Journeying...By Grace Alone - Christmas has gone and so has my virus!

Journeying...By Grace Alone

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Christmas has gone and so has my virus!

Sorry ladies for the sudden unexpected absence! I have crawled out of my bed and am, thankfully, feeling very much among the living again. I came down with a virus on Christmas Eve, yet still went to our family gatherings that night and the next day, when I should have been in bed resting. I made it through those two days though, and as soon as I could, collapsed into bed and didn't get back up until yesterday afternoon. I am so thankful that Hubby was home on the 26th to care for Joshua and Christine took up the job yesterday morning into the afternoon. So, Christine...thank you my darling girl for helping Mommy, you are such a great big sis, and I appreciate the loving attitude that you did it with. (Smooch!)

I wish I had some wonderful Christmas pictures for you all to see, but I didn't have a camera in my hand once during the festivities, luckily Hubby was manning the camcorder! So, I guess the Josh in the box picture is Joshua's official first Christmas with us picture.

Joshua was able to meet more of Hubby's side of the family that he had never met before. I wasn't there for it, I was in bed, but I was told that it went very well. Hubby gave Grandad his Calendar of Angels, so the rest of the family were able to read all about what Angleman's syndrome is from inside of the calendar. We have had some family members that you can just tell have never been around someone who has a disability before, they don't talk to Joshua, they rarely even look at him. I wish that I knew what to do that would help them to feel more comfortable around him. I do wonder why they are so uncomfortable, with his young age, he really doesn't "seem" like he is different much at all yet. I guess that it is only the fact that they know it. I imagine that it will only take time, I try to not feel discouraged about it. I can remember a time when I was uncomfortable around people with disabilities also, all it took was getting to know one of those special kids, and my heart was never the same. I know that Joshua will have the same affect on many people in his life, the Lord is going to use him to change many hearts also. Joshua may be disabled in many traditional ways, but he is extremely abled and gifted in JOY, peace, goodness, gentleness, and LOVE! He has plenty of it to share, and he can't help but to share it.

Love one another~Adrienne

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Comments

Wednesday, December 28, 2005 - Untitled Comment

Posted by sparrow

I remember when my hubby's family wouldn't look at our new adopted son. He isn't disabled (in any outward way) - but I think they had a really hard time processing adoption, and trans-racial adoption on top of that. They did get more comfortable with it over time. Now he is totally accepted - in words AND actions. :)

Just by your example they'll clue in. Even my racist grandpa eventually grew to love my african-american brother in the end. What a wonderful gift from God THAT was!

You are so loving yourself that it will HAVE to rub off on them!

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Thursday, December 29, 2005 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

I am glad you are feeling better!

When I was younger, my mom's best friend had a daughter my age who has mentally disabled. I feel so blessed to have known her as a child (we still email each other occasionally and I visit her when we go to California) although there was a period (my teenage years) when I felt a bit embarrased by her. People definitely react uncomfortably around her but the people that take the time to know her love her dearly. Unfortunately, some people just choose to miss out on her friendship which, in my opinion, is their loss!!! Like you said, God has a plan and a mission for little Joshua's life, He will use him as He chooses!

RANDI

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Thursday, December 29, 2005 - You guys are awesome!

Posted by Adrienne

Sparrow and Randi thank you so much for what you said! I know it's hard for people to learn new things...and Sparrow, I think that you are right, Hubby's family is probably a bit leery of just the fact that we adopted him. The one couple I am thinking the most of has only one daughter, they couldn't have any other children, I wonder if us adopting Joshua makes them uncomfortable because they once felt a tie with us because we were the same as them and now we have adopted? The complexity of human emotions!

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