Learning something new.

Last month I started taking an introductory ASL (American Sign Language) course with a family friend.
I thought I'd enjoy it and knew I would benefit from it. I recently started taking steps to land a job working exclusively within the special needs community, so I thought learning some sign language would be a huge asset.
I didn't know I was about to fall in love. . .

Since I have started my class. . . I've watched numerous ASL lesson videos online, practiced and studied (almost) nightly, and I have read articles and books on Deaf culture. Basically, I've just been learning as much as I can with the resources that I've been given and the things I've found myself.

IT HAS BEEN SO LONG SINCE I HAVE ENJOYED SOMETHING THIS MUCH.

I just spent my most of my evening learning new signs and practicing some I've already known. I sent a video to a friend of mine, just showing off some of my new signs. My friend immediately commented on how genuinely happy I looked signing. Just hearing that made me smile, I know I have so much more to learn. . . Nevertheless I am so thankful that I've had  the opportunity to learn something so beautiful and interesting.


***Here are some sweet kiddos that are deaf or hard of hearing that need families. ***
These children will not reach their full potential in institutions, they would THRIVE in a family.
The first child on my list is "Lanie", she's the child I will be raising money for during Angel Tree. . . I love her so.

http://reecesrainbow.org/36282/lanie-l

http://reecesrainbow.org/50131/penelope

                                       

http://reecesrainbow.org/66356/syler

http://reecesrainbow.org/53317/richard

http://reecesrainbow.org/64568/antonio

                                         

http://reecesrainbow.org/1078/b657

                                        

http://reecesrainbow.org/1124/andruisl

                                           

Treasure.

The past few days I was at a conference full of strangers. When lunch time would roll around I would find a stranger to sit next to and start a conversation.

Seated all alone at a table not so far from me I see a small and stern-looking woman with round glasses. I pray silently and sit down next to her. We talk about our cities, passions, and she tells me all about her publishing company. Then we start to talk family, I tell her all about my niece and nephew that recently came home from Eastern Europe. I show her pictures and the minute she sees Sam, she points to my phone's screen and tears fill her eyes.

The she tells me about her sister, Kelly. Kelly had multiple special needs and was taken care of primarily by family until she passed away in her early twenties. She told me that Kelly was her family's greatest treasure, she was almost always smiling. She later told me how her mom fought so that her sister had the best education and doctors. How their lives were so much better with Kelly in them, how it's been over twenty years but her heart still aches for her sister. One thing that my new friend said more than once was how grateful she was that her mother insisted that her and her sister had the same experiences. Sunshine, sledding, trips to the big city. Kelly lived! These precious ones below deserve the same. . . they wait to be chosen and loved. They desperately need families.

http://reecesrainbow.org/53284/mildred

http://reecesrainbow.org/40592/kanani

http://reecesrainbow.org/57996/kraig-29-10