...a loving Father who knows and seeks only good for you...

Journal

Busy homeschooling moms may not have time to journal but expressing your thoughts and feelings in a journal but it is one I highly recommend.  Having a place to give to expression to your joys and trials is so helpful.  Sometimes we need a very safe place to  do some soul searching, let go of our burdens, work out our feelings, make forward progress in things that tug at our hearts and minds.

My only advice is to keep God in your journaling so it may be free of things that may be toxic to your heart and soul.

Seek spiritual direction

Your spiritual health is important!  When one feels they have been in a place of spiritual dryness for way too long and finding it is affecting our relationships, we might consider looking for specialized help.  Sometimes we need to seek some clarity in the form of a spiritual director/mentor or  a pastor.

Good friends

God intends us to live in community with others.  Hopefully, we have a community with others traveling a similar journey.  Reach out and share your burdens and your joys.  What a blessing friends can be!

So, my friends, be encouraged today.  The joy is there.  Take those baby steps to lift the veil that hides it from you.