Simple Is Profound

Here is a big THANK YOU to all of you who let me do your hair this past year!!  I saved every dollar you donated and it helped pay for a therapy class  I just returned from. http://masgutovamethod.com/about-the-method .  (A cousin of mine recommended this therapy and this particular class.)

I titled this post "simple is profound" because that was the "summary statement"  of the masgutova method, and because even something as simple as giving me a few dollars for a haircut has had a profound affect  because I was actually able to go take this class I was interested in. So Thank You :)

To give a quick explanation of what I learned, I'll say, we basically learned about reflex integration, as opposed to inhibiting reflexes, which is what people have thought for years was the way to do it. The reason we would rather integrate our reflexes (as opposed to inhibit them) is because the Lord created them to kick in during survival situations - like suppose you were out walking and a car hit you - your reflexes would kick in if they were integrated. So many of the problems (meaning cognitive, emotional, physical) people have are linked to certain reflexes that that haven't been integrated. These reflexes are good, they just don't need to be working when we are safe, or not needing them.

"The Masgutova Method rebuilds the entire neural circuit of a reflex by reorganizing the original posture/sensory/proprioceptive perception, followed by the exact basic pattern, sequence, direction, strength, timing and symmetry that would characterize an ideal initial experience of that motor response."   quote from the MNRI Dynamic and Postural Reflex Pattern Integration manual.

After a traumatic experience, whether it be in the womb, during the birthing process, or a physical one (like a car accident), or an emotional one ( like the death of a loved one), or whether it happened while in military service/war or any other kind of traumatic experience, certain reflexes kick in, but they don't necessarily integrate back into our bodies on their own. And Dr. Masgutova, who, from what I hear :), is a genius - she is a scientist, a chiropractor, a doctor, a therapist, - figured out how to help people integrate their reflexes so that they can continue on in life without the hindrance of their body continually trying to be in survival mode.

Although no one talked about God during the class, this method (and the founder and her teachers) clearly values the life of a person even in the womb. I have a deeper appreciation for the beauty and wonder of the human body, of the birthing process, and even of the bodies of those with developmental delays! Their bodies are only doing exactly what they were designed to do under their conditions! So those with cerebral palsy or autism have bodies full of so much potential!

I also found it fascinating how the birthing process of coming out of the womb  and laying on a mothers stomach right away, and then nursing helps people integrate a number of different reflexes. (but please, if you had a c-section, or didn't get to hold your baby right away, or didn't nurse, don't worry!! This is not the end of the world. These reflexes can be integrated in another way, and besides, we all have reflexes that need to be integrated to help our bodies perform at the optimum level :). It was fun to get mine worked on, and to have the opportunity to work on others!)

And of course we were told of many first hand experiences where people with CP and autism (and many others kinds of problems) do things they were told they would never do! This class was a worshipful experience. Praise to the Lord who has designed us and enables people to continue understanding  our bodies! Great is the Lord.

Anyway, it was all very fascinating and helpful and while I'm still processing all I learned, I'm trying out some new techniques on Andrew and the rest of my family which is fun :).

Also, as a quick note, since I just have not gotten around to posting anything about our newest adventure yet.....

Shawn was accepted into a 6 month training program to become an administrator of a Good Samaritan Nursing Home! He starts June 4 and is looking forward to it :). So, after that 6 months we will find out where he will work. It depends on what location is needing an administrator at that point.

Butcher Block

Here are some pictures of the butcher block Shawn built for my mom. A butcher block is built by glueing thin pieces of wood together to create a thick strong surface to chop or cut on.
 Mom's  butcher block had fallen apart, and I have to say, Shawn's work turned out beautifully, and he crafted it so that it will hold up longer than her last one!!

Three cheers for Shawn! :)

worship

"I guarantee that we ALL have areas in our lives where God's perfect plan for righteousness differs from our own desires.

The question is what do you do about it? Do you obey your desires or obey God?

 Your answer = your worship."                        


     - a quote from a friend on facebook.
                                                           


Don't you love timely reminders?

“Wait, It Will Make You Happy!” | Ordinary Pastor

“Wait, It Will Make You Happy!” | Ordinary Pastor

 I liked this post by Ordinary Pastor.
Happiness can seem illusive at times, but there are some rock solids truths about it.
1. Only Christ can fulfill me, which makes me "happy". He sustains me, and ultimately gives me joy which carries through even when lifes events aren't so "happy".

In lifes difficult circumstances, I think joy feels different than happiness; can be difficult to grasp;  but it's more precious and more sustaining. But that's a topic for another time.. :)

There are other things that make me happy for a while (like ice cream!), but one thing about things in this world; 
                They make me happy only at the time I'm eating it, or doing it, or at the time they're happening. Then, after it's over, if it was something that wasn't actually good for me (like eating half a gallon of Bunny Tracks ice cream in a day) I'll feel bad when it's over.

                 I don't think I'll ever feel bad about sitting at the feet of Jesus, (metaphor for keeping my mind on him), meditating on his greatness and His love,  marveling at his works, praising and thanking Him, and serving others for His sake.

I also think, that this kind of happiness is a mindset change. (or really, a heart change that can only be done by Jesus Christ). My natural self  thinks that putting myself first is going to make me happy (and it may for a short time) but it always backfires in the end.

I want a  mindset that purposes to let go of all these temporary and false happiness's, and instead chooses lasting happiness in Jesus, that comes from His Word and work in my life. To instead be thankful for pleasant and pleasurable things he gives me in this world, all the while  being watchful that these pleasant and pleasurable things don't over take my desire for Christ.

What a delicate thing this desire (meaning my desire for Christ)  is sometimes! May I be diligent to make choices that nurture it.

I love these kids!

I've been tickled pink lately with some of the things Andrew has started doing :).
So fun! It's just been so fun!

First, he has started biting with his front teeth! I am absolutely thrilled every time I have the opportunity to lean over to him and say, "hey Andrew, want a bite of my sandwich/cookie/french fry etc.

Since he has been doing so well with it, I also taught him to chew M&M's ! (you know he loved that! He is all about chocolate...I think he gets that from his Daddy ... OK, I like it too - I guess it's inevitable he'd like it  :) )

The other thing that thrills me is he has learned is to point ( or really, he uses his whole hand, but I'm not complaining!)
at things!

Example:  when I read a book to him, one that only has a couple things on the page, I ask him to point to the cup, or ball and he does! I've tried to teach him this in the past, but I guess it wasn't the right time. But now he gets it! It makes me feel like we are able to communicate more.

Andrew loves to be outside and with the rain we've gotten this spring, he loves to walk in the mud puddles :). It's so cute to see him , in his little bee boots, stomping in the puddles.
I wish I had pictures. I think I need to buy a new battery for my camera since it seems like it's always dead...

Evie is such a good helper to Grandpa and Grandma outside! She loves to help in the barn. Tonight she helped teach the calves to drink milk out of a pail instead of out of a bottle and she did great!

It's fun to see her grow and develop as well! Cemetery's are interesting to her. We very often talk about them when we drive by (and we drive by 2 on the way to town). Not to be morbid, but I think it's interesting to see her try to understand that people actually die and are placed in the ground. She asks me about heaven next. It's all new and interesting to her.

Yesterday, she was outside playing with the cats. The cats are so good natured, they let E and A do whatever to them.
 Well, she comes into the kitchen with one and says, "Mommy, why doesn't this cat stand up anymore?"

Just lately, she has tried to bring cats into the house, and so I have been teaching her not to. So my first concern was making sure she brought the cat outside. But as I watched her go, I suddenly had a fear that the cat would never stand again.
My mom arrived home at that time, and Evie asked her the same thing, only this time she followed it with, "Is this cat dead?"

Sure enough, it was deader than a door nail! Poor Evie had been playing with a dead cat all morning!

Or maybe it hadn't been dead ALL morning, who knows, but Evie handled it very well and she and Grandma gently laid the cat in the barn on some straw and said Uncle Titus would take care of it.

Well, that's all for now folks!

bits of farm life

 We love living on the farm! Evie and Andrew drink it up, and it's surreal for me to see my kids doing the same sorts of things I did at their age. :) 
There's always something to be thankful for!  




Grandpa and Evie grinding feed for the dairy cows









Here's what Andrew was doing - I know he was having fun, but I'm not so sure about the cat...

the cat really does love Andrew...(I think the feeling is mutual!)

the lilac bush has leaves! we can't wait for the flowers...

somebody got into the flour bin...!

Live in the Moment

"Live In the Moment".

 True words, good advice, yet oh-so-hard to do!

I keep wanting to live in my own house, to live in my own kitchen, my own yard, my own bedroom, my own dining room, to live in my own house.

But it's this moment in time and space that has been given to me. Never mind where I am, never mind what space I'm in. This world is not my home anyway, I'm just passing through.

And I've been given the gift of time with my parents, time with my wonderful children, time (what little I get these days) with my Shawn, time with my Grandma ... all given to me to enjoy in the moment I'm with them.

These are blessings I'll count all my days :)