Registration for CWI iDream classes starts Monday, May 17! Go to any CWI location, and ask for the Community Education brochure, then look for the iDream classes, or go to the website http://www.cwidaho.cc/community-education/
Community Education has designed classes for the intellectually challenged who want to experience education and learning at the college. Support workers must accompany if assistance is needed during classes and while on-campus.
Please spread the word if you know of anyone who would be interested in attending!
Just a quick reminder that Search-Finders of Idaho meets tonight. This is a search and support group for all adoption triad members – adult adoptees, birth families, and adoptive family members are always welcome! We love it when you are there to support us!
The group meets at the Booth Children’s Home on Warm Springs av in Boise at 7:00 pm the second Thursday of every month.
My mom at Race for the Cure
Double the blessings – that is what it means to me to have two mothers. Being adopted at birth, and then reunited with my birth mother 20 years ago means that I have had two mothers and two families. Some people might consider this a curse, but to me, it is a blessing.
God knew what He was doing when He put me in the Gaver family. Despite some pretty treacherous teenage years, my mom never gave up on me. My mother continues to bless me today. Not only has she always supported my kids and I in school, and extra curricular activities, she is my biggest supporter in my personal life. She encourages me in my business ventures, giving me much needed advice and is always there if I just need someone to listen. My mom always has a positive attitude. Over the last few years, she has been plagued with health issues including two different cancers, but she keeps on going. She has not quit playing bridge, or going out with friends or traveling around the world! She enriches our lives by taking us to cultural events around town and telling us about the things she has learned at BSU lectures. This morning, she attended the Race for the Cure, walking 1 mile as a survivor of Breast Cancer, then she went with us to see Hello Dolly, an event in Boise Music Week, out to dinner, then to a comedy fundraiser for our group the Treasure Valley Down Syndrome Association. My mom is amazing!
God also knew that I needed to know my birth mother and her family. Those treacherous teenage years were the height of identity issues. Struggling to figure out who I was, I searched for and found her at age 25. Knowing my birth family was like being able to look in a mirror. It took many years before I had much of a relationship with any of them, but I got to know myself better. I like to think that I shared many things in common with my birth mother. She was a strong and determined, yet private woman. We lost my birth mother last year, but since then, I have met even more of my birth family and our relationships continue to grow. Learning about my heritage and my family has been a blast.
I celebrate my mothers on Mother’s Day. One, I treasure here with me for as long as I have her and one, I keep in my heart.
It’s almost here! This is the iDream program that I have been working on for students with intellectual disabilities. Please pass the word so that this first session will be a success!
Thanks, Joyce
iDREAM
Nampa Campus (*NAM)
Intellectual ~ Disabilities ~ Reaching ~ Educating ~ Achieving More
Welcome to iDream
Community Education has designed classes for intellectually challenged individuals who would like to experience education and learning at CWI. Support workers are not available and assistance must be provided during time on campus. Please participate in any or all classes and thanks for joining us!
(Class Enrollment Limited to 20 students)
Reading for Fun and Learning
Explore plot, setting, characters, and themes by using familiar and not so familiar stories along with many fun activities with teacher, Lesley McCandless.
T. & Th. 6/1-6/24 2:00p-2:50p $59
Countries Around the World
Learn world history from teacher, Lesley McCandless, by discussing and viewing movie clips from different countries.
T. & Th. 6/1-6/24 3:00p-3:50p $59
Beginning Spanish for You
Join Spanish teacher Lesley McCandless as she offers basic vocabulary and word phrases in an interactive and easy pace using engaging activities and songs.
T. & Th. 6/1-6/24 4:00p-4:50p $59
Awesome American Sign Language (ASL)
Michael Ames teaches the beautiful visual language of signing by using fingers to spell and to make numerals and symbols.
M. & W. 6/7-6/30 2:00p-2:50p $59
Art Art and More Art You will love your class with Kurt Scheffler. Don’t miss this interactive creative, fun, learning experience. M. & W. 6/7-6/30 3:00p-3:50p $59
Cool Drama Participate in imaginative acting focusing on natural creative play with teacher Jef Petersen. Wear comfortable clothing. M. & W. 6/2-6/30 4:00p-4:50p $59
The WRAP will be sent out in the Idaho Press Tribune on the 16th and registration is scheduled to begin on the 17th. Stop in at any CWI location.
For more information, contact IDthinkcollege@gmail.com
Homeschooling, the ever changing, ever growing phenomenon in our house… We have had more “New Pages” in our homeschool than probably anything else. I think it drove some of my kids nuts. But, in my defense, I am always looking for a better way – right moms?
My daughter is the last “home schooler” in my house. I’ve survived graduating 4 home schoolers so far. One actually graduated college and is a contributing member of the community, one is still in college and will contribute greatly as a newly commissioned officer (ROTC scholarship) when he graduates next year, one went home to be with Jesus last year (really the best graduation gift he could get), and one is at College of Western Idaho in our new iDream program for kids with intellectual disabilities. Despite curriculum changes over the years, they turned out ok. My 16 year old is well on her way to success despite another change in her curriculum.
After her brother died, the house was tooooo quiet to stay home alone and home school, so we placed her at Covenant Academy, a wonderful small school which caters to home schoolers. There are full-time and part-time kids there. The academics is as rigorous as they come and the teachers are phenomenal! With almost no help from me, my daughter, who has always struggled with school, has gotten A’s and B’s in classes like logic and government. She even succeeded in math this year with an A! Playing sports for CA complicated her schedule, but was another amazing time of growth for her. It has been a confidence building year. Her character was built right along with her math skills! The teachers and coaches at Covenant Academy have done a wonderful job.
So why change again? I think the bottom line would be, we miss each other. She has been so faithful to do homework every night to keep up with her classes that we never see her. This struggling student committed herself to working hard and proved to herself that she could do it, and it cost her. Her response to most invitations is sorry, I have homework. Some people might think that this was so good for her, that she should continue… but why?
Education is important, but relationships are too. Relationships are the reason she went to school in the first place, and she has made some wonderful friends! School has become her second family and hopefully, will continue to be. Next year, we will continue at Covenant Academy part time in Math and Science, her weak areas. For my daughter, who is quite gifted in language, we may move on to some duel enrolled classes at College of Western Idaho where she can get a head start on college credits. We will do what home schooling is good at doing, develop her strengths. One of her strengths is relationships which she is excited to continue developing.
So, thank you Covenant Academy for the wonderful blessing you have been in my daughter’s life this year. We look forward to continuing this relationship, just not always related to school! We are ready for an exciting summer, and looking forward to the “Next Page” of home schooling!
Covenant Academy, located in Meridian at West Side Bible Church is hosting their annual Open House this Thursday night at 7. For more information, go to www.covenantacademy.com
Donnalee and Ron's Wedding Day at Hope House Chapel
I went to an amazing wedding last weekend. It was unconventional, non-traditional, but full of meaning that you don’t usually find at a wedding. In the Hope House Chapel in Marsing, its founder, Donnalee and another employee Ron, were married.
Donnalee, an abuse victim herself, set out to make a home where children like herself would be loved and cared for. Since 1973, she has adopted multiple children herself, as well as making Hope House “a place to come home to” for approximately 48 children. Without government aide, run solely on donations, she has done it as a single woman determined to stop the abuse in her own life as well as those around her.
The wedding was a testimony of a life that has changed. Building Hope House depending on God alone, Donnalee has shown strength and perseverance like no other, however, sometimes strength needs humility that comes from allowing others in our lives. Allowing Ron to partner in her endeavor at Hope House is an exciting new step for Donnalee.
Hope House is a haven for children from failed adoptions, or difficult family situations. They provide a family atmosphere in an institutional setting. Many of the kids that come to Hope House continue to live there until they are 18 and beyond. Hope House, just like a family, tries to meet their needs until they are ready to be independent, not only until they are 18.
Donnalee is a testimony of a life that God has changed and then been able to use. I heard one time that God takes our messed up lives, like garbage and recycles them into something He can use. Donnalee has certainly been that person. Ron, who I believe is also a recycled life, saw these amazing characteristics in his bride and fell in love. Now, the family at Hope House is complete. We are excited to see what God will do with it now.
If you are interested in knowing more about Hope House, visit their website at Hope House.
My kids - God's family is eternal, Adoption is permanent, Foster is not.
Adoption, it is supposed to be permanent, but then again, so is marriage. They call them “failed adoptions” where a parent did not get what they bargained for and a child is rejected by a supposed parent again, sometimes multiple parents.
I was adopted as an infant and I know I have had my share of loss and identity issues. I also know that my parents had lots of nights where they felt like they “failed”, but despite how they felt, they knew my adoption was permanent – they were stuck with me. We, adopted children, have some issues. Older adopted children tend to have more issues. Adopted children who have been neglected or abused, have even more issues. If a person is going to adopt, they should know what they are getting into. There will be loss and identity issues which have the potential of being huge.
The recent tragic news story of the 7 year old Russian boy sent back to Russia with a note of rejection from his adoptive mother breaks our hearts, but so do the stories the kids can tell you at Hope House in Marsing, a residential placement for kids who have failed adoptions, sometimes, multiple failed adoptions.
As the number of adoptable infants has gone down significantly over the last 30 – 40 years, the number of foreign adoptions have risen. Infertile couples longing to parent a child are seeking children from overseas instead of from our own population of needy children. Unfortunately, these parents seem to think that a foreign born child will not be as “hard to raise” as an American child in the foster care system. Is this a case of ignorance is bliss? These parents can not see the trauma and developmental delays these children have due to their situation in a foreign country. They somehow believe that It can’t be as bad as what we see here in the foster care system. Is this a case of arrogance? Moving these children to America, land of apple pie and baseball, will make it all better.
I saw this on facebook this morning, “We have children going to bed without eating…..Elderly going without needed medicines……Mentally ill without treatment…..Troops without proper equipment…..Yet we donate millions to other countries before we help our own first…” How many foster kids would we have in the system if we were adopting them instead of foreign children.
I am grateful that my parents understood that adoption was permanent and they did not give up on me. The hospital where I was born had baby advertisements that referred to us as preferred stock, brighter than the average child for adoption. When parents are told that one child will be “better” than another based on either heredity or circumstances, they better think twice. When adopting a child, the parents must have the commitment to parent the child despite the problems that will come with it. The best example we have is God, who knowing us before the foundation of the world, and knowing all the issues we will have, adopts us as sons and daughters. What a great love He has for His children. This is the wonder of salvation. Human adopting parents must have an understanding of potential problems, and a love that is willing to overcome them. James 1:27 tells us “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble,” Sometimes, it is only by God’s grace and power that this can be accomplished. Adoption is not for those who are trying to find a child that will fill their emptiness in their own heart, but for those who are ready to fill the emptiness in the child’s heart, permanently.
In the “Next Page” of my life, I find myself working long days . After a week like this one, I am tired, but it is a good tired. It is a tired that comes from doing what I love and what I am called to do.
Over the weekend, I attended 25th Annual Rocky Mountain Biblical Worldview Conference where Dr. Christian Overman was speaking about The Art of God-Centered Work. Most of us immediately think that the only work that is truly God-Centered is being “in the ministry” as a pastor or missionary. Dr. Overman was discussing how we should treat everything in our lives as spiritual instead of separating God from the “secular” world. This kind of thinking is why some people are religious on Sunday, but during the week, they act just like everyone else. In the Acts of the Apostles 17:14, Paul, speaking to the Greeks, said this about God: 24 “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.” He is everywhere, not just in church, or on a mission field.
This was an encouraging message to me for many reasons. I do not work in a church, or on a mission field, but I do feel that I am called to work in the field of adults with disabilities, and in the field of adoption, and maybe soon, in the field of business in Texas. These are not very spiritual activities. God has given me the gift of managing people and getting things done. Being involved in organizations where I am allowed to use this gift gives me great pleasure and is a testimony of my great God who gives me my strengths and talents. I am exited to walk through the doors that God has opened for me. Learning about the Art of God-Centered Work encouraged me to keep on keepin’ on!
So after a not so restful Sunday, I am grateful for the time to sit and reflect in my hot tub tonight. I am tired, but my sleep will be sweet tonight knowing that I am doing what God has called me to do – and enjoying every minute in my “Next Page” of life.
If you are looking for something to do today, Saturday April 10, there are two great events going on in Meridian that most people don’t know about.
Dr. Christian Overman, founder of Worldview Matters and author of several books is speaking at the Westside Bible Church at 2040 E Meridian from 9-4. He is not really a preacher, but a philosopher. We were introduced to him by a book given to us many years ago called Assumptions that Effect our Lives. The topic today is The Art of God-Centered Work. He talks about how we separate our religion from the rest of our lives because of our world view that tends to be mainly Greek thinking. It is very interesting. Walk ins are welcome, and there is a children’s program.
The other event is Special Olympics Project Unify Youth Games, an introduction to Special Olympics through sports and fun! Open to all youth ages 5-21 who attend school or receive related services. There will be sports clinics, medfest medical screening, and a parents pavilion where you will find a booth for the Treasure Valley Down Syndrome Association. T-shirts and lunch is provided! It will be from 930-3 at Meridian High School.
My daughter, Abby and I will be enjoying the Biblical Worldview Conference, and my daughter Becky will be at another Special Olympics Event in Weiser. I hope you get out and enjoy one of our great Treasure Valley Activities today!
My cousin and I
As I have said before, in the world of adoption, we are lacking words to describe what happens in the lives of adoption triad members. I have been in this business for 22 years, but I feel like it is all new again. Having known my birth family and birth mother since I was 23, almost half my life, I would not expect myself to have these feelings.
When my birth mother died, and I went to attend her funeral and help with her estate, I cried every day. If you know me, I am not too emotional and crying is not something I do often. I never could have guessed that experience would be so painful. She died unexpectedly, I was patiently waiting for our relationship to grow, and I regret not having more time with her. I rest assured that I did all I could do, but I would have liked more and it was not to be.
With her passing, there has been more contact with her family. Unlike many adoptees who find, I did not have any siblings. (Often times those relationships turn out to be stronger than the parent child relationships.) Relationships with her family have also been slow to grow, but much to my surprise, we seem to have had a growth spurt since she died. I am thrilled to have met several cousins on this last trip. On my first day home, feeling rather lonely, I was pleased to hear from three people from Texas! As I took early morning walks on the ranch, I found myself crying again, but this time it was from overwhelming joy. For 21 years, I have dreamed of being a part of this family, and there I was enjoying their fellowship. I am saddened that my birth mother is not a part of it, but I am so thankful that I am. My uncle blessed me when he said, God closed the door on you years ago, but He has opened it up again – welcome back to the family. Yes, God can give us the desires of our hearts in His time and His way. I look forward to participating in this family instead of just watching it from afar.
Reunions in the adoption triad have an 80% success rate. At Search-Finders of Idaho, we have always joked that the leadership’s reunions fit in the 20%, but this month, I will be reporting back to the group about a change in the success of my search, after 22 years. God certainly has done it again. He takes the garbage in my life, and recycles it into something new. Sometimes, it just takes a while.
