When my life doesn’t go as envisioned, I get pretty bent out of shape. To be honest, I make mountains out of molehills and become totally self-absorbed. My troubles, small as they usually are, become the center of my life. I ignore people who are truly suffering, those whom God has called me to uphold and encourage.

More Music for the Soul

When I’m in that self-absorbed state, I need to listen to Steve Siler’s latest song of the month, Eyes of the Suffering. It reminds me of three things. First, I am not the only person to have suffered. Second, many have suffered much more than me and survived. Third, often my problems are not true suffering. The best way to quit making mountains out of my molehills is to see life through the eyes of someone who is truly suffering.

Devotion with Shelly Beach

This month’s devotion by Shelly Beach drives home the third point and challenged me to see life with a different perspective. Perhaps it will do the same for you. Read on!

The Eyes of the Suffering

I visited a church recently where the sermon explored the various ways nurturing parents reflect God’s love. And while the content was good, the assumption was that everyone in the congregation had been parented under ideal circumstances. As I sat and listened, I couldn’t help but ache for those listening who’d experienced parental abuse or abandonment or who struggled with their own parenting skills. Their pain went unacknowledged that morning.

Looking through the eyes of the suffering means that we make a conscious choice to set aside our preconceptions so we can see the world from a new perspective. It means shouldering the hurts and cares of people who may be living messy lives. It means walking places where we may not feel safe in order to come alongside those who live in fear. It means advocating for others because our hearts are burdened by injustice, disease, poverty, abandonment, and brokenness. It means we find it impossible to define people as unlovely or unworthy, for when we see through Christ’s eyes, we see people as image-bearers of Jesus.

Ask God to give you the ability to see through the eyes of Christ. Try on some uncomfortable shoes. As you do, you’ll find yourself not only changed, but partnering with God. “Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

If Steve’s song or Shelly’s devotion challenged your thinking, please leave a comment.

Thanks,
Jolene

Good news! The July edition of Snap Shots is available. The newsletter is a publication of Snappin’ Ministries, and as usual is packed with information and encouragement for parents.

In This Month’s Issue

In this month’s issue, you’ll find articles about:

• The Healing Power of Laughter
• Geek Dad by Ken Denmead
• AutoSeal Kids Tumblers

and much more.

Visit Snappin’ Ministries

You can download the newsletter here by clicking on Snap Shots, July 2010. Or visit the Snappin’ Ministries website where back issues are also available for download.

Happy reading,
Jolene

Great news! The June issue of Snap Shots is now available. This informative newsletter for parents of kids with special needs is published by Barb Dittrich, the creator of Snappin’ Ministries.

What’s In the June Issue?

The June issue is packed with good stuff, as usual. In this issue, you’ll find:

• An article about two brothers with bleeding disorders who plan to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.
• A review of Max Lucado’s book Facing Your Giants.
• A product review of the Soft Clothing Company.
• Tips about how to make summer fun for the fam.
• Much, much more!

Download Snap Shots Now

You can download the newsletter by clicking here: Snap Shots, June 2010 Issue. Or you can go to the Snappin’ Ministries website where the current issue and all the back issues are available. You can also subscribe to the newsletter list and have every issue delivered to your email inbox. Barb provides many other great resources, too, so spend some time looking around while you’re there.

After you’ve had a look around, come back here and leave a comment about what you found there, if you like. Your opinion is valuable to other parents!

Jolene

Who would think cancer could take the life of a three-year-old boy in eight weeks? Cole’s parents, Aaron and Moireen Ruotsala, certainly didn’t think it would happen to their sweet, blond-haired boy, but it did.

Adreno-Cortical Carcinoma

On July 24, 2008, Cole was diagnosed with adreno-cortical carcinoma. It’s a rare cancer (1-2 people per million) that originates in the adrenal gland. You can learn more about Cole’s cancer battle in an interview with his dad at SpecialPrayers: A Devotional Blog for Parents of Special Needs Children.

The C.O.L.E. Foundation

After Cole died, his parents started C.O.L.E.’s Foundation ( Caring Openly, Loving Eternally) to reach out to other children battling cancers and their families. If your child has cancer, you will find the support and comfort you need there. Once you register your family, you will be “adopted” by caring people ready to help.  If you want to help a family, become a member so you can be matched with a family in need of adoption. You can also send prayer requests and updates for the C.O.L.E Foundation members to lift up on your behalf.

Once again, God’s ability to take a family dealing with a great tragedy and give them strength to reach out to others.

Shaking my head in wonder,
Jolene

A few days ago, you met Michael and Amber Baker, parents of five kids, two of whom have special needs. Today, you’ll learn how she jumped out of what she calls “her family’s puddle into another family’s ocean” and found great personal healing in so doing.

Justin and Victoria Nelson’s Ocean

Through  a series of fortunate blog links, Amber made her way to www.MomentswithMoriah.com where she met little Moriah Nelson and her parents, Justin and Victoria. (If you read the Different Dream blog series Moments with Moriah’s Mom and Dad, those names sound familiar to you.) When Amber began reading the Nelsons’ blog, Moriah was very sick and not expected to live. The baby girl was transferred to another hospital to have a trach tube inserted. Because of work, Justin couldn’t join Victoria and Moriah for the surgery.

Amber’s Jump

Outside of leaving a few comments at Moriah’s blog, Amber had never spoken to the Nelsons. But, she felt God prompting her to visit Victoria. “It made no sense,” Amber said. “We had no money. Grace had recently undergone heart surgery. Someone would have to care for the kids.”

But the feeling wouldn’t go away. After discussing it with her husband, Amber emailed Victoria and asked if she could come visit. Victoria called immediately. “I’d love it,” she said.

So Amber flew halfway across the country and jumped into Victoria’s ocean. Another blog friend drove four hours to meet them, and for a few days, they supported and encouraged this young mother while her baby girl had surgery. Amber says she was changed by the encounter, too. “She and Justin are so young, but their faith is amazing. Being with her was a support for me.”

Make a Splash

If you’re the parent of a child with special needs and your situation is overwhelming you, maybe you should follow Amber’s lead and jump into someone else’s ocean. It might make a small splash. Or it could make a big one. Either way, you and someone else will be changed and encouraged.

Go ahead.
Do it.

Jump!
Jolene

If you’re looking for a great newsletter geared to families of kids with special needs, take a look at Snap Shots. The publication is created and distributed by Barb Dittrich, the founder of Snappin’ News Ministries. Her newsletters provide practical articles for families and inform churches about how to support families.

The May 2010 issue came out last week. It contains the following articles:

• Coming Together: Conferences
• From the Book Shelf: a review of Crazy Love by Francis Chan
• Remarkable Resources: A review of Kid Companion Chewelry
• Affecting You and Yours: Next School Year

You can download the newsletter by clicking on this link: Snap Shots, May 2010. Or you can go to the Snappin’ Ministries website to download the current newsletter and past issues, too.

Thanks for a wonderful resource, Barb!
Jolene

Victoria Nelson, who blogs about life with her daughter at www.MomentsWithMoriah.com, has just started an online community using BlogFrog. It looks like a great place to connect with parents who know what you’re going through. You can ask for advice, leave advice for others, and read blogs of families who are caring for kids with special needs.

You can join BlogFrog and become part of the community by going to Victoria’s blog. Scroll down and click the “Join my Community” link on the right hand side of the page. Or click on this link to get there directly. Hope to see you there soon!

Jolene

Finally, Part 3 of the Support System for Parents series is up and ready to view at the Life Dreams Channel.

Enjoy,
Jolene

Sometimes parents long for a boost to keep them focused and positive about the challenges that accompany caring for a child with special needs.

Meet Steve Siler

Steve Siler is the parent of a son with special needs and a musician with the heart to help people as they navigate their way through difficult times. He created his ministry to encourage people engaged in a variety of life struggles including suicide and grief, eating disorders, and breast cancer to name a few.

Music for the Soul

To appreciate the breadth of his compassion, you need to visit his recently redesigned website www.musicforthesoul.org. One of the products available is Whole in the Sight of God, a CD for parents of kids with special needs. It includes orginal songs, an interview with Joni Eareckson-Tada and one of her friends, and readings by parents and kids. You can learn more about it at the Loving Special Needs Children link.

If you need a boost, or know a parent who does, Whole in the Sight of God might be just what you’re looking for.

Enjoy,
Jolene Philo

As promised in the first post in this series, here’s Jennifer Schultz to tell you why she created her food preparation system, Freezer Meals in Minutes.

It Reduces Stress

Freezer Meals in Minutes is a service that helps the stressed woman organize a freezer meals session.  Why would a stressed woman organize more activities you may ask?  Because it will reduce stress and save time and money to have a freezer full of meals and the assembly session is fun!

It Does the Thinking for You

Freezer Meals In Minutes is unique in the way that the meals are put together and how the service organizes your assembly session for you. You choose the recipes and how many people in your group. Freezer Meals In Minutes prepares the grocery list, which is multiplied for the number of people participating and organizes the ingredients by category.  Assembly day instructions are included, walking you through the entire process.  On assembly day there is no cooking of any food.  You are only assembling meals which makes this process very fast and simple.  You will also receive the serving day instructions, which lists each meal and any ingredients you may need and how to cook the meal.

Easy Chicken Afredo

Listed below is a recipe from www.FreezerMealsInMinutes.com. It demonstrates how each person would assemble the ingredients into a freezer bag and place in their freezer.  Two to three days before cooking this meal, the freezer bag should be thawing in the refrigerator.  On serving day, just follow the serving day instructions to prepare.

Easy Chicken Alfredo

2 Pounds                         Chicken Breast, boneless
1 Envelope (1 oz)           Italian Dressing Mix, dry
4 Ounce                           Mushrooms, canned
1 Can (10 3/4 oz)           Cream of Mushroom Soup
2 Each                              Freezer Bags

Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a freezer bag.

Serving Day:
Cook in a slow cooker on low for 6-8 hrs. Add 8 oz cream cheese the last 30 minutes. Turn slow cooker to high to heat through. Break up chicken with fork if desired.  Serve over hot, cooked angel hair pasta or egg noodles.

It Makes Life Easier & Saves Money

Imagine a freezer full of meals just like this one, preventing last minute trips to the grocery store or eating out unhealthy food.  This process saves a lot of money by buying in bulk, less trips to the grocery store (in which you purchase extra items).  Additionally, assembly sessions are fun!  Socializing with friends and being productive at the same time is so rewarding.

Thanks, Jennifer

Many thanks to Jennifer for a sneak peak into Freezer Meals in Minutes. To sign up for the service, go to www.FreezerMealsinMinutes.com. And remember, when you and your friends gather to create the meals, have each person set aside one meal for a family caring for kids with special needs. They will appreciate your kindness more than you can imagine!

Freeze away,
Jolene Philo