I've watched this video several times and it moves me every time - because I share deeply the conviction this family lives and knows. The world needs individuals with Down syndrome and their extra dose of love that comes with the extra genetic material. The world needs those who live and share God's love...
Watch and be blessed!
An Extra Special Missionary
Leticia, of A Cause of Our Joy, Keep Infants with Down Syndrome (KIDS) and Causa Nostrae Laetitiae is an author and advocate for individuals with Down syndrome from conception throughout their life span.
Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts
Friday, June 17, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Dream Catchers
I am so honored to know the young lady who made this inspirational production called Dream Catchers. Kristina is about the same age as Reagan and has a younger sister, Adrianna, with Down syndrome. Kristina, from Inside Adrianna's Books, is an insightful young woman who has blessed me greatly in the short time I've known her.
Hear the stories of individuals with Down syndrome and their parents - and be inspired by the Dream Catchers:
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Hear the stories of individuals with Down syndrome and their parents - and be inspired by the Dream Catchers:
Share|
Thursday, April 16, 2009
A Moving Story...
I'd seen this video mentioned on a couple of blogs but the embedded video had been removed (by request) and never bothered to go to youtube to see what the excitement was about.
Let me tell you, I was moved to tears watching this unassuming but cheeky middle-aged woman change the opinions of the audience (and later the world) as soon as she opened her mouth to sing one of my favorite songs from Les Mis, I Dreamed a Dream.
Susan Boyles, 47 years old, grew up the youngest of nine children and a coal miner's daughter in Scotland. She had learning difficulties and was bullied growing up. She was her recently deceased mother's caregiver, lives alone with her cat, is unemployed and has never been kissed. Her dream...to be a professional singer.
When she appeared on Britain's Got Talent (which must be similar to American Idol) they laughed at her. They saw the plain, middle-aged, frumpy woman (like me) until she opened her mouth to share a talent that can only come from God.
Please watch this video and remember never to judge a book by its cover. All have value - even if they don't come in a package that this culture values - Hollywood good looks and high IQs.
Susan Boyle's dream may have finally come true and my hope is that the dreams of those who live with challenges this world doesn't value (and many terminate) have a chance to make their dreams come true too.
Some follow-up stories here and here.
Edit to add Ms. Boyle singing Cry Me a River
Let me tell you, I was moved to tears watching this unassuming but cheeky middle-aged woman change the opinions of the audience (and later the world) as soon as she opened her mouth to sing one of my favorite songs from Les Mis, I Dreamed a Dream.
Susan Boyles, 47 years old, grew up the youngest of nine children and a coal miner's daughter in Scotland. She had learning difficulties and was bullied growing up. She was her recently deceased mother's caregiver, lives alone with her cat, is unemployed and has never been kissed. Her dream...to be a professional singer.
When she appeared on Britain's Got Talent (which must be similar to American Idol) they laughed at her. They saw the plain, middle-aged, frumpy woman (like me) until she opened her mouth to share a talent that can only come from God.
Please watch this video and remember never to judge a book by its cover. All have value - even if they don't come in a package that this culture values - Hollywood good looks and high IQs.
Susan Boyle's dream may have finally come true and my hope is that the dreams of those who live with challenges this world doesn't value (and many terminate) have a chance to make their dreams come true too.
Some follow-up stories here and here.
Edit to add Ms. Boyle singing Cry Me a River
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Blue Roses
by Pastor Hal Steenson
Why do I always have to be the one who starts to do laundry and there’s no detergent? I guess it was time for me to do my “Dollar Store” run, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags and Clorox. So off I go.
I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies, and headed for the checkout counter only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man that appeared to be about sixteen-years-old. I wasn’t in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice, “Mommy, I’m over here.” It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged, and also shocked as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, “Hey Buddy, what’s your name?”
“My name is Denny and I’m shopping with my mother,” he responded proudly.
“Wow,” I said, “that’s a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Hal.”
“Hal like Halloween?” he asked.
“Yes,” I answered. “How old are you Denny?
“How old am I now Mommy?” he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle. “You’re fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass by.”
I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement because he was the center of someone’s attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.
Denny’s mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn’t even look at him, much less talk to him. I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
I told her that there are plenty of red, pink and yellow roses in God’s garden, however, “Blue Roses” are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a “Blue Rose” and if someone doesn’t stop and smell that rose with their heart or touch that rose with their kindness, then they’ve missed a blessing from God.
She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked, “Who are you?”
Without thinking I said, “Oh, I’m probably just a “daffodil or maybe even a dandelion,” but I sure love living in God’s garden.
Hebrews 13:2
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Why do I always have to be the one who starts to do laundry and there’s no detergent? I guess it was time for me to do my “Dollar Store” run, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags and Clorox. So off I go.
I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies, and headed for the checkout counter only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man that appeared to be about sixteen-years-old. I wasn’t in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice, “Mommy, I’m over here.” It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged, and also shocked as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, “Hey Buddy, what’s your name?”
“My name is Denny and I’m shopping with my mother,” he responded proudly.
“Wow,” I said, “that’s a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Hal.”
“Hal like Halloween?” he asked.
“Yes,” I answered. “How old are you Denny?
“How old am I now Mommy?” he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle. “You’re fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass by.”
I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement because he was the center of someone’s attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.
Denny’s mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn’t even look at him, much less talk to him. I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
I told her that there are plenty of red, pink and yellow roses in God’s garden, however, “Blue Roses” are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a “Blue Rose” and if someone doesn’t stop and smell that rose with their heart or touch that rose with their kindness, then they’ve missed a blessing from God.
She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked, “Who are you?”
Without thinking I said, “Oh, I’m probably just a “daffodil or maybe even a dandelion,” but I sure love living in God’s garden.
Hebrews 13:2
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
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