Future Ministry Space...Including a Speech First From Ethan!!!

For over a year now, our church has been adding a building to our existing building. We have completely run out of space in our main church. We have even been using our gymnasium as a ministry space in order to accommodate our needs.

I am personally excited about having additional space because there are about 25 kids in Ethan's preschool Sunday School class. This is a LOT of noise & commotion for Ethan to process, and it is very overwhelming for him....especially in a small space. Not only is the classroom size an issue, but the path to his classroom is super busy because there are so many people holed up in this one place. Sunday school teachers, parents, kids, and just other adults & teens walking to their own classrooms make this hallway VERY loud & overwhelming for Ethan.

Can we just skip ahead & quickly put him in his classroom? No, because every child needs to go through a check-in process for security reasons. I love that our church is so safety conscious even though there has never been an incident (at least that I am aware of anyway). So, we have to wait in this crazy busy hallway that is also right next to a pair of entry doors. It is madness. Before Ethan even gets into his classroom, he is already on edge.

We won't have these issues in the new building. We will have more room & a better layout for this type of procedure. Also, Mosaic Ministries Advisory Panel has been invited to walk through the new space before it officially opens in order for us to evaluate any special needs accommodations that need to be addressed. Needless to say, I am pretty excited about this new building.

So, for more than a year now, we have been hearing about & giving to this project. And this past Sunday, the entire church was cleared for a walk-through. YEAH! We were able to see a glimpse of what our future classroom space was going to look like! Woohoo!!!

They taped off & labeled each room according to the existing plans. Here is Ethan's new Sunday School room!!!

Ethan was running from sign to sign & reading all of them. He was having a great time in this big open space!

This will be my favorite place. :0)

Corey & Ethan taking it all in! (And wearing blue for Light It Up Blue 2012.)

Here is a wider shot of the inside....still can't get it all in one picture!

Another shot...this building it huge!!!

I am so excited to be a part of this church & this building project. I have been going to this church for 18 years. This is where I met my husband. This is where we got married. This is where Ethan was dedicated. I love the people of this church. And I love that we look ahead to the future. We are running out of space, so we decided to build extra room. But, we are taking it another step. Our new special needs ministry, Mosaic Ministries, will be a resource for the building committee to use. Mosaic will try to fore-see possible sensory issues, possible layout distractions, and ultimately, make this space a place were EVERYONE can come. I am so excited about what God is doing in our church, and this walk-through just added to my excitement!

PS....on a completely different note....Ethan had a first during our walk-through!!!! My sister's sister-in-law came up to us, and this is the conversation that she had with Ethan.....

Me - "Tell Aunt Lindsay hi!" (He calls her Aunt because he hears his cousins calling her that...plus our families are close....and she's pretty cool.)

Ethan - "Hi, Aunt Lindsay!"

Lindsay - "Hi, Ethan!" (***Typically this is the end of the conversation, but today we had a first! Ethan continued to initiate the conversation! THIS IS HUGE!!!!!!!***)

Ethan - "How you are?" (Not a typo. This is how he said it.)

Lindsay - "How am I? I'm good. How are you?"

Ethan - "I'm good."

He continued to talk but it was so soft I'm assuming he was talking to himself at that point. It was awesome! Aunt Lindsay & I gave each other a high-five due to this momentous occasion! IT WAS AWESOME!!!

Four Amazing Men

I shared this with our church's disability ministry's advisory panel, and I would like to share it with all of you. Someone once said that if you read the Bible with the theme of disability, you will discover a whole new side of God. And this has been the case for me. 

One story in-particular really has stuck with me, and this is what I shared with the panel. It comes from Mark 2:1-12. Here is the story....

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 

Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

 

  Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” 

So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” 

There is a lot to dissect from this story, but when I read this after Ethan was diagnosed with autism, my heart immediately went out to the FOUR AMAZING MEN who were carrying the disabled man. What do we know about these men?

1. They were determined - To carry a grown man on a mat is not an easy task. How long did they walk? Where were they traveling from? I don't know, but even carrying a man on a cot down the street would take a lot of energy. These men would have to have been determined in order to accomplish this physically exhausting task.

2. They were problem solvers - When they arrived were Jesus was, they encountered an obstacle....they couldn't get through the crowd. However, this did not detour them. Instead they thought outside of the box (or door), and came up with a solution.

3. They were hard workers - Here these men has carrying this man all this way, and now they were to carry him up a set of stairs. Once on top of the roof, they essentially dug a hole in the floor to open up the home's ceiling. 

4. They were desperate - They lowered this man on his cot down into a room of strangers. These men could no longer do anymore. They had to trust this man's fate into the hands of the people in room....people they probably did not know.

5. They were men of GREAT faith - These men did all of these things because they KNEW that Jesus could heal this man. They KNEW that their efforts to see Jesus would not be in vain. They KNEW that once they took this man to Jesus, he would be healed. Amazing faith.

As a person helping to develop our church's new disability ministry, I find these four men to be very inspiring. I pray that we as a team & as a church are able to do all of these things for our specific audience of people who have special needs. I pray that we are doing all we can to bring them to Jesus. I pray that we don't give up, that we think outside of the box, that we work hard, and have faith that Jesus will help to heal these families....not from the disabilities but from the wounds of the world that every single one of us have.

As a mother of a child with special needs, I pray that I begin to trust my church family to carry my child the rest of the way. I, as Ethan's mommy, have a great responsibility to show & teach Ethan all about God & his love. And I accept this responsibility. But I know that it takes more than one person to teach a child. He will watch my example, but he will observe others as well. He will learn things from others that I can not teach him. He will be mentored by others, and I need to trust in my church for them to accept this responsibility as well. And, thankfully, we are blessed to be a part of a church family that WANTS to do this. 

So, our church has created Mosaic Ministries, a ministry specifically for those with special needs. We have created an advisory panel of parents, family members, teachers, therapists, experts, pastors, and people who have or work with people with disabilities. This is just the jumping off point, and I am so excited for what our future holds. I am very overwhelmed with joy to see so many people who are passionate about bringing ALL people to Jesus....even if that means we tear up the ceiling.

A Church's Pampering

This article was posted on one of the blogs that I follow. A church presented a DAY OF PAMPERING for women who are caring for someone with special needs in their family. AMAZING! I love it when churches reach out to their community & become the hands & feet of Jesus. It truly touches my heart, and brings tears to my eyes. You can see the article & images at http://www.theworksofgoddisplayed.com or read below.....

"Sandra Peoples is a pastor's wife, a mom, and an excellent writer, and I am thankful to know her. I featured her e-book, Speechless: Finding Grace in My Son's Autism, on this blog a few months ago. When I saw a post from her on Facebook about enjoying a day of pampering at a local church, I wanted to know more, and she graciously agreed to share. Read her guest post below, and visit the Facebook page for her book!" ~Shannon Dingle

"A special  needs mom's work is never done. We have to be "on" all the time. So a couple months ago when our son's behavioral therapist mentioned that her church was hosting a day of pampering for moms of kids with special needs and wives of husband with disabilities, I signed up!

I had never been to this church before, but as soon as I drove through the front entrance, a man greeted me by asking, "Good morning! Are you here to be pampered?" I told him I was and he told me where to park. When I got to the right lot, another man greeted me and asked if I would like the inside of my car detailed while I was being pampered. He handed me a baggie with a key ring and piece of paper (for the dashboard) with the number 3 on them.

When I walked through the doors I was greeted by ladies at the registration table. They took my keys with the numbered key ring. They handed me all the paper work for the day and I signed up for my choice of a table or chair massage, at the time that was best for me. One of the ladies walked me down the hall to the coffee area where there were light refreshments and drinks. The coffee area was across from the church library, which had books like Same Lake, Different Boat on display. I was impressed by their attention to detail! Even the books were specifically chosen for us!

At 10:00 we were led into the sanctuary for a time of worship. There was a "blessing of the hands" ceremony and a speaker who shared how her life changed when her son was injured and paralyzed at the age of 20.

After the service, the moms and wives headed to lunch in the gym. There were tables set up, each uniquely decorated by a hostess who ate with us. (The other volunteers and service providers ate in another room.) I enjoyed getting to know the women at my table. I was one of the youngest moms in attendance, and was in awe of the decades of love and compassion the women around me had invested into their children and husbands.

After lunch, the pampering began! I had signed up for a table massage first, so I headed down the hall to enjoy that treat. Then I went back into the gym, which was set up for hand scrubs, manicures, make-up application, facials, eyebrow waxing, satin lips, and hair cuts. I just started on one side of the room and worked my way around! Everyone was so friendly. Most started off the conversation by asking, "So, who do you care for?" They were sensitive and encouraging.

While we were being pampered. the coffee area was set up with gourmet teas and desserts. A trio of instrumentalists provided music through the afternoon. There were also volunteers available to pray with any of the women in attendance.

After getting as pampered as possible and enjoying dessert and tea with other moms, I was ready to head home. The inside of my car was spotless--even the cup holders! I felt encouraged, appreciated, and blessed by so many who took time to serve those of use who serve someone with special needs in our families. I can't wait for next year" ~Sandra Peoples

FREE Inclusion Fusion

I have always been very involved at my church. In high school, God showed me the need for a worship service during our youth group's mid-week service.....so I led it. In college, God showed me the need for a college Sunday school class....so I taught it. When I became a stay-at-home mom, God showed me the need for frequent "girls-only" fellowship opportunities.....so I organized them. Throughout the years, God has helped me lead Bible studies, participate in plays (onstage & backstage), sing in the choir & praise teams, served in the children's department and many other random areas of ministry. During the last couple of years, God led me to teach a new adult Sunday school class. Recently, however, God has been taking me in a new direction.

As I look back over my years of volunteer ministry, I have noticed a pattern.....God seems to use me as a "starter". God places a ministry on my heart & helps me start it.....and then releases me from it.....and someone else takes it. For example, when we started doing our youth group's Wednesday night service more like a church service, I led worship by using a CD of music, a projector to shine the words on the wall, and my loud voice. NOW! Our youth group has their own worship TEAM!!!! They have their own band, a group of singers, a computer to show the words on a mounted screen, a sound system, and so on. They are amazing! More recently, I organized a summer playgroup for moms & their little ones at our church. NOW, one of my best friends runs it, and they meet every week!!!!

A couple of months ago, I was very comfortable with my volunteer ministries. I attended our church's 1st service, then I would co-teach an adult Sunday school class. Then, on either Sunday night or Wednesday night, I would volunteer in our church's nursery. It was perfect, and I loved every minute of it! I finally felt like I had found my niche, and God was going to use me in these places of ministry for YEARS & YEARS!

And then, early this summer, God started stirring my heart. You know.....you are going about your everyday life, and then God starts pulling at your heartstrings. He starts showing you a need EVERYWHERE you go. It seems like everything you see/hear/read/etc. is about what God is speaking into you. At the grocery store, on the radio, in your circle of friends, in your devotions, at work, etc. For me it really started when, my husband & I went to an Easter Seals presentation specifically about autism. We were going to help better understand our beautiful Ethan. However, during the presentation, God was talking to me loud & clear. These things I was learning to do for my own son, God wanted me to do for other people at my church. I, naturally, started coming up with excuses......I'm not experienced in this field as others, I don't have any more time to give, I have already committed to my adult Sunday school class, etc, etc, etc....

But God kept placing this on my heart until I was so filled with love/passion/burden/joy for this new ministry that I could think of nothing else. Now, I realize that some people will think that I am only doing this for my own son, but, honestly, nothing could be further from the truth. God has given me a wider vision than my own personal needs....I feel a strong need to help other families with special needs. So, late this summer, I approached our pastoral staff with the idea of starting a special needs ministry. Our lead pastor told me that God had been showing him the need for this as well. As I told my Sunday school class one day, "It creeps me out when God does stuff like that!!!!" I love it!

So, extremely long story short, our church currently has an advisory board in place. A group of us with a passion to see families with special needs, not only attending church, but ministering, learning & worshiping about our awesome God. We are praying & planning for what this ministry will look like at our specific church. This is why I am so passionate about this on-line conference. Not only is it free, but you can watch the videos when you have time during the next 2 days. I am so excited to soak up what these speakers have to say & use it at my church.

Another calendar note!!!!

Mark your calendars! To register for free, go to http://inclusionfusion.org/2011/10/how-inclusion-fusion-will-work/. I have already registered & am excited to hear this conference!!!!


"More than twenty leaders in children’s ministry and disability ministry are coming together on November 3rd-5th to put on a FREE Special Needs Ministry Web Summit to connect church staff, volunteers, family members and caregivers everywhere. That’s Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry’s First Annual Special Needs Ministry Web Summit, featuring Keynote Speaker Chuck Swindoll."

Startling Statistics

Last night, I was doing some research on Special Needs Ministries of different churches. Through this research, I came across some statistics that amazed me....

• 7% of children ages 3 – 17 have ADHD.  11% of boys, 4% of girl


• 8% of children ages 3 – 17 have a learning disability.  10% boys, 6% girls


• 10% of children have an anxiety disorder


• 13% of children ages 13 – 17 have a developmental disability (ranging from mild disabilities such as speech and language impairments to serious developmental disabilities, such as intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and autism)


• 41% of children with a developmental disability have multiple disabilities


• 17% of Americans will experience a communication disorder at some point in their life, which includes sensing, interpreting and responding (i.e. auditory processing disorder).


• 1 in 110 children have an autism spectrum disorder.  1/70 boys, 1/315 girls


• 1.6 % of children will receive an ASD (autism spectrum disorder) diagnosis at some point in their lives.  2.6% boys.


• 37.5% of individuals who receive an ASD diagnosis will go on to lose that diagnosis.


• 41% of people with an autism spectrum disorder have an intellectual disability (which means that 59% do not necessarily have an intellectual disability).


• 19% of Americans are classified as a person with a disability, which equals the population of the states of FL and CA combined.   Both the number and percentage of Americans with a disability has risen in recent years.  

And the one that really got to me was that "many studies do point out higher divorce rates; for families with children with autism, there have been rates quoted as high as 85-90 percent."

These are much higher numbers than I thought, and this is information gathered from last year. Are you as surprised as me???

http://www.disaboom.com/children-with-disabilities/for-better-or-worse-and-kids-with-disabilities
http://theinclusivechurch.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/just-the-facts-special-needs-statistics/

Celebration Sunday

This week has been INSANELY busy. Our church had Vacation Bible School (of which I helped), I registered Ethan for school (YIKES!), we helped my Brother-In-Law & his family paint their new home, and we had an all church party at our local water park. I am so tired. Through the craziness of this week, we have had a lot of low moments in this house. First, deciding that Ethan was unable to handle going to VBS while I still was helping & watching his peers learn about Jesus. That was very hard for me. Second, Ethan went to the doctor, and we discovered that he had an eye infection, an ear infection, and strep throat. It's a good thing Ethan takes his medicine well because he has been taking a lot of it this week! Third, things were said to me this week about another child with autism that offended me deeply. I am still trying to work on my reaction to ignorant people. That's not even the right word because I didn't know any better before we had Ethan, and I would never say such things about a child. Insensitive people. But that's a whole different topic. And, finally, signing my baby up for daily preschool. I wouldn't be putting him in preschool so soon, but because of his autism, I feel it is crucial for his future to continue his intervention program...which means going to school.

But, today.......today has been a wonderful day! During church this morning, I could think of nothing else besides Ethan's growing need for support/aids....specifically at church. The last couple of Sundays I have gone home in tears..........vowing to find a new church...............a church that had a special needs program. But then I remember how much I love our church & the people. They are our family......and most of them literally are our family! Where else would Ethan find that much love? Nowhere. And I don't WANT to leave our church...it is my home. And, besides, had I talked to anyone about my concerns? About Ethan's needs? About my heartbreak? About my embarrassment? About our frustration? No to all. I keep it inside, playing like it is all okay, and come home in tears. How is anyone supposed to help unless they know there is a need?

OK...I decided I needed to talk to someone at church about getting Ethan support/aids at church. But who? Everyone already has such a full plate! And I don't want to single my child out anymore than he already is. It would be so much easier if we just stopped going. But that won't do Ethan any good...to just run from difficult situations.

Then, it hit me like a bolt of lightening. I am not the only parent of a special needs child. And if I am feeling that way, so are others. So I have been in touch with our lead pastor & our children's pastor, and we are starting a dialog. We are going to talk about these issues & how we can help these special families & these kiddos. And I have volunteered to be the coordinator. I can be the person a parent can come to! I understand! I know what they are feeling! And, as a former teacher, I have the best of both worlds....resourceful educator & passionate mama!

So, today, I am celebrating the beginning of overcoming an obstacle. Not only for Ethan & us, but for other families as well. It's not a lot, but it's a start. And I am so excited for this start....for this opportunity....for this chance of change. And tonight our congregation celebrated the end of our VBS, the week-long program that my child was unable to participate in due to his sensory issues. But Ethan was at the celebration. Our church rented the local water park, and Ethan was able to participate. And we had a great time & celebrated. But for us, it was not only because we had a successful VBS..........but because maybe next time.........maybe next time........there will be MORE children with special needs there...........including Ethan. And THAT is reason to celebrate. What a great day!!!!!