Down Syndrome Awareness

I have seen some people balk at the words "special child", as if they were thinking someone with a mentally or physically handicapped child thought their child was more special and deserved more love than other children. I could see how that might rub people wrong when they don't know what is meant by that phrase. When you think about what is involved in raising a handicapped child, you would realize that it just means that they have a special set of needs from us. Like extra attention and time for everything they need to learn that normally wouldn't take as much work, not only from us family members but also from themselves. And special patience to deal with their slow progress (and not being able to let go of bad habits and behaviors). They need advocates in order to win community acceptance. They need impossible answers from us about why they may never be quite ready for the natural processes of life, like driving a car, buying a house, and getting married (or achieving Power Ranger skills!). No matter how old they are they will always need our extra involvement in their daily life, not only to make sure they remember (or need help with) grooming, chores, homework, connecting with friends, getting to work on time... but also to make sure they don't just sit on their bed all day long, or take off on their bike and forget how to come back.
So "special child" or "special needs child" doesn't mean we elevate them above the specialness of every other child, but that they will always require more, or special attention from us. And as our other children, whom we proudly (though reluctantly) see going off on their own so much faster, making their own lives, we secretly relish still having one to be the companion of our old age.
Some people don't want to have to come across special needs people in public, maybe because they don't know how to act around them. I take my son with me most of the time when I'm out in public, partly so he will feel comfortable in our community, and partly so the community will become comfortable seeing people that are different from them, and learn acceptance. There are many cashiers that are used to seeing Stephen with me and talk to him regularly. When he's not with me at times, they ask me what he is doing or is he okay? Ever since he was a baby people have approached me and said it is nice to see someone like him in public (I know they don't know how else to express it) because they also have a child or relative with a handicap.

The more that special needs kids are involved with the public the more they can be accepted, and even enjoyed, by those who get to know them. That is why there is a Down Syndrome Day (March 21st), just to remind our communities that they want to be accepted too. It isn't DS Day today, but I found a great video (below) that I can't wait to share. It's made by Renee from Life With My Special K's and she has given me permission to use it. There are lots of other great videos on You Tube but I don't want to over-do it because this one is 15 minutes long, with some very nice songs too, so I'll post some of them later.
Also, here is a new Down Syndrome blogger, (check out the post on "Dreams") and you can find many others through Google, or these bloggers blog rolls.

Happy Mother's Day - Eve, The Mother Of All Living

Eve's humiliation must have been debilitating when she realized what it really meant to be deceived by Satan, when her eyes, along with Adam's, were opened to the knowledge of good and evil. This is evident when they tried to cover their shame and hide from God. Though they had to live with the consequences, their Father clothed them in forgiveness and gave a promise for their future. Eve may not have fully understood God's curse on the serpent, but in her despair she could treasure the hope that one of her own offspring would destroy the one who led her to this predicament, overturning the wickedness that she had taken part in.
With the gift of each child came the confirmation of God's promise for that coming Redeemer. I wonder if she imagined that one of these immediate sons would be the one to crush the evil one that haunted her daily. I think I would have anticipated every day to be the fulfillment of that freedom. I'm sure it crushed her heart to have to live through evil once again taking hold of her family when Cain killed Abel, no doubt longing for her sin-free Eden. In fact every time that tempter made himself known to all the generations that she lived through, she found comfort in those sacrifices that reminded her of her Father's mercy and grace.

The godly line that came from their grandson Enosh (Gen.4:6), which lives through the faith of millions today, proves to be an infinitely more enduring legacy than her sin. Heaven will be filled with her redeemed offspring, eternally occupied with celebrating the work of her Seed.*

*Some exerpts taken from Twelve Extraordinary Women - ch. 1, J. MacArthur

Spiritual Thirst

Would that I were a dry well, and that the people tossed stones into me, for that would be easier than to be a spring of flowing water that the thirsty pass by, and from which they avoid drinking. Kahlil Gibran

The Samaritan woman did not walk away from the Living Water Jesus was offering her at the well that day. There were multitudes that had walked away from Him, and very sadly still do, never quenching their soul's spiritual thirst. Without Him, their soul will eventually die.
Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." John 4:13-14

How amazing to see her showered with His Grace and be given this Living Water, spilling out on those that she knew. They did not just go their merry way after believing on Jesus. They wanted to find Him, and learn more. They asked Him to stay with them, continuing to drink in His water of life.

v. 39-42 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on Him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them, and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word, and said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying, for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

The villagers actions show us ... "Man needs not sneak to the world for comfort; the work and the witness of the Spirit in the heart furnishes him with a firm foundation of hope and an overflowing fountain of joy." Matthew Henry
"Amid all changes of external circumstances - in heat and cold, hunger and thirst, prosperity and adversity, life, persecution, contempt, or death - it (Living Water) still lives on, and refreshes and cheers the soul." Barnes

The unstoppable, life-giving water that is Jesus, the only way to find eternal life, continues to disperse throughout the world, in all circumstances of life.
Zec 14:8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

Anything or anyone else is imperfect and will leave us thirsty again.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Whenever I find myself indulging in worry, depression, desiring more "stuff", it may take some time to sink in, but I eventually realize it's usually because I haven't been seeking out the Lord's supply to keep me strong and satisfied. I'm afraid it happens all too often. Self discipline is a difficult work in progress.

A Good Book - A Good Movie

A good friend of ours, who is a lawyer and author (among other good things), has written a very important book. Protecting Your Church Against Sexual Predators. He's a fairly new blogger too, so go visit Brevia Notes and look around at all the good information he offers in his links, you'll probably want to be there for days. Recently, Voyle had quadruple bypass surgery. His Legal Spaghetti blog (March archive) links to the story of what he endured. He and his wife have raised great kids. One of their sweet daughters went to school with my daughter, Deliverance, and was in the same youth group with my son-in-law Josh, and is presently a missionary.

My husband and I went to Ben Steins new release Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (watch the super trailer on the right).This film shows that the careers of top scientists have been squashed by their superiors and ostracized by their peers for even mentioning that Intelligent Design should be considered as part of the creation theory. Both sides of the issue were interviewed for fairness, and I loved the short clips of humor injected here and there, but especially the interview with Dawkins at the very end. It's a must-see for everyone. Even if you don't think it sounds worth your while, you'll be glad you did, or at least rent it when it comes out.

And, just a cute P.S...
Owed To A Spell Chequer
Eye halve a spelling chequer, it came with my pea sea
It plainly marques four my revue, miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye strike a key and type a word, and weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar write, it shows me strait a weigh.
As soon as a mist ache is maid, it nose bee fore two long
And eye can put the error rite, its rare lea ever wrong.
Eye have run this poem threw it, I am shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect awl the weigh, my chequer tolled me sew.
- Sauce unknown

"Weeee" Wii

Stephen's friend Shawn got a Wii game. Now we have been trying to find one but they're almost as hard to find as in December.
In case you can't figure it out, they are bowling. Thanks to my daughter, Deliverance, for catching this video clip on her digital camera.

Another Word-filled "Wordless Wednesday"

Wordless Wednesday is a good time to just put up some pictures or a video clip when you want to take a break from blogging. But seldom does any blogger leave it at that. So this one is no different.
Stephen (L) and Shawn (R) have been friends since Stephen was 5 yrs old and Shawn was 8. And so has Shawn's mom and I. Now they are 24 & 27.















I'm not telling you how old Bonnie(L) and I(R) are! (but we're the same age)

The Gospel According To Oprah

It's amazing how many Christian women have become influenced by Oprah to consider her (seemingly) "spiritual" words as truth. We can see how vitally important it is to "rightly divide the word of truth." 2Tim.2:15
Be a "Berean" and examine everything you hear from so called "wise" people of our day. Know what God's word says, and choose your heroes carefully.


Oprah was raised in a bible-believing church and knows a lot of the Bible and the "Christian talk", but that doesn't always mean you're a follower of Christ. It seems like she is always trying to fill a void in her life.

Every Christian knows that the Bible very emphatically states, again and again, that JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth , and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." ~John 14:6
And also, living the doctrines of the Bible is very important.
"That henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" Ephesians 4:14
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires," 2 Tim.4:3

It's frightening to think of how much influence Oprah has. So many speakers say we must do away with the blood of Jesus and being held accountable for offending God, then it's easy to do away with our sin and guilt.
"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." Romans 16:17

Guilt is not bad when God uses it to bring us to repent.

Polycarp - Martyr At Age 86

He lived at the end of the age of the original apostles, when the church was making the critical transition to the second generation of believers. Tradition has it that Polycarp was personally discipled by the apostle John and that he was appointed as bishop of Smyrna (in modern Izmir, Turkey) by some of the original apostles.

After being a Christian all his life, it is not clear why he was suddenly arrested in his old age. He was escorted to the local proconsul, Statius Quadratus, who interrogated him in front of a crowd of onlookers.

"Swear, and I will release thee;--reproach Christ."urged the proconsil. Polycarp answered, "Eighty and six years have I served him, and he never once wronged me; how then shall I blaspheme my King, Who hath saved me?"
Quadratus threatened to throw Polycarp to wild beasts, he'd be burned at the stake, and so on. Polycarp just told Quadratus that while this fire lasts but a little while, the fires of judgment ("reserved for the ungodly," he slyly added) cannot be quenched. Polycarp concluded, "But why do you delay? Come, do what you will."

Soldiers then grabbed him to nail him to a stake, but he was only tied, he assured them he would stand still. He prayed aloud, the fire was lit, and his flesh was consumed. The chronicler of this martyrdom said it was "not as burning flesh but as bread baking or as gold and silver refined in a furnace."

The account ended by saying that Polycarp's death was remembered by "everyone"—"he is even spoken of by the heathen in every place."

Excerpts taken from Fox's Book of Martyrs - (The Fourth Persecution), and Christian History & Biography

". . . In A Melancholy Way"

Do you feel like the song from State Fair describing lovesickness? Well, if you' haven't fallen head-over-heels for someone, it may be Spring Fever.
I've read that Spring Fever is what happens to your immune system when, after the cold winter, it becomes suddenly warm, instead of gradually, and puts a strain on your body trying to adjust to the sudden change.

Other articles have said that it has nothing to do with the weather, only the pollens of spring, therefore it's really allergies. People may not think it's allergies if they don't have the common allergy symptoms. The less popular allergy symptoms are headaches, nausea, digestive problems, or lethargy (feeling drained and listless). You will probably know if this is the case if an antihistamine or a natural remedy makes you feel better.

In an old black & white Tom Sawyer movie, he was out-of-sorts with his aunt, so she said he must have Spring Fever and made him take some cod liver oil. Nowadays we know that essential fatty acids (like fish oils) are good for the immune system, inflammation and other allergy symptoms. See this informative article.
This article, explaining the 'Hygiene Hypothesis', states that allergic reactions might have something to do with our lack of tolerance to dust mites and other organisms that didn't use to bother us much in years past, until our society started keeping things too clean. ?

Whatever the theory about Spring Fever, it should pass when the wacky weather changes calm down and the pollen counts decrease.
But if your Spring Fever is caused by the Love Bug, here is one remedy that may help. "The treatment of lovesickness requires that the individual develop reliable sources of unconditional love." Robert F. Foreman PhD
Such sources of unconditional love should come from family members, best friends, and more importantly from a close relationship with the One who created you. You will be more likely to tone down that obsessive "needy" feeling, or to get over unrequited love if you nurture other relationships where you feel secure and accepted, just the way you are.

Praise Him in Your Storms

Sometimes it's hard to trust that everything is under His control.

Resurrection Day

The Bible emphasizes that Jesus was raised by the power of the Father (Rom. 6:4; Gal. 1:1;). Jesus also was raised by His own power. In John 10:18 He says, "I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again." And Romans 8:11 says He was raised by the power of the Spirit. The entire Trinity is responsible for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Why is the fact that Jesus rose from the dead so important to our faith?
It means - He is the prophesied Messiah. Isaiah 53
It means - the sin that we are born into because of man's original disobedience is finally covered.
Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.

It means - that His children will follow in that resurrection to a joyous eternal life, instead of a horrendous one.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

It means - when we become His true follower we now have an advocate, a mediator to make it possible to commune with our Father, who does not tolerate sin.
1John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

I'm so greatful that Jesus will be there beside me as my advocate, because how unworthy I will feel. How much of what I put importance on is truly gold, and how much is only stubble and won't mean anything when I'm standing before the Great throne on that final day? None of us will measure up to all we could do with the resources and opportunities He gives us. That's why, as far back as Adam (Gen. 3:15), the Messiah has comforted His people with the promise of redemption, and gave the Law to cause us to hope in the promise of a redeemer.
Gal 3:19, 24 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator...Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

The Resurrection is the hope throughout the old testament, the theme of the first sermons ever preached by the early church in Acts, and the theme throughout the epistles.
Heb 9:15 And for this cause He is the mediator of the new covenant, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

What a good reason to mark a special day as a tribute, and an opportunity of witness to the world. An event that has more status than our birthday, or any other day.
Have a great day with a heart full of gratitude.

Messiah - Our Atonement

As we remember Christ's sacrifice, think on this picture that I was told recently.
John 20:12 tells us a second angel accompanied the first angel in Christ's empty tomb--one was at the head of where the body once laid, and one was at the feet. That beautiful picture is reminiscent of the Ark of the Covenant. On the top of the Ark of the Covenant was the Mercy Seat, where atonement was made for sin. Cherubim were positioned on both sides of the mercy seat. In the tomb the angels were positioned on either side of the absent body of Christ--the same body that was offered as the atonement, the satisfaction for the sins of the world.

Wondering why Easter is coming so early this year? Here are interesting facts about that from Life With My Special K's.
You can have the dates of future Easters calculated here.

Also - today is National Down Syndrome Day! Find out why this day is chosen, over at Wonderful Writings.

Support the Right to Homeschool

Biblical Womanhood On-line has all the info about the California Court of Appeal's recent decision over homeschooling.
Please take time to support the California Call-To-Action Campaign and sign this petition from (click on the icon)

You don't have to live in California, just in the United States and territories. This will eventually effect all states and territories.

I had (partially) homeschooled my daughter for only a few years through Jr High, and I am so glad that we still have the liberty to make that decision. Like everything else, there are always going to be those that abuse this right, so bad press puts the rest at risk. We have to prevent more and more restrictions on a parent's right to do what they feel best for their child. Before you support a Bill that will restrict any of our freedom's for the sake of protecting against abuse, make sure there isn't already enough laws in place that just aren't being enforced (which there are in this case). Heaping on unnecessary laws can lead to a Big Brother government that will no longer be accountable to it's citizens.
To be more informed, visit the links above.

Make A Difference For One More Person

Do you want to give a little girl the opportunity of a half-way decent education?
Years ago, while on a missions trip, my daughter and son-in-law developed a special bond with a young Christian couple struggling to make a living. It is very expensive for most parents in that country to put a child into a school that will offer enough of an education to keep them from having to raise their own family in the squatters shacks that so many have to use for a home. This is the hope they have for their child. But in comparison, it doesn't seem like that much to us Americans. So Deliverance and Josh had taken on the task of helping to pay schooling fees to J-'s parents to give her that education, who faithfully give reports of her progress with each report card.
Now support has dropped off, and because of some unexpected financial strain, they cannot make sure J- will be able to stay in her school. They (and a few of us supporters) may be able to send a little to her family, but not nearly enough to cover the $600 this year that will let her continue.
I will not give J-'s name or the country she lives in because of the very real possibility of kidnapping of any person receiving money from us "rich Americans".
This a picture of a family living in a squatters village, because they couldn't go to a school that gives them the ability to acquire a good job. J-'s parents hope she will not have to grow up to live in one of these make-shift villages.

To read more about this story, or to find out how to donate (no matter how small) please go to the blog that Deliverance set up just for them, which is also on my sidebar links. There will be updates about J-'s schooling as they come in. Every little bit helps "one person at a time".

Loveable Pitbull Videos

What they're really like when they've never had a "fight trainer".






Some famous "Bully's"... Jessica Biel (??), Daddy, Isaboo, Backup, Target, Petey, Tige, Neville, Sgt Stubby, Michael J. Fox (?), Helen Kellar's Sir Thomas, Tobey, Nipper, Sui, Dakota

Leap Day 2008

Here's a Leap Year postcard from 100 years ago.
February 29th only comes around every 4 years, except for years ending in '00 unless divisible by 400 (2100, 2200, 2300, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2900, and 3000 will not be leap years). This is to keep our calendar straightened out. It has something to do with the amount of time that the earth rotates around the sun being different than the times it rotates on it's axis.? This is explained by the leap second.
Find out more about leap year here, and here.

Supposedly, a 1288 law by the Queen said if a marriage proposal was refused by the man there were fines. Because men felt that put them at too great a risk, the tradition was in some places tightened to restricting female proposals to the modern leap day, Feb.29th, or to the medieval leap day, Feb.25th, and that the women on the hunt were to wear breeches. A few hundred years later it was changed: "Women looking to take advantage of their opportunity to pitch woo were expected to wear a scarlet petticoat -- fair warning, if you will." After all, it was MUCH harder to get a divorce back then. I was too shy to do anything like that before I was married. I was even to shy to accept a date from Steve the first time he asked. He felt rejected, but decided to give it another try and I said okay to a movie date. I think it's more fun letting the guy do the wooing.

People born on February 29th may be called a "leapling" or "leaper". In common years they usually celebrate their birthdays on February 28th or March 1st.

There are many instances in children's literature where a person's claim to be only a quarter of their actual age turns out to be based on counting their leap-year birthdays. This confused reasoning is used in the plot of the 1879 comic opera, The Pirates of Penzance.

Never-ending Helpful Hints

I spent hours at this address. After finding out what I needed to try for burned food in my pans, I just kept looking up other problem solving info from the sidebar. I like that there are a lot of people giving their opinions on what has worked and not worked in their particular case. Then I went to this one too, and this one. There's even one for cleaning camping dishes with no soap. I couldn't make me stop! Needless to say they are in my favorite bookmarks, but I'm afraid to visit them again.

These are only a few troubleshooting places I like, there are so many of them out there.
An elderly woman used to live next door and she told me a few old remedies that worked good. Put Road Apples (found at farm markets) all around your homes' foundation in early Fall to keep mice from finding their way in when the weather turns cold. Cucumber peels, at the points of entry, keep ants off kitchen counters. Hold a freshly cut piece of onion on a bee or wasp sting, cutting fresh pieces until the pain is gone (usually an hour), and no swelling.

Do any of you have helpful hints sites you like to visit? I would like a good one for home remedy first aid, like what grandma did for "boo-boos" and such. Or should I ask? I might get lost in a vortex for several days!

Children Can Learn More Than We Give Them Credit For

I have heard and read many times that children learn the fastest before they are 5 yrs old. From then on learning is at a slower rate. According to the popular womens magazines from "the old days", girls were learning how to mend clothing, cross-stitch an alphabet sampler, make a pie, could read beginner primers and had memorized songs, poems and Bible verses by the age of 4. Boys knew the same academics and were taking over some of their fathers chores by that age. It doesn't sound like they had much free time, but they seem to have gotten up much earlier then, and most chores had to be done before breakfast. It seems they would then have plenty of time to play, and get into mischief.
It's been proven in European countries that kindergarten children can learn more than 2 languages at once, and the ones that start learning different languages before they start kindergarten have an easier time learning additional languages. Teachers I have known have told me that those who are taught to memorize and do reasoning or logic problems before school starts will have an easier time passing tests and comprehending information the rest of their lives.

Those earliest years are the times when our children are constantly with us and we have the opportunity to give them more one-on-one time than they will probably ever have with us. Steve and I put some effort into teaching our kids from day one, but if I could re-do those early years I think I would claim more of that unstructured time and have them join me in my daily chores, and also set aside a little more time for academics and developing talent. This could result on less money spent on toys, less time spent on TV and a bond to family. Since teaching obedience is a "must" for keeping kids on task, an added benefit, in our case anyway, is a disciplined child with some self-control, which is not a common sight to see now-a-days.

Whatever small amount of time you devote to training your child's mind, the most important is to teach God's word and the love of the Savior, also exampled in our own life.