Dawson getting letters A-F!!!!

Some of these pictures are as follows:

Jax beach, Graham with his crab, singing with Puertoricans, standing outside El Torro in San Juan, water skiing, snorkeling in the Caribbean, horse and carriage ride in Helen, GA, building a house, claw marks from a bear in my backyard, my nephew John Shelton-graduation, reconnecting with an old friend from LU- Jon Bonar, Larry Mize and I at the top of Brasstown in North GA, Class of 2009, white water rafting with the college age class, camp at Ridgecrest and the Jax zoo with Dawson!

What a great summer!!!

Spring break was pretty amazing with Dawson. At times it can be VERY difficult to take Dawson to places where you are supposed to be civilized such as restaurants and quiet places.  We usually hang out at places like Wal-Mart, Dick’s, Pet Smart, Best Buy, Church….. However, I decided to venture out in Ellijay and take him with me to get a Barbecue sandwich at the new Shane’s Rib Shack. I ordered the “Big Dad” pork sandwich for ME! I noticed as Dawson and I were sitting in the booth He kept looking at my sandwich, so finally I handed it to him and he ate the entire thing. After eating 3/4 of my sandwich he signed “more” so I bought him another $4.95 sandwich and he ate almost the whole thing. One thing about autism is that many children like sticking to the same things “routine”. Dawson eats only red popsicles out of the box, oreos, Ruffles cheddar & sour cream chips, Vanilla wafers, Cheerios and few other things at home. When Dawson is at school He eats rather well and has been known to eat a lot. Home is different it can be a real struggle to get him to eat anything.  Since we have been back from spring break we have spent plenty of money at The Shane’s in Loganville. He has had pork every day sometimes more than once. It will be interesting to see how long his appetite for pork stays around.

When I got home from work tonight Dawson grabbed my hand and wanted me to chase him around the house and wrestle with him on the bed. As we were rolling around on the bed laughing and playing his eyes were looking directly into mine and the thought crossed my mind “some days just feel normal!”

The more and more I thought about this meeting the more I realized how important it is for parents to allow other people to be be a part of their child’s life.

I was raised in Texas and lost my Dad at the age of 9, my mom had to keep the family business going so she worked a lot,  as a result I became a latchkey kid.  I can honestly say the faithfulness of other caring adults has made me who I am today. This is one of the last pictures taken of my dad before He passed away in 1985.

Some of the coaches I had growing up,  Bob Kultgen, Steve Houchin, Coach Mann,

Coach Harbison. These men taught me to work hard as an athlete and to always give my best. They also taught me to be a team player.

Some of my friends parents became like “father figures” to me: Robert Simmons, Bob Kultgen, Doug Woodburn. I spent hours and hours at these families houses eating their food, hanging with the family, learning how to be a man.

There are several teachers I could name who made made an impact on me but the one who far outweighs all the others is my High School choir director (who has become a legend in Texas) Billy Talley. He took us on trips, we competed in all kinds of festivals. We sang at elementary schools, middle schools, nursing homes and even sang at the Astrodome, in Houston, TX. I spent 4 years singing in his choirs and loved every minute of it. Mr. Talley taught me how to love and appreciate music and strive for excellence! He was also a man of God and has tremendous Christian Character!

Lastly, those who served as youth pastor’s, leaders, and mentors. These are Larry Kopp, Meshelle Bowles, Mitch Wilson, Jeff Parsons, Shayne O’Brien, Todd O’Brien, Alan Ford and of course my big brother John.

These names represent my elementary years-high school years. If these people would not have taken the time to invest in me, I’m not sure where I would be today.

Parents I encourage you to allow your child to be influenced by other people rather than just you. It is clear that you are the #1 influence, however all of us need others who are smarter, wiser and more experienced in life to speak truth to us. I am forever grateful to those men and women who did this for me!

Thank you to all of you who invested in me.

What’s your faith look like today?

• My faith is real and central to my life—– My faith is looking pretty good today—– I don’t know what you could say happened to me.

• Well my faith is a little weaker than when you were around constantly. I certainly don’t pray everyday but I’m no atheist. Still believe just not as active I suppose—–God has been doing some work with me, and I am realizing more and more everyday how amazing he is,  I’m still gonna be a youth pastor

• My faith is getting back on track——It’s not as strong as it was in high school but still going, I can not find a church that I like—–My faith continues to grow daily.

• My faith isn’t as great as it could/should be—–I am striving now, more than ever, to learn to defend my faith and grow in God—–My faith is as strong as ever Jody, if not more so.

How is your involvement in a local body of believers?

These responses were wide spread and somewhat alarming.  It seemed clear that if the person is involved in their school’s BCM or a part of a collegiate ministry within their church their faith was growing more than those who were not involved in any age appropriate ministry.

• I still attend church even though I’m at an extremely liberal college

• I still go to church almost every Sunday.

• I have always been very involved at whatever church I am at.

• I don’t go to church. When I come home, I usually go to church. I have recently thought about going to some churches , but haven’t actually gone yet.

• I have fell off and stopped going to any church completely…(not lost faith but just lost connection).

What makes your relationship with God stronger? Also what could have made it stronger?

• When I read His word and begin to use it in my daily life.

• I have no idea

• Putting my faith into action

• Challenged more doctrinally

• Finding a good church

• Being surrounded by others who are like-minded

What role did your parents play in your Christianity?

The #1 influence in someone’s life is their parents! However I did notice while reading many different responses that just because your parents brought you up in church does not always mean that the person still goes to church. I also found that there are very good godly people who have parents that did not set a great example and influence their kid for the things of God.

Favorite youth group memory?

These answers were mission trips, Disciple Now, camps, all-nighters, ski-trips…

To parents of teenagers:

Walk in the faith with your kid. Talk to them about problems they face, help them understand what it means to be a “follower of Christ.”  Set the example in life, word and deed–they are watching your every move. The truth is your teenager is only at church a few hours a week and at home most other hours spend TIME with them. Talk about God’s Word, it’s okay if you do not understand all of it–seek out someone who can help you. Most of all love your kid for who they are–God designed them and views them as HIS masterpiece! If we want to reclaim this generation, the church and the home must partner together like never before! Let me know if I can help.

To recent Graduates:

I have realized through these questions that each of us are responsible for our own actions. Your parents were not perfect in raising you and you were not a perfect child. You make the decision to live out your faith and only YOU. God wants you to come back to Him if you have strayed away. Some of you wrote that the church has hypocrites so you choose not to go. Let me tell you all of us at one time or another have been a hypocrite, this is why we base our standards on GOD not MAN! I encourage you to get back in a Bible Believing Church and get involved! A Christian without a church is like a baseball player without a team. God loves YOU and He is real, and He is always there for you reach out to HIM and He will come running! I love all of you guys and hope you choose to stay with Jesus Christ–Let me assure you He will always stay with YOU!!!

One thing is for sure I would do anything for my kids! I have decided to become an affiliate of a couple of different ministries that I love and support. As a result if people buy books and materials and curriculum through my website I get a commission. There are many great books on these sites about youth ministry, leadership, games, families and more. Check them out! Any questions let me know.

In return this helps Ruth and I with expenses for Dawson’s therapy. Check out this video of us at home!

One Minute Bible for Students

There are times when it is extremely difficult to deal with autism. It can be draining and unpredictable. If you know me you know I am not a very emotional person, the other night I had a long conversation with God. I looked at some pictures of Dawson when He was between the ages of 6 months and 2 years, the longer I looked at those images the more I cried. Those pictures represent a different life for Ruth and I.  It was before we knew about Dawson’s autism. One of the hardest things is not knowing anything that the future holds for your child and letting go of certain expectations. My conversation with God was “Lord please let my son one day speak,” we have no idea if Dawson will ever be able to communicate with words. His ABA therapy and speech therapy has helped him begin to sign, however my selfish heart wants him to say “Daddy!”

Dawson may not be able to speak but He is able to communicate. The week before Christmas I took Dawson to Discover Mills mall and we looked at the fish in Bass Pro Shop and rode the Carousel, the train, and many other quarter taking machines. When we were in the process of leaving the mall Dawson grabbed my head and kissed me right on the lips. He obviously had a great time. This moment would be like being at the top of the Millenium Force! Just Keeping it Real. If you would like to make a tax deduction donation for Dawson’s therapy you can do so here. Thank you!

Where’s my apple? 5x, Where’s Grandpas truck? Where’s the river mommy? Where is Samson and Delilah? I can’t see something mommy. Where’s my choo-choo trains? Where is my Big Mack truck mommy? Where’s the Wiggles at? Where’s Grandma’s house mommy? Where’s Dawson’s apple mommy? What’s that way mommy? Mommy, my belly hurts. That’s a dump truck–what’s that? Go Pee-Pee–where’s my apple, Where’s mommy’s apple? I need to go poo-pee! I need to go pee-pee. I want to go pee-pee in the parking lot. I want to go pee-pee at Grandma’s house. Where’s mommy daddy? I want to ride on that crane mommy. 3x—-I want to ride it now! I want to go over there. Mommy what doing? NO Grandma’s house is THAT way! Grandma’s house is NOT that way! Mama what doing? Where did Grandma’s house go mommy? Mommy what doing? Mommy where’s the crane?  Where is Diane and Curt, Grandpa, Grandma, and Tamar (cat)? Where’s Grandma? Where’s the river house? 2x That way? Where? Where’s home mommy? I see a choo-choo train mommy! I can’t see Grandma’s house yet mommy! Where did the bathroom go mommy? Where’s the potty? Counting begins 1-17—-break—-1-22. Mommy what doing? I want to go to Grandma’s house in the mountains. It’s an airport mommy. Mommy where is Dawson’s name? That’s Barney. I want Barney and the trucks. I don’t want to see mountains anymore. I want to go to Grandma’s house mommy. I see black mountains mommy. Mommy it’s night night time. Where’s the sunset go mommy? Mommy what doing? I finished my drink mommy. There’s a big stick right there? When are we going to the pool? Where are Curt & Diane? I want to ride on Curt’s tractor. Oh No the pool is that way! I want to go to the apple house. I want to go to the park with Grandma and Grandpa mommy. Can’t go in the river mommy!            Finally we arrive.

He hit all of his milestones that docter’s look for in a baby, (rolling over, sitting up, eating baby food, sleeping through the night, growing in weight and height).  He babbled and made “baby sounds” as much as any other kid does saying dadadada, mamamama, so we thought all was well.  At some point before he was 2 years old he stopped making those sounds and regressed to making hardly any noises at all.  So we did what our Doctor in NC told us to do–put him in Speech therapy. I’m not sure what caused this incredible regression, some people say shots, some say you are born with autism–the truth is I have no idea. Autism is very real in our world 1 in 94 boys are diagnosed with autism. Our Doctor did not think there was a problem which led us to believe Dawson was simply speech delayed. I’m going to list some of my thoughts so you can understand what a parent goes through.

- We noticed Dawson wasn’t babbling

-I noticed Dawson enjoyed watching the wheel on the stroller go round and round– this is a stim

-He began flapping his arms whenever he was happy

-He didn’t engage with other kids (during playtime)

-He didn’t play with his toys appropriately–He would line up all of his toys into a straight line across the room

-He enjoyed watching things spin (ceiling fan, toys, etc..)

We kept thinking and praying He would somehow snap out of it, as months went by He never really snapped out. The first professionals who gave us a clue that Dawson had autism was the Gwinnett County School System. They informed us they were going to take him out of his Special Education class and put him in a autistic class. This was a HUGE DEAL in our lives like dropping a bomb on us. We pretty much knew at this point Dawson had autism but were still in denial and didn’t want anyone else telling us. Let me put it into perspective for you, I have lost both of my parents, and Dawson’s autism was by far the hardest thing I have ever had to accept. God has been good and Dawson continues to grow and develop. My next post I’ll focus on some of the positives. I just wanted to be Real with you so you can understand what people like us go through. Thank you for your prayers and support. If you would like to help Dawson by giving a gift to help for his therapies through our church here is how to give a gift that is a tax deduction. Thank you.