If I Were In Your Shoes...

This past weekend, I went to Acquire the Fire and it was awesome!!! For those of you who do not know what ATF is, it’s a 27 hour conference that gives teenagers an experience with Christ. It’s like concerts, speakers that talk real issues, plays, and it’s an overall great time in God. In my city (Tampa, FL) there were great artists that performed including Lecrae, David Crower Band, Unhindered, Abandon, and Stephanie Smith. There were also great speakers like Mike Guzzardo and Ron Luce.

I loved it! I recieved everything that was brought because God was truely in the building (more like a USF Sundome). One thing that really touched me was the drama that was brought by a group of young adults and it was about how the choices we make affect us in the spiritual world. You would have had to be there but at one point of the play, God called this kid to be a “superhero” for him and help this girl who was about to commit suicide. He just grabbed her and started worshiping God. That very point almost made me cry.

In my experience, I was touched by God. Just to make this clear, everyone will come out with different experiences and things that impact them because God reaches to the specific needs of his people. I encourage you to go to an Acquire the Fire when it comes to a city near you, so you can have an experience for yourself.

What is going on here? Many people are speaking out and writing books stating that we as a society are being dumbed down through toxins in the foods we eat (aspartame, msg, food colorings, etc), vaccines, fluoride in our water, compulsory education, entertainment and all the tv watching,etc. Is it true? Are we being “dumbed down”?

I found this video (one of many) on youtube that talk about the dumbing down of society especially America. Though it has some language that may be offensive to some people, I think it does a pretty good job of waking one up to find out more.

The comments out there are tough too. They say we are not being educated but “trained” to work and not to think for ourselves. No one seems to be surprised that the people nowadays know LESS than the old folks who only went to school up to eigth grade. I even found an 8th grade final exam from Salina, Kansas in 1895. I never even heard of some of the things they were asking about.

I also found the website based on the book “The Deliberate Dumbing Down of America” by Charlotte Iserbyt where the entire book can be downloaded for free.

More info where you can read these other books for free:
Book: “The Underground History of American Education” by John Taylor Gatto

Book: “Education: Free and Compulsory” by Murray N. Rothbard

Homeschooling info: curriculum methods

After you check this info out, please let me know what you think.

“Knowledge isn’t power until it is applied.”-Dale Carnegie

Ever since my parents separated and had a divorce, I was always in the middle. They argued because he was the one who strayed. They argued about the way my mom raised me, in a strict religious setting. They argued over child support or the lack of it. They argued about me not having visitations.

My father had chosen to be with a woman who had 3 children from previous relationships. So basically, even though they didn’t have their father around (since their dad walked away from them), they now had my dad raise them. My father had moved on and lived in another state so I didn’t see him at all. He had other children with his new wife. We sometimes spoke on the phone but it was clear that the other kids got the things that my sister and I didn’t.

We lived in the “ghetto”; they lived in a house in the suburbs. We enjoyed the simple things; they couldn’t get enough of material things. We used public transportation; they had 3 cars. Then my father passed away. He was still young and was supposed to be full of life, but he didn’t even get to see his 43rd birthday.

It hurt so bad because even though we lived different lives, I knew my dad loved me. Throughout all the fights, he loved me. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I saw him. I have his most prominent features: eye color, hair color, skin tone, ears. Grief striken family members would comment how out of his 5 biological children, I was the one who resembled him most. This didn’t sit well with his wife. Inwardly, she secretly hated me and tried to make the situation more unbearable than it already was. Once again, I was in the middle. She had the power, or so she thought.

I didn’t fight about anything once my dad died. I held on to my memories, my letters, and the faith that everything was going to be alright. I let things be. But after all, the other people in this story didn’t fare well. I didn’t wish that on them but what we sow, we reap. They lost everything; while I gained. I’m not only talking about material things for life is much more than that. But I had peace.

So don’t worry much about being caught in the middle for when it’s over, it’s over. May the life that is lived be what makes the difference. Maybe one day I’ll have the courage to share those letters…maybe.

This blog is from a passionate mom who deals with autism’s effects daily. It was contributed by D.D. (Matthew’s mom).

“I try to understand what is God’s will with Matthew. As a mother you worry so much about your children’s future. You want them to be healthy, smart, independent, and successful. So its hard when you are told you’re beautiful baby has Autism. (An incurable disorder) I took it well with a smile on my face like I take everything. (Smiling and dying inside) My first step: research, My Second step: getting him all his therapies. I know people try to be helpful and say, “Oh there’s nothing wrong with him. He looks normal” as if he would be worthless if he wasn’t.

My son is a beautiful healthy boy. He has autism. He is an empty shell that has to be filled. A clean slate. Now that I’m a teacher and have met so many “normal” children, I’ve come to realize teaching every child is a challenge. I focus on what Matt can do rather then what he can’t do. He can do a 24 piece puzzle, he can count to 30. He knows over 20 colors. He loves to laugh and cuddle (so loving). He has rhythm and loves musical instruments. He’s very predictable. He’s awesome!

People look at him when he screams and throws himsef on the floor, (So I’ve seen “normal” kids do that). People look at him when he yells “bye, bye” at the top of his lungs because he’s ready to leave a store or a party. I cant say I dont care if they look because I hate it! I feel like yelling at the top of my lungs “you’ve never seen a kid cry?” It’s frustrating. I’ve found all I have to say is, “He doesnt understand, He has autism“. All those judging looks turn to pity looks and the crowd keeps walking. Now I really want to scream, “I don’t need your pity!!”

I started to ask myself what is God’s will with Matthew? I don’t know the answer to that. I guess in time God will reveal what it is. For now I’ve found the Good days are really Good and the not so good days are not so bad. I tell myself on those tough days when Matthew is just crying and throwing himself on the floor and stomping, “Let me just get through this hour”, then after that hour I say,”okay, that’s not so bad, let me get through this hour”. Forget one day at a time, I take it one hour at a time.

I still want what every parent wants, my son to be healthy, smart, independent and successful. I’ve realized autism is only one aspect of my son. He has thoughts and feelings. I’ve met so many “normal” kids who are rude and cruel because that’s the way they want to be. I pick my sweet honest Matt over them any day! To sum it up; don’t think that you have it any easier! Prison is filled with “normal” people, LOL! Dont judge Matt only on his autism. You wouldn’t want to be looked at as just a overweight person, or a klutzy, or buck tooth. You wouldnt want to be judged on only your imperfections, so don’t judge a person with autism only on that. You can’t define a person by only one characteristic.

I still don’t know what God’s will is with Matt and I dont pretend to know. All I’ve learned up to this point is to never set any one’s expectations too low. Never judge anyone on a single charateristic.

P.S. Historical famous people with Autism: Their impact and teachings have changed the world! If you ever went to school you’ve heard of them. I’ve listed only three. ”

1. Albert Einstein 1879-1955 German/American theoretical physicist

2. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 1756-1791, Austrian composer

3. Isaac Newton 1642-1727, English mathematician and physicist

Fictional Characters/ Television character- With Autistic traits

1. Bert in Sesame Street (Voiced by Frank Oz)

2. Alex P Keaton in Family Ties (played by Micheal J Fox)

3. Mork in Mork and Mindy (played by Robin Williams)

4. Edward in Edward Scissorhands (played by Johnny Depp)

Contemporary Famous People with Autistic traits

1. Woody Allen (director,actor,writer) 2. Bill Gates (global monopolist) 3. Al Gore ( former U.S Vice President 4. Keanu Reeves (actor)

If you would like to find bargain books about autism, type in the word autism in the search box below to find great deals. We have provided a coupon code also.

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