I know that I promised that my next post would be an update on Blake and his progress, but another week got away from me with no blogging. And now, I have a story to share with you that just cannot wait.
Today was a very abnormal day for us, especially for a Sunday. We don't keep our weekends too structured, but there are some norms for the most part.
Kevin had to work today...abnormality #1. Mommy wasn't feeling well, so due to abnormality #1 we slept in and missed church this morning...abnormality #2. Shortly after waking, Poppy came over to pick up Blake to take him to their house for a while....abnormality #3. This evening, Zoey and I, had a party for the kids choir at church. Due to abnormality #1, Blake was required to attend said party, and kids choir is somewhat of a trigger for him, with all the kids and singing and such....abnormality #4. So to expect a good day today, was definitely grasping for straws. And yet, in hindsight, it really wasn't too bad.
After church tonight, we were invited to meet Kevin's aunt and mom at Krispy Kreme. This is one of Blake's favorite places, and since there was no school tomorrow, I figured a late night sugary snack would be ok this once.
While we were visiting over donuts, chocolate milk, and coffee, a family walked in. This family looked much like ours....only older. A mom and dad, an older sister and younger brother. Within a few seconds, I realized this family was more like ours than I could have imagined. The boy, roughly 10 or 11, was speaking rather loudly and often times yelling at his parents in what appeared to be random offenses without any provoking. The boy approached our table several times, but was quickly called away by his parents. I could see him growing increasingly agitated as he tried to strike up a conversation with us about how much he liked donuts. So, I engaged him and he took that as a sign to stick his fingers in one of our donuts. At that, he was quickly ushered away by a mortified looking mother.
This boy showed all the signs of being autistic, and thats only because I know the signs. As the family walked away, Kevin's aunt whispered "That was scary." And his mother said, "I wonder whats wrong with him?" But it was Zoey, the 8 year old, who had the most understanding and compassion. "He reminds me of Grant," she said. Grant is my 16 year old brother who is also autistic. As I sat there, I couldn't help but feel for this family. I had decided that when they walked back by, I was going to reassure the mother that I understood, and that it was no bother, but they walked out a different door and around. I saw them. It was out of their way. She did it to avoid us. And then my heart broke. I wanted to scream, "Thats been me before!"
I looked at Blake, and caught a glimpse of our future. Avoiding situations to not trigger him. Being screamed at in public for no reason at all. Having a very hard time getting control over my child, who has no control over himself, and then getting those burning eyes on me. All that family was trying to do was get donuts. The mother ended up taking the son to the car while the father and daughter stood watching the donuts being made. How many times has that been my family? How many times have Kevin or I missed out on experiencing something with Zoey because Blake needed to be removed from his trigger?
I am not angry with Kevin's mom or aunt for their reaction. They are of that generation who was raised to be seen and not heard. To mind your p's and q's. Their first instinct is not to consider the very many reasons why a child would behave like that. Their first instinct is to assume that the parent MUST be doing something wrong.
I should have made it a point to say something to that mother...I should have reached out and showed her we were on common ground and that I did not judge her for the actions of the son. And as I sit here, I wonder if anyone has thought that about me?
Mothers, fathers. Sisters, brothers. Aunts, uncles....whoever you all are out there who are reading this blog, we have GOT to start being more compassionate towards one another. We have got to start standing up and saying, "Hey there you. You are not alone. I understand you, and I do not judge." No matter what the situation may be!! We need to start being the Hands and Feet of Jesus for each other. Do not make my mistake and let the moment pass, because had the situation been reversed, and she had approached me to say those words of compassion, I would have been eternally grateful.
Jenn :)
1/20/14
1/13/14
1,000 Pageviews!!
Well Happy Monday to all of of you!! I logged on to begin composing a new entry, and saw that I have surpassed 1,000 page-views!! I don't know who all of you are that are reading my blog, and taking a glimpse into our little world, but I truly appreciate it, and hope that some of you are being touched, reached, or taught.
As I mentioned in my last post, if anything can come out of all of this, it would be to reach those who truly need to be reached. I encourage you to share this blog with your friends, on Facebook, via email, or whatever! You never know who may need to see that they are not alone in their struggles.
I also realize that in my last post I didn't give much of an update on our family, or Blake, or whats been happening this school year so far. So my next entry, which I will post later tonight or tomorrow morning, will be an update.
I am so happy that you are taking the time to read my blog. Writing has always been a passion for me, and an outlet. And even though I know many of you may not agree with some of the things I write, I thank you for your support!
I hope you have a blessed day!
Jenn :)
As I mentioned in my last post, if anything can come out of all of this, it would be to reach those who truly need to be reached. I encourage you to share this blog with your friends, on Facebook, via email, or whatever! You never know who may need to see that they are not alone in their struggles.
I also realize that in my last post I didn't give much of an update on our family, or Blake, or whats been happening this school year so far. So my next entry, which I will post later tonight or tomorrow morning, will be an update.
I am so happy that you are taking the time to read my blog. Writing has always been a passion for me, and an outlet. And even though I know many of you may not agree with some of the things I write, I thank you for your support!
I hope you have a blessed day!
Jenn :)
1/10/14
Is Autism proof of creationism?
I made one small New Year's Resolution that I have already broken....point #1 as to why I do not make them in the first place. I resolved to blog more. And here it is ten days into 2014, and this is my first post.
Don't be off-put by the title. This is merely a walk through my mind and a recent conversation that I had with a friend on the topic of Evolution vs. Creationism. This friend is on the fence about some things, but is not a Pro-God Creationist.
So this whole thing got me thinking. There are so many flaws and missing links in the Theory of Evolution. And no, this isn't just my Creationist viewpoint talking. Its truth, and there are a lot of scientists out there who would agree. Case in point....Evolution is a Theory...not fact, not truth. Even when Charles Darwin came up with his theory, he admitted that there had been no transitional fossils found, but that he was sure that they existed and wondered why we do not find them in countless numbers in the earth's crust.
It should be no surprise to my readers that I am a Christian. I believe in the Bible, God's word, and everything in it, from beginning to end. So, In the Beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. That's it, right there. God created the Earth. Not a big bang, not superior intelligence from somewhere else in the galaxy, but GOD. And wait, I have proof :)
So many people like to ask the question Why? Why do people get sick and die, why does God have senseless tragedies happen? Why does my child have autism? Why? Why? Why? We can all trace this back to our Great-Grandparents to the 10th power (or something like that....Math isn't my strong suit). Adam and Eve were asked not to do something. Satan convinced them to do as they pleased, and enter sin into the world. This is all explained in the 3rd Chapter of the Bible....Three very short Chapters in folks, and there it is. The problem with the world today....SIN.
Because of sin, God no longer holds up his end of the Perfect World bargain. We have been given a taste of what life is like without God. Believe it or not, because of sin there are mutations in the population, harmful drugs or substances misused by parents that cause problems with future generations, harmful chemicals in the environment, leaders who inflict painful circumstances....and so on and so on. All of these things affect a person's way of life. These things didn't evolve. It was a choice that our creator gave us...to sin or not to sin.
No one wants to talk about these things. No one wants to admit that it is due to our selfish, sinful nature that the world is in the state it is. No one wants to believe that our loving Heavenly Father could be the reason behind this pain and suffering. But there is Hope. A wonderful Hope filled with peace and forgiveness.
This Heavenly Father, God, sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to this Earth so that upon his death, he would carry the sin of the world on his back. Its really quite simple. Believe that Jesus Christ is your savior, that he died so that you no longer have to suffer, ask to be forgiven and live your life following the Lord and spreading the good news. The reward will be a glorious place in Heaven when your time on this filthy Earth is through.
You will encounter pain, you will encounter suffering. But knowing that something better awaits us all brings a peace and understanding beyond any that you will find on your own.
So, why is my son Autistic? To be honest, I don't really care why. The only thing I care about, is how can we use his Autism to glorify God!!
Jenn :)
P.S. I invite anyone to comment on this post today if you have something to add, a question, or would even like a friendly debate :) But I will not allow harassment or bullying.
Don't be off-put by the title. This is merely a walk through my mind and a recent conversation that I had with a friend on the topic of Evolution vs. Creationism. This friend is on the fence about some things, but is not a Pro-God Creationist.
So this whole thing got me thinking. There are so many flaws and missing links in the Theory of Evolution. And no, this isn't just my Creationist viewpoint talking. Its truth, and there are a lot of scientists out there who would agree. Case in point....Evolution is a Theory...not fact, not truth. Even when Charles Darwin came up with his theory, he admitted that there had been no transitional fossils found, but that he was sure that they existed and wondered why we do not find them in countless numbers in the earth's crust.
It should be no surprise to my readers that I am a Christian. I believe in the Bible, God's word, and everything in it, from beginning to end. So, In the Beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. That's it, right there. God created the Earth. Not a big bang, not superior intelligence from somewhere else in the galaxy, but GOD. And wait, I have proof :)
So many people like to ask the question Why? Why do people get sick and die, why does God have senseless tragedies happen? Why does my child have autism? Why? Why? Why? We can all trace this back to our Great-Grandparents to the 10th power (or something like that....Math isn't my strong suit). Adam and Eve were asked not to do something. Satan convinced them to do as they pleased, and enter sin into the world. This is all explained in the 3rd Chapter of the Bible....Three very short Chapters in folks, and there it is. The problem with the world today....SIN.
Because of sin, God no longer holds up his end of the Perfect World bargain. We have been given a taste of what life is like without God. Believe it or not, because of sin there are mutations in the population, harmful drugs or substances misused by parents that cause problems with future generations, harmful chemicals in the environment, leaders who inflict painful circumstances....and so on and so on. All of these things affect a person's way of life. These things didn't evolve. It was a choice that our creator gave us...to sin or not to sin.
No one wants to talk about these things. No one wants to admit that it is due to our selfish, sinful nature that the world is in the state it is. No one wants to believe that our loving Heavenly Father could be the reason behind this pain and suffering. But there is Hope. A wonderful Hope filled with peace and forgiveness.
This Heavenly Father, God, sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to this Earth so that upon his death, he would carry the sin of the world on his back. Its really quite simple. Believe that Jesus Christ is your savior, that he died so that you no longer have to suffer, ask to be forgiven and live your life following the Lord and spreading the good news. The reward will be a glorious place in Heaven when your time on this filthy Earth is through.
You will encounter pain, you will encounter suffering. But knowing that something better awaits us all brings a peace and understanding beyond any that you will find on your own.
So, why is my son Autistic? To be honest, I don't really care why. The only thing I care about, is how can we use his Autism to glorify God!!
Jenn :)
P.S. I invite anyone to comment on this post today if you have something to add, a question, or would even like a friendly debate :) But I will not allow harassment or bullying.
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