God's Plan

I haven't posted in our blog at any time during the pandemic. To tell you the truth Greg and I had our hands full with Ben. Ben's whole world changed during the lockdown. Our schedule to sing for 2020 and 2021 was very busy and we were traveling more than we ever had and sweet Ben was loving it! We had just come off of singing on a cruise and singing a weekend in Florida and had sang at a local church here in North Carolina and then it happened. Things began to shut down and our bookings began to cancel. Ben's school shut down, the gym he went to 3 times weekly shut down and his world changed as he knew it. There were days when he would just sit and cry as I tried to explain the craziness that I didn't even understand! We took one day at a time and did the best we could with his mood swings and meltdowns. Those of you who deal daily with a child with Autism knows exactly what I am talking about. We started doing some Facebook live video concerts and that helped. We kept doing our 2 live radio programs and started doing 2 taped radio programs per week and that helped also. As time went on Ben got use to the new schedule and the new normal and things became ok. Just remember when life throws you a curve most of the time we learn to deal with it and we can adjust quickly but for adults and kids with Autism that is NOT the case. We have loved having Ben home with us all day every day and have encouraged Ben to paint more, get outside more, practice his music more and do more on our radio programs. God blessed us to be able to record a new Christmas project and also a new project entitled "He Is Able". We also filmed a video for "Ben's Song" during this time and that kept Ben very busy practicing and learning new music. God supplied all our needs even though we were not able to travel and do what we love! Bens Autism keeps him from adjusting to change well, but it is not keeping him from learning and accepting that things can't always be the same. Life has a way of throwing us curves and all of us have to learn the new normal and adjust. We are beginning to travel again and share Ben's story and our testimonies and God is opening SO many new doors. As a Mama it is so good to know that YES my sweet boy can adjust to new and different things. Thank you Lord for helping us and showing us ways to help Ben adjust and thank you for 2 years of slowing us down and giving us time to reflect and smell the roses. We never dreamed that there would be a full 2 years of this but God has been with us every step of the way and has showed us how to help Ben through it! We are trusting you Lord to guide our path and when those obstacles are thrown in the way please remind us that you are always there to help us if we will only ask.

Wow what a morning! I know most Moms that have children have a tough time when the power goes out in the morning and you are trying to get your child ready for school. Well at the Journey house any time the power goes out it is NOT a good thing because you see it tears Ben's world apart and makes him beyond upset. Praise the Lord this morning I had woke up a little earlier than usual and already had his breakfast made , just got his place set and he was ready to eat. Then that dreaded moment happened ..... all the lights went out and Ben starts having a melt down. We try to talk him through it and let him know everything will be OK and keep him, on as regular a schedule as we can and we pray A LOT! Praise the Lord this morning it was only out for an hour and we finally got ready and made it to school. I thank the Lord for giving us the patience that we need in times like this and believe me when I say if it were not for my Lord I could not and would not want to make it. I pray this post will help another parent who has been there and knows what I am venting about. It is a very different world that we who have children with Autism live. God Bless you all! I want to leave you with this scripture today. Isaiah 40:31-But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength ;They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint. So if you are having a tough day today hold on to His promise! LOOK UP!