He Lives

I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary, I never will despair;
I know that He is leading thro all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing will come at last.

Rejoice, Rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,
None other is so living, so good and kind.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

Alfred H. Ackley

A Lot To Celebrate

Thank-you everyone for your encouraging words on my recent posts about Ethan. Living with Autism is a challenge and it is important to celebrate the positives and accomplishments. At the same time, I don't want to minimize the difficulty of raising a child with autism or special needs.

Today is National Autism Awareness Day. So many people have a hard time understanding what autism is. Nobody is sure yet, what causes it-although many have theories and opinions. Those who deal closely with autism want answers.

Today is also Good Friday. Many people have a hard time understanding what the crucifixion is and why we celebrate. Many have theories and opinions of Jesus and what his mission in life was. Those who deal closely with Him, know the answer.

Today I will celebrate both.

On a side note, I never imagined myself wishing for anyone to have Celiac Disease, since my daughter Elisabeth lives with this. But today, that is exactly what my hope is. My mom-in-law was tested for it yesterday and I am hoping she tests positive. It is a relatively easy disease to live with when compared to other causes of her symptoms. It would be a welcome lifestyle change. She'd come to live with us, and I'd prepare her meals. Could it be any easiser?

And really, that is exactly what Jesus offers. When we realize something is amiss in our life, He opens the door for us to live with Him. The table is already prepared.

Not This Time

Oh...my....word! Life in Korea is certainly not what I imagined. Christopher sent me a text today telling me he was so completely undone. He and Lauren are due home for in May for a very short, 2 3/4 week visit. They are flying to Detroit, intitially, then to Denver. This is not during summer break but amidst the school year. Initially, they asked for a month off, but the principal only wanted to give them 2 weeks. Somehow they negotiated for a little more.

Well, until today. She informed them she no longer had coverage and so they could only allow them to go for 5 days. Since she was the one who booked their flights, she already changed them so that they are flying to Detroit only and then back to Korea. This means we will not see them at all. Can you believe she could just renege at the last minute and ruin it for so many people?

Michael, Elisabeth, Sarabeth and I exhaustively tried to come up with an answer for this situation. I was so ready for this. But I guess not ready enough. I was fooled again. Just like 3 years ago. I was sure I wouldn't believe anything Christopher told me on April Fool's Day, but it came a day early because of the time change in Korea. I'm planning revenge.

If anyone has a good idea, email me privately.

If You Give A Boy A...

If you give a boy a broom, he'll help you sweep the kitchen. Thanks to his help, it will take a long time. While he's sweeping, he'll notice your coke sitting on the counter. He'll take a swig. As he does, he'll spill a little. Drinking soda will make him want a snack. He'll open the refrigerator door.

When he opens the refrigerator, he will see cake and want some. You'll cut him a piece and he will eat it. Eating it makes him thirsty and he'll drink some more coke...spilling it over the table, on the floor, and down his clothes. When he realizes that his clothes are wet and sticky, he will strip naked. Seeing him naked will remind you that he probably needs to use the toilet. So you'll take him to the bathroom. Being naked in the bathroom reminds him that he should take a bath.

After a bath, he'll need some clothes. When he goes looking for clothes, he will see the mess in the kitchen. He'll grab the broom and start sweeping the floor. As he's sweeping the floor...

My Buddy

What a busy day we had yesterday, Ethan. I know you don't remember, but your mom truly did say good-bye, and kiss your sweet face before she left. You were so sleepy, you rolled over in bed, never opening your eyes.

I'm sorry grandpa didn't wait a day so you could shovel snow with him. I don't think you minded too much, or is that why you worked so hard to throw snow back onto the driveway?

I really appreciated your help with peeling potatoes and putting a pot roast into the crockpot. I wish I could get you to understand that once we put the food into the slow cooker, it does not need to be stirred constantly. Nor does it need additional seasoning-once is sufficient. And if you want to eat dinner at a reasonable hour, turning the pot off and on randomly does not make it happen quicker. I'm sorry that while you weren't looking, I hid the crockpot in another room so it could cook alone. It does its best work that way.

Thank-you for setting the table. You expected a crowd and insisted on putting 12 plates out.

Did I mention how thoughtful you are? Kleenex for napkins are much softer for wiping your hands and face.



Thank-you for sharing your shower with me. Usually I'm not fully dressed when I bathe, but what's a little water between you and me? Or a lot of water?

I was sure you were tired. I let you watch television and have a snack in bed. Your grandma never would have let your mom do this. Your angelic face was so very sweet when you finally closed your eyes at 10 minutes of twelve. I smiled very contentedly.

This morning, I thought I'd be one step ahead of you and jump in the shower before you awakened. Since you didn't go to bed until nearly midnight, I knew you'd sleep later. Besides, if you did get out of bed, surely grandpa could keep you out of trouble play with you for a few minutes.

Imagine my surprise when your grandpa poked his head in the door and said you could use some help. As I walked downstairs I detected an odor. Boy was I glad you were wearing a pull up diaper. But it seemed like something more was going on as I noticed some spots on the carpet near your dog. Apparently, she must need to go too, as it looked like brown spots on the ground. Quickly I took Dazy outside, before I cleaned you up and got you dressed.

Back downstairs, the offensive smell lingered. Once again I saw how helpful you try to be. Your dog must have left a very generous pile on the carpet. I'm so glad you thought to use a roll of paper towels to pick it up. Plopping it on top of the stove was not the best place to dispose of it. But thanks.

Bucket List 1-10

My own Bucket List
Or
Things I want to do before I die:

1. Spend some time at an orphanage in another country. Possibly Uganda.
2. Rock the babies and children at aforementioned orphanage and pray over them.
3. Eat thick, chewy, crusty, pan pizza, filled with gluten and the toppings of my choice.
4. Go to a George Strait Concert. (Again)
5. Visit New York in the winter.
6. Stay overnight in a tall New York hotel, and watch snow falling down on the busy city.
7. Lose a few pounds.
8. Volunteer at a hospital again.
9. Take piano lessons and really learn to play.
10. Bless a stranger abundantly.

Random Dozen

Because it's a snow day and no school. Because I have a cold and still feeling crummy. Because...well, just because, I am playing Random Dozen, along with Linda at 2nd Cup Of Coffee. Except this week it is hosted at I Didn't Know That. If you've never read Linda's site, each week she posts a dozen random questions. Here are this weeks:

The theme is Spring . . . and any other random questions that crept in.

1. What is your favorite sign of Spring?
Snow. Lots of it. After each melt, the grass gets greener and greener until poof! And it looks like summer.

2. Did you remember to spring forward on March 14? If not, how did it impact your day?
Yes, I did. But I was still impacted. I struggled with staying up late on my birthday night since I'd be losing an hour of sleep.

3. If soil, time, talent and climate were no problem, what vegetable would you plant in a garden this year?
asparagus

4. If soil, time, talent and climate were no problem, what fruit would you plant?
peaches

5. What is your least favorite insect?
cockroaches

6. March 22 was World Water Day. To celebrate, here are some water questions. Do you drink bottled water? If so, what brand?
Yes. I can see the image in my head. Let's see...oh, yes, arrowhead.

7. Have you ever been somewhere that it was not safe to drink the local water? If so, how did you handle that?
No.

8. How many glasses of water do you drink per day?
2

9. March 24 is the birthday of Harry Houdini. Have you ever watched a professional magic show? Share.
No.

10. Have you ever been a participant in a professional magic show (up on stage!)?
No.

11. March 24 is also the birthday of Steve McQueen and Clyde Barrow. Do you like Westerns or gangster movies? If so, what is your favorite?
No.

12. (Really random) What U.S. state that you've never visited that you would like to visit someday?
New York, but I want to go in the winter.

Cooking With Ethan

Ethan recently began swiping my dish towels that hang in my kitchen. Initially, I thought he was merely wanting a tail. Each and every time, they were tucked into the backside of his pants. Sometimes one in the front too. It finally occured to me, Ethan might be destined to become a chef. The towel is merely a makeshift apron.

"How's this grandma?"

"What else can we add? Gluten-free beer? Oh yeah!"

"You wanna taste?"

"Sorry, Grandma, this thing keeps flipping food out of the pan."

"Nothing better than cooking with Grandma."

Well, unless this guy's around. Ethan loves his grandpa.

Snoring

I am fascinated by snores. Mostly, because I can't figure out why people make this ruckus when sleeping. I mean seriously. When fully awake that same person doesn't make obnoxious noises when breathing.

I imagine working out at the gym. I'm on the eliptical or the treadmill. Suddenly the guy next to me begins snorting. Yes, it would be a guy. Women don't snore. Gurgles, gasps and shudders. I'd have 911 on speed dial. He's dying! He's having a heart attack! He can't breathe!

Instead, I see a man lying in his recliner, asleep in front of the television. Suddenly, it starts. The shudder, gurgle, gasp and snores. I don't dial 911. But sometimes I want to. Mostly in the middle of the night...when I can't sleep because I'm afraid he will choke to death. No, not really. I just want to sleep.

"911, what's your emergency?"
"Um, it's not really an emergency."
"Then why did you call?"
"Well, it could be an emergency. He's making these awful choking noises. If he keeps it up, I might have to put a pillow over my head. And I might quit breathing. Then it will be an emergency. When can you get here?"

But seriously, isn't it fascinating that anyone breathes like this, but only when asleep? Wheeeez, heeeee, snort, gurgle...what does snoring look like in writing? I can't express the sounds I'm hearing. I tug on the bed covers. I don't want to wake him. I'm merely trying to calm the storm. Nope. I hear the loud struggle to suck in air. I brush my hand against his arm. It quiets for a moment. I lie there waiting to hear his next breath. Nothing. Is he still breathing? What if he isn't breathing? I listen harder. All is quiet. Once again I ponder what creates these strange noises. I drift off to sleep.

I must have continued my wondering, as I begin dreaming. I'm on vacation, at a beach house with family and friends. Someone has brought along their dog. And he is snoring. I try to make him stop. But no matter what I do, the dog keeps snoring. I pet it, offer him treats, I try to play fetch. Nothing works. I try to enjoy the sun and sand, but there is a rhythmic sawing noise that interrupts my fun. I resort to kicking the dog. It wakes me up from my slumber.

I realize it was all a dream and try to go back to sleep. But now I'm awake Why can I still hear the dog snoring????

For The Love Of doG

For the love of dogs...

This is Ethan when he was a few weeks old. I just knew he was going to love dogs.

Ya see? I taught him to crawl by placing the dog a few feet away from him. He learned quick!


After a bit, I began to wonder if he was spending too much time playing with the dogs. He could crawl, chew, and drool with the best of them.


But can you tell he just loves them?

Here doggie, doggie.

One happy boy when he's spending time with his best friends.

This isn't even our dog. Belonged to the neighbors.

Again, these guys belonged to two different neighbors. Ethan wasn't afraid to take them on anytime.

See? He had them whipped into shape in no time.

And then he got his very own puppy.


Dazy and Ethan are still best friends.

Forty-Eight Is Great

Remember this?

For my birthday, I went from this total man sink (notice there is no counter space or storage space anywhere.)

To this:

I actually have somewhere I can set my makeup or hair brush. Wow!
We went out to dinner with the girls, grandma, & Ethan.

Ethan is quite the copycat.



A tall drink for toasting





Okay, too many photos to choose from.


I think Ethan was in nearly every picture.



Back at home

The girls



It really was a great birthday weekend!

Friday the 12th

Nope. Doesn't have the same ring as Friday the 13th. But Friday the 12th it is.

Ethan is coming for a visit later today. Must remember to take pictures. But more importantly, lock the cabinets and hide the ketchup.

And it seems like I am forgetting something...need to remember what that is. That's why I don't make lists. I like to pretend my calendar is empty with nothing to do.

Oh Ethan

I was browsing old photos yesterday. It was fun to see how much Ethan has changed these past 7 years. During the reminiscing, Michael got a call. It was from none other than Ethan himself. He was upset and telling his grandpa quite the tale. Christina got on the phone and interpreted. Seems a little boy thought that it was a good idea to put his favorite Transformer into the microwave oven and press the on button. Optimus Prime wasn't in very prime condition.

Later in the evening I received a phone call. Ethan loves ketchup with his meals. When Christina stepped out of the kitchen for just a moment, Ethan decided to help her cook dinner. He emptied an entire 44 oz. bottle of his favorite condiment into the pan of taco meat.

Guess things haven't changed much.


This was back when he was 2, before he could reach the stove.



I really do think he was just trying to cook.

Just Around The Corner

My pace slows. I step carefully, but more deliberately. The daylight has given way to darkness, but I travel onward. There's a corner up ahead. I can't quite make it out. It isn't the change of direction that has me on edge. The unnerving part is my pondering of what is around that corner. When I make this turn, what will I find staring me in the face? Am I fully prepared for this part of the journey?

I think about Paul, in Acts 21:11-13. He was warned not to go to Jerusalem. It was said that if he traveled there, he would be bound and handed over to those who wanted him stopped. Ultimately, he could be sentenced to death. His friends tried to persuade him otherwise. Paul would hear nothing of it. He forged ahead, ready to die if necessary, not knowing what truly lay before him. He did know it would be unpleasant at best. In the same manner, the road was mapped out for Jesus to journey to Jerusalem, where he was crucified. Willingly he went.

Temporary

I heard this song by Carrie Underwood for the first time today-at church. It resonated within my soul.

Thunk Thursday

Today's thunk isn't a photo. This thunk goes to Colorado's lawmaker, John Kefalas from Fort Collins. He introduced legislation to require "individuals 2 years of age and older but under 18 years to wear a helmet whenever the individual uses nonmotorized wheeled transportation on a public street or premises open to the public."

So if a two-year old is scooting along on his push toy out in the cul-de-sac while playing with his parents and older siblings, if he's without a helmet he is now in violation of the law.

Wasting money on safety laws such as this, only serves to water down more important laws. Is it any wonder why many drivers don't take traffic laws seriously?

This piece of legislations does include exemptions. This new helmet law does not apply to motorized vehicles or a vehicle pulled or towed by another, such as a wagon or trailer. It's aimed at bicycles, scooter, skates, skateboards; human powered vehicles or equipment.

The other exemption? If your religious beliefs or practices would be violated by wearing a helmet. Guess my angel won't be wearing one. It might interfere with her halo.

One Year Later

One year ago today, we gathered at the airport to say good-bye to Christopher and Lauren. February 26th, 2009 was the first day of their adventure of teaching English in Seoul, S. Korea. The last time I saw them in person, they were riding the down escalator at Denver International Airport waving good-bye.


A month into teaching, here they are celebrating a birthday of one of their students.



Gosh I miss them! They've recently signed a new contract, extending their stay another year. I'm so proud of them for their dedication, hard work, commitment, sense of adventure, and their willingness to stretch themselves so they have no choice but to depend upon the Lord for strength.

They celebrated their first wedding anniversary in October.

Immersed themselves in the culture.

Tested the Korean health care system.



Eaten new foods.


Made new friends.


Invested themselves in the lives of the children.


They are running the race well.

I can't wait to see what this next year brings for Christopher & Lauren. But after that, I truly hope to spend more time with them here....love you both so much!

Enough Already

I'm tired of talking about the accident. Here is your recap/rundown to bring it to a close.

At the end of the day, Elisabeth was home from the hospital with a concussion and soft tissue damage to her back and neck.

Sarabeth and the other Elizabeth (mother-in-law) had pizza and cokes for dinner. Just the two of them.

Michael came home with 2 traffic tickets: careless driving and driving without insurance.. (what?) Yes, we found out that Christopher's car was not fully insured. Since he's out of the country, his insurance agent didn't understand that we would occasionally be driving it.

The driver who hit Elisabeth did not have a driver's license, did not have proof of insurance and received tickets accordinginly, as well as a ticket for failure to yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.

Elisabeth found out today that our insurance company has totaled her car. No surprise there. They are giving her a check for more than she paid for the car. Hopefully, after her loan is paid off, she'll be able to find a new car.

Elisabeth is doing better. Still has a concussion and a bit foggy, but is getting therapy on her neck and back. Thanks to our amazing chiropractor, she's starting to feel much better.

It's snowing, and I'm posting this exactly one week almost to the hour of when El had the accident and it looks about the same outside. Cold and dreary.

One last thing. Elisabeth had her birthday on Tuesday. Happy Birthday Elisabeth!!!