One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps" 

(Proverbs16:9). 

  I was trying to buy shoes today for Seber.  Size 10 or size 11?  It's rather difficult to know what size he is when he's half way around the world.  I really should have checked that out when we visited him, but I didn't think of that as I savoured the moments playing with him and spending time with him.

This isn't how I envisioned my life to be.
So many unknowns. YET...
so much to look forward to!

I love the poem, "Welcome to Holland", written by an advocate of Down syndrome.

If I read that poem from a Christian perspective, I'm reminded of the many blessings we would miss out on if we didn't follow God's call in our lives.  Even though we may have planned on going to Italy, we are going to Holland (which is awesome, because I love Holland, and I can't wait to experience the joys and blessings that await us)!!  

Longtime Sesame Street writer Emily Perl Kingsley has been advocating for people with disabilities since 1974, when her son, Jason (co-author of Count Us In: Growing Up With Down Syndrome), was born with Down syndrome. In 1987, she wrote Welcome To Holland, which has remained a source of comfort and inspiration ever since.  

Welcome to Holland

BY EMILY PERL KINGSLEY

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability – to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this...

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip – to Italy. You buy a bunch of guidebooks and make wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland." "Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay. The important thing is they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guidebooks. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you never would have met. It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around...and you begin to notice Holland has windmills...and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy...and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say, "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away...because the loss of that dream is a very, very significant loss.

But...if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to go to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things...about Holland.

***

©1987 BY EMILY PERL KINGSLEY.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

- See more at: http://www.ndss.org/Resources/New-Expectant-Parents/A-Parents-Perspective/#sthash.fb3IWjnF.dpuf



Continuing to give thanks...
-having lunch with awesome, supportive, adoption mommy friends
-waking up to an e-mail that says the last document has been received and is on its way to the High Commissions!  (hurry, Visa, hurry)!!
-sharing stories at dinner time
-deep theological discussions with our 6 year old!

-surviving exams

-her study buddies

 -winter wonderland

 -getting as much backyard ice time as possible
-skating buddies

 -filling in as a goalie (and shutting down his uncle)!

 -our dinner guest and how they love to play games together

 -bakyard winter hikes

 -sledding with cousins

 -no injuries!

 -pure joy going down the hills!

 -how the dog takes part in our fun activities!

-our renovated toy room (before and after)

-how he loves wood working, even when under strict supervision of his niece

 -his artistic abilities (his self-portrait; it looks just like him!!)

 -how she loves arts and crafts

 -how she tucks in her babies on the living room floor

-God's beautiful creation

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity" (Ephesians 5:15,16)

 I am often asked if I ever will go back to teaching in the classroom.  Of course, I do not know what the future holds, and so often I have eaten my own words.  Therefore, I try to answer that question carefully.  Although there are many things that I miss about teaching, I am thrilled about the new opportunities that God has given me.  When one door closes, God opens another one.

I am particularly looking forward to speaking in all of the classes next week about Down syndrome.  I am very humbled by this opportunity, but I am embracing the opportunity with joy to be able to bring awareness about Down syndrome to the students.  I look forward to helping the children learn that we are more alike than we are different, and that we are ALL God's masterpieces, created by Him! I am excited to use the props (dolls) that my awesome, crafty, talented friend made!

For every missed opportunity, there is a new opportunity!

I am so grateful for new opportunities, and I pray that I will use them to glorify God!
Continuing to give thanks...
-new opportunities

-my crafty, talented life long friend
-the upcoming opportunity to speak about Down syndrome

-end of the semester skating party

 -a great group of friends

-great skating weather

-a hike through the back fields

 -how they loved it that we both were able to go sledding with them

 -perfect weather for sledding

 -enjoying their P.D. day

 -her stay home days
-afternoon snuggles (and naps)
-playing games together
-giggles and laughter (making it difficult to drink her milk)
-lunch with dear friends
-awesome afternoon with my hairdresser (therapy, as Paul calls it)
-her generosity and kind heart

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from Him" 

(Psalm 127:3).

As he was trying to decide on his courses for next year, I suggested the parenting course.

"Mom, I don't need to take that; parenting is easy".

I had no words.

I have read tons of parenting books, and I continue to do so.  I continue to learn new things all the time, and I know for certain that parenting is not easy.

No matter how many books I read or advice I receive (whether I want it or not), I feel that I will never get it right.

However,  I also know for certain that parenting is one of the greatest blessings there is!  Amidst the trial and error, I also know for certain that God's grace is sufficient.  His mercies are new every morning and He gives us the strength and patience that we need.

He pours the blessings on us every day with the sounds of laughter, time spent playing games together, stories being told, eating meals together, participating in common interests, working together, playing together, sharing our love, practicing forgiveness, having fun with everyday activities, and constantly making new memories together!!!

I am so grateful for the blessing of parenting my precious four children (and soon to be five!!!)

Continuing to give thanks...

-celebrating our precious daughter's 6th birthday

-for the spice of life that she adds to our family

-her huge smile, her empathy towards others, her forgiving heart, and her zest for life!!

-how his love spills over for all of his children

-being on this journey of parenthood with the best dad ever!

 -the blessing of calling her our daughter and being her Mom!

-awesome helpers!!

-fun times colouring, skating, and eating cake and snacks!

-lots of laughs and fun with her friends

-the love from grandparents

-puzzle races with her older cousin and her brother

-enjoying the snow

-snow removal and safety on the roads

-how he takes his children skiing and many other fun outings

-her first time skiing and how well she did!

-Nicole's project about "Family Blessings"/ adoption

-our opportunity to be advocates for adoption through the media and being able to share our faith
-that our file is being reviewed and that we are getting closer to bringing our son home to his forever home!