Growing up as a Christian, I naturally went to church every Sunday. During childhood, we were often encouraged to memorize scripture. This was especially true during vacation bible school. I memorized verses like everyone else but it didn't stick in my memory.
Over time, I heard in church that we are to speak the word. The idea being that you were suppose to speak out the verse that applied to your situation. For example, if you were afraid, you were to literally speak out or pray using the scripture that spoke about not fearing (i.e. 2 Timothy 1:7).
I understood that there is power in the word but I never seemed to fully grasp what speaking it out did for me.
A few weeks ago, I learned something new on this subject at church. If you've grown up in church, you are familiar with John 1:1 (In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.) This scripture relates back to Jesus. Pastor brought out that when you speak the word out, then you are actually speaking Jesus into your situation because he is the word. I thought that was really neat.
I've been speaking and reading some scriptures over Jaycee again. Her biggest issue in the past couple of years has been her breathing (sleep apnea, asthma). So I found some scriptures on breathing in the Bible. Like this one:
Genesis 1:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
These scriptures have given me hope because God is the breath giver and the source of life. If something tries to steal her breath away, it is not as almighty and powerful as God, so it can't win. Speaking this word and speaking Jesus over this situation with Jaycee, has given me hope.
****UPDATE****
If you read my blog about Jaycee starting gymnastics, then let me tell you about week #2. Jaycee was more like "herself." She wondered around and didn't stay where she was suppose to several times. So it didn't go as well as week #1. I'm hopeful for week #3. I need a gymnastics scripture to speak out!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Jumping & Courage
The combination of Jaycee's frequent steroid use over the years, asthma, Down syndrome, & love of pasta has resulted in Jaycee being overweight. I don't like it. I wish I could go back 2 years ago when all of this started and make changes. But I can't and here we are. I kept thinking the weight gain would magically stop but it hasn't. It's time to make changes.
On the suggestion of a friend who has a child with Down syndrome, I called about enrolling her in gymnastics. Last week was her first class.
I prayed several times prior to the class. Doing a new experience with Jaycee is always a gamble. It could go really well with her obeying and listening. Or, it could go horribly bad with her flopping down refusing to move or running away. I was nervous about it. I don't like new experiences in general and especially with her. I like to know what is going to happen. I worry about her freaking out and flopping down. I worry that I'll have to wrestle her up and people will stare. I worry too much. I pray to God that He'll help me not to worry about things that haven't happened. I pray for courage. I have so much spiritual work to do... The idea of starting gymnastics frightens me because of how she'll potentially behave. But, she needs exercise and something must be done. Helping my child is the only thing that pushes me forward to do this.
We arrived at class and got signed in. Jaycee spots kids on the trampoline and wants to go immediately. I hold her back since her class hasn't started yet. I'm excited that she is excited. She joins the class and imitates them doing stretches. She can't do everything the other kids are doing but she's trying. She's paying attention and smiling. For the next hour, Jaycee follows the routine of the other children. She only wanders off a few times but does good overall. She jumps on the trampoline with help and is enjoying herself. She's getting some good exercise in and it is going well.
All of my worrying was for nothing. Everything has turned out good. I can't believe how well she paid attention. She is growing up and maturing. I need to mature too. I need to have more courage and faith that these little things will go well. The fear of the unknown stops me from doing new things with her. But I might be missing out on something really special that she will enjoy.
I can't wait to see what she'll do next week! And, I won't worry about it!
On the suggestion of a friend who has a child with Down syndrome, I called about enrolling her in gymnastics. Last week was her first class.
I prayed several times prior to the class. Doing a new experience with Jaycee is always a gamble. It could go really well with her obeying and listening. Or, it could go horribly bad with her flopping down refusing to move or running away. I was nervous about it. I don't like new experiences in general and especially with her. I like to know what is going to happen. I worry about her freaking out and flopping down. I worry that I'll have to wrestle her up and people will stare. I worry too much. I pray to God that He'll help me not to worry about things that haven't happened. I pray for courage. I have so much spiritual work to do... The idea of starting gymnastics frightens me because of how she'll potentially behave. But, she needs exercise and something must be done. Helping my child is the only thing that pushes me forward to do this.
We arrived at class and got signed in. Jaycee spots kids on the trampoline and wants to go immediately. I hold her back since her class hasn't started yet. I'm excited that she is excited. She joins the class and imitates them doing stretches. She can't do everything the other kids are doing but she's trying. She's paying attention and smiling. For the next hour, Jaycee follows the routine of the other children. She only wanders off a few times but does good overall. She jumps on the trampoline with help and is enjoying herself. She's getting some good exercise in and it is going well.
All of my worrying was for nothing. Everything has turned out good. I can't believe how well she paid attention. She is growing up and maturing. I need to mature too. I need to have more courage and faith that these little things will go well. The fear of the unknown stops me from doing new things with her. But I might be missing out on something really special that she will enjoy.
I can't wait to see what she'll do next week! And, I won't worry about it!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Elijah's Talent
In the past few weeks, Elijah has been demonstrating an amazing talent. He has the uncanny ability to know what Jaycee wants and thinks.
"Jaycee, did you have fun at church?" I ask.
Elijah responds, "No she didn't!! Sissy doesn't like church!"
"How do you know? You aren't even in sissy's class," I reply.
"She doesn't like it!!" he affirms.
Elijah has been voicing opinions for Jaycee on all sorts of topics. From toys she likes or dislikes to protesting bedtime, Elijah gives Jaycee's voice on the subject.
"Sissy wants more to eat," Elijah will say.
"If she wants more, she can tell me on her talker," I tell him.
I think it's really neat how he is attempting to talk for his sister. He's learning Jaycee isn't able to express her opinion. It's a new step in their relationship as brother and sister. Even though Elijah is the little brother, as he matures his role will basically be the older sibling. I see him becoming her protector like many other siblings of kids with special needs. It's a neat process to watch and it is always my hope that he'll grow up to love and respect his sister.
"Jaycee, did you have fun at church?" I ask.
Elijah responds, "No she didn't!! Sissy doesn't like church!"
"How do you know? You aren't even in sissy's class," I reply.
"She doesn't like it!!" he affirms.
Elijah has been voicing opinions for Jaycee on all sorts of topics. From toys she likes or dislikes to protesting bedtime, Elijah gives Jaycee's voice on the subject.
"Sissy wants more to eat," Elijah will say.
"If she wants more, she can tell me on her talker," I tell him.
I think it's really neat how he is attempting to talk for his sister. He's learning Jaycee isn't able to express her opinion. It's a new step in their relationship as brother and sister. Even though Elijah is the little brother, as he matures his role will basically be the older sibling. I see him becoming her protector like many other siblings of kids with special needs. It's a neat process to watch and it is always my hope that he'll grow up to love and respect his sister.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
This week Jaycee had her yearly Down syndrome clinic day at our Children's hospital. She saw the genetics doctor, the ear, nose, & throat doctor, had a hearing test, and had lab work done. We were at the hospital for 4 hours going from one appointment to the next with no breaks in between. Well, there were breaks because appointment times were not kept by the professionals we were seeing. We didn't wait long at the first place. But the rest of the day was waiting and waiting and waiting.
I hate to wait. You would think of doing this sort of thing for almost 7 years I would be really good at waiting. But, I am not. I hate that my time is not considered important. I hate that appointments are made and I am left to sit in a germy, crowded waiting room for 45 minutes past time with my child. Jaycee does great. She is content to wait and sit and watch cartoons on the tv. I start off patient. But then my patience runs out. I get aggravated. I debate on going to the front desk and asking if we have been forgotten or what number we are in line. I daydream about yelling at these people and asking them if they have ever considered how irritating it is for people like me who have several appointments a year and have to wait, wait, wait.
I wish these people did business like me. I keep my appointments in my therapy practice on time. I consider 5 minutes behind schedule as "late" and call people if I am going to be 10 minutes or more late, which rarely happens. I am considerate of people's time because of my experiences with Jaycee. I want people to know I value their time as much as I value my own.
But usually the hospital and doctors don't do business that way. I don't know if they overbook themselves on purpose. Do they start late everyday? Do they know they are going to run behind? Do they care? Do they care that Jaycee missed lunch because we were waiting for an appointment?
My mind is busy while I am waiting. Then I remember the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5. I realize I have so far to go. I am not feeling joy or love right now. I don't feel like being kind or gentle with anyone right now. I am hungry and angry. Forget about self-control or patience... I have ssssooo far to go!! Going to the hospital for appointments lets me know where I stand in the fruits of the spirit. I am more flesh than I am spirit. I definitely have some spiritual work to do!!!! Oh, the lessons God can show you from a waiting room!
This week Jaycee had her yearly Down syndrome clinic day at our Children's hospital. She saw the genetics doctor, the ear, nose, & throat doctor, had a hearing test, and had lab work done. We were at the hospital for 4 hours going from one appointment to the next with no breaks in between. Well, there were breaks because appointment times were not kept by the professionals we were seeing. We didn't wait long at the first place. But the rest of the day was waiting and waiting and waiting.
I hate to wait. You would think of doing this sort of thing for almost 7 years I would be really good at waiting. But, I am not. I hate that my time is not considered important. I hate that appointments are made and I am left to sit in a germy, crowded waiting room for 45 minutes past time with my child. Jaycee does great. She is content to wait and sit and watch cartoons on the tv. I start off patient. But then my patience runs out. I get aggravated. I debate on going to the front desk and asking if we have been forgotten or what number we are in line. I daydream about yelling at these people and asking them if they have ever considered how irritating it is for people like me who have several appointments a year and have to wait, wait, wait.
I wish these people did business like me. I keep my appointments in my therapy practice on time. I consider 5 minutes behind schedule as "late" and call people if I am going to be 10 minutes or more late, which rarely happens. I am considerate of people's time because of my experiences with Jaycee. I want people to know I value their time as much as I value my own.
But usually the hospital and doctors don't do business that way. I don't know if they overbook themselves on purpose. Do they start late everyday? Do they know they are going to run behind? Do they care? Do they care that Jaycee missed lunch because we were waiting for an appointment?
My mind is busy while I am waiting. Then I remember the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5. I realize I have so far to go. I am not feeling joy or love right now. I don't feel like being kind or gentle with anyone right now. I am hungry and angry. Forget about self-control or patience... I have ssssooo far to go!! Going to the hospital for appointments lets me know where I stand in the fruits of the spirit. I am more flesh than I am spirit. I definitely have some spiritual work to do!!!! Oh, the lessons God can show you from a waiting room!
Saturday, January 5, 2013
New Year Plan
With the new year starting, I suppose I'll do a traditional beginning of the year post. I am not big on resolutions. I don't seem to keep them very long so now I don't even bother with them. But, this year does mark a significant milestone for my husband and I. In May, we will celebrate 10 years of marriage. Ten years! In some ways, it seems so long ago. In other ways, it seems short. But we are closing in on 10 years of marriage.
Lately, I have been looking around at our stuff in terms of how long we have had it. We got these really nice towels when we got married as a present. We have never used them but I fully intended to one day. Then-Poof! 10 years have went by and those towels have done nothing but sit around. I'm going to use those towels this year! I'm going to look for other things I'm "saving" for a better time.
I have some pretty dishes and fancy glasses that rarely get used. Part of the reason they are not used is because I'm too lazy to hand wash things. There also never seems to be a good reason to get them out and use them. I'm going to use those glasses more this year.
Which brings me to the last point...I'm going to try to find something to celebrate every month. The little milestones the kids meet or an accomplishment with our jobs, as a family we need to stop and celebrate the small successes and victories. If we do that, I'll always have a reason to get out the fancy glasses!!
Lately, I have been looking around at our stuff in terms of how long we have had it. We got these really nice towels when we got married as a present. We have never used them but I fully intended to one day. Then-Poof! 10 years have went by and those towels have done nothing but sit around. I'm going to use those towels this year! I'm going to look for other things I'm "saving" for a better time.
I have some pretty dishes and fancy glasses that rarely get used. Part of the reason they are not used is because I'm too lazy to hand wash things. There also never seems to be a good reason to get them out and use them. I'm going to use those glasses more this year.
Which brings me to the last point...I'm going to try to find something to celebrate every month. The little milestones the kids meet or an accomplishment with our jobs, as a family we need to stop and celebrate the small successes and victories. If we do that, I'll always have a reason to get out the fancy glasses!!
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