Canyon Trip

Living the quad life, I rely heavily on others for help with everything. I have been very blessed with several caregivers, but depend on my parents a lot. After several decades, it gets very hard seeing them miss out on trips with friends or doing what they would like and instead staying home to help me. This week, tides have changed for one special outing.

My dad likes the outdoors, hiking, camping, and anything related. He often talks about dreams of this or that trail and doing some activity. A few years ago, I heard about a creation ministry that did rafting and hiking tours of the Grand Canyon. It sounded like something I would enjoy, but dad especially. However, being gone for 7-10 days would be nearly impossible. This is where I am especially thankful for the caregivers God has provided.

I talked about the trip to my then intern nurse from Arizona. Brenda said if dad really wanted to go on the trip, she would come back and help take care of me even after graduation. After MUCH debate, dad finally agreed to signup for a rafting trip. However, that portion of the adventure was over a year before actually departing. Continued debate has gone on for that year, but dad left this past Thursday with Brenda arriving Friday.

According the videos and brochures, he will be traveling nearly 200 miles down the Colorado River with multiple stops and side hikes. The group will explore the Grand Canyon from a biblical perspective rather than evolutionary and see more of the gorge than you ever could just by hiking. Dad is scheduled to return late Saturday and will likely be full of stories for years to come.

In addition to my regular helpers, Brenda is covering 40 hours this week as well as the last few days. God has blessed us abundantly with help, and I'm very thankful dad could take this once-in-a-lifetime trip. Later this week should also be a busy time for me, but that will be the topic of next week's entry. 

He is Risen!

Today is when we celebrate Easter, when Christ conquered death so that we may have life with Him. By Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection, He has fully paid for our sins.

Friday evening, I watched this video about Easter that covered some of the fabrications that have been made to say Jesus was a myth. However, paying close attention to what Scripture actually says can easily see through deception.

Several of the myths say that the record of Jesus was actually other gods and their information was changed to the Bible. Some of the supposed facts were that the gods were born of virgins on December 25 and were visited by three kings. However, Scripture does not give a date of Jesus' birth or how many wise men visited, just that three gifts were given.

It is also said that the disciples stole Jesus' body and made up the resurrection. Jesus physical body was seen multiple times, touched, and even witnessed by more than 500 people at one point. Trying to say everything was a hoax or hallucination would be a miracle of deception. Even secular sources from Rome confirm the biblical writings.

As we celebrate Easter, we can be assured it is the truth and can be fully trusted. Further evidence is also available by seeing the conversion of Jesus' brothers, Paul, and the major change in Jewish customs.

Living the quad life, I see daily how I sin against God and deserve His just wrath. I know I can never earn salvation, but Christ fully paid the debt I owe and deserves my full praise. Soon, I hope to be able to share the gospel with more people in person, but look for the opportunity anywhere. Have a blessed Easter and week ahead!

Two Visits for Three Schools

This week concluded most of my school visits for the year. On Thursday, I went to two campuses of one school and Friday was a virtual classroom.

I have been going to the main campus of first school for several years. The teacher, Mrs. K, is very familiar with me and my routine. The inner-city school typically has very active students with a diverse background. I came in as the class was in the library and got settled in among the desks. As I read names, Mrs. K noted the school is now attracting more families from a Spanish background than African. I was thankful to see I could read most of the student's names this year, which hasn't always been the case.

After the kids returned, I did my regular presentation and noted the class was MUCH calmer than previous years. Mrs. K always does a good job in keeping order in the room, but this group was exceptional. Less than two hours later, and after lunch, I was at the school's west campus to speak with 15 kids from 2nd through 5th grade.

My caregiver and I found the stately, older style, church building and was let in by a maintenance person. The interior was completely opposite the outside with fully modern carpet, walls, and signage. However, the first floor was completely devoid of people with no sign of a school anywhere. We found a brochure to the school and called the number listed for the campus we were apparently in, but couldn't find. Shortly after calling, two women appeared from an elevator and guided us to a room with several chairs, a small inaccessible stage, and faux windows with blue lights. Not long after, children appeared from somewhere in the building that we never saw.

Even with the diverse age group, questions went well and the students seemed to catch on. I apparently didn't specify clearly that markers or pens would be needed for the writing section and a teacher brought a large bag of pencils. They worked for the demonstration, but pencils were much harder to use and not comfortable on mouths. Thankfully, Friday's virtual visit with 3rd graders in Minnesota went well with no unexpected twists.

For almost every class though, I forgot or skipped at least one point I always cover. After 21 years of doing nearly the same presentation multiple times a year, you would think I could do it easily. I guess the quad life is getting older, and I had more affects from last fall's medical trouble than I thought.

One more school remains, but not until mid-May. I don't like that my visits went so quickly this year, but I didn't miss any regular schools and actually added one. Quick or slow, I'm thankful for the opportunity and getting to teach about God's world and love for all abilities.

Schools, Church, and Nearly Forgetting

Since 2014, I have written a blog entry almost every week. I generally write them on one of my Saturday sit times with a scheduled release of 2:00 Sunday afternoon. This morning, as dad was flopping me around to get dressed for church, it occurred to me that I completely forgot to write. Therefore, I'm actually writing on Sunday afternoon, mainly while flat even.

Last Tuesday was my first regular school visit. I had three sections of 2nd graders with about 20-25 minutes per section. The time went very quick and I skipped some of the items I normally cover. However, it was great getting to work with kids again. Short visits once a year are too few, I wish I could be around kids more regularly all year.

My final section concluded with afternoon recess. In wondering around the room as I spoke, I suddenly realized I was beside the coat rack where all 20 or so kids were headed. As children climbed around me, one boy stood about a foot away telling me some apparently serious revelation, but I couldn't hear a thing he said. My caregiver, stuck on the opposite side of me, later said she had the same problem. I didn't like giving generic nods, but it seemed to satisfy him.

Friday was another class of 2nd graders, whose teacher didn't tell I was coming. As students filtered in from recess, they had looks of surprise and curiosity on their faces. I finished more than 45 minutes after starting, but it went well and the active group seemed to learn.

This morning was my first, and currently only, church service scheduled for this year. It was a familiar congregation, but I'm responsible for the full service. I preached on James 2, demonstrating faith by deeds/works, and not earning salvation. I remembered most my points, but had a sore throat after talking for an hour. I considered dictating this entry, but my voice wasn't having it.

I'm thankful the van worked and dad is able to get me going, even with needing to use my hoyer lift. This will be another active week in the quad life with more school visits, but a break is coming!