Last week was my first school talk of the year, 2nd graders at Pella Christian. This class had a student that knows me well, Rae. I spoke with her after church on Sunday to not answer questions, but I wasn't quite sure how she would be. She did very well, and asked more questions than I expected her to. However, she said later it was to try to get the other kids to ask questions.
This was my first speech while using my pacemaker. I think it went well with explaining what it does for me, but I'm not sure yet. I did hear through the grapevine yesterday that another kid in the class liked having me, so I did make an impression on one at least.
One item I would like to work on more is promoting going barefoot for the kids, but I don't know that it would fit. These talks are just on disability awareness, so it would be awkward to work it in. My next talk is scheduled for the "TOMS day without shoes" day, but I asked and the school doesn't participate in it. I don't agree with the philosophy of giving shoes to children that don't have any. It would just be a convenient way to work in going barefoot.
After weeks of debate, I finally went ahead and applied for CHAMP Camp. I did mail the director that I may have to back out yet, but hopefully not. I still have mixed feelings about going, but this year should finalize most of my concerns for future years.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
In the Beginning
I have thought about a new post for the last few days, one relating to past and current events in my life. However, after watching a video I have from Answers in Genesis, my post has changed to this version.
For the past few years, I have followed AiG and studied from several of their resources. Due to these studies, I have developed a sense of urgency to teach the accuracy of Scripture, starting with the first book. Also in the last month, my church newsletter, which I help produce, has new people working on it and has become more informative in nature. While developing it a few weeks ago, I felt an urge to produce a series of articles teaching the accuracy of Scripture and how we can trust God's Word in every area.
This is what I again felt tonight with this video. God has given me the ability to learn and write, and this is what I will do. With so many different needs in the world, it is a small way I can contribute. Look for more on this in the coming months.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth...and God saw that it was very good. Man sinned and caused the consequences we see today in all areas of life. Through God's son, Jesus Christ, we all have forgiveness of our sins. Through His word, we can learn about the past, and the future, if we look and see how that Word fits in every way what we see around us.
For the past few years, I have followed AiG and studied from several of their resources. Due to these studies, I have developed a sense of urgency to teach the accuracy of Scripture, starting with the first book. Also in the last month, my church newsletter, which I help produce, has new people working on it and has become more informative in nature. While developing it a few weeks ago, I felt an urge to produce a series of articles teaching the accuracy of Scripture and how we can trust God's Word in every area.
This is what I again felt tonight with this video. God has given me the ability to learn and write, and this is what I will do. With so many different needs in the world, it is a small way I can contribute. Look for more on this in the coming months.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth...and God saw that it was very good. Man sinned and caused the consequences we see today in all areas of life. Through God's son, Jesus Christ, we all have forgiveness of our sins. Through His word, we can learn about the past, and the future, if we look and see how that Word fits in every way what we see around us.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Recovery
I returned home from the hospital just over a week ago, but I'm still not sure what I'm supposed to do for eating. About half of what I eat settles well, while the rest isn't so certain for a while. I do like food experiments, but this isn't what I have in mind for such experimenting.
To top it off, my main night nurse called in sick this past Saturday and won't be back until at least next week. Thankfully, the only night that wasn't covered was Saturday, so not nearly as bad as previous experiences have been. My current nursing is very good at rearranging schedules so they get everything covered. It meant a couple late nights training people, but at least my parents didn't have to stay up late.
In my last post, I mentioned I had plenty of time to think when I was in the hospital. One item that ran through my head was CHAMP Camp. Last year was my tenth year as a counselor, that means I have been going as a counselor longer than I went as a camper. I enjoy working with the kids, and that camp is now held closer to home, but is it time to stop going?
Last year, I bunked with the administration people due to space constraints. I hardly got to work with the campers and felt like an outsider when I did go to one of the kids' cabins. Without any other nurses available, dad is my only choice for a day person. He likes it okay, but not like I do, and it takes away his vacation time doing something he basically doesn't have a choice about. The past few months have also been hard for me, my body has really started to show its quad age and is taking more work in areas I didn't expect.
When I left the hospital, I had concluded not to do camp at least this year. However, now I started recruiting a new camper, and I'm asking this child's mother to trust a lot of what I say. For that, I almost feel obligated to be there and show her I'm there to help her son. So, I'm back to thought and prayer to see what to do.
Today I contacted the schools I speak at to get scheduled for this year. With these past few months of physical trouble, mentoring a new family, and hearing of others, I'm somewhat looking forward to these talks more than usual. Thinking that these kids may someday encounter someone else like me, or even sustain an SCI, makes me feel more obligated to tell them it's okay, I just do things differently. I know that God will work differently in each child's life, but making a positive contribution is something I have long sought, and will hopefully find. Recovering from life's speed bumps is a challenge, I keep praying that I'm doing God's will and not just my own.
To top it off, my main night nurse called in sick this past Saturday and won't be back until at least next week. Thankfully, the only night that wasn't covered was Saturday, so not nearly as bad as previous experiences have been. My current nursing is very good at rearranging schedules so they get everything covered. It meant a couple late nights training people, but at least my parents didn't have to stay up late.
In my last post, I mentioned I had plenty of time to think when I was in the hospital. One item that ran through my head was CHAMP Camp. Last year was my tenth year as a counselor, that means I have been going as a counselor longer than I went as a camper. I enjoy working with the kids, and that camp is now held closer to home, but is it time to stop going?
Last year, I bunked with the administration people due to space constraints. I hardly got to work with the campers and felt like an outsider when I did go to one of the kids' cabins. Without any other nurses available, dad is my only choice for a day person. He likes it okay, but not like I do, and it takes away his vacation time doing something he basically doesn't have a choice about. The past few months have also been hard for me, my body has really started to show its quad age and is taking more work in areas I didn't expect.
When I left the hospital, I had concluded not to do camp at least this year. However, now I started recruiting a new camper, and I'm asking this child's mother to trust a lot of what I say. For that, I almost feel obligated to be there and show her I'm there to help her son. So, I'm back to thought and prayer to see what to do.
Today I contacted the schools I speak at to get scheduled for this year. With these past few months of physical trouble, mentoring a new family, and hearing of others, I'm somewhat looking forward to these talks more than usual. Thinking that these kids may someday encounter someone else like me, or even sustain an SCI, makes me feel more obligated to tell them it's okay, I just do things differently. I know that God will work differently in each child's life, but making a positive contribution is something I have long sought, and will hopefully find. Recovering from life's speed bumps is a challenge, I keep praying that I'm doing God's will and not just my own.
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