And there comes along a new breeze….warm and welcome. Never realizing how much it was needed. Blessings that you didn’t know to ask for. But God knew. He knows exactly what you need and when you need it.

This was most certainly one of our ‘trying’ years. For so long we have dealt with Ethan’s Autism in a manner that equates to fighting a fire. All of the work…the hours…the days….the YEARS. With each passing year we are amazed as Ethan SHREDS all of the “he’ll nevers.” He cruised along very well this year. School was wonderful as he had yet another Amazing and gifted Teacher. Thank you God and Thank YOU Mrs. Maynard. Quite the Blessing to our Family 🙂
We had so many Wonderful people working with Ethan and acting as his Advocate. Ethan has a Team that God has Blessed with Knowledge and Patience. They are Precious to us. And Mrs. Carol – we ABSOLUTELY could not do it without her.

The trying part of the year happened to me. I got the opportunity to be around Wonderful and Amazing people. Unfortunately I also had to be around people I would never choose to have in my life. People who wore masks. However, I think that everything happens for a reason. Maybe I needed to be a little more grateful for the Fabulous people in our lives. We have been so Blessed that maybe I got use to it?

I don’t know but I do know this…. I have spent the past couple of months getting the TOXINS out of my life. I began with the Negative people….GONE! Then I started with my health. I stopped putting toxins in my body. I started a program by a company named Omnitrition. I lost 22 pounds in 45 days! I started eating clean – bye bye processed, nasty food. I cold turkey quit my diet Mt. Dew addiction. I started taking vitamins and supplements. I FEEL GREAT! I look SOOO much better….Healthy!!! Then it morphed into a business for me. I signed up as a Distributor for a discount. A couple of months later and I am now a Supervisor! What??!! Now not only do I feel great, I am helping my friends feel and look great too! Blessings!!!

I also was Blessed this Summer with a new WONDERFUL friend! I have known her for a while but finally gave myself the time to really get to know her. We have had so much fun this Summer. Lots of laughs – Sun & Fun! It is like having one of my Sisters here. An easy friendship. A Blessing I needed SO much after dealing with the ‘nasties.’

So what is the lesson I have learned this year? That I have to take care of ALL of us. Not just Ethan or Ansley, but myself too. My health, my heart, my needs. Put the air mask on myself first, right? I will not let Toxins back into my life. I fight to keep them out of Ethan’s life. I FIGHT for his quality of life. I WILL fight for mine. Autism does not only take control of the child. It takes control of everyone in the family. That is, it does in the beginning. You can get use to feeling defeated. You fight for the child while forgetting that YOU need to live too.

Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, …”

I believe that Autism is not the will of God but the work of the Enemy. Autism defeats many families. It crushes them. God has seen fit to not let it crush us. He has a plan with Ethan. If I let the pain and the fight of being an Autism Mom crush me, I am working against God’s will…Right? I HAVE to dust off the nasty things in life and put on the armor of God. I have regained my health. I will let my Precious Friends in. I will embrace their kindness and see it as plates in my armor. I will be mindful of the Enemy and how he tries to slip in. I will crush his head.

Oh – and Ethan… He is happy. Simple word but fitting. Happy. He is now 9 1/2 years old. We have once again reduced his anxiety medicine. His personality is coming out even more. He cracks me up. He has a quick wit and a contagious laugh. I look at him in amazement. How did I get so lucky to get him? Tough times come, but they quickly go. God has got us, in the palm of his hand. We will keep splashing in the pool of life. Soaking in the warmth of our SON. 🙂 Thanking God all the way – for the Blessings and the Lessons.

Please keep us in your prayers. You are in ours 🙂

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Want to know more about Omnitrition? www.Omnitrition.com/LisaLeighC or email me at LisaLeighC@gmail.com