Sunday, April 20, 2008, 4:33 a.m., D.S.T., Nashville, TN~

Dear Journal~

Louisiana May here.  Sorry if I haven't written anything for a few days; haven't had the time.  Family and work keep me pretty busy.

I hope you understand.

Yesterday the family went to the zoo.  All children with disabilities got in for free; it was a most wonderful time.  The zoo has some new baby cheetahs that went on public display for the first time. 

They were adorable! 

The cheetah exhibit was our favorite by far; we really enjoyed it!

It felt good to get from the confines of the house.  After the trek to the zoo, we went to Golden Corral for lunch, where we had a good, home-cooked meal.  The food was very good, and the kids behaved themselves (for the most part).  We were very proud of them.

The day before I was watching GodTube on our computer (like You Tube, but it's a Christian video site); One of the videos featured was of a father and son who compete in triathalons.  The son is severely disabled with cerebral palsy; he's in a wheelchair.  The father runs, pushing his son, who wants to run.  The father is his son's legs.

It's very moving to see; I have seen the them on television before on numerous occasions.

If people could learn to love their disabled family members instead of dumping them off or abusing them, the world would be a much better place, not only for them, but for all of us.

This is why I am so loving to my own children.  They are beautiful to me.  So they're disabled; it doesn't matter to me.  Given love, they can be productive members of society.  They can do anything they set their minds to. 

God has blessed me abundantly with kids that needed love.  I had it to give, so there you are.  I haven't regretted it for a moment.  They make me proud to be their mother!

Of course, the babies (now nearly five months old) are growing so fast; they weigh over 15 pounds each.  They are looking more and more like their daddy every day; Ian and Isaiah are too adorable beyond words!

Yesterday Enriquesa wrote in her journal; it's incredible to see how God's using her, even in the face of severe physical disabilities.  At nine, she is walking, talking, proving doctors wrong.  She has such an upbeat personality.  People can't be sad for long when they're around Enriquesa; she is absolutely unbelievable! 

I heard from a friend yesterday that I hadn't heard from a long time: Lindsay Bauer.  I took care of her several years ago when she first started showing symptoms of a neuromuscular disorder, and as I remember correctly, she was a very angry, bitter young woman. 

Now she's busy with her life, attending church (that's right: she accepted Christ; she's enjoying life. 

I will have to write to her when I can find the time (preferably when the kids are asleep or are at school). 

In just a few hours, the house will be humming with activity as hubby and kids arise to start the new day, get ready for church (and breakfast).  We are going out to eat; going to Fire Mountain for breakfast.  Hopefully the children will behave as well as they did yesterday at both the zoo and Golden Corral. 

I don't know what will happen at church, but I am sure the services will be anointed, full of the power of the Lord.  They always are; we have a very good church.  Have been going there for eight years now; incredible!

Our church will soon be expanding:  a new addition will be put on.  This will house classrooms and a gym/lounge area for the teens where they can hang out.  The children already have their own area; the teens feel left out.  There will also be a new nursery.

Our church has exploded in growth: over 1,000 members now call Christ Community Assembly of God home.  We keep adding to the family (especially after Cantata).  It's good to meet the new families, get them plugged into a field of ministry.

Our church is starting up a ministry for physically disabled people to get together, have Bible study.  We have quite a few members who are physically disabled; until now, there has really been nothing for them to do on non-service nights.  I think this will help them grow as Christians and make new friends. 

We do have a deaf ministry for our hearing impaired members, but nothing for those who are physically disabled; they feel left out, like the teens...

I don't blame them.

My own children thought of this idea; it's caught on like wildfire. Leave it to my kids to start something! LOL

Well, I am going to go now; maybe catch a wink for an hour before the alarm goes off at six.  Take care, and may God bless you mightily!

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Louie May. :D