Spin the wheel of the Prayer Lottery: Truth or Dare

Our Jessica has asked for a Sweet 16 Princess Ball for her upcoming birthday party. Jessica rarely asks for much and has had some of the simplest birthday parties over the years so over the weekend I set about trying to make some plans from her specific requests.

I began searching for a dress online - something beautiful yet affordable. Very quickly the dream started feeling out of reach. I whispered a prayer to the Lord - expressing my desire to make this a beautiful occasion to celebrate Jessica, asking for His provisions and His guidance. I quickly felt prompted to post my search for a dress to a Facebook group I have recently joined – our local "Buy Nothing Project" (a gift economy community - no exchange of money allowed). 

Within minutes of posting a request to find or borrow a dress, a woman contacted me. She has connections to the "pageant" community and will make sure that Jessica has a dress to wear. In addition to that, she wants to help every girl attending to have one too! How cool is that?! I was immediately overcome with gratitude and a reminder that our Heavenly Father loves to give good gifts to His children - above and beyond what we can ever imagine! 

This woman's generosity made me feel like we had just won a grand prize! But in fact, we haven't won anything because we didn't enter a competition. It’s better than that! We are gracious recipients of someone else's generosity. That’s what makes us all “winners”!

It started me thinking about how God often uses community to meet our needs. I also began pondering why we don't come to Him with more specific requests for our needs and our wants? 

We don't hesitate to enter our names in contests for prizes and free giveaways. Or at least I don't. Sometimes I win. Sometimes I don't. But I keep trying. If I'm "lucky" enough, I might actually win a "BIG ONE" someday.

My husband and I attended a recent charity event where some pretty amazing door and raffle prizes were being given away - a weekend trip to the mountains, $100 gift cards, and expensive wine and dine packages. All you had to do was have a "winning ticket". 

When it came time to announce the winners, everyone had their tickets out, checking their numbers. Some folks were whispering, "Pick me. Pick me. Pick me!" while others were already saying, "It won't matter. I never win anyway." Winners whooped and hollered! It was great fun, especially for the winners. 

Sometimes I think we approach God like a raffle contest. We come to Him and enter our prayer request into the draw. We whisper, "Pick me, pick me" hoping we might be lucky enough for Him to draw our winning number. Or we're already saying "I'm never lucky but it doesn't hurt to try. There's always next time." If He answers our request, we act like the unsuspecting surprise winner instead of an expectant and gracious child who trusted that their needs were going to be met. 

But Mark 11:24 says, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."  

So why don't we ask in faith, believing that we are going to receive the answer? Why do we hesitate to express a specific need or desire? I believe it all boils down to fear and false beliefs. We need HIS truth to answer the lies of fear. 

1. Fear: the answer will be no. Truth: It's not about luck. It's about HIS blessings! God is a giver! He is more than enough. He loves to give good gifts and bless His children. Stop saying, "I won't be the lucky winner anyway!" You are a winner because you are His child. God has an unlimited supply of healthy bodies, peace for troubled hearts, college scholarships, financial provisions, and even ball gowns.... You fill in the blank. What do you need? What are some wants?
2. Fear: what others may think of us. Truth: People will always judge. But God's forgiveness, grace, and mercy are all that matters. I am worthy to receive answers to my prayers because of Jesus.
3. Fear: Expressing need makes me feel vulnerable. Receiving makes me feel at the mercy of the giver. Truth: Community matters. We were created in and for community. We need one another. We honor God when we give to others in His Name. In order to be blessed by the act of giving, there must also be a recipient. Sometimes I'm the giver. Sometimes I'm the receiver. We need to learn how to give and receive equally with grace.
4. Lie: It doesn't feel very spiritual. It's more honorable to ask for others not myself. Spiritual Truth: He doesn't play favorites. He's my Heavenly Daddy. It's His delight to listen, answer, and provide for you and me too.

So next time you’re tempted to play the “prayer lottery” with a wishful desire, I dare you to present your specific request to Him, believing in faith that you are already a winner!

My next "bold" ask is more of a desire than a need. However, I'm going to ask Him anyway for an all-expenses paid trip to Israel for me and my husband within the next year to commemorate his 50^th Birthday and our 10^th Anniversary.

What’s your specific ask?

Let’s believe together and celebrate His faithfulness when we receive the answers!

Myths and Truths about Down Syndrome

Myth: Down syndrome is a rare genetic disorder.

Truth: Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring genetic condition. One in every 733 live births is a child with Down syndrome, representing approximately 5,000 births per year in the United States alone. Today, more than 400,000 people in the United States have Down syndrome.

Myth: People with Down syndrome have a short life span.

Truth: Life expectancy for individuals with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent years, with the average life expectancy approaching that of peers without Down syndrome.

Myth: Most children with Down syndrome are born to older parents.

Truth: Most children with Down syndrome are born to women younger than 35-years-old simply because younger women have more children. However, the incidence of births of children with Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother.

Myth: People with Down syndrome are severely “retarded.”

Truth: Most people with Down syndrome have IQs that fall in the mild to moderate range of intellectual disability (formerly known as “retardation”). Children with Down syndrome fully participate in public and private educational programs. Educators and researchers are still discovering the full educational potential of people with Down syndrome.

Myth: Most people with Down syndrome are institutionalized.

Truth: Today people with Down syndrome live at home with their families and are active participants in the educational, vocational, social, and recreational activities of the community. They are integrated into the regular education system and take part in sports, camping, music, art programs and all the other activities of their communities. People with Down syndrome are valued members of their families and their communities, contributing to society in a variety of ways.

Myth: Parents will not find community support in bringing up their child with Down syndrome.

Truth: In almost every community of the United States there are parent support groups and other community organizations directly involved in providing services to families of individuals with Down syndrome.

Myth: Children with Down syndrome must be placed in segregated special education programs.

Truth: Children with Down syndrome have been included in regular academic classrooms in schools across the country. In some instances they are integrated into specific courses, while in other situations students are fully included in the regular classroom for all subjects. The current trend in education is for full inclusion in the social and educational life of the community. Increasingly, individuals with Down syndrome graduate from high school with regular diplomas, participate in post-secondary academic and college experiences and, in some cases, receive college degrees.

Myth: Adults with Down syndrome are unemployable.

Truth: Businesses are seeking young adults with Down syndrome for a variety of positions. They are being employed in small- and medium-sized offices: by banks, corporations, nursing homes, hotels and restaurants. They work in the music and entertainment industry, in clerical positions, childcare, the sports field and in the computer industry. People with Down syndrome bring to their jobs enthusiasm, reliability and dedication.

Myth: People with Down syndrome are always happy.
Truth: People with Down syndrome have feelings just like everyone else in the population. They experience the full range of emotions. They respond to positive expressions of friendship and they are hurt and upset by inconsiderate behavior.

(Christi Hockel looks up at her fiance Austin Davenport) Click here to read more about their story.

Myth: Adults with Down syndrome are unable to form close interpersonal relationships leading to marriage.

Truth: People with Down syndrome date, socialize, form ongoing relationships and marry.

Myth: Down syndrome can never be cured.

Truth: Research on Down syndrome is making great strides in identifying the genes on chromosome 21 that cause the characteristics of Down syndrome. Scientists now feel strongly that it will be possible to improve, correct or prevent many of the problems associated with Down syndrome in the future.

Give a High 5 to someone with Down syndrome today!!!

**All photos (except the one of Christi and Austin - engaged to be married) are of my daughter, Jessica.

Note: The above information (and more) can also be located at the NDSS website.

Local Buddy Walks Spread Message of Acceptance and Inclusion

The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and the Down syndrome community invite the public to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month this October, by participating in one of the 275 Buddy Walks taking place this fall.

"People with Down syndrome, like everyone else, are people first, each with their own unique gifts to contribute to their families, friends and communities," said NDSS President Jon Colman. "Down Syndrome Awareness Month and the Buddy Walk program provide a forum for dispelling stereotypes, educating the general public about their many abilities, and raising awareness for people with Down syndrome."

One in every 733 babies born in the U.S. has Down syndrome. The life expectancy of people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades - from 25 in 1983 to 60 today. In that same span of time, advancements in education, research and advocacy have had a tremendous impact on the opportunities that individuals with Down syndrome have to live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Today, many people with Down syndrome:
• Attend neighborhood schools and learn in typical classes alongside their peers without disabilities.
• Graduate from high school and go to college.
• Comprise a vibrant part of the American workforce.
• Actively participate in the social and recreational aspects of their communities.
• Live independently, make their own choices, and advocate for their rights.

The Buddy Walk
The Down syndrome community has been celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month each October since 1981. The Buddy Walk was created by NDSS in 1995 to provide its affiliates and other local groups with a way to promote acceptance and inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome in their communities. The Buddy Walk also raises funds for local and national programs and services to benefit individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

Anyone can participate in this one-mile walk. With more than 275 Buddy Walks taking place in the United States this year - most held in October - there is one near you! Visit http://www.buddywalk.org/ to see a map of local walks. To learn more about Down syndrome and obtain information to share with others during Down Syndrome Awareness Month, visit http://www.ndss.org/.

Jeanna Joy

Jeanna Joy
September 1996

Twelve years ago today
My lifelong dream came true
I became a mother
As I gave birth to you

Our Heavenly Father blessed us
With a Gracious Gift of Joy
I always wanted a girl first
Though we thought you were a boy

You arrived a few weeks early
And gave our hearts a fright
As you had some trouble breathing
In the middle of the night

We gave you to the Lord
From the moment you arrived
He healed your little body
And ever since you’ve thrived

You have always been a beauty
With your gorgeous auburn curls
As freckles skip across your nose
How you love to dance & twirl

Right from the very beginning
You have studied everything
Your bright mind so curious
Your quietness endearing

You started humming early
Then talking, singing too
Music has come naturally
Just spilling out of you

The Lord has chosen you His child
He has given gifts to you
He has a special purpose
He’s designing just for you

You have a quiet inner strength
Mature beyond your years
The Father’s love is faithful
Bringing peace when there are tears

My prayer for you is this today
May you make His ways your own
As He becomes your closest friend
You’ll never be alone

As you turn twelve, Jeanna Joy
I just have this to say
May you be extra special blessed
On this your special day


Written just for you by Mom
(Joy Grace Caldwell)
September 2008

Seasons of Our Lives

Seasons come and seasons go.
The leaves they constant change.
So too our lives ebb and flow,
No matter what the age.

Right from the start as little babes
Our lives take root like trees.
As flowers bloom so too our hearts
So lovely for all to see.

From baby dolls to High School Prom
The years they come and go.
From princess dress to bling blue jeans
Then it’s a wedding dress to sew.

From ponytails to slanted bob
Once blond, then brown, now gray
Our hair like leaves never the same
Our long locks now gone away.

As goes our age, our clothes, our hair
So too our hearts do change.
There’s joy and pain, laughter and tears
Each day writes a brand new page.

Some pages they are stained with tears,
These seasons marked with pain.
But joy like flowers never bloomed
Without the storms and rain.

God knows just how much sunshine
Blue skies, yet storm clouds too,
Each phase, each stage, each season
Of our lives He long foreknew.

It brings me peace and comfort
To say, “His will not mine.”
Will you choose to trust Him
Through each season, in His time?

Joy Grace Caldwell
September 10, 2008

Midnight Musings

It’s midnight. Quiet.
And here do I sit
With pen in my hand
And lamp dimly lit

All loved ones tucked in
Asleep and dreaming
Dreams of tomorrow
And what it may bring

I hear the soft tick
Of the clock by me
The hum of the fridge
And electricity

Wait - Footsteps? A voice?
A whimper? A tear?
It’s Haley. My gift.
My daughter. My dear.

Awake from her dream
She had a bad scare
She needed a hug,
A kiss and a prayer


I gently caressed
Her face and her hair
Kissed her wet cheek
And offered a prayer

She crawled back in bed
Next to her big sis
Where she fell asleep
Back to dreams and bliss

My eyes are now tired
A yawn, then a sigh
Yes, it’s time to sleep
It really is time

I’ll join my dear Paul
In our big comfy bed
Where I will now sleep
And dream in my head.


Of many more days
Yet to come with these
Precious dear darlings
God’s given to me

To love and cherish
To teach and to guide
One day at a time
With Christ by my side.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Joy Grace Caldwell