What a week!

Our family had the privilege of serving last week at a Young Life camp in Arizona specifically tailored for teenagers with special needs.

There were a little over 400 people in camp with us split into four fairly even groups--25% were teenagers with special needs from Arizona, California, and Alaska. These needs ranged from physical issues such as amputations, wheelchair restriction, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment and blindness to emotional and intellectual differences. Another 25% of the attendees were volunteer leaders and staff from the campers' local areas. These adults were remarkable in their knowledge of each camper's needs and special qualities. They took incredible care of their friends--physically, emotionally and spiritually around the clock all week. An additional 100 high school students actually paid to travel and attend camp from Lafayette, Louisiana and Jackson, Mississippi as buddies--able bodied campers full of energy and friendship.

It thrilled me to watch these three distinct groups merge into one camp community. I can only imagine how exhausted the buddies and leaders were as they stayed fully present with the often unpredictable demands of their Capernaum friends, but you would never know it from their faces. I was particularly moved watching the 14-17 year old buddies as they left their 'cool' at the camp gate and fully engaged in whatever activities were happening--from Disney sing-alongs to dance parties and messy field games. They were "all in" to create a joy-filled experience for their new friends.

Behind the scenes were another 100 people--some Young Life employees, but mostly volunteers--cooking, cleaning, running sound, lights, laundry, crafts and grounds keeping--all so these Capernaum friends could have an excellent camp experience full of joy and fun that pointed to the extravagant love of our Father in Heaven.

It was a true blessing to see 'behind the curtain' the outrageous lengths people were willing to go to for these kids. Chariots (complete with shock absorbers) were constructed for use in yard games so wheelchair bound campers weren't left out. A forklift was customized to safely transport campers with physical limitations to the top of the zip line and the water slide. Earplugs were available everywhere for attendees whose sensory processing issues made sound a challenge. Multiple sign language interpreters were on site so hearing impaired campers didn't miss a joke! Even the kitchen staff, who had to provide sustenance for over 400, modified their menus for the week to deliver quality meals that respected the gluten/dairy/nut/vegan tolerance levels of campers.

I wept more times than I can count as camp became a microcosm of the life God intended for us to have--so many people with various gifts serving together with one goal in mind. No job felt more or less important. We all had the same objective but knew it required many different types of service. Patience and kindness abounded and we all worked together to say YES to removing barriers between kids and the abundant life of the Gospel.

Each of my children were able to find their unique niche as well. One became a game room staple using the gift of play to connect and forge friendships. Another worked closely with my husband in the medical office, using encouragement and resourcefulness to support hurting kids. Yet another used his own loves of swimming and dancing to find ways to engage campers and leaders. I found myself watching, praying and actively asking "what do you have for me to do or see or say right now, Lord?" (It was such a refreshing, purposeful and expectant way to live!)

Empathy is a characteristic we've been actively seeking to encourage in our children...not sympathy or condescension, but true practice in relating to people in different circumstances. This week delivered constant opportunities to do so in a fun and meaningful way.

All in all this was a remarkable week--restorative, challenging and tremendously encouraging on many levels. I was shown that there are actually many pieces of this week that can translate into my 'real life' at home. I hope to live with a more simplified sense of purpose, a renewed appreciation for community and a glorious picture of  the beauty of the body of Christ working together.

I was reminded that working with people with special needs gives a unique opportunity to know a person's challenges and address them directly. Dealing with 'typically developing' people can sometimes be more difficult because we don't all wear our real challenges on our sleeves. The ministry of daily life is to remember everyone has limps, scars and limitations in this life and we would do well to recognize them with a compassion and a commitment to removing barriers that keep people from the abundant life of the cross.

We're Gonna Be A Part Of It...

*photo courtesy a friend's visit from New York years ago :-)

We are off to take a bite out of the Big Apple and I am GIDDY with excitement.

My Mother-in-law and I started talking about this trip a few years ago...waiting until we felt like the children were old enough to handle the walking and the cab riding. This year seemed like the right time. (We will find out soon enough if we were right! :-)

It is quite the departure from our usual tradition of Thanksgiving at my house. I confess, I am a bit wistful about not cooking a turkey and preparing a big table for both sides of our family this year. Our hearts will still be grateful, they will just be in different surroundings.

I honestly can't remember the last time I have been this excited about a vacation. My in laws are accompanying us, as well as our Scott. It is sure to be a quick, whirlwind adventure! We have big plans...Mary Poppins, Lion King, Ground Zero, Lady Liberty, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, Central park, ice skating...and a few store fronts in between. I am planning to take good notes...I am just not sure if we are going to spring for the (rumored) $5/minute Internet in the hotel to blog while away. We'll see...

A Saturday in April

Aaaahh, Saturday.
No baseball.
No call.
No birthday parties.
No obligations AT ALL.
Just quality time with my people.

We had big plans to take a picnic to the lake and use my in-laws' boat. We spent an hour getting it ready for the water, washing it down and filling it up with gas for the first outing of the season only to discover a service issue. The boat ride was out on hold for another day. I confess I was bummed.

But under the leadership of my husband, we adjusted our sails and punted. We picnicked at the marina while Daddy dealt with the boat. Then we found a state park on the lake and took our fishing, swimming and snacking gear there.We attempted a little fishing...no luck.

We tried to swim in the cove..."too cold," "muddy," "rocky," "scary."
We rested on a blanket and stared up at the canopy above..."a little uncomfortable."
We played on a playground.

When I think back on the day, it is tempting to classify it as a failure. Despite our plans and our work, nothing went quite as we expected. Yet, tonight, when I flipped through the photos on my phone, I saw something else. Smiling faces of children who had a whole uninterrupted day of carefree adventure with their Mom & Dad.

It wasn't perfect. (Life so rarely is!) It was real.

I am reminded of how frequently we are faced with this choice: mourn our interrupted plans (like the disciples on the road to Emmaus..."but we had hoped...") or embrace what IS.

It seems I have a lot more joy when I choose the latter.

For like the disciples, I can miss what is right in front on me if I am too busy focusing on regret over 'my plans' not being realized. Focusing on our unrealized plans can skew our perspective and blind us to the glory of what is. I don't want to miss it.

"For godliness with contentment is great gain." I Timothy 6:6

*by the way, the photo editing app I used for these photos (instagram for iphone) is making me very happy..and it is free!

Missing It

We have spent the last two evenings at the baseball field. It will probably come as no surprise that I have some observations.

R has been playing the position of catcher, which honestly is much more exciting to him than his previous position of left field. He gets to wear all the gear--which makes me giggle. He waddles up to the plate like young David heading to take on Goliath in a suit of armor that's way too big.

Because it is his nature to be intense, he squats behind the plate in good form and returns the ball to the coaches pitching with great purpose. Last night, he had his first big play at home. As runners for the other team were rounding the bases the ball came flying in from the outfield. It landed about 12 inches away from R's left cleat. He was so consumed by the action unfolding before him--and most likely overwhelmed by all the yelling--that he missed it. He never saw it. His Daddy & I were yelling his name--the rest of the parents in the stands for our team joined in. He was bewildered. All the runners scored before he even noticed that the ball had been at his feet.

I thought about the temptation in life to get so caught up in all of the emotion, excitement and challenges of life that we miss our big moment. How many times is there a ball lobbed right to my feet that I miss because I become more of a spectator than an active participant in this life?

The second lesson was about recognizing voices over the roar of the crowd. As everyone was yelling--the parents from the other team, the coaches and parents from our team--it all became a jumbled, indistinguishable message. How important to know, in advance, who you should listen to and how to hear their voice in the midst of the rumble of so many others! Jesus, himself, emphasized this when he spoke of the sheep recognizing their master's voice.

Tonight I find myself praying the same prayer for myself and my children. Lord, help us stay tuned in to when it is our moment to play the part in the body you have assigned, but most importantly give us ears that will always be listening for Your voice.