When we got our son’s autism diagnosis in 2010, there was no special-needs ministry at our church. Because my husband was the pastor, we couldn’t go to the big church in the next town that did have a great disability ministry. We had to hope and pray church members would step up and take…
Bad days can happen for small reasons (like burning dinner) or big reasons (like everyone being home for the foreseeable future as a result of the coronavirus threat). In this episode, Sandra shares 5 ways to reset a bad day. Many of them take only a few minutes, but can totally turn your day…
Six years ago today James spent an hour or so with a psychologist, speech therapist, and occupational therapist. After playing with him and talking to him, they left the room. When they came back a few minutes later they told us he had autism. I exhaled and Lee inhaled. We grieved and then got to…
We need faith. Faith that His purpose and will for our lives and the lives of our children will be fulfilled. Faith that when doctors, therapist, teachers, and even friends and family members fail us, He never will. When we have meetings about James, I bring a binder full of information. Copies of therapy evaluations,…
I’ve been the guest blogger this month at Key Ministry’s blog, Church4EveryChild. I wrote on special-needs ministry, specifically in smaller churches. Here are the links and excerpts: Eight Outreach Events to Target (and Bless) Special-Needs Families: We see special-needs families as an unreached people group we plan to target. And like missionaries, we are taking…
I’m a special-needs sibling raising a special-needs sibling, which helps me remember to say the words to him that I wanted to hear myself. For more advice on how to encourage the typical kids in your special-needs family, check out my book, Unexpected Blessings: The Joys and Possibilities of Life in a Special-Needs Family!