I get these through email each day, I thought this one should be shared -

The Father Knows

Jesus calls us to a way of living that gives no thought about tomorrow and puts our future wholly into his hands: “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself” (Matthew 6:31-34).

Jesus doesn’t mean that we are not to plan ahead or do nothing about our future. Rather, he is saying, “Don’t be anxious or troubled about tomorrow.” When you think about it, most of our anxieties are about what might happen tomorrow. We’re constantly harassed by two little words: What if?

“What if the economy fails, and I lose my job? How will I pay the mortgage? How will my family be able to survive? And what if I lose my health insurance? If I get sick or have to be hospitalized, we’ll be ruined. Or, what if my faith fails me in trying times?” We all have a thousand “what if” anxieties.

Jesus interrupts our “what ifs” and tells us, “Your heavenly Father knows how to take care of you.” He tells us further, “You don’t need to worry. Your Fathers know you have need of all these things, and he won’t ever forsake you. He is faithful to feed you, clothe you and take care to supply all your needs.”

“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, not gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.... Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin…even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

“Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” (Matthew 6:26, 28-30).

We gladly give all our yesterdays to the Lord, turning over to him our past sins. We trust him for forgiveness of all our past failures, doubts and fears. So, why don’t we do the same with our tomorrows? The truth is, most of us cling tightly to our future, wanting the right to hold on to our dreams. We make our plans independent of God, and then later ask him to bless and fulfill those hopes and desires.

Be Blessed -

Here is the paper that I am turning in tomorrow:

Janet Smith, Sociology 230, 10-19-09, Campus Event Analysis: Art Exhibition - Visions of 1945 China

The campus event that I attended was the art exhibit in Bloch Hall.  I wondered exactly what I was going to find when I arrived, and if it would hold my interest.  The title alone caused me to imagine dusty, wrinkled, faded pictures of people I did not know and a place where I had never been. My main objective was to complete the writing assignment and get a grade, but was there a chance that I might actually enjoy what I about to see? In my Communications book I had read that a subject you are not interested in can be interesting, so open to that possibility, I entered Bloch Hall.

The room was open, quiet and well lit. There was a guest book on a stand and I signed my name. On all four walls photos were spaced evenly at eye level with captions nearby giving me information about what I was looking at. A typed explanation of how this exhibit came to be, and why, was available for me to read, so I did just that as I began my walk around the room.

As I read, I learned that Dr. Clinton Millett was a U.S. army doctor stationed in Kunming, China in 1945. While living and working here, he wrote letters to his wife, and children who were living in Omaha, Nebraska. In his letters he shared his great affection towards the people of China, and a curiosity towards the culture that he was experiencing right before his eyes.

Sixty years later Dr. Millett's son, Gregg, and his great-granddaughter, Krystal made a trip back to Kunming and took with them the letters and photographs of Dr, Millett's 1945 experience. On May 9, 2004, Gregg and Krystal stood before the Unnan Provincial Museum and welcomed the crowd who had come to see the exhibit. After being viewed by over 300,000 people, the exhibit traveled to the National Museum of China in Beijing, declared a "National Treasure," and designated as the earliest known color photographs of China.

As I begin my walk around the room, I see a photograph of American soldiers standing beside an old Chinese man. The soldiers look at the camera with bemusement, and the old man has a wide smile on his face, as if he is pleased to be singled out for the honor of having his picture taken. In the next picture, a Chinese family stands grouped together, and the expressions on their faces show pride in being chosen by the American doctor to have their picture made. Another picture is of Dr. Millett receiving a kiss on the cheek by an old Chinese woman, possibly as a thank you for some act of kindness she has received from him. These expressions of pride and joy seem to me to give evidence that although the American soldiers are living among them, and have brought change to their culture, these people have acclimated to and accepted the changes brought into their lives and they can now have emotional interaction with the soldiers.

Family Night at The McWane Center, sponsored by the Autism Society of Alabama

Tuesday night the kids and I (Barry was out of town) went to the McWane Center for Family Night. We were treated to a gluten-free meal of chicken, rice, veggies, salad and jello. (The jello was the best part of the meal!) Laurel and Michael visited each level and I think tried every exhibit that was available. Petting hammerhead sharks and stingrays were also on the agenda. It was a long, busy evening, but they had a lot of fun and that's what mattered the most!!

Not a bed of roses, but of nails!

Remember the room that Willy Wonka took everyone in before the tour of the candy factory?

Lifting her own weight

Corn starch and water mixture - gets hard when you apply pressure

And becomes liquid when you release pressure

Making artificial snow - Michael's favorite exhibit

Learned that this is what is in a disposable diaper to absorb wetness

Laurel (and Larry Boy) learning about polar bears and how they stay warm

Janet

Michael

Laurel

Looking for fossils

Laurel petting a stingray (photo by Michael)

Listening to bubbles

Laurel riding the cycle suspended in air

Entertainment mixed with education equals fun!! And, automatic hand sanitizer stands at each entrance gave me peace of mind!

Be Blessed - 

It's beginning to look a little bit like Christmas . . .

These are ornaments that my friend Crystal made for me. She does this as a home business, and I think she is going to do really good with it!! You can check out her other designs by going to the button on my site - "Delightfully Fancy."

To commemorate Laurel's first year in toe shoes

The autism symbol - in honor of Michael

To commemorate Devin's new business venture

Smithscapes Lawn Service

The Maltese Cross, another one for Michael

I have a few more ideas for Crystal, 'cause I still need one for Brandon, Kadie, Kelly, and those precious grandbabies of mine!!

Be Blessed -

I had a wonderful experience in Huntsville yesterday at the Asperger's Syndrome conference. It's the first one I have attended, and I don't plan on it being my last!!

Sunday afternoon I packed an overnight bag and pointed the car towards Huntsville. I didn't want to drive in the dark, especially since I'm not too familiar with the streets  downtown. Of course it rained all the way there - and quite hard, too! I managed to finally find my hotel and after checking in I made a quick trip to Taco Bell. I returned to my room, got into my pjs, and settled in for some relaxation. I got a couple of phone calls from the kids, Laurel was making banana muffins and wondered if we had a muffin pan (we don't, I use those silver cupcake holders) and to tell me that Ashley Tisdale was going to be on "Extreme Home Makeovers" and I just HAD to watch! So, of course, I turned to the correct channel and watched! I had my netbook set up and fiddled around on Facebook some, then turned it off and got out my Nora Roberts novel. I planned to turn off the lights early and get some rest, but it just didn't happen. Finally, at around 11:30, I felt that I could sleep if I tried.

I actually did sleep pretty well, I only woke up a couple of times to look at the clock. I just didn't trust the alarm! The conference began at 8:15 and everyone I had talked to said that the speaker was famously known for starting on time. So, after a pretty straight shot to the Von Braun Convention Center, I parked and made my way upstairs to the room where the conference would take place. I really didn't know what to expect, and as I stood in the doorway, I saw that the entire room was filled. Tables had been set up all across the room, and I figured that there were about 500 people sitting there waiting for the speaker to begin.

I found a table that had an end spot open and sat down. I took my netbook thinking that maybe I would be able to keep up with the speaker easier than trying to write it all down - six hours is a long time to take notes - and got everything set up just as Tony Attwood was introduced. He is from Australia and has been working with and teaching about Asperger's Syndrome for over 30 years. The man knows a thing or two about the subject!!

Well informed, funny, easy to listen to, and an extremely personable personality. I could not have asked for a more perfect "1st time" conference experience. I had to keep reminding myself to type instead of listening with my mouth open!! We got a handout of the materials he presented, and he had a power point set up on the screen at the front of the room that we followed also. After two hours we were given a 30-minute break, and I found that I really needed to get up and walk around! How could the time have gone so quickly?

At noon we all went to lunch, and I ate with a young lady from Georgia who teaches Special Ed and has an 8 year old son with Asperger's. He also has a genetic neurological disease where tumors are growing all over his body, both inside and out. She said that his spine is covered with them and surgery is not an option. He will not get better, he will get worse. We chatted while we ate our sandwiches, and I told her about my family and why I was there. She encouraged me to keep working towards my goal and said that I was an inspiration to her. ??? This woman is raising a disabled child by herself, teaching children with disabilities, and realizes that unless a miracle occurs, she will lose her son in a couple of years. Me, an inspiration to her? I think it's the other way around!!!

After lunch we returned to listen once again to Tony Attwood, and the afternoon just sped by. I told the lady sitting next to me that if I had to sit in my sociology class for six hours and listen to a lecture, I would go crazy. But I was having no trouble at all listening about this particular subject.

At the end of the conference, I packed up my bag and headed out to the parking garage. I found my car immediately, (!) and got in line to get onto the interstate. After checking in with Barry, and finding that all was well at home, I headed towards Birmingham.

No rain, the sky was clear, and I felt very good about my life. I had just been given a mega dose of instruction and encouragement from a very experienced instructor - and parent of a child with Asperger's - and I felt that I was better equipped to face our future problems with determination and strength.

I am already looking forward to the next conference!!

Be Blessed -