typing from Texas
While friends are watching our 4 dogs and 2 cats at home...the Chole clan has been on the road in Texas.
A year ago I strongly felt that precious Keona needed to participate in a day camp called Kids for the Nations. She LOVED it! For five days she was surrounded by children who love Jesus from all over the world. On the last day, she wept and was only consoled by the hope of returning next year.
Jonathan also participated in the program and he spent the week in the midst of an incredible group of pre-teens who valued him and went the extra mile to encourage and befriend him--what a difference Jesus makes. Jonathan's counselor, Jamal, was an exceptional young man and only once did Jonathan get to a point where he couldn't participate in the program.
Louie was invited to join in the pre-school program here on the campus. The songs, crafts, walks...Louie loved being with kids his own age each morning. And of course he is thrilled to wake up each morning to the smell of Granny making breakfast!
It's been a beautiful trip, but not a stress free zone. Like all families, traveling together makes for fabulous memories and challenging moments. For one, Louie has experienced a nap-deficit :-). For another, I wish I had $1 for every time Barry, myself, or my mom has said, "Shhhhh!" to our trio (My kids are definitely used to living in country.)
The hardest spots for me personally though are the painful moments for Jonathan when he is interacting with others who don't quite grasp his unique strengths and needs. Even yesterday, a family just stared with that look. It's a look of distance, of doubt, of rejection.
It's a look I wish I could shield my son from forever.
I can only imagine how Jonathan's Heavenly Father must feel.
A year ago I strongly felt that precious Keona needed to participate in a day camp called Kids for the Nations. She LOVED it! For five days she was surrounded by children who love Jesus from all over the world. On the last day, she wept and was only consoled by the hope of returning next year.
Jonathan also participated in the program and he spent the week in the midst of an incredible group of pre-teens who valued him and went the extra mile to encourage and befriend him--what a difference Jesus makes. Jonathan's counselor, Jamal, was an exceptional young man and only once did Jonathan get to a point where he couldn't participate in the program.
Louie was invited to join in the pre-school program here on the campus. The songs, crafts, walks...Louie loved being with kids his own age each morning. And of course he is thrilled to wake up each morning to the smell of Granny making breakfast!
It's been a beautiful trip, but not a stress free zone. Like all families, traveling together makes for fabulous memories and challenging moments. For one, Louie has experienced a nap-deficit :-). For another, I wish I had $1 for every time Barry, myself, or my mom has said, "Shhhhh!" to our trio (My kids are definitely used to living in country.)
The hardest spots for me personally though are the painful moments for Jonathan when he is interacting with others who don't quite grasp his unique strengths and needs. Even yesterday, a family just stared with that look. It's a look of distance, of doubt, of rejection.
It's a look I wish I could shield my son from forever.
I can only imagine how Jonathan's Heavenly Father must feel.
posted by alicia britt chole at
3:17 PM
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