Discovery…. 8/4/13
In giving more thought to this, I felt impressed that this is an answer to a prayer I’ve been praying for, for about a year. That pray is said so often it almost has a title to it, “Please help Marianne to gain a testimony of Jesus Christ and to not be alone in our neighborhood”. I know, catchy title. But really from the pains of my heart I have cried my heart out because I don’t want to have Marianne feel alone, unwanted. Adults understand and love her. Kids ask her questions and she full on ignores them (oh that’s right because she can’t hear them), so they stop responding to her and avoid her. It pains my heart to watch it.
So the answer to this prayer, has come little April Rose. Honestly, it never occurred to me under about two weeks ago that if she is deaf it could be the answer. On Friday, that understanding of that answer can true. It was even more answers to prayers. I’ve had a feeling for a long time…about hoe to learn more ASL. Possibilities to this answer included, going back to school, becoming an interpreter, taking classes, going to ASL sporting events, and even looking into deaf education. I started exploring deaf ed options, going to the DATC, going up to the U, and well, the time away from the family is just not right. So, I had to go back to the drawing board.
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In giving more thought to this, I felt impressed that this
is an answer to a prayer I’ve been praying for, for about a year. That pray is said so often it almost has a
title to it, “Please help Marianne to gain a testimony of Jesus Christ and to
not be alone in our neighborhood”. I
know, catchy title. But really from the
pains of my heart I have cried my heart out because I don’t want to have
Marianne feel alone, unwanted. Adults understand and love her. Kids ask her questions and she full on ignores
them (oh that’s right because she can’t hear them), so they stop responding to
her and avoid her. It pains my heart to
watch it.
So the answer to this prayer, has come little April
Rose. Honestly, it never occurred to me
under about two weeks ago that if she is deaf it could be the answer. On Friday, that understanding of that answer
can true. It was even more answers to
prayers. I’ve had a feeling for a long
time…about hoe to learn more ASL.
Possibilities to this answer included, going back to school, becoming an
interpreter, taking classes, going to ASL sporting events, and even looking
into deaf education. I started exploring
deaf ed options, going to the DATC, going up to the U, and well, the time away
from the family is just not right. So, I
had to go back to the drawing board.
My feeling of learning more ASL still was strong and I was
just beginning to panic. Marianne’s deaf
Mentor services would be ending in December and I feel that I’m just scratching
the surface of ASL. Again, that was the
panic. But now…those services will last
for another 3 years. Best part, they
come to my home! I am going to attend
one community class at JMS (they are either on Tuesday or Wednesday) and we as
a family are going to attend sporting events, church at the deaf ward once a
month and sign more regularly at home. The
kids are more motivated as well…what a blessing!
Something kind of silly, we have been watching a TV show
called “Switched at Birth”. Yes it is
drama, and yes, it is cheesy, but the signing is very helpful for me. The more language I’m exposed to the
better. There have been a few episodes
that have hit home. One was when Daphne
(the main deaf character) shred what happened to her in the third grade. Daphne attended a “regular” school or a “hearing”
school. Girls excluded her, teased her,
and were just mean. Emmett (who is deaf
and was walking down the street when he saw all of this happening) came to the
rescue. He screamed at those girls. (If you have ever heard someone who is deaf
scream, it can be very loud and frightening—trust me I know). Emmett scared them off, and he drugged Daphne
to his home where she met Melanie (Emmett’s mom). Long story short, Daphne and her mom Regina
learned all about ASL and her world opened up.
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All the kids watched this episode and wow…it was
powerful. Maggie-Sue and Virginia were
crying, Garrett talked about how “tender-ing”
it was, and Kellis and Isaac talked about how they would act like Emmett and
want to save Marianne if this happened to her.
I witnessed all the kids showing a love for Marianne and that was a
powerful witness of their love for her.
Now….it can be shared to April Rose.
All of this witnesses to me that Heavenly Father loves us
and answers prayers in the most amazing way.
Ways that will help us to lean on Him, rely on our faith, and grow
together. It is another tender mercy
that Heavenly Father knows how I learn, and He knows what is best for me. He knows that I am a “hands on” learner. He knows that I am devoted to the family and
to learning how I can help them feel loved by their Heavenly Father. He knows that I will seek for his help. And, he has blessed me with energy, enthusiasm,
and a positive outlook on life. He has
blessed me with a wonderful husband and wonderful father, Scott. He worries and loves these kids more than I
do…truly—especially the worrying part!
That is what helps with our balance…he worries and I smile and
pray.
I have one more thing to say, when Scott pronounced her name
and gave her a blessing on July 6th, she was told through Scott by
her Heavenly Father that she would “be blessed with a positive attitude, much
like that of her mother’s” and that “she with faith and this attitude would be
able to overcome the many trials in her life.”
I feel that this blessing is coming to pass in so many ways on a daily
basis. Rosie will have a whole family
who loves her, a sister who really understands the struggle and most of all
Parents who pray for her welfare daily.
Ah, my sweet Rose…who can bloom where you are planted. J
1 comment:
Wow! Thanks for sharing- and even more thank you for setting a good example about how a potentially very hard situation be can be recognized as a blessing from a loving Heavenly Father. You are amazing!
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