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Beauty In The Real

I have lines and if I don’t deliver them correctly… things can unravel quickly. So we have the same conversation over and over and he needs constant verbal assurance from me. It can be exhausting to do this hour after hour…. For him and for me.

I am thankful for his voice but still long for silence sometime. 😜

I’m not looking for advice and don’t need suggestions for detox, drugs, diets or deliverance 😜 We are working with our own professionals so we’re good… Just sharing a glimpse of our life so that if you live this life too, you might not feel so alone… and if you don’t you might understand us a little better.

I have lines and if I don’t deliver them correctly… things can unravel quickly. So we have the same conversation over and over and he needs constant verbal assurance from me. It can be exhausting to do this hour after hour…. For him and for me.

I am thankful for his voice but still long for silence sometime. 😜

I’m not looking for advice and don’t need suggestions for detox, drugs, diets or deliverance 😜 We are working with our own professionals so we’re good… Just sharing a glimpse of our life so that if you live this life too, you might not feel so alone… and if you don’t you might understand us a little better.

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy and blessed is the one who hears it”.... It is right there in the first few verses of the book of Revelation.

That word “Blessed” is used for many other things throughout the Bible.
Blessed are the peacemakers.
Blessed are the merciful.
Blessed are those who mourn.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

And while the rest of those “blessed” phrases are ones I have sought to implement... this one from Revelation somehow had not made my list yet.

But I recently started a Bible Study from my favorite author Jen Wilkin and reading the book of Revelations aloud is on the checklist. Since the one who hears it is blessed as well, I figured Jonah could be my listener. I can’t even explain the emotions that rise in my heart as I read these words to my son.

These words are not a magic spell and I am not looking for some miraculous effect as the words spill forth but I do know that the Word of God is powerful and effective and will never come back void. So I will read the book of Revelations out loud to my son because his ability to communicate might be limited but his Spirit is not disabled and God is able to meet him right where he is.

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy and blessed is the one who hears it”.... It is right there in the first few verses of the book of Revelation.

That word “Blessed” is used for many other things throughout the Bible.
Blessed are the peacemakers.
Blessed are the merciful.
Blessed are those who mourn.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

And while the rest of those “blessed” phrases are ones I have sought to implement... this one from Revelation somehow had not made my list yet.

But I recently started a Bible Study from my favorite author Jen Wilkin and reading the book of Revelations aloud is on the checklist. Since the one who hears it is blessed as well, I figured Jonah could be my listener. I can’t even explain the emotions that rise in my heart as I read these words to my son.

These words are not a magic spell and I am not looking for some miraculous effect as the words spill forth but I do know that the Word of God is powerful and effective and will never come back void. So I will read the book of Revelations out loud to my son because his ability to communicate might be limited but his Spirit is not disabled and God is able to meet him right where he is.

You get to feel all the things… and sometimes you even get to say them out loud 😳

I love my son with my whole being and I will give up any and everything in an effort to support his needs and help him to have moments of joy and peace.

But I also cry and grieve over all the things that I have had to sacrifice for his care. I often feel lonely and isolated and frustrated over the things I have to miss out on, all the while knowing that I am divinely appointed to be his mom.

If you are feeling the tug of these two truths today, just know that you are not alone….

You get to feel all the things… and sometimes you even get to say them out loud 😳

I love my son with my whole being and I will give up any and everything in an effort to support his needs and help him to have moments of joy and peace.

But I also cry and grieve over all the things that I have had to sacrifice for his care. I often feel lonely and isolated and frustrated over the things I have to miss out on, all the while knowing that I am divinely appointed to be his mom.

If you are feeling the tug of these two truths today, just know that you are not alone….

We will be forever grateful for this experience and can’t wait to share it with all of you! In the meantime, Jonah will keep planning trips to small motels in the middle of nowhere 😜 and hopefully we can meet some of you along the way!
Where shall we go next?

We will be forever grateful for this experience and can’t wait to share it with all of you! In the meantime, Jonah will keep planning trips to small motels in the middle of nowhere 😜 and hopefully we can meet some of you along the way!
Where shall we go next?

Hi Friends, welcome to our little corner of Instagram!

I’m Rohnda (the spelling 😜 I know!).

Here, I share the real-life joys and trials of full-time caregiving for my adult son, Jonah, who has Profound Autism. He loves travel, 80s music, and Bible verses—and if you’re following along, you’re part of our “Instagram Aunties”!

But life isn’t always music and positive thoughts. Some days are really hard. I’m so grateful for my husband, David and for the sustaining faith in Jesus that helps us persevere, even when we don’t understand the pain.

This space isn’t about chasing followers or algorithms—I’m just here to honor God by loving and serving my son, whose life is precious in His sight. I hope to encourage you to do the same, in whatever calling God has given you—on the good days and the hard ones.

I’m not a voice for the Autism World, nor do I find my identity as an “Autism Mom.” I’m simply an expert in one autistic person, whom I love with all my heart. Our journey may look different from yours, so I won’t give advice—but I will encourage you to find strength in the Lord, trusting Him to provide in the hard seasons.

You’ll find us most days in IG Stories. I read every comment and message, even if I can’t always respond. Your encouragement means more than I can say—just don’t send me Reels (I won’t watch them)!

Drop an intro if you’d like, or just be a silent follower—no pressure here. And if I’m not your cup of tea, you know where the door is. God bless you on the way out!

We don’t serve algorithms, but we do serve God and each other. I hope this space reflects that. ❤️

Hi Friends, welcome to our little corner of Instagram!

I’m Rohnda (the spelling 😜 I know!).

Here, I share the real-life joys and trials of full-time caregiving for my adult son, Jonah, who has Profound Autism. He loves travel, 80s music, and Bible verses—and if you’re following along, you’re part of our “Instagram Aunties”!

But life isn’t always music and positive thoughts. Some days are really hard. I’m so grateful for my husband, David and for the sustaining faith in Jesus that helps us persevere, even when we don’t understand the pain.

This space isn’t about chasing followers or algorithms—I’m just here to honor God by loving and serving my son, whose life is precious in His sight. I hope to encourage you to do the same, in whatever calling God has given you—on the good days and the hard ones.

I’m not a voice for the Autism World, nor do I find my identity as an “Autism Mom.” I’m simply an expert in one autistic person, whom I love with all my heart. Our journey may look different from yours, so I won’t give advice—but I will encourage you to find strength in the Lord, trusting Him to provide in the hard seasons.

You’ll find us most days in IG Stories. I read every comment and message, even if I can’t always respond. Your encouragement means more than I can say—just don’t send me Reels (I won’t watch them)!

Drop an intro if you’d like, or just be a silent follower—no pressure here. And if I’m not your cup of tea, you know where the door is. God bless you on the way out!

We don’t serve algorithms, but we do serve God and each other. I hope this space reflects that. ❤️

Sometimes, autism looks like this...
It’s not always a superpower or just a different way of seeing the world. Sometimes, it’s messes and meltdowns and dysregulation that leads to destruction. Sometimes, it’s tears, confusion, and obsessive compulsive behaviors that logic alone can’t soothe.

In our home, we’ve lived at both ends of the spectrum—the beauty and the hardship, the joy and the struggle. I love sharing the bright moments, but if those feel out of reach for you right now, please know this: you are not alone, and you are not failing. Even in the chaos, you are growing. Even in the storm, you are learning. And no matter how lost you feel, you are never without hope.

Sometimes, autism looks like this...
It’s not always a superpower or just a different way of seeing the world. Sometimes, it’s messes and meltdowns and dysregulation that leads to destruction. Sometimes, it’s tears, confusion, and obsessive compulsive behaviors that logic alone can’t soothe.

In our home, we’ve lived at both ends of the spectrum—the beauty and the hardship, the joy and the struggle. I love sharing the bright moments, but if those feel out of reach for you right now, please know this: you are not alone, and you are not failing. Even in the chaos, you are growing. Even in the storm, you are learning. And no matter how lost you feel, you are never without hope.

Learning to regulate my own emotions and nervous system is one of the best parenting skills I’ve ever learned and it is especially important for our autistic kiddos.

#beautyinthereal #autismmom

Learning to regulate my own emotions and nervous system is one of the best parenting skills I’ve ever learned and it is especially important for our autistic kiddos.

#beautyinthereal #autismmom

This one is for the Instagram Aunties who encourage us everyday with your ❤️’s and 👍’s. We are so thankful that you are here for the ride as we show you our world and I love that you love the daily Thumb Flicks from our boy!!!!

We see you and God sees you! 💛

This one is for the Instagram Aunties who encourage us everyday with your ❤️’s and 👍’s. We are so thankful that you are here for the ride as we show you our world and I love that you love the daily Thumb Flicks from our boy!!!!

We see you and God sees you! 💛

Can we stop telling special-needs moms that they need to prioritize “self-care”?!

I hear it every day from well meaning people who are uncomfortable with the level of sacrifice that is required of me in my daily life.
“Please remember to take care of yourself”
“You need to make time for yourself”
“You can’t pour from an empty cup”

But actually, You can pour from an empty cup and I know hundreds of moms who prove it every single day! Because the reality is that the things we do in our own strength to fill that proverbial cup are temporary at best... Time to yourself or date night are great if you can get it but there are lots of moms who don’t have these options available to them and when you tell them they should “prioritize self care” it just adds one more thing to their list of failures!

Remember that seasons change and resources come and go. I have had times where I could take better care of myself and times where I could not. The hard days have done more to build my strength and capacity than any amount of self care ever could.

So yes, do what you can to be wise in the season you are in. Remember to eat and get some sleep if you can. Move your body in whatever ways you can. But if your season is one of pure survival, remember where your strength actually comes from...

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46

We can pour from an empty cup because God is our strength and our shepherd and the one who fills our cup to overflowing, even when we think we have nothing left.

#beautyinthereal

Can we stop telling special-needs moms that they need to prioritize “self-care”?!

I hear it every day from well meaning people who are uncomfortable with the level of sacrifice that is required of me in my daily life.
“Please remember to take care of yourself”
“You need to make time for yourself”
“You can’t pour from an empty cup”

But actually, You can pour from an empty cup and I know hundreds of moms who prove it every single day! Because the reality is that the things we do in our own strength to fill that proverbial cup are temporary at best... Time to yourself or date night are great if you can get it but there are lots of moms who don’t have these options available to them and when you tell them they should “prioritize self care” it just adds one more thing to their list of failures!

Remember that seasons change and resources come and go. I have had times where I could take better care of myself and times where I could not. The hard days have done more to build my strength and capacity than any amount of self care ever could.

So yes, do what you can to be wise in the season you are in. Remember to eat and get some sleep if you can. Move your body in whatever ways you can. But if your season is one of pure survival, remember where your strength actually comes from...

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46

We can pour from an empty cup because God is our strength and our shepherd and the one who fills our cup to overflowing, even when we think we have nothing left.

#beautyinthereal

Let’s chat about all things Group Home and Jonah’s experience there!

Let’s chat about all things Group Home and Jonah’s experience there!

So many of you have asked me how we taught Jonah to memorize Bible verses… and the truth is that it was mostly these silly little vegetables that helped him find his love for scripture. We just tried to create a home environment that prioritized Godly entertainment for our kids and then modeled a love for God’s Word in our own lives.

This is how Jonah will often spend his free time…. Scripting along with the Veggie Tales gang and then writing out the verses. We have never prompted him to do it… it’s just the way that his mind works and the way that the God, in his gracious goodness, has met Jonah right where he is!

It is the answer to many prayers for Jonah to know how much he is loved by his Creator and we are forever thankful.

#beautyinthereal #scripturememory

So many of you have asked me how we taught Jonah to memorize Bible verses… and the truth is that it was mostly these silly little vegetables that helped him find his love for scripture. We just tried to create a home environment that prioritized Godly entertainment for our kids and then modeled a love for God’s Word in our own lives.

This is how Jonah will often spend his free time…. Scripting along with the Veggie Tales gang and then writing out the verses. We have never prompted him to do it… it’s just the way that his mind works and the way that the God, in his gracious goodness, has met Jonah right where he is!

It is the answer to many prayers for Jonah to know how much he is loved by his Creator and we are forever thankful.

#beautyinthereal #scripturememory

My son was diagnosed with Autism 21 years ago and we jumped right into appointments with doctors, therapists, naturopaths & nutritionists. I bought books and read blogs on the freshly minted internet and I prayed and prayed.

But a lot of things were different back then....

We didn’t have smartphones and social media and a never ending stream of conflicting opinions from “specialists” and “influencers”. I didn’t sit on the couch next to my boy who seemed lost in his own world, and then get lost in the world on the other side of my hand held screen.

I didn’t sit in my own living room and feel compelled to compare our life to that of people who I would never even meet. No one was telling me what words I could and couldn’t use or how I was supposed to feel. And my son didn’t have to compete for attention and eye contact with a stupid little device that was bringing the whole world into our house.

The most helpful book that I read in those early years was one that taught me the importance of being fully present with my son and recently I was reminded of how life changing that practice can be. I realized how far I have drifted and how easily I am distracted by the shiny thing that is always within reach and promises me all the knowledge I could ever want or need. But it’s counterfeit wisdom is actually stealing so much from our hearts and minds and from our kids!

Friends, let’s stop the scroll and silence the voices of the world and learn how to prioritize the things that really matter. Our kids need us to relearn how to be fully present with them. Their heart and their voices depend upon it.

My son was diagnosed with Autism 21 years ago and we jumped right into appointments with doctors, therapists, naturopaths & nutritionists. I bought books and read blogs on the freshly minted internet and I prayed and prayed.

But a lot of things were different back then....

We didn’t have smartphones and social media and a never ending stream of conflicting opinions from “specialists” and “influencers”. I didn’t sit on the couch next to my boy who seemed lost in his own world, and then get lost in the world on the other side of my hand held screen.

I didn’t sit in my own living room and feel compelled to compare our life to that of people who I would never even meet. No one was telling me what words I could and couldn’t use or how I was supposed to feel. And my son didn’t have to compete for attention and eye contact with a stupid little device that was bringing the whole world into our house.

The most helpful book that I read in those early years was one that taught me the importance of being fully present with my son and recently I was reminded of how life changing that practice can be. I realized how far I have drifted and how easily I am distracted by the shiny thing that is always within reach and promises me all the knowledge I could ever want or need. But it’s counterfeit wisdom is actually stealing so much from our hearts and minds and from our kids!

Friends, let’s stop the scroll and silence the voices of the world and learn how to prioritize the things that really matter. Our kids need us to relearn how to be fully present with them. Their heart and their voices depend upon it.

Every night before bed, Jonah will pull this hymn up on YouTube and watch several renditions of it, all while singing along. He knows all the words and I love that he is preaching to himself the truth of the gospel as he sings.
His communication is limited so he can’t really tell us how much he understands of spiritual things. But we know that his Spirit is not disabled and we trust and pray everyday that God is meeting him right where he is.

We have always tried to create a home environment where Bible Truths were talked about, worship was prioritized, grace was abundant and prayers were prayed. God is answering those prayers and we are so thankful…

Every night before bed, Jonah will pull this hymn up on YouTube and watch several renditions of it, all while singing along. He knows all the words and I love that he is preaching to himself the truth of the gospel as he sings.
His communication is limited so he can’t really tell us how much he understands of spiritual things. But we know that his Spirit is not disabled and we trust and pray everyday that God is meeting him right where he is.

We have always tried to create a home environment where Bible Truths were talked about, worship was prioritized, grace was abundant and prayers were prayed. God is answering those prayers and we are so thankful…

We have all heard these words thrown out in the midst of our painful seasons.
Verses like “Count it all joy” or “God works all things for good” or “Just think about the positive things” And while these verses are good and people are generally well meaning, sometimes these phrases are wielded as a shield because they don’t know how to sit in the pain with us.

But these promises from God’s heart to yours were never meant to discount your pain but to meet you in it. On the hard days, in the dark of a sleepless night. Through the trials and the pain and the sickness that won’t let up. Through the diagnosis and the disability and the devastating phone call.... We can “Count it all Joy” by looking beyond our present circumstances and remembering the promises of Him who is outside of time and space and yet is fully present in our weakness and always working on our behalf.

We look to Jesus who “For the joy set before him, endured the cross” and we follow his example as we endure our various trials, knowing that they are producing in us a steadfast hope in a kingdom that can never be shaken. It is that hope that helps us to find joy in suffering, even as we question and weep and struggle through the troubles of this life.

Joy doesn’ change our circumstances but joins us in the midst of them.

(James 1, Hebrews 12:2, 27-29, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Romans 8:28, Psalm 87:2)

We have all heard these words thrown out in the midst of our painful seasons.
Verses like “Count it all joy” or “God works all things for good” or “Just think about the positive things” And while these verses are good and people are generally well meaning, sometimes these phrases are wielded as a shield because they don’t know how to sit in the pain with us.

But these promises from God’s heart to yours were never meant to discount your pain but to meet you in it. On the hard days, in the dark of a sleepless night. Through the trials and the pain and the sickness that won’t let up. Through the diagnosis and the disability and the devastating phone call.... We can “Count it all Joy” by looking beyond our present circumstances and remembering the promises of Him who is outside of time and space and yet is fully present in our weakness and always working on our behalf.

We look to Jesus who “For the joy set before him, endured the cross” and we follow his example as we endure our various trials, knowing that they are producing in us a steadfast hope in a kingdom that can never be shaken. It is that hope that helps us to find joy in suffering, even as we question and weep and struggle through the troubles of this life.

Joy doesn’ change our circumstances but joins us in the midst of them.

(James 1, Hebrews 12:2, 27-29, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Romans 8:28, Psalm 87:2)

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away” Revelation 21:4

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away” Revelation 21:4

If you are still alive today then this day was assigned to you as well....
No matter. the circumstances you find yourself in, there is a purpose for you life and there is always a way to praise God, even on the hard days.

#beautyinthereal #specialneedsmom #caregivers

If you are still alive today then this day was assigned to you as well....
No matter. the circumstances you find yourself in, there is a purpose for you life and there is always a way to praise God, even on the hard days.

#beautyinthereal #specialneedsmom #caregivers

“This day was assigned to me by God for the purpose of his glory.”
I bet there are a few of us who needed to be reminded of that today!

I was playing around with some different art ideas last night but had given up and tossed them aside. Jonah found them and started adding his embellishments and when he picked this one up and started writing I watched to see what it would be.

This is a quote from me…. From a hard day a few years back when God encouraged me with this truth. I printed in on my wall and on a mug that was sitting on the desk. With no prompting or encouragement, he carefully copied the words and I am sure I am not the only one who needed them today.

Whatever this day holds, if you have breath in your lungs, this day was assigned to you as well!

💛🙏🏻😘

“This day was assigned to me by God for the purpose of his glory.”
I bet there are a few of us who needed to be reminded of that today!

I was playing around with some different art ideas last night but had given up and tossed them aside. Jonah found them and started adding his embellishments and when he picked this one up and started writing I watched to see what it would be.

This is a quote from me…. From a hard day a few years back when God encouraged me with this truth. I printed in on my wall and on a mug that was sitting on the desk. With no prompting or encouragement, he carefully copied the words and I am sure I am not the only one who needed them today.

Whatever this day holds, if you have breath in your lungs, this day was assigned to you as well!

💛🙏🏻😘

Church can be a painful subject for special-needs families… please allow me to offer some perspectives on these slides that might help us to walk in more grace… the same kind of grace that we are wanting the church to offer to us.

Church can be a painful subject for special-needs families… please allow me to offer some perspectives on these slides that might help us to walk in more grace… the same kind of grace that we are wanting the church to offer to us.

Our seasons of Church have varied greatly and have not always been easy but they have always been good.

After choosing to sit out for the last couple years, it was so wonderful to see Jonah singing some of his favorite songs with our wonderful church family.

I am hoping that practicing with the team on Thursday nights will be something he will enjoy regularly again. I’m always ready to pivot 😜 but I am hoping!

Our seasons of Church have varied greatly and have not always been easy but they have always been good.

After choosing to sit out for the last couple years, it was so wonderful to see Jonah singing some of his favorite songs with our wonderful church family.

I am hoping that practicing with the team on Thursday nights will be something he will enjoy regularly again. I’m always ready to pivot 😜 but I am hoping!

If I were writing this story, there are a lot of circumstances that I would change and if I am honest, it has often been hard to surrender my own will and trust the Author! I have prayed, cried & begged God to change my circumstances many times. But I have learned that the secret sauce of PEACE is not found in the answered prayer but in trusting that I have laid my requests before the one who sees me and knows everything I need before I even know what to ask for. “Peace that surpasses understanding” is found in the place of surrender and trust, even on the hard days, even in the years of pain, even in a lifetime of heartbreak....

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philipians 4:6-7

If I were writing this story, there are a lot of circumstances that I would change and if I am honest, it has often been hard to surrender my own will and trust the Author! I have prayed, cried & begged God to change my circumstances many times. But I have learned that the secret sauce of PEACE is not found in the answered prayer but in trusting that I have laid my requests before the one who sees me and knows everything I need before I even know what to ask for. “Peace that surpasses understanding” is found in the place of surrender and trust, even on the hard days, even in the years of pain, even in a lifetime of heartbreak....

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philipians 4:6-7

We put the swing back up today and after 40 days without it, our boy is feeling pretty happy about to have it again. It is a huge regulating factor for him and this mama loves that he loves it.

There is a link to my Amazon store on my home page and you can find the hammock swing there. (Installation is a whole other matter 😜 but I won’t go into that here).

We put the swing back up today and after 40 days without it, our boy is feeling pretty happy about to have it again. It is a huge regulating factor for him and this mama loves that he loves it.

There is a link to my Amazon store on my home page and you can find the hammock swing there. (Installation is a whole other matter 😜 but I won’t go into that here).

Not to brag but this might be my biggest pivot ever!!! 😜

Tell me yours👇🏻

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

#beautyinthereal #specialneedsparenting #autismmom #pivot

Not to brag but this might be my biggest pivot ever!!! 😜

Tell me yours👇🏻

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

#beautyinthereal #specialneedsparenting #autismmom #pivot

Jonah Moved home today after 40 days at the group home that he was so excited about moving to. We knew the honeymoon was over for him and the writing was on the wall. When I went to visit him today he immediately said he wanted to move home and started putting his things in the van. It was sudden and abrupt but not really surprising to me.

I have a strange mix of grief and relief but overall a peace that he is home and that whatever comes, God’s grace will be sufficient. We have had years of proof and I know that he is working all things for good, even when it’s hard. Even when it doesn’t feel good.

It was 40 days of rest for me and while I am sad about the things that I was just starting to dream about doing, I also know that this son of mine is the assignment that God has for me today and tomorrow and everyday until there is something better for him.

I was supposed to leave on an amazing vacation tomorrow but that is canceled and it’s ok. There is grace in the letting go and trusting that I am right where I am supposed to be.

I know you have lots of questions and I will try to share more soon. But for this moment my home is full of movement and pacing and 80’s music and it feels so normal.
#beautyinthereal #specialneedsmom #autism

Jonah Moved home today after 40 days at the group home that he was so excited about moving to. We knew the honeymoon was over for him and the writing was on the wall. When I went to visit him today he immediately said he wanted to move home and started putting his things in the van. It was sudden and abrupt but not really surprising to me.

I have a strange mix of grief and relief but overall a peace that he is home and that whatever comes, God’s grace will be sufficient. We have had years of proof and I know that he is working all things for good, even when it’s hard. Even when it doesn’t feel good.

It was 40 days of rest for me and while I am sad about the things that I was just starting to dream about doing, I also know that this son of mine is the assignment that God has for me today and tomorrow and everyday until there is something better for him.

I was supposed to leave on an amazing vacation tomorrow but that is canceled and it’s ok. There is grace in the letting go and trusting that I am right where I am supposed to be.

I know you have lots of questions and I will try to share more soon. But for this moment my home is full of movement and pacing and 80’s music and it feels so normal.
#beautyinthereal #specialneedsmom #autism

I am leaning a new kind of trust in this season and it is stretching me in good and hard ways…. Read the slides above as I share the lesson and then follow along this week as I try to share anew kind of Beauty….

#beautyinthereal #specialneedsmom

I am leaning a new kind of trust in this season and it is stretching me in good and hard ways…. Read the slides above as I share the lesson and then follow along this week as I try to share anew kind of Beauty….

#beautyinthereal #specialneedsmom

Can I tell you a secret?
I have never successfully completed the Bible in one year....

I have tried many times in my 50+ years of following Jesus, and always failed. Whether it was laziness or life or whatever, as soon as I fell a few days behind I would stress and try to speed read to catch up until it just became a box to be checked in my “good girl” to-do-list.

And I am here to tell you that the “Good Girl To Do List” never bore much fruit.

All that changed when I found myself in a valley of despair and desperately needed to better understand the character of God. I knew enough to know that the Bible was the source of that understanding but my mindset in approaching it needed some adjusting.

So I started again....
On a random day in October.....
With a red pen and one goal in mind....

That goal was to know the God that I had long loved and to understand his character and faithfulness. So I read, not on a schedule, not to check a box but just to know him better.

With my red pen I began to underline anything that revealed who he is, what he loves, what he hates, what he says and how his faithfulness is revealed in our lives. I read most days, sometimes a chapter, sometimes a whole book. I gave myself permission to go slow and to sit with the mystery of the things I didn’t understand. I read from Genesis to Revelation and then I started again.... and again.... and again....

This process changed me and changed my relationship with God’s Word and it will change you too. Maybe you are a person who loves the scheduled readings and that is wonderful. But if, like me, that has been a struggle for you, I am here to tell you that when your motivation changes, you won’t need to check a box or stay on a schedule in order to be fed to overflowing by the truth found in those pages.

So start today, right where you are and just keep going, little by little and watch what happens.

Can I tell you a secret?
I have never successfully completed the Bible in one year....

I have tried many times in my 50+ years of following Jesus, and always failed. Whether it was laziness or life or whatever, as soon as I fell a few days behind I would stress and try to speed read to catch up until it just became a box to be checked in my “good girl” to-do-list.

And I am here to tell you that the “Good Girl To Do List” never bore much fruit.

All that changed when I found myself in a valley of despair and desperately needed to better understand the character of God. I knew enough to know that the Bible was the source of that understanding but my mindset in approaching it needed some adjusting.

So I started again....
On a random day in October.....
With a red pen and one goal in mind....

That goal was to know the God that I had long loved and to understand his character and faithfulness. So I read, not on a schedule, not to check a box but just to know him better.

With my red pen I began to underline anything that revealed who he is, what he loves, what he hates, what he says and how his faithfulness is revealed in our lives. I read most days, sometimes a chapter, sometimes a whole book. I gave myself permission to go slow and to sit with the mystery of the things I didn’t understand. I read from Genesis to Revelation and then I started again.... and again.... and again....

This process changed me and changed my relationship with God’s Word and it will change you too. Maybe you are a person who loves the scheduled readings and that is wonderful. But if, like me, that has been a struggle for you, I am here to tell you that when your motivation changes, you won’t need to check a box or stay on a schedule in order to be fed to overflowing by the truth found in those pages.

So start today, right where you are and just keep going, little by little and watch what happens.

“You’re Glowing”
“You look so rested and peaceful”
“Jonah looks so happy”
“What a wonderful new season you are in”

These are the sweet messages I get these days from well meaning people who look at a photo or a short video and fill in all the blanks with their own positive assumptions.

I am sure that if I shared anything negative I would get the opposite kinds of comments but the truth is somewhere in the middle so I wanted to give you an update.

Jonah isn’t especially happy. But he is no less happy than he was at home with me. He has not yet found contentment in his new home but is adamant that he doesn’t want to return to his old one. The staff is caring for him to the best of their ability but they don’t know Jonah as well as we do so it is just going to take time.

As for me, I am resting, but I am also grieving and lost and frustrated and wrestling every single day to find my own contentment and peace. Some days I catch glimpses of it, but most days it is a constant struggle to trust God in this process. Everything in me wants to take matters into my own hands and fix it.... except that I don’t know how.

This is a place called surrender and it is my daily process of crying and praying and laying it all down before God and it is painful and holy work. Oddly enough, it is the same kind of work that I had to do every single day that Jonah was home and in my care. The circumstances are different but it just comes with a new kind of pain.

So I will keep praying for Jonah and I will keep preaching to myself the truth of God’s goodness, faithfulness and power and remind my soul again and again that I can trust him.

I am hoping that someday soon I will emerge from this dark cloud and present to you some wonderful shift in how I am going to use this platform to bless and encourage you all... but for today I will just have to keep reminding all of us that Jesus walks with us through the dark and if holding on to him in desperation is all you’ve got right now, that’s ok too.

“You’re Glowing”
“You look so rested and peaceful”
“Jonah looks so happy”
“What a wonderful new season you are in”

These are the sweet messages I get these days from well meaning people who look at a photo or a short video and fill in all the blanks with their own positive assumptions.

I am sure that if I shared anything negative I would get the opposite kinds of comments but the truth is somewhere in the middle so I wanted to give you an update.

Jonah isn’t especially happy. But he is no less happy than he was at home with me. He has not yet found contentment in his new home but is adamant that he doesn’t want to return to his old one. The staff is caring for him to the best of their ability but they don’t know Jonah as well as we do so it is just going to take time.

As for me, I am resting, but I am also grieving and lost and frustrated and wrestling every single day to find my own contentment and peace. Some days I catch glimpses of it, but most days it is a constant struggle to trust God in this process. Everything in me wants to take matters into my own hands and fix it.... except that I don’t know how.

This is a place called surrender and it is my daily process of crying and praying and laying it all down before God and it is painful and holy work. Oddly enough, it is the same kind of work that I had to do every single day that Jonah was home and in my care. The circumstances are different but it just comes with a new kind of pain.

So I will keep praying for Jonah and I will keep preaching to myself the truth of God’s goodness, faithfulness and power and remind my soul again and again that I can trust him.

I am hoping that someday soon I will emerge from this dark cloud and present to you some wonderful shift in how I am going to use this platform to bless and encourage you all... but for today I will just have to keep reminding all of us that Jesus walks with us through the dark and if holding on to him in desperation is all you’ve got right now, that’s ok too.

Hey Brave Mama....
One of my favorite Bible Verses says this
“In this world you will have trouble but take courage for I have overcome the world”
~Jesus
John 16:33

As moms, living in a troubled world and caring for someone with profound needs, we have faced our share of trials... and yet through it all we are strengthened by the words of our savior who has overcome it all and is the source of our peace and our courage.

My heart so resonates with this truth that I am excited to share this giveaway and my partnership with Haley over at THE BRAVE MAMA CO!

You see, today is my 55th birthday and @thebravemamaco wants to give one of you a $55.00 gift certificate to help me celebrate. I am adding one of my El Roi necklaces to that package and we will select a winner this Friday (2/7)

To enter, Just be sure you are following both @beauty.in.the.real and @thebravemamaco and leave a comment on this reel letting us know what inspires you to be brave!

In addition to that, You can use my link and the coupon code BEAUTYINTHEREAL whenever you shop Brave Mama for 10% off.

Haley and I also have a fun collaboration coming soon so be sure to be on the lookout for that as well!

Thanks for celebrating with me today sweet sisters... You make me want to be brave!

Hey Brave Mama....
One of my favorite Bible Verses says this
“In this world you will have trouble but take courage for I have overcome the world”
~Jesus
John 16:33

As moms, living in a troubled world and caring for someone with profound needs, we have faced our share of trials... and yet through it all we are strengthened by the words of our savior who has overcome it all and is the source of our peace and our courage.

My heart so resonates with this truth that I am excited to share this giveaway and my partnership with Haley over at THE BRAVE MAMA CO!

You see, today is my 55th birthday and @thebravemamaco wants to give one of you a $55.00 gift certificate to help me celebrate. I am adding one of my El Roi necklaces to that package and we will select a winner this Friday (2/7)

To enter, Just be sure you are following both @beauty.in.the.real and @thebravemamaco and leave a comment on this reel letting us know what inspires you to be brave!

In addition to that, You can use my link and the coupon code BEAUTYINTHEREAL whenever you shop Brave Mama for 10% off.

Haley and I also have a fun collaboration coming soon so be sure to be on the lookout for that as well!

Thanks for celebrating with me today sweet sisters... You make me want to be brave!

Fear and worry is just borrowing tomorrow’s trouble today.

Fear and worry is just borrowing tomorrow’s trouble today.

I was a special needs sister long before I was a special needs mom and it taught me so much about love and worth. My sister Moriah, has CP and intellectual disability. She always has and always will require full time care. But her life and her smile and her love is a valuable gift to the world and to our family. She is an image bearer of her Creator and he has a good purpose for her life.

What you see here is the extent of the depth of our communication but I love her smile and her kisses and I think the way she likes to watch herself on the video screen is so precious.

💛💛💛

I was a special needs sister long before I was a special needs mom and it taught me so much about love and worth. My sister Moriah, has CP and intellectual disability. She always has and always will require full time care. But her life and her smile and her love is a valuable gift to the world and to our family. She is an image bearer of her Creator and he has a good purpose for her life.

What you see here is the extent of the depth of our communication but I love her smile and her kisses and I think the way she likes to watch herself on the video screen is so precious.

💛💛💛

Just a photo dump of all the blurry pictures of beautiful moments that made my heart smile while visiting family in NorCal. 💛😜😍😢😆😩😳😘❤️

Just a photo dump of all the blurry pictures of beautiful moments that made my heart smile while visiting family in NorCal. 💛😜😍😢😆😩😳😘❤️

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