Worship at The Able Church

Last Friday night at The Able Church, I had a breakthrough. You see, I have done things my own way for a long time, instead of doing things as they SHOULD be. I have been leading worship for a long time, even before The Able Church. I play my guitar and choose worship songs that I like. These are all worship songs that we are used to, but most of them are not appropriate for Able. The Able Church has a much slower pace with a simple message and slower songs so that people with disabilities can really be engaged in the service. I know when I give a lesson that it needs to be simple, but I have not applied those same ideas to worship.

We all like fast music and a good song. Members from the Able Church may be doing a little jig and clapping their hands, but they are not able to sings all of the words and truly get to a place of worship. I'm not limiting them in any way. I guess you need to experience The Able Church or Camp Daniel to know exactly what I'm talking about. My friend Jen, who also works at Camp Daniel, told me that I was getting blank stares because the songs were too fast with complicated words.

I have known these things for years, watching people lead worship at Camp Daniel, and yet I didn't change anything. I have only come to the realization that "HELLO! This isn't working." over the last couple of weeks. I was talking to Tony recently and he said that WE are coming into the disability culture and world, not the other way around. I came to the realization that I cannot force churchiness or how I think things should be on them. It must be a different thing entirely. So, on Friday when I lead worship, I played songs like 'Jesus Loves Me' and 'He's Got the Whole World in His Hands'. These are songs that are much more appropriate for Able.

It. Was. Beautiful.

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Nate at the Park

I watched Nate last weekend. It was just me and Nate for two days, and I loved every minute of it. I took him to the park on Saturday. He had so much fun! There was still a bunch of snow that hadn't melted, but that didn't stop him. He was all wet and dirty when he was done playing but he didn't care. As soon as I put him in the car, he was out!
what a ham!

I really, really like this one. Probably one of the best 'nice' pictures I have taken of him yet.

And, of course, the 'oh'.

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Things I've Done This Week

So this post is not very exciting, but I wanted to post the things I have been working on this week, in case you wanted to know. It has been warm this week and the snow is melting, so we were working outside this week. On Monday, I cleaned out my hall closet because it was getting crowded. As I started taking boxes out, I noticed that there was water on the floor from all of the melting snow and a bunch of stuff got wet. This was one of those things that turned into a much bigger project than anticipated. I had to take everything out, switch boxes over, and air out the closet. That took all morning. I also cleaned around the house, did laundry, and took a walk because it was beautiful outside!

On Tuesday, we had a staff meeting which takes all morning. Then I dug through the big burn pile for scraps of wood. (I am going to use them for spring projects. I will be making some kid furniture for photo props.) I prepared the Bible study for the ladies at The Able Church who meet on Tuesday nights. Then I took the guys to The Able Church family night where we have Special Olympics basketball practice, eat pizza, and have Bible study. On Wednesday, Jen and I put poly on new bunk beds and trim that will go in the dorm. That took most of the day and then I spent some time with Tony and Karol.

On Thursday, I went down to the food bank with Karol. We also ran a bunch of errands. We had a little trailer full of food. We got back late afternoon and then we had to unload, organize, and put all the food away. We use it to give to needy families in the community and for camp this summer. When all of that was done, I made dinner and spent some time with Jen. I love living in community. We can pretty much pop in and out of each others lives whenever we like. I get to spend time with the people that God has placed me with. This is just one of the many blessings of community. Today I worked on camper birthday cards. We send birthday cards to all of the campers who come to camp. I have them completed through August so that I don't have to worry about them as things pick up around here. I also did the Able bulletin and packed because I am off to the Kocian house for the weekend to watch Nate. WOOHOO!

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Photoshoot with the Kiddos

My friend Sabrina had spring break last week, so she came up with the kids for a few days. We had a blast! We did a photo shoot with the kids before they left.

Her big, beautiful eyes pop out at you in this picture.
Estie is 9 months old now! I can't believe it! She is standing and I'm sure she will be walking in no time!
There is just something about a baby in a one-zee. Those little fingers and toes, chubby arms and legs, and chubby, kissable cheeks.
I didn't mean to take the picture like this, but I actually like it. Believe it or not, it is quite hard to take pictures of a 9 month old. She would stay still for about two seconds. I way trying to hold her still with one hand and take the pic with the other. That is how I got this.




sweet sisters
a kiss
pile up.



I think this is my favorite of the kiddos.
being silly
by the end of the shoot, Estie was ready for a nap.

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What did God say to YOU?

There is a member from The Able Church named Connie. She also comes to Camp Daniel in the summer. During the retreat last weekend, we were talking about some things and I told her that we needed to think and pray about it. We needed to talk to God.

The next morning she comes up to me and says, "Did you talk to God last night? What did he say?" I was floored. I love the way they think. There is a bluntness and honesty about them. They teach me spiritual lessons daily.

On the flip side, there are many funny moments around people with disabilities. If you have spent any time at Camp Daniel, Special Olympics, or another activity, you completely understand. This one is for all of you out there who get it.

The funniest thing I was asked all weekend was, "Is it a sin to wear black socks to church?" Thankfully, Nancy was there to share this moment with me. Nancy has been an aid in the school system for years and has been involved with Camp Daniel almost since the beginning. She is crazy fun and is a pro for handling any situation. I have much to learn from her. Well, we started laughing, and we looked down and Nancy was wearing black socks. So we started laughing even harder. Good times! I suppose you have to experience Camp Daniel to understand why this is funny, but it is.

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