Magazines!!.. give-away

As part of the Propeller review group I was given a free subscription to a magazine from Magazines.com.  I chose Rachel Ray.  Are you surprised?  If you know me, I think not.

There are some real Mother's day deals HERE on Magazine.com.  Even though they gave me a free one, I am pretty sure I will order another.  I have done the virtual magazines and I guess I'm still a paper gal.  The deals are SO good!

So pick one up!!  And..  register to win $10 toward magazines in the future.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Why I like RDI....

I have several posts on this subject that I have already done.  People don't have any idea of what RDI is unless they do it.  Several years ago ... probably 8.. I went to an Autism Awareness Friends and Family  Day presentation.  I invited friends and family. ;)  During the seminar they had a video of a child who had graduated from ABA.  It was an example of 'success.'   Andrew was so young at the time and I was full of promise of what it might be like to have a child who had 'done the therapy' and was healed/cured/remediated/graduated from the program but I was so sad as I left the event.  It was a back and forth of a question..answer.

Interviewer:  What's your name?
child: BettyLou
Interviewer: What grade are you in
child: 4th
Interviewer: What's your favorite subject?
child: writing.

And on it went...

And I felt sick to my stomach when I left because that is not what I wanted for my child.

A week ago I went to a seminar where Temple Grandin was the speaker.  I could not put my finger on it, and while it was very interesting, it bothered me.  A friend who does RDI asked how it went and I told her.  This is the email I wrote;


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She is very aba… 

She is very 'pro strengths'.. over half the people there were teachers and when she mentioned that not everyone needs algebra.. everyone clapped.   Also when she talked about how schools are not built for those who are visual and spacial learners.. again clapping. 

She talked about the importance of work for kids on the spectrum.. getting jobs walking dogs.. that sort of thing.

Said work places should be more accommodating.  They can give a wheel chair ramp but won't give an autistic person a private office.  Or change the lighting.  And they should.

She talked about fitting job to the person.

People who have heard her before say that it is the same presentation every time but it was the first time i have heard her and it was interesting.

She talked about how you have to teach 'these kids' everything.  My immediate thought is that you CAN'T teach anyone everything!!  

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My friend did not tell me her opinions before I told her mine and I mentioned how it was just..... slightly weird!  And that was it.... the presentation and the Q&A were..awkward.   She did bring up some FABULOUS points.  The jobs are important.   Giving a voice to changes in education is priceless.  Dr. Grandin is to be respected and admired for what she has accomplished and given a voice to.

But, Dr. Grandin is famous.  She has a great life and more power to her!!  But not every child on the spectrum will grow up to be Temple.  99.99% wont.  So how do they 'succeed' in their own right?

That is where Relationship Development Intervention.. RDI...  comes in.  RDI doesn't teach a kid "everything they need to know."  It teaches kids how to think, how to adjust, how to BE.. in the world.  As an example here are the two objectives we are working on right now:

• Distinguishes between significant and unimportant changes  and reacts differently based on the analysis.

•  The Student has an accurate generalized experience of himself as a competent decision-maker - someone who can effectively engage with challenges 


If you have a child on the spectrum PLEASE do not go out and just try and do these objectives.  They are two of hundreds (probably thousands) and we have a trusted guide that takes us through how to navigate this for OUR child.  But I show them as an example.  As you can see they don't teach.  For the first one we are working on the significance of any change.  And they happen all day every day.  What should we have for dinner or breakfast?  Could we have dinner FOR breakfast?  My child views every change as significant so we have to start small.

By the same token, I have spoken to friends about how ABA may have allowed us to have a more 'normal' life.  Would my child do better at following the rules?  Would we have a quieter life?  Right now... yes.  Maybe.  But what would the future look like?  To be honest part of the reason I am writing this blog entry is  my own therapy.  To show myself that yes we are on the right track.  I was reminded by my PT today that there are many points of entry into the circle of remediation.  (And that is more for another day.)  But RDI has really made a difference in how my kiddo handles real life.

Hey God, I've God Some Guy Named Jonah in my Stomach....

Another great review opportunity crossed my path and I was sure this was one the kid would like.   Over Easter he wrote portions of the Easter story from the perspective of various persons involved.  You can scroll down on the blog to read some of those.  This is a funny book about Jonah.. written from the perspective of the whale.  Right up our alley.   It is called- "Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in my Somach and I think I'm Going to Throw Up,"  by Troy Schmidt

The writer for this book is also the lead writer on The American Bible Challenge which is hosted by Jeff Foxworthy on the Game Show Network.  And there will be more books coming out in this series including..Hey God, Can you Stop the Rain so I can Get off Noah's Smelly ark?  and.. Hey God, I'm having an Awful Vacation in Egypt Thanks to Moses.   Sounds hilarious!  

In addition to the purchase page, you can see the author's facebook page.  For an inside peek, here is a video showing pages from the book.

This is a super fun book that kids of many ages would be delighted to have.  The theme is trusting God.  (Why does that topic keep smacking me in the face, even with kids' books!)  It is a lighthearted read of course, but there is a page at the end that lists things to read, things to think and things to do.  I do recommend purchasing this.. If you don't win it... 

Which brings me to the contest, again sponsored by the folks at Fly By Promotions.  This didn't work out so well last time.  I think Rafflecopter can be confusing.  Below there are options to enter.  The first one is very easy.  Just click on +1 and you will be entered with one point value.  If you are, or wish to follow this blog, you may use 'Google Friend Connect'.  You will see this on the side bar.  You can become my friend and then list your GFC name in the Rafflecopter space provided.  If you are already a friend you may also enter this but please indicate your GFC name in the Rafflecopter entry so I can verify if you win.  This is worth +3 and will allow you a greater chance to win.   You may also Tweet the contest and leave a link to your tweet as indicated.  This is a +2 entry. 

If you don't win..  I'd buy the book.  It's a keeper.   

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Fasting

This is autism awareness month and honestly, I avoid all the media.  I am.. aware.  But there is one 'event' that I had forgotten about until mid-April.  It is the Children of Destiny prayer push.  They actually have prayer every day of the year but there is a special push in April.  And today, April 23, there is a day of prayer and fasting.

This has lead me, via their extended prayer sheets on Children of Destiny, to Isaiah 58 which talks about true fasting.  It is never just about the food.  It is about the heart..  The fasting is a symbol of what is suppose to go on inside the heart.  And also how that effects our outer appearance and actions.  Fasting allows us to further our relationship in the Lord by relying on Him.  Then we gain a better understanding about who we are and WHOSE we are.  It is only then that our actions are changed for the right reasons.

I feel as if I am talking and writing in circles here.  What does fasting do?  I am just now trying to grasp this for myself.  This is what I have so far.

- Fasting requires that we come close to God.  We can not do it on our own effort and if we do we will either fail or miss the biggest blessing of a fast..getting to know Him

- Effect the outcome, change the tide, push a prayer we have been wanting for a long time over the edge.  Why?  I am not sure I firmly have this in my mind and heart yet.  It is because He is faithful first. Our fasting is a sign of repentance and a sign of humbling ourselves to God.  A sacrifice to our God.  A fragrant offering up to God (Philippians 4:18). It shows God we are serious.  Even though He knows our heart better than we do ourselves, there is still something we do on our part ...  maybe it is to show ourselves that we are willing to sacrifice for Him.

- Fasting can change the hearts of others.  God can and DOES directly heal our children. He also works in the hearts of others to move to help our families.

All of this can happen without fasting.  I am sure of that.  But as the Lord leads, people should consider fasting, not as a duty (as Isaiah 58 discusses) but as a love offering to our Lord.

"You Owe Me Date Nights Moses!!"

OK I took the above blog post title from a friend.  It cracked me up. I suppose I should back up a bit....

There is so much advice out there regarding how to keep a perfect marriage.. especially after kids.  There are two personal favorites that I have heard.

1)  Make SURE you go on date nights....

2) Make SURE you get "ME" time.

On the date nights... that is all well and good but  that doesn't always happen in many families for a variety of reasons; special needs child, eldercare, work requirements, illness.    (Ok it almost NEVER happens.)  I sure hope that going on a weekly (or monthly or yearly) date with the husband isn't a requirement to stay married.  Someone ought to tell that to my marriage certificate which is twenty years old.

On the "ME" time... Again... all well and good.  And frankly I have been trying to do this a bit more for myself.  But in the past this didn't happen for me.  I think you have to often think outside the box when it comes to me time and know that to every thing there is a season.  And sometimes "me" seasons are like finding summer in Alaska (or Antarctica.)

The reason that I am writing this is because I often see on facebook and in blogs all the wonderful 'date nights' and me times that people are doing.  All the "advice" for a perfect life.  As if.   And I suppose sometimes there is a bit of bitterness and jealousy that I must confess.  But as my friend said, when Moses came back from the field after being gone for months at a time, do you think his wife said, "Moses!  You owe me nine date nights!"  I don't think either of those two things is even Biblical...necessarily.  We mustn't feel down when they don't happen.

Like anything else you need to seek the Lord with all your heart.. He will give you understanding.. and comfort and fill the spaces that only He can fill.  I am not besmirching date nights or me time.. just trying to bring a little light to the situation that all that advice can just be.. a little much.

This Is Our Time

I had the opportunity to review a new family oriented DVD.  What a nice change from the general film offerings that are out there.

The movie is This Is Our Time.

To summarize from the website:

The movie tells the interwoven stories of Luke (T.J. Dalrymple) and Alé (Erin Bethea), who marry right after school and move to India to serve as missionaries for Embrace A Village, a ministry that cares for those afflicted with leprosy and their families; aspiring financier Catherine (Kate Cobb), who joins a prestigious financial institution determined to make an impact on corporate America; Ryder (Matthew Florida), who lands an impressive job in social media and can’t wait to use the powerful medium for a greater good; and Ethan (Shawn-Caulin Young,) seemingly the odd man out, who struggles to find his God-given-purpose and feels sidelined by God.

“What they all come to learn is that it never really was their time,” Arnold said. “It always was, always is, God’s time.”

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The movie is based off Jeremiah 29:11.  "For I know the plans I have for you" says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."  The story spoiler is pretty much given away in the clip below; but how the events unfold and the response of the characters is the important part of the story.  One of my favorite 'themes' of the movie is that we all play 'roles' with each other and when Christians come together as one unit or body, we are so much stronger.  There is no insignificant role.  We can not live in a vacuum.  (I have so much more to say on this but perhaps that is for a different post.)

The acting in the movie is good as is the character development.  I did feel as if I got to know them more and more as the movie went on.  Some of the transitions between scenes were choppy.. like I was going to get a commercial at that point.  But all in all the production value was good.  And I hate saying this part.. but it was good especially for a Christian film.  With budgets as they are, Christian movies sometimes feel 'cheap' but this one did not.

A central piece of this movie involved Embrace a Village charity which takes physical, emotional and spiritual healing to leprosy colonies in the State of Tamil Nadu which is one of the 28 states of India.   You can see it on the south east corner of this map of India.  (If you homeschool feel free to count this as your geography lesson for the day.)

The movie places each character in different roles in how they serve God... from the United States all the way to the edges of India .. and the theme is that no one is more important that the other.  All play a role.

You can purchase the movie here at Christian Cinema.
Of course they have a Facebook Page.

Here is a clip.  It does give away a big part of the film but as I mentioned, the people are really the story.. not the plot.

The folks at FlyBy promotions are offering up a free DVD!  So please enter below.  Make sure to hit the enter button and leave your info in the comments as instructed.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Diary of.. Peter

I know..it's past Easter.. but we are still working up our Resurrection Eggs story.  Going to post one a day.  Perhaps it will keep the Easter message in my mind.   The shape of blood cells at the end is just random thinking.  I love that about my kid.  It says, "hey look!  something shiny."   And who knows WHAT they talked about since the disciples were together all day every day.  And I am sure they didn't know the gravity of the time they were about to enter.  

diary of peter(the cup)

Dear diary, we had a supper. Jesus said this one would be the last one, but i’m pretty skeptical. And he freaked us all out saying one of us would betray us. I know I wouldn't! Jesus said judas was the one, then told him to “go do his work”.  Jesus gave us some bread and said it was his body, and it shall be broken. I understand both jesus and bread are good, but bread?!?! he also gave us wine, saying it was his blood. Jesus isn't crazy, but he spoke like it. In a little bit, we’re going to go to to gethsemane in the mountain of olives. and on the way there, i’m going to argue with james about what shape blood looks like really small(i’m pretty sure they look like T’s.)

Peter

Diary of .. Judas...

The second Resurrection Egg are the three coins.  Here is Judas' diary as written by AJ.




diary of judas(the coins)
Dear diary, the pharisees were angry, and I knew why. I remember doing this, but i had no intent to go to the temple and pay the pharisees to kill jesus. I am still watching, and struggling to keep this entry secret. wait. I love jesus. why did I do that? maybe I was possessed or something. i’m not on board with the possession thing though.

judas

Diary of...

Kiddo is doing a 'diary' this year of the Resurrection Eggs.  If you are not familiar they are plastic eggs filled with one part of the Easter Story.  He is only on day 'two' (of twelve) but thought I'd at least post them out as we get them done.  The first entry is written by the disciples that went to get the donkey for Jesus.   He wrote "unknown" because we could not find which disciples went to fetch the donkey.  I was using these as part of our school work to improve punctuation, capitalization and grammar but I've decided to let that slide in order to let the story be told.   (If you are here from the "40 Days of Seeking Him,"  stop back in over the next weeks if you are interested in hearing how the story all turns out.)



diary of ****(unknown)(the donkey)
Dear diary, jesus sent us on a mission to get a donkey. Seriously, he should get one of those horses, like the roman guys do! Ok, so we went to get the donkey. A angry house owner saw us taking the donkey, and I think we would have had gone to the hospital had it not been for my buddy disciple telling him jesus sent us. He calmed down instantly! The donkey is kinda scratchy, so we went to get some cloaks for jesus’s comfort. He is the one and only, after all! You should have seen the crowd! They were so loyal! They waved palm branches and placed branches and cloaks on the ground! However, the oh-so prideful Pharisees did not celebrate. I’d say more if I could, but jesus is flipping tables in the temple and attempting to whip people, and I cant miss action like that.

Resurrection Eggs Story

Kiddo wrote this last year.  It is a beautiful narration of the Easter Story and goes along with Resurrection Eggs.

Once upon a time there was a king.  He was destined to become the king of kings.  People awaited this coming.  When he came on a donkey, they rejoiced him like a hero had come(in fact he is a hero but we’ll get to that later). they laid their clothes and waved palm branches. everybody was happy. well, almost everybody. the Pharisees were mad about this king. each time, they tried to prove jesus was a quack. and each time they failed. this was because jesus knew everything(he even knows your concealed sins. please ask for forgiveness). but one day, a disciple named judas iscariot came to the pharisees temple. He was offered some cash to betray jesus(yup, its true). very sad indeed(but don't worry, good things will come out of it). a while later, jesus and his friends were having dinner(including that betrayer, judas). jesus held up some bread and broke it. “this is my body it will be broken.” then he got some wine. “this is my blood. you shall have it.” what does it mean? you shall find out, my friend…oh! by the way, jesus mentioned somebody betraying him(judas, obviously). that night, jesus went to the garden of  gethsemane. on the way there, peter said: “lord, i will do anything for you, i will even die for you!” but jesus responded, “you will say 3 times that you don't know me before the rooster crows.”(peter may have thought jesus’s brain was grilled. however, jesus was right!) when they got there, jesus prayed while he sweated blood(something that doesn’t usually happen to people). the disciples were in a major struggle to stay awake. but jesus said “wake up and pray for me.” so they did(or at least tried). then… soldiers came! they got jesus! peter counterattacked by slicing a soldiers ear off! but jesus said he shouldn't do it and healed the soldiers ear. they put him in a trial and did cruel mocking. they blindfolded him and whipped him. “if you are really the king of the jews, tell us who is hitting you!” they did many cruel things to this innocent, innocent, man. :(  meanwhile, peter was walking around town. he went to warm himself by the fire. a woman saw him and said: “hey, you're that guy who goes with jesus!” peter blurted, “what!?!?! no i’m not!!! i don't even know jesus!” a man said back, “yes you are! i’ve seen you before!” peter said back, “I AM NOT PETER!!! AND I DONT KNOW JESUS!!! NOW GO AWAY!!!” another man said: “YOU ARE PETER! I CAN PROVE IT!” peter said one last time:”I AM NOT PETER AND I DONT KNOW JESUS!!!!!!” then the rooster crowed. peter had remembered what jesus said and wept. tomorrow, the pharisees told caesar about jesus, but he could not find out any guilty parts. he took jesus to the angry mob and said, “shall i crucify jesus and set barabbas the murderer free? or crucify barabbas and set jesus free?” the crowd did not care that barabbas was a killer. they wanted to crucify jesus. “CRUCIFY JESUS! CRUCIFY JESUS!” and so it was. all friends of jesus mourned. the soldiers beat him cruelly and put a thorny crown on him and jesus was called “king of the jews”. then they nailed him to the cross. they gambled with a die to see who got jesus’s clothes. They also pierced him with spears. a about-to-be-crucified criminal said: “lord, forgive my sins!” another criminal said “forgive me and bless me!” jesus said, “you two shall both be with me.” then jesus said:”i am thirsty.” a soldier gave him a sponge soaked with vinegar. then jesus said:”FATHER, I GIVE YOU MY SOUL!” then he said: “IT IS FINISHED!” then he died! the earth shook! the curtains of the ark of the covenant ripped! a day later, some men come and got jesus’s body. they wrapped it in linen. it was a sad day. they put him in a tomb and put a rock in the entrance. soldiers guarded it. then… a angel came and rolled away the rock! the soldiers fainted. that day, 3 women came to the tomb. to their surprise, the rock was rolled away! jesus’s body was gone! a angel appeared to them and said “DO NOT WORRY. HE HAS RISEN.”(angels have holy voices, so this is why i put on the “caps”.)the women were excited and told the exciting story to the disciples (everybody but judas. according to acts 1:1-10, judas bought a field, but he died and his body bursted open and his intestines poured out[if this makes you feel uncomfortable, i am sorry]). that day, the disciples were having dinner. thomas was not there. then jesus appeared! “PEACE BE WITH YOU.”(holy voice again! :D) the disciples were amazed! later, thomas was dining with them. jesus appeared again! “PEACE BE WITH YOU.”(i like this “holy caps” business! :D) thomas said, “i wont believe it!” jesus replied, “touch my hands and feet.” thomas touched them and he believed that jesus rose! jesus said, “anybody who believes in me will truly be happy.” later, the disciples went with jesus. “the holy spirit shall be with you.” jesus said. then something happened! jesus was lifted to the sky on a cloud and went to his home - heaven! the disciples kept looking up! two angels appeared and said, “why are you staring at the sky? jesus will come back someday.” so you see, its not about the so-called “easter bunny”, its about jesus.  jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins - even the easter bunny’s.