God's blessings

God is faithful! Thank goodness He is in charge of our lives.

Terry and I went on a trip a few weeks ago, and standing at the top of the tallest building in the city, we looked down at all the moving dots below us. We reflected that God, from much higher than we were, looks down at all of those 'dots' and knows each one by name. He knows the crosswalk coming up in front of them, even though they can't see it because their path is crowded by other pedestrians. When the time is necessary, He allows them to see the crosswalk and pass. This has been such comfort to us as we await His leading in our lives. We can't see the future clearly, but we know He can and He will not forget about us!

God has blessed us with our need for two new excellent respite workers. Although Dawson will certainly miss the other two very important people in his life, God will give him strength. He also has blessed us to be part of a marvellous school division which is willing to be accommodating to his needs. One example of their excellent care is that the school is allowing him to spend some time in school during the summer, so as to be as consistent as possible in his programming. We have so much to be thankful for!

On the other hand, Dawson is struggling with a major medication change. His hitting has really increased in severity and frequency, likely due to the change. He is getting really strong - take a look at his calves - so this makes any contact with him more intense. The psychiatrist is currently recommending Dawson not spend time with other children due to his frequent hitting. This is hard to take, but we need to be really careful with whom he socializes at this point. Even though we don't like the recommendation, we can see the need for it. It's not fair to the other kids to be whacked unnecessarily.

Nonetheless, God is still in control and He knows what He's doing and He will give us the wisdom to work appropriately with Dawson! He will not give us more than we can handle! So, on we go! -s

Cry out to Jesus

Well, this is about as low as it gets. Every once in a while (3-4x per month), Dawson gets up this early. Not always this early, but today it just seems extra hard to take. 3:00 is a normal time for him to come to our bed every night, but today, as is the case once in a while, I knew by his wiggling, talking and hitting, that he was up for good.
My faith is being stretched, as I contemplate why God allows this to happen. Or why his little body can't comprehend that it needs more rest.
And the thing is, he keeps wanting to go back to bed, but not five minutes late, is up, wanting out of his room. In seemingly entire aloneness. I have no choice, but to trust God's hand- that this is somehow for His glory.
The words that are of strength to me right now at 3:30, 3:45, 3:48- are the words from a Third Day song- but they could just as well come right out of Scripture- "There is hope for the hopeless, rest for the weary and love for the broken heart. There is mercy and par den, grace and forgiveness, to meet you wherever you are. Cry out to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus." That's what I'm doing. -t

How's your summer going?

Hey everyone. Here's a quick shout out to all you friends and family out there. We hope your summer is going well, and that you are finding time to relax.
Dawson is seemingly not complaining about his summer- why should he? He's averaging 3-4 swimming times per week, not to mention the times with the mini pool and sprinkler in the back yard. Oh to be young again!
We're busy contemplating the future, as both workers B and C will be moving on this fall. They have both been a complete blessing to Dawson and us, with their hard work (more on a tribute to them in the near future). We are praying and looking for at least 2 workers. We ask that you pray with us in this matter, as not just anyone can regularly do that type of work.
Otherwise, the summer is moving along as usual- I like the cool rainy days, and Sylvia prefers the heat and sun. We are also on the cusp of a potential move towards ministry for me, and will be able to update that shortly.
Thanks to all for your prayers. We love you all. -t

A Beautiful Repreave

It's been said that one often doesn't know they need a break, until they take one. Well actually, I don't know if anyone actually penned that phrase, but I believe it.

Last week, we spent an entire week away- by far the most time that both of us have been away from Dawson. We simply took time for each other, and enjoyed celebrating 10 years of marriage. When it came time to come home, we were refreshed, and felt ready to welcome normal life again. Thanks again to all those that stuck around to help take care of him during this time. -t

A Tribute to Servants

First off, any of you that check this regularly, please forgive this tardiness. It has never been our goal to wait over a month between entries. The only plausible explanation is summer- and all the distraction that it brings.

So with that out of the way, let me bring a special tribute to a whole bunch of special people- a tribute to all Dawson's caregivers.

Of course, any old entry would never do, and not even many elegant words would either. We are so very blessed by the army of people that show their support of us, in the various ways that they help him and us. There are so many different ways that we see people rally around us on a daily basis.

Take workers B & K- Always enthusiastically doing their work with him- cheerfully, creatively and faithfully.

Or take Grandma and Grandpa- having him for the night- giving us a break.

Take Auntie L, coming to our house to watch him, just so she can be with him.

Or Take our case worker A, who has worked tirelessly, trying to get as many funds on our behalf, daily fighting against the bureaucracy and red tape that can so easily make it's way into every situation.

Or cousin E, coming over to watch Veggie Tales together with Dawson- and help out in other ways.

How about those super-duper EA's at school that keep flooring us with their creativity and longevity.

And then there's people like Mrs. H at church, who has made it very clear that we can call any time- and we often have.

Listen, this list could go on and on, and the more people I would list, the more people I think I would miss. The point is, I will need to stop at some point, because I know I won't get everyone.

Look, here's the thing- we are blessed. And we have an incredible group of God's army that rally around us every day and every hour. Not a day goes by, where we are not somehow touched in a big or small way, by someone who is helping us.

This following week is no exception, as we will depend on a chorus of people who will watch him(Auntie L, Uncle C and cousin E will stay at our house) while we go on a week long trip- just the 2 of us, celebrating our 10 year anniversary.

So here's to all of you- so very many of you, who make our lives so much more wonderful.

We love you all. -t

So here's

How can I keep from singing?

Amidst the heightened struggles that we have had lately, there has been a constant reminder that our trials are in perspective. Throughout his life, Dawson has never gone more than a few hours in a day without singing. This music-making has never been far away for him, and as a result, the bad times can never last long.
Lately, he has been seemingly singing more than normal. It's been amazing seeing how even after a few days into the week, he'll suddenly be singing and remembering a new song that he learned in church on Sunday. The memory is astounding. It's as though he has a photographic memory in a musical sense.
And the way he sings from the heart! We are always encouraged when he'll be singing "Show Your power oh Lord our God. Show your Power oh Lord, our God," in his very broken pronunciation. It's as though he believes absolutely every word that he is singing (we could all learn something from that when we worship).
And the pitch! I don't know many kids that can sing with such near perfect pitch. It's actually been fun in the last while, because he can carry his voice quite well now, that it allows me to occasionally sing in harmony to him. For me as a regular leader of worship, it's a dream come true!
I hope that if you're reading this, that you can also be encouraged by someone making music. I'll leave with these words from one of my favorite sections in Psalms (95:1-3), and words that Dawson seems to testify to us every day;
"Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods."
With words like that, how can we keep from singing? -t

He will come through-Always

We grew up believing in the simple concept that when times became seemingly unbearable, God would never allow us to experience more than we were able to bear.
This concept has become more real than ever as time goes on.
In our entries, we have often expressed the difficulties Dawson has regarding nighttime. In the last few weeks, it has gotten worse than normal. Dawson frequently gets up at 2, 3, 4 and so on. Often he falls back asleep, but often, he is up for the day. This of course becomes very tiresome as you can imagine.
It was becoming almost too much to handle. Then, as we have grown to realize, God provided a beautiful little reprieve for us. One of our many loved ones offered to watch him for both nights on the weekend at our place. How amazing! See, it never fails. Good is good.
Now, I'd love to expand on this thought, but for now, I'm still tired, and I'll just close to say that first of all, God is always good- He has proven over and over, that He will come through. Second, we have an incredible group of supporting cast around Dawson. Amazing. Now it's time to go to bed. -t