Room to Grow

  My 2016 started out with frustration. I was recovering from my knee replacement that was brutal. I didn't progress the way I had hoped. I was going to rehab with folks just zipping through the process. Here I was struggling to bend my leg. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do the things I had wanted too. It was a slow, painful process that I will have to go through again.
  We started in 2016 working towards getting a house with Habitat for Humanity. We got on the fast track to get one by June. It was a little difficult to work out. I could not work on construction site which was usually required. They had me work in the the office. It was fun to work there. I did little things in the office. Habitat requires 375 hours of sweat equity to purchase a house. I was more than willing to do this of course. It became quite difficult trying to get Sharon watched towards the end but we managed to work it out. Greg worked construction and loved it. It was hard on Sharon too. I was worried that I would not be able to make enough hours. Then they offered me a speaking engagement. I was fine with that I like talking especially about myself. They realized that I liked to talk so they kept on giving me these talking engagements. In no time we had the hours we needed for our house. I enjoyed earning sweat equity this way. I continue to work with Habitat on their speaking tours as a volunteer now. It was amazing to be able to purchase a home that we would not of been able to afford save for Habitat. We spend half of 2016 in our new home. We are very much blessed by the process that it took for us to get the home as well.
   As my immediate family was being blessed it was still a hard year for those close to us. My dear friend suffered from the discovery of a brain cyst. She required an operation in March. Which became our March Madness. Although I am use to hospitals, surgeries and pain I am the one in it. It was very difficult to watch my friend deal with having surgery and the long recovery. It was not a good year but she is still with us so I am thankful.
   Sickness seemed to loom with those who were close to us as family members went in and out of hospitals. Even as we were blessed this year it was hard to be too happy. We also had Leah that seemingly could not gain control of her stomach and then finally: a diagnosis. She was suffering from stomach migraines. I had stomach migraines in high school. These were mostly brought on by anxiety. She was put on medication and within a month she was significantly better. Her behavior was as well. She has had a tremendous year in school.
   Sharon had a time of it too. We were constantly running around with doctor appointments for Leah. Therapy appointments for me and for her. She never had a routine schedule down. It was wearing on her. When we moved it became clear that she needed deep structure. Something I could not provide for her. I made an extremely hard decision for me. I put her in school. I wasn't happy about it. The school certainly was. However, Sharon and I were both exhausted emotionally. It was something that had to be done. She took to it right away. Of course it took a less than a second for her staff to fall in love with her. She had a little bit of trouble with the bus. We got over that hump and rides it without a problem.
   I always try and do one thing in the New Year. I hope to be better than I was the year before. I feel I have accomplished my goal this year. I feel I have room to grow a lot next year. I want to spend some time learning and hopefully encouraging those who need it. I have started reading through the history of Autism. Which I have a little bit of knowledge but I want to know more. Several other books that I want to read as well. I hope to have more information.
  With every year one thing is guaranteed: suffering. At one point in time there will be deep sadness and suffering. We usually drop the ball and thing only happy thoughts about the New Year. We are completely shocked to learn when suffering comes along. We think no that was last year, totally done with that. Suffering is not something that goes away from year to year. It will come. It will shock. It will be painful. In Christ we are promised suffering is only temporary. It will only last for so long. We will be here shortly. We then soon will be comforted by the eternal promise of a home that is shockingly wonderful. Not for the things it it but for the presence of Christ. I can only imagine. I pray that we all take this as comfort. In suffering we know it as temporary and in happy times that we do not for forget the awesomeness of Christ. Bless you and your family in the New Year!