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anut4dan
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Name: Annette
Gender: Female
Interests: "In Christ Alone" - born again Christian - God, autism, and hope - on the journey of autism - my husband Dan - our five kids - John age 20, Natalie age 19, Philip age 17, Seth age 15, Hannah age 11 - piano playing - letter writing - missionaries - Brazil - Moms in Touch prayer group - my two indoor cats - bird watching - wildflowers - Christian historical fiction - amateur photography - Cleveland Indians - journaling - figuring out our three teenagers and one adult - enjoying Hannah before the teenage years come - studying the history of my hometown
Expertise: speaking portuguese - 19-year-old daughter with autism - 15-year-old son with Type I diabetes - husband Dan is professor of electrical engineering
Occupation: "keeper at home" (Titus 2:5)
Message: message me
Member Since:
11/3/2006
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YESTERDAY'S SUNRISE - "THROUGH THE LORD'S MERCIES WE ARE NOT
CONSUMED, BECAUSE HIS COMPASSIONS FAIL NOT. THEY ARE NEW EVERY
MORNING; GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS." (LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23)
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
Most people know that we go through a pretty rough time in parenting our nineteen-year-old daughter with autism. The most asked question presented to me is, “How do you do it?” Statements are made to me over and over of, “I don’t know how you do it.”
My typical answers to these people are pretty lame. On the spur of the moment, it is hard to come up with an answer that would be less than a ten-minute speech on autism and God’s intervention in my life. One answer that I give a lot is, “I don’t.” It is the most honest answer that I can give, for I don’t do autism. I am unable to do it. More times than not, I lay on my bed helpless, crying, unable to handle it one more day, one more hour, or one more minute. Hearing that your child has autism would probably be the most painful thing that I would ever want to happen to a couple. It is one of the worst crushing blows of parenthood.
Yet, an oxymoron to this all is that when you look at the big picture, I am doing it. I am surviving each day being a mother to her. I am getting her to eat, dress, and go to school. I have gotten her to the point of graduating from high school and into post-secondary school. In spite of her autism, she speaks, she can carry on a conversation, she is intelligent, and she goes to school five days a week.
What people don’t see is Natalie’s heart. They don’t see her despair and anguish of not being able to understand people around her. They don’t hear her scream and cry about her misinterpretations of others who just want to help her or be her friend. She thinks that others are all out to get her. She thinks that they hate her and want her dead. She sees very little in her life that is worth living. At most times, her phone sits silent. She will not go to church, so she sees no church friends (outside of the school atmosphere). She thinks that no boy will ever love her or want to marry her. She is lonely and mostly forgotten about. She thinks that a solution to life is to hurt herself or end it all.
When I look at Natalie’s social, emotional, and spiritual needs, I cannot help but conclude that I am NOT doing it, that I am not succeeding. As of yet, I haven’t been able to untangle her miswired brain to the point where she can read a face, understand an expression, interpret people’s motives, or know how to make a friend. Because of the combination of having autism and being a young adult, Natalie lives in a world of despair, anguish, and negativity. She doesn’t understand a loving God who would allow her to have autism; therefore she concludes that God hates her. She is rash and is prone to meltdowns and crying fits. I have few, if any solutions for her and that makes me feel like a very helpless mom.
Let’s take a moment and add God to this picture. God looks at Natalie and with compassion, weeps for what she is going through, yet contrarily, He also smiles because in His eyes, she is perfectly made. He knows that because sin entered this world, disease, depravity, and disabilities soon followed, allowing autism to be a part of her life. He hears Natalie’s every heart cry. He understands her autistic brain, yet He still looks on her as beautiful, inside and out. To Him, she is perfect, because she is made in His image. At any time He could heal her, but He chooses not to in order to fulfill His perfect plan.
God sees me as Natalie’s mom. He knows that in order for me to become more Christ-like and to bear fruit, He has to do a lot of pruning and has to put me through the refining fire. He allows me to suffer, for He sees the bigger picture in mind of what He wants me to become. He sees the outcome of His plan and to Him, it is beautiful and perfect. God uses Natalie in my life to make me more into His image.
“God is my helper…” (Psalm 54:4) Every day in His grace and mercy, He equips me to be Natalie’s mother. He doles out patience and endurance. He gives me creative skills to get her to eat. He gives me ideas to manipulate her into bathing. He gives me the right responses when she is screaming about what a student or teacher said to her that day. He bears the load for me, taking it off my shoulders, and putting it on His. That doesn’t mean that I don’t cry. It means that I am at peace, resting in the security of His Sovereignty and being comforted by His Holy Spirit. Probably the most precious to me are the glimpses that He gives me into the heavenly kingdom where Natalie is whole and with a sound mind.
When I am asked, “How do you do it?” the correct answer still is, “I don’t.” For you see, it is God who does it, not me. It is God who works through me to accomplish the task of mothering Natalie, autism and all. In all honestly, I wouldn’t want it to be any other way.
~~~
Thank you, heavenly Father, for allowing me to be the parent of Natalie, for choosing me as you chose Mary, to carry out Your divine assignment here on earth. Thank you for counting me worthy, for equipping me, and for helping me each day. You are worthy to be praised for what you have done, what You continue to do, and for what You will do in Natalie’s life and in mine. To you be the honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
~~~
“…for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)
“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)
NATALIE - THE FACE OF AUTISM - THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN ON ONE OF OUR
RECENT WALKS. IT DEPICTS THE DESPAIR AND ANGUISH THAT SHE GOES
THROUGH ON A DAILY BASIS. AS A MOM, THIS PICTURE BREAKS MY HEART.
I HAVE TO LOOK AWAY AND REMEMBER THAT GOD HAS A BEAUTIFUL
FUTURE IN STORE FOR HER.
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BORN IN 1969 - BABY NUMBER EIGHT - A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR MY PARENTS
“But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)
Congratulations to my sister Darla on her milestone birthday yesterday!
I admire my sister for many reasons, one of the tops being her servant-like heart!
Happy Birthday!
I AM HOLDING MY NEWBORN SISTER, NINE YEARS YOUNGER THAN ME
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“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)
This week I had my biennial optometrist appointment. I was looking forward to it because after four years, I was ready for a new pair of eyeglasses with an updated prescription for my aging eyes. Unlike many of my other doctor’s appointments, this was a fun two hours for me. As I got my peripheral vision checked, I could enter into a new galaxy and point out the pinpricks of light, as new stars burst on my vision. I could see the photographs taken of my eyeballs, showing two Mars planets, red with vein pathways running through them. One cannot be vain at these appointments, for after four sets of eye drops are put into your eyes and streak down all over your face, the result is a green mixture all around the eyes resembling a queasy raccoon.
I always try to engage the optometrist into a Biblical discussion, for unlike a dentist, my mouth is free to talk. The most obvious illustration of the day came to me when the optometrist kept shining bright lights into my eyes, over and over. The lights were so brilliant and strong that I could hardly keep my eyes open for the examination. I thought of Jesus’ birth, how His coming to earth was like a light shining into a dark, sinful earth. “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:16)
I thought of Jesus who describes Himself as the Light. “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’ “
I thought of the awesome terror of God as He shines into the lives of those on earth. Many times, God was described as a light that gave men terror, that made man afraid, and that made man tremble. “God came from Teman, The Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens, And the earth was full of His praise. His brightness was like the light; He had rays flashing from His hand, And there His power was hidden.” (Habakkuk 3:3-4)
I thought of heaven, where there is no need of the sun or moon for God would be the light. “The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.” (Revelation 21:23)
I thought how I am to be the light. I am commissioned by God to shine the light of God into the dark, sinful world around me. "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
Perhaps, the most profound word picture at my optometrist appointment came when the eye drops began cascading out of my eyes. The optometrist took some nearby tissues and gently wiped the streams of drops away. An instant visual picture came into my mind of the moment when I enter heaven. I could imagine God saying, “Come my child. How I have longed to hold you. I see those tears in your eyes, the tears of your earthly sorrows and sufferings. Come and sit on my lap. Let me wipe those tears out of your eyes.” He gently and soothingly takes his heavenly hankie and wipes the tears away saying, “Now my child. There will be no more tears for you here. Your earthly travail of crying has been done away with. There will be no more tears, no more death, no more sorrow, and no more crying.” I believe that there will be tears in heaven, but only once. As soon as God sees them, he will wipe them away forever with His gentle and loving hand, never to return again.
I long for heaven; don’t you?
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
“He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces…” (Isaiah 25:8)
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“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
I have always wanted to sing Handel’s Messiah from beginning to end, with a full orchestra and with a large choir. I imagine the Messiah to be a foretaste of the days when we are around the throne of God, praising and worshiping, saying, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!" (Revelation 5:12)
One day, I might have the time to join a large choir and masterful orchestra. In the meantime, I am very thankful to be part of a smaller production at church - with strings, a trumpet, a keyboard set to harpsichord, the piano, the tiny tots singing a few lines, the kids’ choir singing a few of the songs, and the adult choir working at conquering the timing and the notes of some of the more difficult songs. It is a challenge and a lot of work, but it is coming together as we prepare for our program on Sunday, December 20 at 7pm. (You are all invited; contact me for the details.)
The Messiah was written in 1741 by George Frideric Handel in London, England and took twenty-four days to complete - only twenty-four – almost unfathomable! I have read that the music was based on the coming of the Messiah, the prophecies of His coming, what was accomplished when He came, and the end of time when the evil one will be overthrown. Singing these songs sends chills up and down my body when I reflect the all-encompassing message of God’s plan for mankind, the coming of the Lamb of God, and the fulfillment of His plan. I am looking forward to performing it on stage!
“He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.” (Isaiah 40:11)
“And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, ‘Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!’ ” (Revelation 19:6)
“And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:16)
“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’ " (Revelation 11:15)
MY NEPHEW JESSE
MY BROTHER ROGER DIRECTING
AREN'T JESSE AND PHILIP HAVING FUN SINGING SONGS FROM
TWO-HUNDRED-SIXTY-EIGHT YEARS AGO?
"AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD"
THE MESSIAH SINGERS
PAULINE, CAROL
MEGAN
BRENDA
MARIANA
DIRECTOR ROGER
PATTY, REINI, JUSTIN, MIKE, JOE
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TIGER CAT
“And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: ‘Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!’ “ (Revelation 5:13)
I have a feeling that this will be one of the crazier and more bizarre posts that I have ever written. Hear me out and you just might change your perspective on this age-old question.
As you may know, I have a fascination with the animal kingdom. There is an abundance of creativity in the multitude of creatures that abound on this earth. In amongst all these critters, there are two that live in our house that are pampered and petted to death, namely Barkley and Tiger. As long as I am able, I would like to have a cat warming my feet and meowing at my ankles.
Thus enters the question that pet owners have asked over the centuries: Will there be pets in heaven? The answers that I have heard are the following:
…Sure, after all, the Bible says that the lion will lay down with the lamb. I am unable to find that verse. Instead, the following description is written about the lion and the lamb. “And the remnant of Jacob Shall be among the Gentiles, In the midst of many peoples, Like a lion among the beasts of the forest, Like a young lion among flocks of sheep, Who, if he passes through, Both treads down and tears in pieces, And none can deliver.” (Micah 5:8) These verses are a figurative representation about the first coming of Jesus, how the Jews will live together on earth with the Gentiles, how the Jews will be hunted down and destroyed. To my knowledge, there is no verse saying that the lion will lay down with the lamb.
…Sure, after all, God wouldn’t want to take away from us the animals that give us so much happiness and contentment. Even though I have told people this very thing over the years, I have yet to find it in the Bible. My husband gives me much happiness and contentment, yet in heaven, there is no marriage. “But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage…” Luke 20:35)
Will there be pets in heaven? I have found two passages that perhaps describe animals in the future kingdom of God:
…Sure, after all, the Bible says that the wolf and lamb shall be together in His holy mountain. “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together …‘They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,’ Says the LORD.” (Isaiah 65:25) Isaiah 11:6-9 gives a description of animals living together in peace in God’s Holy Mountain: the wolf with the lamb, the leopard with the goat, the calf with the lion, and the cow with the bear. These verses are a description of how wild animals will be tamed, as a child will be able to put his hand in the hole of a cobra and not get hurt.
…Sure, after all, the Bible says that one day every creature will praise the Lord. “And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: ‘Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!’ “ (Revelation 5:13) If you take this verse literally, then every created thing (which in my mind includes animals and insects) will one day praise the Lord. I went to the Greek in my Strong’s Concordance to look up the meaning of “creature” as described in this verse and it said the following: “thing founded, created thing, transformed by divine power to a moral newness of soul, spoken of true Christians as created anew by regeneration.” This is the same Greek word as is used in I Timothy 4:4, “For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving…” The Greek translation in this verse refers to animal creatures. Thus, one can infer that animals will be at the throne of God.
So, why all the hype to prove that there will be pets in heaven? Sure, I would love to have a celestial pet entwined about my feet in heaven, a source of contentment, bringing pleasure to my life. But, heaven will not be about me. It will be about the Lamb that was slain, about worshiping together forever around the throne of God, and praising God forever and forever. Having a time of FOREVER WORSHIP is a foreign concept to many. It forces the believer to attain new levels in their relationship with Jesus and many do not want to go there.
If you take your earthly body and spend time just praising God, at some point you run out of things to say or you get hungry, sleepy, or bored. Yet, the deeper your relationship is with God, the more time you spend in praise and worship in that quiet, private corner of your heart that only God sees or in public as you are together with other believers. As you go about your daily life, your heart and soul is continuously praising and worshiping God.
Somehow I do not imagine that my mind will be on pets when I arrive in heaven. I will be so overwhelmed by the presence of Jesus that I will bow down as though I were dead. “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.’ ” (Revelation 1:17) All mysteries will be revealed (Revelation 10:7) and I shall know all the “whys” of my earthly life (I Corinthians 13:12). I will see God in all his glory, His eyes shining like flames of fire (Revelation 19:12), the air around Him like rainbows (Revelation 4:3), and His glory like a brilliant, shining light (Revelation 21:23). I will worship at his feet forever, saying, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!" (Revelation 5:12)
When I read the book of Revelation and get even the tiniest, small glimpse into my forever future, somehow having to know if there are pets in heaven becomes pretty low on my list of questions about heaven. Being a cat lover as I am, there’s a small part of me that can’t help but think that God, in His great love for me, cares even about the little things that are important to me. He just might have a furry, purring cat at the edge of the throng of worshipers. This is pure speculation on my part, but who knows?
BARKLEY CAT
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