The Butterfly Effect - Day 6

     WOW!  Let me say it again, WOW!  Today was incredible.  It was wonderful to see my sweet students this morning but even more amazing to see them come in with bags full of money for the "Wheels for the World" program.  They worked so hard over Spring Break bringing in trash cans, selling flowers, selling lemonade, selling birdseed cakes, selling fabric creations and so much more.  They were so excited about the number of sales they had made.  Are you ready?  They brought in $400 on their first day!!  That is enough money for 2 1/2 wheelchairs!!  I am so incredibly proud of these sweet kids!

     Today we watched a DVD of Joni telling us about the "Wheels for the World" program.  She shared about the mechanics that are blessed to refurbish the wheelchairs and the people around the world that have to be carried or crawl to move around and often times spend their days in bed.  Through the "Wheels for the World" program, they are given the gift of mobility and a Bible in their own language.  She also shared about a young girl that received her first wheelchair at 11 years old and she was thrilled!

     Joni shared with us the verse found in John 13:34,

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

     This week we are talking about people that are hearing impaired or deaf.  To help the children understand what it would be like, the children took turns wearing noise reduction headphones.  They also took turns trying to communicate with a partner without talking.  I asked them what would be hard about being deaf and they said they wouldn't be able to hear someone talking or hear a knock, a school bell, or know when it was time for lunch.  Tomorrow we will talk about accommodations that help with these challenges.

     The children were able to put a butterfly on the wall of the castle for every dollar they brought in today.  The butterflies are started to take over the castle and I love it.  I can hardly wait for tomorrow!

The Butterfly Effect - Still Spring Break!

     There are many things in life that I truly love.  I love the 100+ students that God has blessed me with over the last 7 years.  They taught me more than I ever conceived of teaching them.  I think about them often and the journeys they are on.  I feel fortunate that God gave me a moment in their lives.  

     I love my current students.  In fact, I am approaching the time of year that makes me a little weepy because my moment with them will be over soon.  Just as a butterfly touches down for a moment and does a little pollinating, I hope I have too.

     I love my own kids that reside in the depths of my soul.  It is a continual journey of holding on and letting go.  They, too, have taught me many things over the years.  They have taught me how to love more people, they have taught me how to be content, and they have me how to trust God a little more.  I love them dearly and treasure the joy they have given me over the years.

     I love my grandchildren in words I cannot measure.  It is a beautiful relationship in which I don’t have to worry about the outcome so much.  I just love them with a continual unconditional love.  I have the beauty of playing with them to my hearts content and then taking a nap whenever I need to :)

     In every woman’s life, however, comes the need for rest.  A time to relax and reflect, and

ultimately, a time to worship.  I am nearing the end of Spring Break and it has been wonderful.  I have had time wonderful moments with family but I realized early in the week that I needed to plan a little time for “sanctuary.”  I have found a variety of sanctuaries in my lifetime.  At one time it was on a mountain top in the Rockies.  Another time it was simply a few moments in the restroom all by myself.  In my 30’s it was by a quiet lake.  I told Bill this week that I need another sanctuary in my life and then it hit me, I knew where it was.

     This morning I packed up my Bible, my Bible study, some pens, the book I am writing, my computer, my camera and a little snack and headed to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.  It truly is a sanctuary for me.  You see, 

God is my love

The Bible is my foundation

The church is my nutrition

     My family is my joy

And nature is my sanctuary

     In nature, I feel like I am with God on His turf.  He created everything out here.  Everything is different and has its own beauty.  Stronger plants often support weaker plants.

Bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush get along and actually help each other.  Butterflies flit around and leave a “little something” everywhere they go.  The effect is amazing.  I love the moments there.  I know God is with me wherever I go, but when I am in nature, I feel like it is just God and me...alone.  I have found “sanctuary” at the picnic tables, under the trees, along the trails, and in the quiet benches under the trees.

     In a few more days, I will be back at school with my 15 students.  I know they have exciting things to tell me.  I will probably hear stories about people they saw with disabilities.  I will hear about the amazing things that are happening with their projects for “Wheels for the World.”  It is imperative to have moments with God in whatever sanctuary we have found, but is equally important to get back to real life.  God can be found in both places.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13

The Butterfly Effect - Spring Break

Take initiative
Help someone take their next step
Empower those around you

Believe in the difference you can make
Utter positive things to people
Teach children that everyone matters
Teach children that they were created with a purpose
Encourage those around you
Reach out to someone different than you
Forgive yourself for the past and make changes for the future
Love as much as possible
Youth, take a minute to learn something from them

Enjoy every moment
Fight for those that can't
Face your challenges and overcome them
Eagerly make a difference
Create an atmosphere of hope
Take a moment to pray

The Butterfly Effect - Day 5

     Our guest speaker today was Melissa, a physical therapist.  She started off by having us stand up and then sit down on the floor.  She asked the children if that was easy and they said yes.  She then asked them to hold one foot and stand up and then sit down.  This was a little more challenging.  She then explained that physical therapists help their patients learn how to move better.  Sometimes she has to teach someone how to move in a whole new way.  Holding their foot while they tried to sit down or stand up gave them a glimpse of how difficult it could be.

     Melissa brought in all kinds of equipment for us to try and use.  She brought in crutches, forearm crutches and a walker.  She also taught the children a few things about how to use a wheelchair.  All of the children enjoyed using the equipment and talked about what it would be like doing different tasks with each piece of equipment.

     "The Butterfly Effect" is starting to take place in the classroom.  We have had a couple of children bring in money for the wheelchair which has in turn made more children excited about their projects.  We are now up to $23 towards a wheelchair for a child.  It is exciting to watch the number of butterflies start to grow.  I have a feeling we will see a lot of growth after the kids come back from Spring Break.  I made my first purchase from one of the children.  I love my new beautifully decorated notepad!

The Butterfly Effect - Day 4

     Today we talked about "Powerful People."  Not people that are powerful on their own, but because they have lifted up their challenges to God and let God show His power through them.

     We talked about the difference Joni Eareckson Tada is making in the world.  She cannot walk and has limited use of her arms, but she is an amazing artist, an excellent speaker, and has made a huge difference in people's lives all over the world.  What a wonderful testimony she is to God's power.

     We were blessed to listen to the beautiful music of Tony Melendez.  It didn't take the children long to realize that he plays the guitar with his feet since he doesn't have any arms.  We talked about all of the things he does with his feet, so in honor of Tony, we all took our shoes off and spent the morning barefoot!  Everyone enjoyed that!

     Lastly, we met Nick.  Nick is a young man that was born without arms or legs, but what a wonderful testimony he has of how God is using Him to reach the world.  The children loved hearing that he can swim even though he does not have any limbs.

     It was a very inspiring morning listening and learning from such powerful people. Join us tomorrow for our guest speaker!

Book List for Teaching "Typical" Children About Children With Special Needs

     If you are wanting to teach "typical" children about children with special needs, here are the books I am using and would recommend:

• Someone Special Just Like You by Tricia Brown
• Susan Laughs by Jeanne Willis
• You've God A Friend by Joni Eareckson Tada
• The Incredible Discovery of Lindsey Renee by Joni Eareckson Tada
• How Are We the Same and Different? by Bobbie Kalman
• Some Kids Use Wheelchairs by Lola M. Schaefer
• Some Kids Wear Leg Braces by Lola M. Schaefer
• My First Book of Sign Language 
• Signing At School
• Heller Keller by Emma Carlson Berne
• What's Wrong With Timmy? by Maria Shriver
• Do You Want A Friend? by Noel Piper
• Russell Is Extra Special by Charles Amenta

If you have some you recommend, I would love for you to add them in the comment section.

The Butterfly Effect - Day 3

     Today was priceless!!!  There is nothing better than when the kids share their heart with you.  I always feel tempted to say, "Hold that thought!"  I have started keeping a notepad by my chair so that I can write the wonderful things down that they share with me.

     We started the conversation this morning with "How to Be a Friend to Someone With a Physical Disability" from On a Roll For Jesus, the book "Joni and Friends" has published.  In the book she shares the following:

• Look past the wheelchair or whatever physical disability the person has.  It is okay to look at the individual.  They are more like you than you realize.
• When talking to someone in a wheelchair sit down in a chair or place yourself at their eye level.  Their neck can begin to hurt if they have to look up for a long time and they might not want to tell you that.
• Speak directly to the person in a wheelchair rather than through the person they are with.
• It is okay to offer your help to someone, but make sure you ask first if the help is needed.  For example, ask permission before you push a wheelchair.  You would not want someone to push you without asking you.
• You wouldn't lean on someone you don't know very well so it is not polite to lean or hang on someone's wheelchair.  The chair is an extension of their personal space.
• Treat a person with a disability the way you like to be treated.

I love all of the practical tips that Joni shares with us in her book!  The children and I had a great time as I gave examples of talking to their shoes, rather than them.  They laughed when I talked to the child pushing the wheelchair about the child in the wheelchair.  They laughed at how much I exaggerated it so they could understand but they also "got it."  I sure wish I had known these tips when I was young.

     Following the discussion, one of my students surprised me with how much he wanted to share about the brace that he has been wearing on his back for the last 6 weeks.  He shared about how uncomfortable it has been.  He then shared that he feels sorry for the kids that have to wear one all the time.  He said "I know that I will get mine off, but the others kids won't."  I thanked him for sharing his feelings and for being so brave and patient the last six weeks.

     Our next activity for the morning was to try painting with our teeth the way Joni does.  They did a great job painting with their hands behind their back.  Most of them enjoyed painting but shared how tiring it was.  They were proud of their pictures.  When I showed them some of Joni's paintings, ALL of their mouths dropped.  I so wish I had captured that moment in a picture.  They couldn't believe how incredible her paintings are.  I reminded them again that when we give our weaknesses to God, His power can be shown.

     During our Bible time,  I shared the story the story Joni suggested of Mephibosheth, grandson of King Saul and son of Prince Jonathan.  During a fight he was left unable to walk and had to have his legs bandaged.  Mephibosheth was to someday be king but the people said that he could not be a good king because he was disabled.  He was kicked out of the palace.

     Mephibosheth later married and had a family.  One day he received a message from King David who said to him "Don't be afraid.  I will be kind to you for your father Jonathan's sake.  I will give you back all the land of your grandfather Saul.  And you will always be able to eat at my table."  King David's kindness changed Mephibosheth's life forever because now, other people started to be kind to him.  Mephibosheth had a blessed life of land and servants and friends.

     We concluded our wonderful day with updates on our fundraising projects.  Here are some of the things that were said:

     "I have some customers.  I am going to get a check from a customer!"

     "I raised $2.  I picked up trash."

     "I made notepads and sold them."

     "We're going to sell lemonade with one nail and it is going to cost $100!"

     Join us tomorrow as we learn about amazing people and how their challenges have brought glory and honor to God!