Retirement

It has been a little over a month since I packed up my classroom and home for the last 11 years.  It was especially hard when I dropped by the school and saw that "The Castle Classroom" no longer exists.

Whenever I run into an old friend the first question is usually, "So, how is retirement?"  For the most part, it is wonderful!  Oh I can cry a river if I stop to think about all of the amazing kids I will miss and that I will no longer be my granddaughter's teacher.  The vacuum left in my social life is rather troubling I must say.  I have however, loved traveling to Denver, playing with my grandchildren, welcoming a new grandchild, and being able to keep my house a little cleaner.

I have also loved spending more time with God and asking more questions about what His plans are for me.  When I think about all the adventures God has sent me on in the past and the ones I can imagine for the future, it gives me shivers.  I love imagining with God.  I love trusting Him with the future because there have been times that I haven't.  I love learning new things and I love sharing my passion for such an important group of people.

Retirement...well, the very definition requires that I cease working and that is definitely not part of my plans.  God started laying out exciting opportunities within 24 hours of closing my classroom door.

I would love to walk this journey with you.  I am humbled by the possibilities but also excited about them.  I would love for you to visit our website that I have been spending my creative juices on and have you share what you feel needs to be happening in special needs education and ministry training.  We have a number of events coming up and I would love to be blessed by your ideas!  Visit us at www.gracewithoutmargins.com.  We would love to hear from you!  I will be posting training opportunities in the next couple of weeks so drop by often.

Deana

In honor of Kimberly

When you serve in ministry there are situations you know will eventually happen.  You keep them in the back of your mind but you try not to focus on them.  

Today marks a sobering reality of disability ministry, the loss of a friend affected by a disability.  We all know that 100% of us will pass from this life but it doesn't soften the blow.  This morning the realities of this life are hitting me hard as I prepare to go to a memorial service of one of the first children I came to know in special needs ministry.  It is with a heavy heart that we say good-bye today...

Even though I am sad, I am joyful about so many things.  Kimberly now knows all the mysteries of heaven. She is looking into the eyes of her Savior.  She can verbally communicate all of the scriptural truths that friends shared with her along the way.  She no longer has the fears of another seizure or the heartache of not being understood.  I know she is overflowing with joy today!

As I think about Kimberly today, I am so thankful for the multitudes of people that supported her.  Her mom and dad have been inspirational in giving Kimberly a voice.  They continually educated themselves on the best way to help her communicate and share her talents so much so that Kimberly's poems and artwork were published and her story was told.  Her story will be read and her story will be remembered.

Kimberly also had such supportive brothers and sister-in-laws.  I love reading the letters and tributes to their sister.  The depth of their love is a testimony to all of us.  Kim had numerous friends at church, at BIG, and all of the other ministries she frequented.  She had a caregiver, and more importantly friend, walk the road with her for many years.  Kimberly was loved, valued, and known.  

Kimberly Dixon's heart and talents are beautifully displayed in her book, Under the Silience is Me-How It Feels to be Nonverbal.  May the impact of her life be felt around the world today.