Saturday, June 21, 2008

VBS and other things

So as you can see from when my friend Michele, hijacked my blog. My kids had a great time at VBS.

I was a little not concerned exactly but anxious I guess is the right term because I didn't know how Michael was going to do. God certainly blessed us when Charissa, Shy and Jessica said that it was ok for Michael to go into the older class. I can not describe in words how blessed I feel for them because of the awesome and amazing way they took care of Michael. They treated him like any other kid and I am so blessed.

Of course Natalie also had amazing teachers but as she is a "typical" child I don't worry quite as much about how teachers are going to react to her.

I had a blast teaching 4th grade VBS this year. And the kids I taught really seemed to enjoy it too. And of course I got to teach with Robert and it was so much fun.

Over at my friend Michele's blog, (yes the one who hijacked my blog) she found a youtube video about cardboard testimonies. I have to tell you that it took me about three or four different times to watch it. It seemed like every time I tried to watch it one of the kids needed something or it would not load for me. So today when I got back from grocery shopping I decided that I was finally going to watch it. It took my breath away at how amazing and right on some of those testimonies were.

As some of my friends know, I am addicted to reading blogs. Not writing them, but reading blogs. I guess I haven't been very interested in writing blogs because I don't feel like I have that much to say to people, and that my testimony wasn't and isn't that interesting. But I guess that watching that video and some other things that have happened the last couple of weeks really has shown me that God has a plan for me to. THat my life is not as boring or as mediocre as I think it is.

About a month ago I wrote an e-mail to a blog I read often and I would like to share it as a short version of my testimony about Michael. I hope you enjoy it.

"I am a mother of a wonderful special needs son named Michael. Michael is almost 3, deaf, not walking, has only been sitting unassisted for about a year and is now understanding how to work his whole body so he can eventually crawl like other kids do.

I am also a believer and about 2 years ago my in-laws invited to go to a healing service at the church they attend. I argued and pleaded with God to not make me go. For half an hour on the way home from work I had a conversation with God. His answer was "Go, and it will all be ok"

So I went and it was the most eye opening church experience I have ever had. Have you ever seen that movie with Steve Martin "Leap of Faith" when he plays a fake evangelist, and everything was a show. Thats just what I saw when I walked into this church.

They (the pastors at this church) told me that my son was cursed and that only if I had enough faith would he be healed. They also put a time limit on God's healing. They said that Michael would be healed within a week.

Well here we are almost 2 years later, and Michael is not healed, in the sense that they had told me he was going to be. But maybe I am.

I love the analogy that you used with the pottery. Ever since that sunday morning that we went to that church, I have slowly but surely putting the pieces of my relationship with God, back together.

God is good, all the time.

We have since learned what Michael has, and in every logical sense, every human thought process Michael will never be completely healed. He (and so do I) have a rare chromosome deletion. He is missing part of his X chromosome. Its not a big deal in me because women have two X's, but my little boy (and all men) only have one and the part of his X he is missing affects his motor skills and his hearing and possibly his sight. But God is good all the time. "



And I meant what I said to her, God is good all the time.

Have a blessed Saturday

Monday, June 16, 2008

Vacation Bible School Fun

BLOG HIJACK!

Hi,
I'm Michele, one of Audre's friends from church. While Audre has been busy teaching 4th Grade VBS this week, I have been busy taking pictures of all of the kids. I have been amazed to see how much Michael has grown up over the last several months. He has the most incredible teachers this week, and every time I have visited Michael's room, he has been actively engaged in all kinds of activities. He has really enjoyed going to worship, and last night he loved making the flower necklace. Michael was so fascinated by all the colors and textures in the necklace, it was so fun to watch him interact with his teachers and other children.

Tonight during recreation the teachers made a special activity for Michael. It was a miniature ball pit with bright colored balls, and stuffed animals. He played forever in the ball pit, he loved it. Michael is such a ham...he loved having his picture taken tonight, and grinned bigger each time that I took his picture.

Of course Natalie is always a cutie, so I had to add a few pictures of her as well.

Audre, I hope you enjoy this. God has truly blessed you and Matt with two beautiful children. I admire your strength and courage in coordinating all of Michael's care. He is lucky to have such a great Mom!

Love ya,
Michele :)




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Thursday, June 12, 2008

My Beautiful Children

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Here are some updated pics of the kids. I can't believe that Natalie is fourteen months today and Michael will be three in august. My how time flies. Hope everyone is doing well
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"Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?"

Growing up Dr. Seuss was my favorite author. I love his rhymes and his sense that anything is possible. Awhile ago we got Michael and Natalie the board book of "Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?" And the kids seem to really enjoy it. Anyway, Natalie is sleeping right now, so I thought I would go and play with Michael. Well he was reading Mr Brown and so I laid right down next to him and started signing the different animals. Well in one part of the book there is a picture of a chicken and an owl, so I started signing bird, well Michael thought that was hilarious. It is so fun to hear his laugh and to get a sense of what he thinks is funny. Just thought I would share.