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!

Home Sweet Home

"Home Sweet Home" - What does this phrase mean to you? What kind of feelings does it stir inside? The feelings and thoughts attached to these words are as unique and different as the person hearing them. Generally though, there is agreement that the word “home” stirs feelings of warmth, welcome, and a sense of belonging in addition to a place of shelter where needs are met in a caring environment versus the word “house” – a physical place of residence providing shelter.

It was with some of these thoughts in mind that I ventured out to visit two of Washington State’s Residential Habilitation Centers (RHC’s) at Fircrest & Rainier in Shoreline & Buckley respectively. Having heard arguments on both sides of the debate – for & against consolidation & closure of these facilities, I wanted to see for myself and form my own opinion. “Are these institutions really home where people live in a place of warmth with a sense of belonging where their needs are met in a caring environment? Or are they institutional houses where people are placed with their basic needs met?”

I appreciated the courtesy, knowledge and time that each of my tour guides at both of the campuses shared with me as they “showed me a day in the life of a resident.” I had pleasant and meaningful conversations with both of them as they escorted me through the cottages, work sites, and facilities. My opinions and observations of the two campuses are no reflection of their personal kindness and efforts to make a good impression.

I was particularly struck by the locations of both of these RHC’s. They are both located in lovely surroundings on large parcels of land, beautifully landscaped in picturesque settings, yet notably secluded and separate from their surrounding cities and communities. Arriving at Fircrest, I couldn’t help but notice the age of the brick buildings, the overwhelming impression - cold and impersonal. Of course the large unsightly food, laundry, and garbage carts located outside the front doors of each cottage confirmed I had indeed arrived at an institution versus a community. Rainier on the other hand reminded me of an army base or prison facility behind the gates and fences with its old-style stark white peeling paint and red Spanish tile roofs, and buildings connected by long covered walkways.

I found the facilities at each campus were clean and maintained, though they felt cold, stark, archaic, and in great need of modern updates both inside and out. I found it peculiar that décor on both campuses looked like thrift store purchases from many years gone by, curled posters, cheaply framed faded prints, outdated curtains hung on barred windows if at all.

I appreciate the work that these residents perform: sterilizing used Comcast remotes, shredding documents, thrift store duties, and pouring beautiful paving stones. However, the biggest factor I found lacking was the sense of community. I kept pondering, “How will the community ever be able to appreciate the values of self-determination, independence, inclusion, integration, and productivity for people with developmental disabilities if they’re kept isolated and segregated? When was the last time these adults and youth went on a vacation, went camping, saw a school play, or heard the laughter of a child?”

While the historical museum room at Rainier was interesting and perplexing, it was full of historical displays, conveying care yet desperation synonymously. I kept wishing that the children and individuals pictured could really talk to me… what would their stories reveal? Was this place really home or just the only house they knew…?

I was especially interested in visiting the living areas at both schools and met a few residents in person, though I didn't get a chance to hear any of their personal stories. It was explained to me that each person lives in a duplex-cottage with up to 15 other people, 8 per side. Eight people share two bathrooms, one dining room, one kitchen, and one living room on each side of the duplex.

At Fircrest, each living room is arranged with one shared T.V. and generic “Dr’s Office” chairs set around the sparsely decorated walls of the vinyl floor room. Each child, youth and adult at Fircrest has their own very small bedroom, meagerly furnished with a twin-size bed and dresser. Out of the dozen or more bedrooms I visited there, only a meager few appeared personalized in any way. I thought, “Even college dormitories are more appealing than this”. The others reminded me of claustrophobic, cold, and colorless prison cells or hospital rooms, maybe acceptable for a short-term stay but certainly not welcoming or inviting for any length of time. Unfortunately nothing I observed about this campus made me feel the least bit inclined to sit down, get comfortable and have a cup of tea anywhere – a pleasure I instinctively link to feelings of home.

To my surprise, I did observe more texture, color and variety when it came to décor and “home-like” comforts in the Rainier cottages, where 8 residents share two warmly decorated living areas per side with more comfortable furnishings, overstuffed chairs and recliners. I noted that some of the Rainier residents also share larger more personalized bedrooms, 2 to a room, comfortably furnished with warm décor. Colorful attractive home-style dinnerware adorned Rainier’s tables while residents ate from standard melamine cafeteria dishes at Fircrest.

The majority of people in these RHC’s are older adults who came here as students, though more school-aged children and young people have been admitted recently. Dishes, décor, color, texture, curtains, and comfort may sound like trivial details that shouldn’t matter when visiting a school; however, I wasn’t just visiting “school campuses”. I was visiting residences where children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities live and spend the bulk of their time. These RHC’s aren’t really schools where students are engaged in active learning. These RHC’s are houses set in isolated communities, unfortunately the only houses that many of these residents have ever known.

I was visiting with my “Mother’s” hat on. Staff referred to the residents as family members. But truth be told, any of these residents could be my family member. I have a daughter with multiple disabilities, similar to many of the residents in these two facilities. When Jessica was born with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, I was given the option to place in her in an institution where she’d be cared for. As I toured the RHC’s, I kept thinking, “Would Jessica be comfortable enough to call one of these cottages home? Would she want to live here? Would she want to work here? Would any of her sisters want to work here? Is this really the quality of life I want for her, for any of my daughters? Is this really where I would want Jessica to spend her life? Would she be happy with the lack of freedom, lack of choices and lack of independence? Is she really safer set apart FROM the community in an institutional house or safer IN a community home?”

I couldn’t help but feel sad and discouraged as I left these properties, wondering if the adults and youth were there willingly or if they’d ever been given a choice. I felt equally troubled for the families who had brought their family members to these houses. What choices and options were they given?

As I pondered the thought of “relaxing and having a cup of tea in the Rainier Cottage”, a wise friend kindly reminded me of the secrets behind these walls – the abuses committed when there is no choice, no freedom, no other option, no way of escape. Are these dear people really at Home Sweet Home or prisoners kept safe inside prettied up institutional houses? MLT is right; I don’t want to drink my cup of tea here either.

As I drove away from these RHC’s, these institutions, these duplex houses, I turned my heart towards the warmth of home. My heart felt lighter as I pondered my daughters, each with her own unique and different abilities - her sense of belonging, her safe place in our home where hugs abound, laughter comes easy, choices are made, freedom is earned and independence is learned. “Home Sweet Home” – the words have never meant more.

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/.

Second Annual Buddy Walk - Coming Soon to Skagit County

Even though September isn't even here yet, October is fast approaching and October means DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH!!!

As many of you know this is my "favorite cause" because it affects one of my most favorite people in the whole world - my 2nd daughter, Jessica. (Read more about her in my poem "I Have a Special Child", 2 parts down...)

One of the best events for raising awareness for Down Syndrome is the National Buddy Walk. We are already planning the 2nd annual Buddy Walk for Skagit County right here in Mount Vernon, Washington at Bakerview Park on Saturday, October 11th. We are in need of volunteers to help out with the planning, organization and overall success of the day. If you would like to help, give me a call and we'll set you up!

Here are a few pictures from last year to inspire you!

I Have a Special Child

I have a special child
Her name is Jessica Faith
She has an extra gene
And a sweet angelic face

Her birthday was ordained
By our Precious Lord above
She arrived a few weeks early
And our hearts were filled with love

The doctor had bad news he said
She’s not a normal child
She has an extra chromosome
Down syndrome. I cried, then smiled.

My first thoughts were “I'm honored”
He hand picked this child for me
But soon I stopped and questioned
Dear Lord, “how can this be?”



Her early years were fragile
As she struggled to survive
There were many days I wondered
If she would ever thrive

She has been to many doctors
Had too many tests to count
Yet always shares her special joy
Beauty from the inside out

I have felt the stares of strangers
As they feel sorry for her plight
Yet Jessica has courage
She perseveres with all her might

This special gift named Jessica
Is teaching me everyday
That patience, faith and kindness
Must always lead the way



She has a warmth and humor
Of greeting young and old
She has never met a stranger
Her greeting never cold

One day she overheard me
Explain the Trinity
Hands high, “Good job, God!” she cried
Such simple purity

Some days I’m overwhelmed
By the weight and complexities
I often pray and wonder
What His purposes could be

My faith tells me that there’s purpose
For each one He does ordain
God has a special plan for us
Though the way be marked with pain

God’s own Son endured more pain
Than we will ever know
Thank you Lord for sacrifice
The greatest love You show

My prayer today is simple
Lord make me more like You
May I embrace my pain with joy
And do it all for you

I pray today for Jessica
That she will come to know
How deep, how high, how wide, how long
The Father’s love to show

Joy Grace Caldwell
Friday, August 15, 2008

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Happy Thanksgiving

On Wednesday when the girls got home from school, I asked each family member to write a letter about what they're thankful for this year. We could address our letter to whomever we chose, needed to say at least 3 things we're thankful for and why.

Here are our letters that we read at our Thanksgiving Table last night:

Dear God, Thank

you for giving my family and I food because when we are hungry, I can ask for a snack. I'm also thankful for friends because they are really nice to me. And last but not least I'm thankful for my family because they love and care for me all of the time.

Thank you, Haley. (7)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Mr. President Bush, You have helped the entire United States of America. I, an ordinary Washington girl, am very thankful. Here are the reasons. First of all you keep my country safe and free from all harm. I thank you for that because we don't have to worry about something happening to us. Second, you have supported everyone in the army that is in Iraq at the moment, including my family who are very special to me. And last but not least you make sure that all children are supported. Thank you for supporting our freedom in this country.

Thank you so much!! Happy Thanksgiving!!
Jeanna Caldwell. (11)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Dearest Mom & Dad,

I am so thankful for both of you and for the Lord bringing you here to all of us this year. You two are such a huge blessing to each of us, for who you are – your servants’ hearts, willing to serve, bless and minister to whomever, whenever, wherever. You are both awesome examples to all of us of what it means to be servants of the Lord.

Thank you for the best gift of all - raising me to love and serve Jesus, our Precious Lord and Savior. Without Him, how futile our lives would be. I am so thankful that each of us can have personal relationship with Him.

When reflecting about all that I am thankful for this year, I realized that I am thankful for many things… but more importantly I asked myself, “What if everything was taken away from me, would I still be thankful and for what?” I recognize that I am mostly appreciative for people – each one of my dear precious family members – immediate and extended – I feel so richly blessed! I am also extremely grateful for church family and friends. And even then, if any or all were taken away from me, if I was stripped bare of all my relationships, I would still be thankful for Jesus because HE is the ultimate relationship, THE ONE that can never be taken away. When it comes down to it, I guess really nothing else matters in light of eternity, except
Him.

Thank you both for your influence in helping me to keep my eyes on Jesus – the author and the finisher of our faith. Thank you both for the example you are of Jesus to me, to us.

Mom & Dad, please know how very proud I am of both of you as my parents and how grateful I am to be your daughter!

I love you! JG

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Lord,

I am thankful for the following on this day:

For my family
For Mimi and Papa to be here for our kids
That you are taking care of our needs
For the friends we are making at our church
That you answer our prayers
For our health

However, it makes me sad on this day that:

There will be many who will be alone on this day
There will be many who will not have a big dinner today
There will be many who will not eat at all today
There will be many who will see this day as just another day

Thank you that there will be many praying to You for help or change
today.

Paul

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Jesus, On this Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, 2007, I want to say how thankful I am that you are my Lord and Savior and that my mother raised me to trust in you. I am so thankful that you sent JoAnn to go to college in Plainview, Texas and that we met and she later became my wife. Jesus, without her I do not know where I would be today.

I am so thankful that you gave Mimi (JoAnn) and I three such wonderful children. Joy Grace, Joel Aaron and Jason Daniel. And now because of Joy Grace we have such a wonderful Son-in-Law Paul Matthew Caldwell and because he and Becky got married they brought into our lives our beautiful little princess, Haley Alexandra. And I also thank you for our little Molly "Dolly" (Paul's other daughter.) Jesus, I thank you that our dear Joy married X many years ago and because of that we have our oldest and beautiful, smart and intelligent granddaughter, Jeanna Joy and to top it off we have our little angel sent straight from your heart, Jessica Faith. Jesus you are so good to us. We could never have dreamed that our Joy and Paul would one day be married and the fruit of their love would come in the form of such a bundle of love, our precious Hannah Mae Grace. I've got the sweetest Daughter-in-law any man could have in Laura, Jason's wife, who brought us our very first grandson, Elliot Daniel . And of course, I am very grateful for Joel's daughter, our beautiful little Ameya Rose.

Jesus, thank you for making a place for Mimi and I to come and live close to this precious family. I do not remember all of the 64 Thanksgivings I have experienced, but I will always remember this Thansgiving, November 22, 2007 as the first Thanksgiving we had in our new home with our completed family.

In Jesus' Name,
Your little boy and son,
Jackie Wright or also known as just "Papa".

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Oh, yes! I am sooo thankful!

Thankful for:
A warm, cozy home full of God's love
and light
Papa's arms around me in the middle of
the night
Beautiful granddaughters to hug &
give sweet kisses
A daughter and a "son" whose love & care
just never misses!

I'm thankful for:
A church full of friends and devotion
A heart that still can feel love and emotion.
Our family and grands in other places, too.
And loved ones up in Heaven awaiting me & you.

x0x0x0, Mimi.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

When Jessica was asked what she is thankful for she just said, "Jesus".

So there you have it - from our heart to yours, Happy Thanksgiving. We're thankful for you and pray your hearts are full of thanksgiving, too!

Settling In

Here they are - our 4 drama queens in their matching Easter blouses. They're quite the beauties aren't they?! Way too much fun!

Speaking of drama, there's never a lack of it around here. A couple weeks ago, our little dog Sandy (maltese/pom) and the neighbors boxer (BIG dog!) decided to "go a round". Needless to say, Sandy lost - ending up with 7 stitches in his neck from a puncture wound. Lots of tears that day from all of us girls!!! Thankfully Paul was here and assisted with separating the dogs, the vet run, etc. It was very traumatic for the girls but after lots of cuddles and prayer, the girls and Sandy are all better now and none the worse for wear. I dare say he's got it in for big dogs for sure now - barking vigorously at any he catches sight of!!

Then there's Jessica - brave, no fear, confident, and bold!! We were at the playground a week ago, me sitting, the girls exploring the ladders, slides, swings, etc., when Jessica decided maybe she could try the monkey bars ALONE! NOT!! Before I knew it she was on the ground crying, with her face bleeding. She had landed head/face first in the bark. I think she was more upset that there was bark all over her clothing than the fact her face was hurt. She cried for a couple minutes then wanted back on the playground - "All better. No Dr." Long and short of it - I took her to the Dr. anyway just to be on the safe side. (I'm pretty sure an angel or two helped cushion her fall as it should've been much worse!) No concussion or serious injury - just a badly bruised and scratched face, with a bit of a black eye the next morning. The Lord was watching over her!! She only had one dose of tylenol the first night at bedtime. A week later you can hardly see a scratch left. She's such a trooper! (This picture was taken on Easter Sunday just a couple of days after the accident.)

We're feeling more settled in all the time in our new home and loving it. Right now we're counting down 'til Baby arrives. Looks like she'll be here within the next month at least. I've had a couple "false alarms" and visits to the Hospital already. Thankfully, we're still holding on, though, we can hardly wait for the right time to be here... especially me... I'm feeling a bit anxious to have my body back. All you moms out there know what I mean!

In the middle of all this, Paul's store in Burlington was closed for good a couple weeks ago - very sad; however, the good news is that he was transferred to Sedro Wooley (only a few more miles away) to the busiest store in the chain. He is the Perishables Manager there and enjoying the busy-ness of the larger store.

Meantime, my Mom & Dad (affectionately known as Mimi & Papa to our girls) arrive here on Monday as they are moving here permanently from Swan Hills, AB, Canada. We are very anxious to have them here. My awkward body needs the help :) They will be ministering on staff at our church, Christ the King, and reaching out to our community and county here in Mount Vernon, WA. The biggest blessing will be to our immediate family as we are all anxious to have more family close by.

So there you have the latest news from the Caldwell Clan... busy and growing, never a dull moment... too much fun! We'll keep you posted when Baby arrives... Drop us a line when you have a moment. We would love to hear from you, too.

Life is Full of Surprises!

What a month or two we've had! At the end of August, it looked like Paul might be transferred with his work out to Eastern Washington, putting us into a wierd phase of living in "limbo land", waiting for all the "what if's" to work themselves out. We had been discussing selling our house for months and this was the motivation to get it going... so we put our house up for sale. (For more info on our house, you can check out http://www.2915timothypl.com.) After a few weeks of our faith and trust being tested in "limbo land" Paul decided to take one "if" off the table and we chose not to move out of Mount Vernon, even once our house is sold. YAY! We love living here so that part was easy and a huge relief! We want to build a new home once this one is sold...

Meantime, I was hired at the end of September to work as a one-on-one assistant to a wonderful boy with disabilities at the girls' school. I have always appreciated the staff at Madison School and here in the Mount Vernon School District, so it was a real pleasure to be there on a daily basis. My student is an amazing boy and a real delight to work with. It was a real privilige to work with him. It also felt very good to be there at the school, available to our 3 girls but not right in their faces. (They seemed to like it too.)

I was just starting to settle into my new position there at the school, when I started feeling like maybe I was catching Paul's flu... but oddly enough I felt better in the afternoon. Other signs and symptoms appeared making me question "my flu". I thought maybe a little test at home was in order... SURPRISE!!! Yep - it confirmed my suspicions, I officially have the "Egyptian Flu"... I'm going to be a "Mummy" again! It's an extra surprise, especially since I had been told by my healthcare professional back in April that I was in premature menopause, confirmed by ultrasound and bloodwork. The Lord must have some pretty neat plans in mind for this miracle baby! After my first u/s, the "Dr" thought maybe she saw 2 babies... but after my first visit with the OB today, he confirmed only ONE baby - doing very well thus far. ;) Baby is due in May.

Once I knew that I was "with child", my ability to perform my duties with my student changed immediately. Because of my previous pregnancy histories, I am considered "high risk" so I am no longer able to lift him as required and must be extremely careful. I am not on bed rest but after the middle of December (16 weeks) will be limited even more physically. The school staff was very understanding and accommodating, but after weighing all my options and considering the possibilities, I decided to relinquish my contract and just go on the substitute list, relieving myself of the pressure of reporting daily but at the same time, I can work as I'm feeling up to it and available. I am sorry for the sake of my student but I'm confident that all will work out as it is supposed to, since Baby Surprise wasn't part of my plans but the Lord's :)

We are all very excited about Baby. It's pretty cool to be able to see such a strong heartbeat already so early. The girls are busy making plans of their own for Baby and are very sweet with the way they "take care" of me. Of course Paul is as amazing as ever, making sure I'm getting enough rest, bringing me crackers, fluffing my pillows, etc., so comforting, strong, and nurturing! Now thinking about making plans for a new home, the requirements just went from a 3 bedroom to at least a 4...

Stay tuned for more updates, coming your way via this channel soon....