A PANDAS GLIMPSE

In 2004 our son was dx with Autism. In January of 2010 he was dx with PANDAS D/O after he contracted Scarlet Fever earlier in 2009. You can find out more by clicking the pages regarding PANDAS on this blog or go to http://www.oasisautism.org/

This short clip is from Joshua. It is a 2 minute glimpse into his life with PANDAS. You are only seeing 2 minutes of what he lives daily. The body tics you see are only an outward part of what has attacked his brain. When he comes in contact with anyone with strep it increases swelling in his brain that increases his symptoms....tics are only one symptom. Last Summer God opened a door and I was able to share with Joshua what PANDAS has been doing and why things were changing in his body. He get's it now....there are days of tears for him, yet he continues to press on. Our way of getting through it is saying "PANDAS ALERT!"

The son you hear in this clip is one that he chose to share with you as it is one of his favorites. The movements you see Joshua doing are not to the music as it was placed in later...these are the body tics he lives with. What you are seeing is mild today. He is on another round of antibiotics aside from the preventative he takes weekly.

He is amazing....he finds joy each day....and we love walking with him in the midst...there is always hope.

Life Inside the Box of a Jigsaw Puzzle

I am a parent who is inspired daily by our son who was born and blessed with Autism. May you find blessing, hope...and a new look within the puzzle of Autism.

AUTISM YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW...

Saturday evening Joshua opens Daddy’s Bible on the hotel bed and finds the book of Joshua. He asks me to help him find 1:9. I sat down beside him and flipped through the delicate pages until the Bible rests open to Joshua 1. Joshua scanned the page as I led his eyes to verse 9. He began to read, “….Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

He then took a breath, and with a “chomp” of his teeth, he closed the Bible and hopped off the bed.

It's Sunday morning and we are getting ready for church. With a hop, a chomp, and a knock of the knees we are now headed to the van to begin our adventure to see and worship with old friends.

Joshua and Faith make their way to Xtreme Kidz where they are greeted with hugs. He makes his way to the climbing wall with a hop, a chomp, a chin knock to the shoulder and a snort.

Church is now over and we are having lunch with our friends. He and Toby have a great time sharing pizza and talking. Joshua looks down the long table and grabs my attention. He asks through chomps and head nods if he can share his cheese pizza with Toby. As he hears yes I see him hop in his seat and give Toby some of his pizza.

We are on the long drive home. He leans forward and says to Faith, “Hey Faith…I love you.” She responds back, “I love you too.”

He spends the next hour and a half singing, snorting, nodding, chomping and “hopping” in his seat belt.

We are finally home. What an incredible weekend we had with friends!

Joshua’s chomping increases as his chin hits one shoulder then the next. He walks down the hall stopping to knock his elbows on the wall and knock his knees together.

He is now having trouble going to bed as fear creeps into his thoughts. He begins to talk about school and feeling as if he cannot achieve anything and feeling as if he knows nothing. I begin to share with him all he knows and marvel with him of his incredible ability to know so much about things. I can see in his eyes he feels overwhelmed and he begins to cry over the anxiety. I reach over and cradle his head as he cries. I then walk him up his ladder to his loft and sit with him. His chomping and nodding are so constant he can barely get a sentence out in tact. He then looks at me, and through the anxiety of tics he says, “Mommy, do autism boys ever marry girls and do autism girls marry boys?” I answer yes. He then says, “Do autism boys marry autism girls.” I begin to tear and answer his question again with a yes. He then looks at me through chomping and states, “That is good, because we don’t laugh at each other.”

I looked deep in his brown eyes and asked him if he feels different than other people. He did not look through me as sometimes he can. His eyes engaged and he said, “Yes.”
I wish I could say that this entry has some deep meaning. Yet, today it’s just a mommy who longs to comfort her son who is struggling with his Autism. A mommy who sees her son in such anxiety that if I could…I would take it on just to give him a moment of peace.

I looked in his eyes when he said “Yes”…that he felt different and I told him that I was so thankful that God made me his mommy and that I love everything about him, especially his autism. I then reminded him of his verse in Joshua 1:9
“….Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Life is so uncertain…yet there is one thing that is constant during the moments when fear creeps around us daily, and that is our LORD is with us wherever we go….we do not have to be terrified.

"IT'S OKAY TO DROP THE BALL"

It has been a while since I have sat at my computer to write my thoughts. Our summer was filled with constant activity. School has begun with both kids going everyday and the Lord opened the door for an incredible position for me to work with Children Services as an assessment caseworker. Huge changes.

Today as I sit here I am reminded of something I wrote in 2006, something Christ challeneged my heart and life with through my son and I just want to share it with you.

Section from:

THE TRUE INTIMACY OF BECOMING A WATER WALKER

Author: Angel Thompson

Copyright Year: © 2006
Published by Unleashing Potential Ministries, A.Thompson

All Rights Reserved.

"IT'S OKAY TO DROP THE BALL"

It is not uncommon or out of place to see Joshua with his hands full of items, everything that makes him feel comfortable and "intacted". He has Autism, and the things he clutches in his hands bring him a sense of "stability", a sense of peace.

Something interesting happened the other day that impacted my life and made me reflect on my walk with the Lord. Joshua was walking towards me and his "things" kept falling as he tried to make his way to me. I could see the desperation in his eyes as he tried to slowly make his way to where I was. At that moment I threw my arms open and said, "Run to me." As I said that he threw his "comfort" items down and ran to my open arms.

Hebrews 12:1-2a states, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…"

As I think of my son running to me hindrance free, I am humbled once again. From Joshua I am reminded that in order to run this race, in order to make it towards the Prize, which is Jesus Christ, in order for me to have that intimate relationship with God, I need to "throw off everything that is hindering" me. All of those things that keep me from His embrace of love, grace, mercy, compassion, protection…If I would only let go and look up, I would see that He has my race marked out for me.

Don't you just love that part? Our race has been marked out! Do you think the Israelites realized that when God was going before them in a cloud during the day and fire at night? He was scouting the path, marking the way.

What are the things in your life that you are trying to "run" with? For me, it is the worry over finances and wondering "how God, are we going to make it this week? Where are we going to live? How will Joshua transition?" My worries and incessant need to figure out what to do entangles me and keeps me only inches from His embrace.

Joshua has realized he needs to throw everything aside to be in my embrace. This morning he was dressed in his OSU football outfit. Shoulder pads, helmet, football…he is a miniature line backer. As I threw my arms open, he came running and just before he lost himself in mommy's embrace, he dropped the football.

What is the "football" that you are holding on to, that entangles you, which keeps you from that intimate relationship with God? What are the things that give you that "false" sense of security to where you cannot see the path He has marked out for you?

Our walk is not a football game, you can drop the ball. He will pick it up and show you the path, the race He has marked for you as you walk in His intimate embrace.

He meets Him in a yard filled with dandelions...

My son has this unique relationship with God. I could sit here and say that I am envious and that I long for that, and yet the truth is…I can have that...I do have that…one that is individual and totally and fully “ours”. (Mine and God's)

The other day as I drove around on the lawn mower cutting our "field", I could not help but to be captivated by my son who stood in the grass, dandelion “fuzz” flying around him, arms stretched upward with his face towards the sky. He would stand still and then spin and then stop and sway as if hearing some sweet sound of music only known to him.

Later he asked to ride with me and as he nestled his head on my shoulder I asked what he was doing with his arms up in the yard and he said, “Talking to God and praising Jesus.” When asked what they talked about he said “I cannot tell you, because that was God and I talking.”

He had found his “prayer closet” and went there to talk with Jesus. Uninhibited by what was happening around him, he was able to “sift” through it and find solace with God.

To understand how profound that is….individuals who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder have a hard time “sifting” through all the noises and sensory things that invade our lives daily. As you are reading this there are sounds happening around you and yet you are able to sit and concentrate to comprehend what is on your screen. For people like my son, it is like the GRAND FINALE at the 4th of July happening inside their head all the time and they have to “sift” through it…so…you can understand why I sat in awe as God and Joshua met in that yard and he and Jesus talked and sang together. It was so intimate that Joshua did not want to share the details, only that they "met"…because it was HIS TIME with HIS KING.

My son grasps the meaning of Ephesians 3:19, 20. He knows the power Jesus has in his life and he soaks up the fullness that he has been given because he belongs to HIM.

Do you know that you can know that fullness….that power….if you are HIS…it has been promised to you because HIS SPIRIT lives within you!
I challenge you today to read Ephesians 3:14-21. Meditate on it, soak it in….then go find your “yard” and meet Him there…..He’s waiting!

The passion to follow Jesus

There truly are no words that I could use to describe the intense emotion on feels when witnessing someone being baptized.

There are no words to use when it is our son except...GOD, YOU AMAZE ME, BLOW ME AWAY EVERYDAY. You captured him in your arms, placed eternity in his heart before he was even thought of and he followed that to You. I will never forget the day he first prayed to you for snow. I will never forget the day he prayed that you would provide money so we could go to McDonald's. I will never forget the day he asked you into his heart. I will never forget the days he worked hard to put his face in the water. I will never forget the first time he shared Christ with a lady at WalMart....and I will never forget this day when he shared with everyone that he was following You! Thank you for the work You have done in his life, and the work You will continue to do! I am amazed! I am humbled!

Be sure to watch the clips at the end.

NT's can learn social behaviors from kids with ASD

Our son has Autism....I know, most of you know that.

As parents of a special needs child, there are things that you never think you will ever hear and when you do....you are totally blown away, humbled and PROUD of your child. Many of you have heard us praise God for every thing Joshua has accomplished and for the things that we know he will.

• Learning to communicate, talk when they were not sure he would be able to.
• Learning to ride a bike on his own.
• Becoming STUDENT of the Month at his school.
• Publishing his first book.....
• And then....this Christmas hearing the words that WE as parents never thought we would ever here....

As we sat with our friends and their child...who is an incredible, precious and loving little girl and a very typical 3 year old, (totally love it); we heard the words....."Try and be like Joshua and Faith."

Matt and I looked over at our friends and chuckled saying, "We never thought we would hear those words...that someone would encourage their child to be like Joshua." (We know he's great!)

This just proves that just because a child has a disability...it DOES NOT define them; and, that Neurotypicals can also learn and glean life skills from our kiddos.

Thank you, Lord for how you work in our kids lives....

It's true, we NT's can also learn appropriate social behavior from our kids on the spectrum.

Letter to Santa

This evening I walked out into the living room to see a note and cookies. Joshua was planning early. I smiled as I looked at this and at the same time I was reminded of my son’s Autism and where it has him.

I’m not talking about his mind and that he will “always be as a child.” (He has displayed incredible maturity in his thoughts. I do believe his faith in Christ will always be like a child...I don't mean immature...but rather always knowing, believing and trusting that Jesus is who He says He is. That He is his Savior and that He is the one he goes to with all his needs and praise...leaving them there and knowing that God heard him. Something many lose as they grow older.) Believe it or not, our son knows that Santa is not real. He will tell you that Santa is just a character, and that Mrs. Claus and the elves are also fake. He knows that I will be the one to eat the cookies and drink the milk. So, why put out the letter and cookies? Because that is what people do. He has watched and heard people talking about putting out cookies. There are commercials on TV about it, TV shows that do it and families tell their little ones that they need to remember to put out cookies and milk for Santa.

Our son is a mimicker. He looks to everyone for social cues. That means, he looks to you and me to see what we are doing. This is his way of coping and “fitting” into our world. Whether we do something that is appropriate or not appropriate…he will mirror back what he sees. So…the cookies and letter are a reminder to me of my son who lives with Autism, and how he longs to be part of our world and wanting to know how to live in our society and to not only relate, but have relationship.

I learn so much from Joshua that continues to draw me deeper in my relationship with Christ. Yesterday was one of them as he told everyone at church, “We all need to follow Jesus because he died on the cross for our sins and now He is alive.”

My prayer this Christmas…is that my life…my social cues will be those that draw Him deeper in his relationship with Christ.

How are you living your life? Who is watching you? People don’t have to have Autism to take on our “social cues”….how we face life, circumstances…moments that challenge our daily life. The stop light, the slow driver, snow, frustration, anger, fear, anxiety, joy, praise, humbleness…

Thank you, Lord for Joshua’s letter. Thank you for the reminder and thank you for the talk he and I had about the letter…and the talk we had about YOU. May my walk each day be one that reflects You. May it draw both my children towards You and may they fall deeply in love with YOU!

Jelly Pirates: 7 year old boy with Autism publishes first book

For 1 1/2 years I have been sharing my life, my thoughts, my family and my children's remarkable moments that have challenged me in my walk with Christ. Today I have the opportunity to share with you another story of inspiration from our son, Joshua. As most of you know, our son has Autism....okay, instead of writing it I will just share the press release with you below! Just wanted to share our excitment with you!

_____________________

Joshua is 7 years old and has Autism. Joshua lived in his own world which seemed to trap him where he would spend hours screaming and banging his head. After his diagnosis he began speech therapy and occupational therapy as well as early intervention and eventually mainstreamed preschool where he had very involved teachers & therapists.

Joshua wrote Jelly Pirates when he was six. The story was inspired by the Smuckers Jelly packets that sat on the table at the Kaffee Haus in Wooster, Ohio. It is a cute little tale of Jelly Pirates in search of honey treasure.

Since that day, Joshua’s imagination and expression of stories continues to grow and he is excited to write another book in the future which he has already titled: Jelly Pirates and Friends.
"As parents of a child on the Autism Spectrum, we are told our children will have difficulty with expression of emotion and words. We have found that to be true, but when not pressured and allowed to enter their world and when they invite you in…it is amazing what you will find."

To purchase your own copy, click JELLY PIRATES.

Joshua is the son of Matt and Angel Thompson, Founders of the Organization for Autism Spectrum Information and Support, Inc. (www.oasisautism.org)

“All the Way Across to China”

I love being able to share my thoughts and life with each of you. I love it even more when a friend sends me their life story and I have the opportunity to enter it with them and celebrate. I asked my friend if I could share the story she sent to me about her son, Nick. Nick has Autism and what she describes left me celebrating with tears...how incredible is our God in the lives of our kids! Thank you, Kathy for allowing me to share a part of your life story with AFF!



“All the Way Across to China”

My experience with Autism has taught me that figurative speech is very hard for Nicholas to understand. He doesn’t really follow things like “It’s raining cats and dogs”, or “I feel under the weather today”. He is a visual thinker, so he probably sees actual cats and dogs falling from the sky, or someone under a thunderstorm. For him, “It is really raining a lot today”, or “I am sick” would be better ways to express those situations.


My two “neurotypical” children, however, use figurative speech easily. My son Alec, 8, started a routine at bedtime in order to express “how much” he loves me. He would tell me, “I love you, Mom”, and I would tell him “I love you more!” and he and he would think about that, then say, “I love you this much” and stretch his arms out as far as they could go. Then I would stretch MY arms out, and say, “ I love you this much times 10”. One night Alec was having trouble finding an amount high enough, so he said, “Mom, you know how many stars there are in the sky? Well I love you all that much and then triple that.” Amazed by his ability to think in such terms, I laughed and said “Wow! Triple stars! I’m not sure I can beat that!” So ever since, Alec has said “I love you triple stars”. It is such a sweet thing to hear coming out of his mouth. I hope he never stops saying it.

Kaitlyn is younger but she is not one to be outdone. She watched all this and came up with her own cosmic measurement of love, and simply tells me “I love you outer space”. This also makes me laugh out loud and she likes to tell me this not just at bedtime, but often, which often draws quizzical expressions from people when they hear her say it.

Nick, however, has difficulty thinking in such a way. He would watch all of this from his bed, and mostly he would interject with reminders of things he wants. “Mom, you need to buy me a guitar”. “Mom, I want you to buy me a Cleveland Browns uniform”. “Mom, you need to get me a train and build a train track”. It was a continuation of the list of nearly a thousand things he recites to me all day, every day. And my response was always the same, “Ok, Nick, we will try to get the things you want the most. Goodnight, Nick.” To which he would just say “Goodnight”. “I love you, Nick”. “Love you too, Mom”. “How bout a good night kiss, Nick?” And of course he would give me a kiss. Then “How bout a hug, Nick?” Which was followed by a hug. Children with autism are often uncomfortable showing affection, and Nick is really no exception. He has his moments where he will spontaneously hug me, but they are usually at times when it is not expected, like when I am cooking dinner. He can surprise me with a hug which involves his whole body, and he literally climbs up my body with his arms anchored around my neck. Since he is nearly 5 feet tall it can be a painful experience. But his expressions of love are not taken for granted by me, and I will drop what I am doing and return his hug.

So these “figurative” expressions of how much love we have for each other went largely unnoticed by Nick, and he never offered up his own comparison. Until the other day. He surprised me! I was talking to him on the phone while I was away for a week on vacation and he was staying with his dad. We had a conversation which existed mostly of Nick telling me (again) what I needed to buy for him while I was away. Right at the end of the call, Nick said, “Bye, Mom, I love you all the way across to China”. I laughed out loud and said “Wow, Nick! All the way to China? That is a lot of love”. And I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was pleased.

Moments in time...that is one that will be forever frozen within me. Little snapshots of progress made for Nick in this journey of autism. It seems that recently I have been seeing more and more of them, which fills me with hope for his future. I recently read “Born on a Blue Day” by Daniel Tammet, an adult with Aspergers syndrome with savant abilities. The book was very uplifting to me, as it explained from real experience what growing up with autism is like for someone. They don’t feel as isolated as we fear. Social interactions with others are just something that really aren’t a need for them. And a lot of the things that make them different, their odd behaviors and obsessions, are the things that as an adult make them unique and sometimes help them fit in and function as an adult.

I don’t know if Nick will continue to use his descriptive term. But even if he doesn’t, and if his affection has to be prompted by reminders from me, that’s ok. I know he loves me. All the way across to China.

Kathy Wood
www.25kids.com

“screecher preacher”

Life is filled with uncertainty…this human life we live. This is something that many hear me say and talk about. Yet, I usually don’t stop with talking about the “uncertainty” of life, but that it leads me always to what is certain, and that is Christ in my life.

Over the past several years life has truly proven to be “uncertain”. And, if my eyes were only looking to what I could “tangibly” see and touch my foundation would have crumbled years ago.

As I think of that foundation I was reminded of a passage that I have often prayed for my friends. (Ephesians 3:14-21) As I reflected on it this evening, God brought two verses to my mind, and I sit here with tears as my eyes trace the words on the paper.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (20, 21)

Why would this section cause such emotion?

This past weekend has been one of those “immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine” weekends.

Let me share with you what I am talking about. On Friday Matt and I went out on a date, (thank you, Becky for watching our kids). We had to make a few stops for church items...that is just par for the course of ministry. Now I jokingly call our car the “screecher preacher” because we were in need of new brakes and everyone knew it…okay, everyone could hear it. This weekend happened to be the Annual Geneva Grape Jamboree and Matt stopped downtown to see where our jump house and booth were to be set up. There was a lot of traffic and roads being closed as tents and booths were going up all over downtown. We saw John from church and asked if he knew where we were supposed to be and then it happened. "Klunk…klunk…” The “screecher preacher” lost it’s brake pad. So, now instead of "screeching...." we “hissed” down the road to our home and parked the car.

This was truly going to be an interesting and now challenging weekend. It just so happened to be Joshua’s last soccer game, award day, the Grape Jamboree and we were now without a vehicle. We were hoping the brakes would last until Monday because a friend offered to put new ones on for us. However, due to our adventurous date moment....I reserved a car via Enterprise for the next morning. When I called at 9am, Jason shared that he was the only one in the office and they would not be able to come to our house until after 10am, which meant Joshua would miss his final game. I called Matt and shared what we were looking at with time and cost...which is always a fun moment in anyones marriage, I don't care who you are....it just is. When I got off the phone I just sat with my face in my hands and talked with God. “Lord, you know where we are at, and what we need. I’m asking for a miracle because I have no idea what to do.” Two minutes later...I kid you not... Matt called and told me to cancel the car. He shared that Don was on his way and they were going to let us borrow their car until Monday. Joshua would make his final game and we did not have to find funds to pay for a rental. Immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

You would think that was the end of my story…but it is not. As you all know, we have a son with Autism. Life and surroundings can and are very overwhelming for him. We are careful as to where we go and gear for what could happen. I always have a plan ready. Well, on Saturday, he along with his teammates rode on the church float…in the parade. That's right, hundreds of people…..no where to go when you are in the center of people with a child who has extreme sensory issues. He did amazing. No meltdowns and when it was time to leave he understood and stuck with the plan.

Sunday arrived. I had no plan to have him ride the float on Sunday…the really BUSY day of the Jamboree. We were going home after church and I was hoping to take a nap for the first time in years. However, just before my eyes closed…my phone rang. “Honey, I need you and the kids to come down and ride on the float.” Okay…this was not in my plan, and yet I found myself in the car, driving down Liberty, walking to Swan Road to the float. Here we were sitting on the float…going down the road, waving and smiling. Guess what? You guessed it, he did great. He was overwhelmed, but regulated himself to cope with what was happening! I was amazed and so proud of him!
Immeasurably more than all we ask and imagine.

I know Joshua will still have really hard days. I know that our car will screech again. I know we will face uncertainty, but one thing I am certain of is that my God can and does do immeasurably more than ALL I ask or could ever imagine! And to Him alone…I praise!

To end this I just want to share a quick story that just took place 10 minutes ago. Joshua watched a news story about a dog that was attacked by a shark, and how this little jack russel was recovering. He asked me what happened and I shared that he had been bitten by a shark. He looked at me and said, “Let’s pray for him.” Here are the words he spoke to God…His Lord that heals. Mind you, I did not in any way tell him what to say….

“Dear Jesus, please be with this puppy that was bit by a shark. Please heal him so he gets better. Jesus you like him, and I love you, Jesus. In Jesus Name, Amen”

Immeasurably more than all we ask and imagine.

...the inspiration is our son...

This entry is not filled with words of wisdom. It is just a simple, short story of God’s moving in a young boys life, and how God once again shows Matt and I that through HIM all things are possible. As we watched our son today we saw the words in Jeremiah 29:11 come to life…again.

The story…the inspiration is our son….and there is nothing I could ever write that could inspire my walk more than watching my son beat the odds of Autism that he lives with daily.

Below this clip you will read a short paragraph about this incredible ministry in sports today.

Upward, where Every Child IS a Winner!
Sports are a great way for children to learn about teamwork, respect for authority and sportsmanship. The sad part is all those things are being lost in today’s sporting society. With an Upward sport, these key essentials are included to create the best sporting experience for every child that participates. Each Upward Sport is designed to reveal the winner in every child. Every child plays. Every child learns. Every child IS a Winner!

www.upward.org

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE HARD....

Since our move at Easter, it has been hard to keep up with my writing. To be honest, with all of the transitioning for Joshua...it has been an adventure. I would start to write and it was as if God was saying, "I don't want you to share that at this time...."

There was this silence in my head as I focused on helping Joshua to transition to a new school, trying to find therapy closer (don't you just love the gas prices) as well as transitioning as a family to a new area.

Today God began to move in my heart and thus through my fingers. This entry may be more of a moment of therapy for me in journaling it than a challenge that usually comes from my fingertips, yet this is what God wanted me to share with you....with that typed....

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE HARD....

I used to loathe it when people would say, “It takes a special person to have a special child.” Or this one, “God gives special kids to special parents.”

I know people mean well, and that people really don’t know what to say when they find out your child has an illness or disability and all they can usually come up with is the universal quotes listed above. Those statements used to seem like “platitudes", a cliché, yet I have come to see and wear them with humble honor.

In the movie, League of Their Own, Tom Hanks who plays the coach of the Peaches makes an eye opening statement. Granted, it’s about baseball, yet I can truly see how it relates to being a parent of a child with a disability:

It’s supposed to be hard.
If it wasn’t hard everyone would do it.
Hard is what makes it great.

Our life relates whole heartedly to his statement….and it truly comes down to perspective. What makes our life on the spectrum of Autism so great is that we reap in all the joys of our son’s victories. When people say he cannot, this little guy does something incredible that defeats all the obstacles that are set before him.

What makes it great is that we have learned more about life, acceptance, and being thankful for everything through our 7 year old son who lives daily with Autism and coping with those who don’t get it. I stand humbled and in awe as he thanks Jesus daily for his Autism…with no pause or wavering in his voice.

What makes it great is that God entrusted him to us to care for, raise, build up, encourage and share with him about the saving grace of Jesus, and that Jesus loves him…just for him.

I have had people come up to me and say, “I could never do that…what you are doing.” (Yet, one never knows what they can or cannot do until it is there before them.) Again, it comes down to perspective.

It’s true…it’s hard. None of us were ever promised that life or that parenting for that matter would be easy. For crying in the weeds…childbirth was not easy. If it were men would give birth just so they could eat all they wanted and gain a gut….wait, some already do that.

To say Hard is what makes it great….
I would have to agree. There days where it is really difficult, yet we have learned that no matter what the circumstances….they don’t define who we are as parents, or who our son is.

To say Hard is what makes it great in no way makes us martyrs.

Nah, honestly…I am proud and humbled to be Joshua’s mommy. A boy who loves Jesus, and has a tender heart for those who are hurting. Who will cheer someone who is in the midst of therapy to encourage them to continue and will rejoice with them when they finish. A boy who will stop and pray if he hears an ambulance siren, and will ask his sister, “How did you sleep?” and even is willing to sit in her room to “protect her from bad dreams so she can sleep.” A boy, who still enters his own world, becomes overwhelmed, has meltdowns, yet will work so hard to learn new things and loves an adventure. A boy who has Autism, and accepts that this is how Jesus made him.

Even though our move two months ago has been very difficult for Joshua ….

Hard is what makes it great…

As he sits and quotes his life verse,
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3

"WE ARE CALLED TO BE WATER WALKERS"

I wanted to share something with you all today, yet God has been pointing me elsewhere. As you know, I am the mother of an incredible kid who lives with Autism everyday. Since the changes that began in January he has been trying to transition and acclimate to these changes and now to his new home, surroundings, school, and new people. As he wrestles daily in his world I am trying to be there to support him with all the differences he is facing....

Today I sent a letter to a friend who also has a child on the autism spectrum. I just needed to type my thoughts, frustrations, fears...and in the midst the Lord reminded me of something I wrote back in 2006 and was urged to share it with you.

"WE ARE CALLED TO BE WATER WALKERS"

Section taken from THE TRUE INTIMACY OF BECOMING A WATER WALKER

All Rights Reserved.

For weeks I have wrestled with how to write about the topic of being a "water walker". How do I share my thoughts about something that "seems" so simple…in words, yet so difficult in action? To be a "water walker" means to be a person who is willing to step out of ones comfort zone in faith, getting your feet wet, and trusting that God will not let you drown. Easy in theory, but fearful when you come to the edge of the boat and your feet are trailing in the waves.

His name was Peter. One of the disciples, later to be called an Apostle of Christ. He was one who was quick with his mouth to speak and to act. He was "energy". One evening he along with the rest of the 12 sat in a boat until the early morning. They were unable to get back to the shore because of the waves. Out of the midst they saw something. It looked like a ghost and they were afraid, until they heard a familiar voice. It was Jesus, telling them not to fear. As the words echoed in the midst, Peter was quick to reply, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water." Peter, the man of no fear.

When Jesus said, "Come", Peter made his way to the edge of the boat. I am sure his adrenaline was running high as his feet dangled over the edge of the boat, resting on the unsettling waves, getting ready to walk to the Lord.

Peter knew whom he was walking to. He knew in whom he trusted. So he left the comfort zone of the boat and ventured onto the sea.

What happened next is what happens to us in life. Peter's eyes became distracted with the wind and he looked away and began to sink. How many times are we walking with the Lord, keeping our eyes on Him, trusting in Him and then we are blindsided with something? Something financial, relational, or even physical. Whatever it is, the "wind" distracts us and we sink. But here is the really wonderful part.

Listen to what Peter does in Matthew 14, verse 30, "Lord, save me!" He immediately turns back to Jesus, his safety, seeks rescue, and "immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him."

To be a "water walker" takes a lot of practice getting your feet wet. We don't come by it naturally. If I can encourage you to begin your journey on the water with one verse it would be these words from Matthew 14:30b, "immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him."
You see, even in the midst of being blindsided, if you but look back to your security in Christ you will find His hands open to catch you. Are you being challenged to step out in faith in your job, with something financially, in a relationship? Don't be afraid to get your feet wet.
Intimate moment with Christ

Proverbs 4:25 "Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you."

· Where is your gaze today?
· Where are you in regards to your location to the "boat"?

Father, I want to be a water walker for You. Please give me the courage to walk out on the raging sea, trusting that You are there before me. And, when the winds blow, remind me to keep my eyes fixed on You.

Section taken from THE TRUE INTIMACY OF BECOMING A WATER WALKER
Author: Angel S. Thompson
Copyright Year: © 2006
Published by Unleashing Potential Ministries
All Rights Reserved.

04.02.08 World Autism Awareness Day

April 6, 2004 our son was diagnosed with Autism.

I remember the emotions that my husband and I both experienced. It is a day I will never forget and I will not forget this journey that we have been on and that our son will continue to walk. He is my hero. The many things he has faced, the many things he will face, how his view of life and his Autism has touched many lives. That he has this incredible love for Jesus...something I learn from daily as I watch him and how he will stop in the middle of the store or even outside of the gas station the other day to pause and thank Jesus.

This year, may those who encounter our kids and individuals who live with an ASD...may they see beyond it to the person inside. May they see their potential, and know that they are people too who see life differently and that they can LEARN from our kids how to see life and truly live!

A short note from Angel Thompson
Co-Founder/Executive Director of OASIS
www.oasisautism.org

I had one of those "moments" today...

I never really forget that Joshua has autism...it's there everyday before us. Yet, this morning he and I were reading a book that he and his class made. They do this with papers they compile. It is rather fun and cute to read what they all come up with and think.

I remember Joshua and I sitting down and filling this paper out, and it was now housed with all the others inbetween a red cover. Of course today he expounded more about his story that was not on the paper...two months later.

As I sat their reading the words of his classmates on how they would "Save Santa if he were stuck"... It hit me where he is...where his world of Autism sort of keeps him. How difficult it is for him to put down on paper, with his own hand, his incredible thoughts. How as he is speaking them and begins to write the first letter they often get lost in the "commotion" that surrounds him and his thoughts and words mingle in with the "chaos" he experiences and tries to "sift" through. How, only when he is in his moment, away from expectations and trying to make sense of this world, will he enter his and voice incredible stories....yet academically trying to bring that up is difficult. I witness daily this incredible potential that is all his own and that God has given to him personally and individually.

So, as I drive him to school, with tears I pray, asking God to break through and help unleash what He has given him.....and to give me the wisdom and understanding to "walk with him" and guide him.