In the Spirit: August 2009

Stamp by Rowena Fields A Faith Perspective

August has been a busy month! We've given alot of our time this month and the rewards have been great:

We had the Annual Back to School Bash where we sent children back to school with Jesus on their minds and in their hearts and supplied over 3000 students with back packs and school supplies. It's such a blessing to be able to help the community.

One young man even won a computer donated by the Sigmas:

It was hard work, and the weather was hot, but it was well worth it! Thanks to all the community volunteers who came out to help this year and we hope to see you all next year.

Well, she did it!
My eldest has graduated...and now it's time to find a job, hee, hee uh huh!

I'm so proud of my daughter, she obtained her A.A.S. in Surgical Technology from Miller Motte, with HONORS!

It was such a surprise to us when we sat down and read the Commencement program.

Magna Cum Laude, that's the second highest honor given to a student, oops, I should say earned by, (nothing is given away academically in college) and hard work and determination reaps great rewards. We didn't know this when we got to the graduation but only found out right before the ceremony. I cried through the whole thing.

I say this as a testimony and an inspiration to someone who has heard from one source or another that they cannot make it, that they aren't worth anything, or that they believe or have been told that they are dumb, stupid or incapable of learning or coming out of whatever disability or disadvantage they may be trying to overcome.

When my daughter was starting school, she was told by therapists, school leaders, teachers AND special education teachers, that she would never be able to read, or receive a regular education; so we were to prepare her by teaching her how to read stop signs, learn home skills and to read fast food applications cause that was the only type of job she'd be able to obtain. As parents, we've looked at scholastic and psychological test scores and have been discouraged by what we've been told. People have discouraged her, ignored her and doubted her, told her she'd never make it and some days, in her eyes, it looked as though they were right.

But how many know that with God, all things are possible?!!! Yes I prayed, prayed with her, believed God and was lead in the directions which helped me to gain the tools to further educate my baby, thus helping her to read (hooked on phonics DID work for US!), do math (she learned algebra on her own, cause the teachers would not add it to her IEP) and overcome the obstacles that were trying to keep her bound. You see, people these days don't always have the patience to deal with others, certainly when it takes up their time and energy. The school systems are so jammed packed with students, that those with special needs get lost in the shuffle. Teachers sure have their hands full these days, and it takes a special person to be an educator. And unfortunately, everyone isn't in it for the love of the job.

It takes the parent along with the teacher to invest time, patience, education and love into the student and I thank God for all the teachers who've uplifted, encouraged, and invested their knowledge into my children, saw the need, listened and actually cared for us. She is proof that you can make it! Janel, I'm soooo proud of you and we love you.

Getting the home together

cause we got family coming to town! I'm so excited cause this is the first time that some of our family has been to our home here in Tennessee. We tend to be the ones who do most of the traveling to see our families, and I do love to travel. But it's been our experience, and talking with other military families, likewise, that when you live so far way, you tend to be the ones making the travel sacrifice and you almost feel "forgotten". I'm so excited when family comes, and can hardly wait.

They are coming to hear Hubby deliver his initial sermon. I made some announcements for the event: