Thursday July 8- Day One of Road Trip

Today began the great 2010 road trip of Ali and Danielle!! WOot WoOOT! We began at about 8pm after I arrived in HE, IL. After a bunch of road construction and crazy truck drivers we arrived in Urbana, IL. It wasn't too bad of a trip, but upon arriving at the hotel there were a bunch of people partying behind the hotel. We eventually found out that it was the patio area outside the pool.

The hotel we are staying in is very nice. I was scared that it would smell of smoke but not at all. Our rooms seem to be recently remodeled and other parts of the hotels are being worked on. If we had more time here it seems that this would be a nice place to stay. My bed is really comfy and I should be sleeping because Danielle just told me that we are getting up at 6:45am! Yikes!! She also told me we can have M and Ms for breakfast!

The only thing about our hotel room is that there is a light and we can't for the life of us figure out how to turn the light on. We have searched the walls for switches and examined the cord for anything that might be a switch and no such luck.

Here's a picture of Will the White Squirrel trying to figure out the light! (or not, it's not cooperating right now.)

The True Test

Tomorrow is my third time taking my BCBA test. The third time!

I've been thinking about how depressing it is that I can't pass this stinkin' test. How stupid must I be to have to do this for now a third time.

Then I thought, what if I never passed this test? If I never passed this test, I would continue to live, I would continue to have a job and family and friends. I would still be me and I would still be happy.

Then I realized that there is one test that I must pass in life. The test of faith!

So, although I hope I pass this test tomorrow, it will not affect my eternity.

I pray that whenever I am given a true test, a test of faith- that I pass, with flying colors!

Autism

Today the kids were at Special Olympics. I know that with Autism, people struggle with language, social sill and behavior, but when I see the kids at work, I don't see the things that they struggle with, I see what the are good at.

We were at the tennis ball throw event and there were four kids that were participating. We were cheering for them, and yelling their names. It hit me that two of them, had no idea there was anyone aroun them. Even though we were saying their names, giving them instruction in what to do they were too busy rocking, hand flapping and lookin into space to realize any f it.

I thought to myself- Autism sucks. These boys have no idea the world around them is happening. Do they know I am proud of them? Do they know that I will love them if they throw the ball 2 inches of 20 feet? They have no idea of winning is or competition.

Since I have also had some kids that are getting closer and closer to aging out and will be moving into adult programs, I have been thinking about what I want for them.

--To be healthy and safe
--To know they are special, have a purpose and know they are alive for a reason
--To reach their full potential

This isn't all I want for them, but it is the main points. Maybe it is better that they don't realize the world around them. This way they have no idea that there is hurt or pain in the world. They don't realize that people are suffering and they don't realize that they are without. All the sees is the here and now, there are no worries about the future or what they will do with their lives.

I guess I need to learn from them.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Loux Family

I've never met this family, but I have followed their blog for a year now. They adopted three young boys from a fate of an institution, two with Down Syndrome one with Spina Bifida, all with Hope. One of the boys really made an impact on me. He was 5 years old, and 11 pounds. Yes, you read that correctly. He is now walking, talking and thriving. Him and his wife also have 8 other children (2 biological, 1 in heaven and 5 other adopted beautiful girls.)

Their love for orphans, the oppressed, each other and most of all God, is amazing.

Well today the Father was killed in a car accident. It makes me wonder, what is God thinking?! These children need their Father! But then I remember, God has a plan. At His discretion he will reveal it, until then, we pray that God would comfort this family. Read their story here...

Here is their family's blog ==> Loux Family

An Odd Monday

So many things could have totally upset me today. So many things by worldly standards that went 'wrong.' But rather I want to look at them as blessings.

--My cat peed on my bed twice in the last two days. It could have been three times.

--I had just changed my bedding when the previously mentions 'cat situation' occurred the first time. I have no clean comforters in my house. I have heat and if needed I will sleep with four throw blankets over me and the heat up high.

--I got stuck at work an hour late today. I have a job, that I really enjoy.

--It is so cold outside and I am worried that my car won't start in the morning. My car has heat and my wonderful neighbor is always willing to help me when my car won't start.

--My dad came today and could have said so many things about how my house isn't kept up as best as it could be, but he said all nice things and was very encouraging about my holiday decorations.

--I ran around work like a chicken with my head cut off because it was hair cut day and the kids just weren't having it and wanted to run and goof off. The kids feel really good about themselves because of their new hair cuts.

-----I refused to be a crab (for very long periods of time at least) because God is the creator of all good and even what we do not consider good. And

Romans 8:28-30
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

I think I am growing up, and I'm not sure I like it. I am always thinking of what can be recycled and reused in an effort to save money and what's good for the environment. I am also thinking about any food I waste because I am so spoiled and there are starving children in the world. There are homeless people and here I am complaining that my house isn't in perfect condition. I am humbled this season, just utterly humbled.

In Genesis

In Genesis, He's the breath of life
In Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb
In Leviticus, He's our high priest
In Numbers, the fire by night
Deuteronomy, He's Israel's Guide
Joshua, He's salvation's choice
Judges, He's Israel's Guard
In Ruth, the kinsmen's redeemer
1st and 2nd Samuel, our trusted prophet
In Kings and Chronicles He is Sovereign
In Ezra, He's the true and faithful scribe
In Nehemiah, the re-builder of broken walls and lives
In Esther, He's Mordecai's courage
In Job, the timeless redeemer
In Psalms He is our morning song
In Proverbs, He is our wisdom
Ecclesiastes, He's the time and season
In Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream
In Isaiah He is Prince of Peace
In Jeremiah, the weeping prophet
Lamentations, the cry for Israel
Ezekiel, the call from sin
Daniel, the stranger in the fire
Hosea, the forever faithful
Joel, the spirit's power
Amos, the strong-arms that carry
Obadiah, the Lord our Savior
Jonah, the great missionary
Micah, the promise of peace
Nahum, our strength and shield
In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's brings revival
In Haggai He restores that which was lost
IN Zachariah, He's our fountain
And in Malachi, He's the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings
AND THAT'S JUST THE OLD TESTAMENT

In Matthew Mark Luke and John, He is God and Messiah
In the spirit filled book of Acts, He is the reigning fire from Heaven
In Romans, He is the grace of God
Corinthians, the power of love
Galatians, freedom from the curse of sin
Ephesians, our glorious treasure
Philippians, the servant's heart
Colossians, He's God and the trinity
Thessalonians, our calling King
In Timothy, Titus and Philemon, He's our mediator and our faithful pastor
In Hebrews, the everlasting courage
In James, the one who heals the sick
In 1st and 2nd Peter, our faithful shepherd
In John and Jude, He's the lover coming for His bride

AND in the Revelation, in the very end, when it's all over, said and done, when time is NO MORE. He is and will always be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, son of Man, Lamb of God, The Great I am, Alpha and Omega, God and Savior He is Jesus Christ the Lord HE IS EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED!

Team Hoyt

I guess I never posted this. I found it today on my computer when I was cleaning some stuff out.

You all know I work with kids who have disabilities, some of you even work with the same kids. I love these kids to death. No matter how much work there is to do or rules I have to follow that I don’t agree with, those kids are something else. They daily surpass the expectations that doctors have put on them… they will never walk… they won’t communicate… they wont have a “normal life.” What is normal anyways, I know my life isn’t and I am very happy. Do you know that some of the children were given life expectancies of only a few years? Some doctors wanted to put feeding tubes in the children and the parents refused, saying I will teach them to eat, and they did. The direct care staff may not see it, but the kids do things daily, that others never thought they would do. For some of my kids that I work with, they don’t get to see their parents everyday. For whatever reason, they have been placed outside the home. When I get the opportunity to tell people of some of the reasons these kids did not make it in the home, they are surprised. Even ones that work with them daily don’t realize what odds they were given. The staff do not realize, that these children are some of the most difficult to serve children in Illinois. They’ve gotten out of the house and lost in the community only to be picked up by police and taken to the hospital, but could do easily been hit by a car. Others from homes so abused and neglected but unable to speak about their experiences- maybe that is for the better. The work that our direct care staff do is something I admit I would have to work very hard to be good at. I am in the way when I work with the kids, they are the ones that deserve the credit, and I try to tell them as much as I can. These kids, are with us because their parents can’t do the work they do.

I’ve always loved kids. My cousins always teased that I tried to keep the baby that was being passed around family parties the longest. It wasn’t until a few years that the thought of having children, really started to freak me out. It was when I started working with the children, that I started to worry, what if my children have disabilities? Lately, I’ve been learning that, the kids at work have taught me more about living life than many other experiences in my life. I find myself amazed when the kids speak in full sentences or reading, feeding or dressing themselves and socializing with one another. Can I tell you that seeing a child start to take his first steps is quite amazing?! I am honored to be apart of it.

At church this weekend, the pastor talked about this family.

In this movie, they make reference to how the doctors said to institutionalize him. I understand that a lot of people have a very bad stigma against residential placements. Some think the children are abused or unhappy. Some think that parents are giving up their children and don’t care about them. I believe whole heartedly that our children are very happy and well taken care of. I quit my last job without having any source of income because I felt the agency was not providing services that the clients needed, and I was not going to be apart of it. Many have parents with kids at our placement see them often, and all believe that they will have the best possibly development because they are in residential placement. Some feel that placing them outside the home, is what being a better parent is meant. Although it is not for everyone, residential placement for many helps children have a better life. I know I would get arguments on that, but when you see children, completely non-verbal, interacting and playing toys or coloring or laughing together, how can you experience that in another setting? What parent of a disabled child with behaviors wants another kids to deal with in their home for play dates? I wish I could get it through to all the direct support staff that the parents notice all their work. They notice gains in their kids every time they see him. Yeah, they have problems and we address them, but more often they can not thank you guys enough.

If I am ever a parent, I want to be like this man. I want to love my children like God loves me. I will never be perfect and sinless like Jesus, but He does teach me daily that I can give a portion of that love that He gives me.