an update on us. my thoughts on Luke 2:19. and some links related to disability ministry
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I must admit, I'm struggling with words and with energy.
Energy, because in the past month we've traveled to Taiwan, brought a sweet baby girl into our family, struggled with jet lag upon return, bonded as a family through the lovely stomach bug we acquired a week after we returned, and had an IV of immuno-suppressants for me to treat rheumatoid arthritis. I've been so tired that the Olympics - which I love - just aren't happening for us because it's bedtime for me as soon as we get the three kiddos in bed. And you know what? I'm 100% okay with that.
Words, because I'm processing. At times like this, I cherish the words of Luke 2:19. After Jesus is born, the angels declare his arrival to the shepherds who then come to meet and worship Him and go out to share the good news with others, who "wondered at what the shepherds told them." Meanwhile, what does Luke 2:19 say about Mary?
I love that.
That's where I am right now.
Pondering.
As I ponder, I'm focusing on the essentials, which are those things nearest to us - our family, Access Ministry at our church, and our neighborhood. This blog exists to share what we're doing in ministry to equip others, and while I'll be back doing that in the coming weeks, right now I'm hunkering down with what's right here instead of pouring out to what's going on in ministry elsewhere.
As I lack for my own words in this time of pondering everything in my heart, let me share a handful of links I've found helpful lately in thinking about how to support families in our church who are affected by some degree of special need:
Energy, because in the past month we've traveled to Taiwan, brought a sweet baby girl into our family, struggled with jet lag upon return, bonded as a family through the lovely stomach bug we acquired a week after we returned, and had an IV of immuno-suppressants for me to treat rheumatoid arthritis. I've been so tired that the Olympics - which I love - just aren't happening for us because it's bedtime for me as soon as we get the three kiddos in bed. And you know what? I'm 100% okay with that.
Words, because I'm processing. At times like this, I cherish the words of Luke 2:19. After Jesus is born, the angels declare his arrival to the shepherds who then come to meet and worship Him and go out to share the good news with others, who "wondered at what the shepherds told them." Meanwhile, what does Luke 2:19 say about Mary?
"But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart."
I love that.
That's where I am right now.
Pondering.
As I ponder, I'm focusing on the essentials, which are those things nearest to us - our family, Access Ministry at our church, and our neighborhood. This blog exists to share what we're doing in ministry to equip others, and while I'll be back doing that in the coming weeks, right now I'm hunkering down with what's right here instead of pouring out to what's going on in ministry elsewhere.
As I lack for my own words in this time of pondering everything in my heart, let me share a handful of links I've found helpful lately in thinking about how to support families in our church who are affected by some degree of special need:
- Parenting a Child with Anxiety and Parenting an Angry Child: On working through a child's tough emotions (which may or may not be part of a special needs diagnosis) as a parent.
- Families and Disability: On the myth of sky-high divorce rates in special needs families and the need for truth
- A Special Newcomer: On welcoming elementary students with special needs into small groups
- If you've received a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis and are considering abortion... On my friend Gillian's heart as a mom of two girls with Down syndrome who is mourning the passing of another little guy with an extra chromosome.