A Surprise

My husband doesn't read this blog so it is safe to say this here.  I am preparing a surprise for him.  Before I tell you what it is let me back up a bit.  Last March we went to Wisconsin with all 4 kids.  It was our first vacation with Anya in tow.  We learned something that week.  Vacation with Anya and Oksana is exhausting.  Honestly, when we came home we had to recover.  We were exhausted.  We haven't gone on vacation since.  Every time we consider it we decide it really isn't worth it because we won't be able to enjoy it.  Oksana was so emotionally unstable last summer that there was no way we could take her anywhere.  We were lucky if she made it to church.  The thing is that my husband loves to get away.  I can see it wearing on him.  I can't tell you how many times we've considered different ideas only to decide it was too expensive or too exhausting. 

Recently on Facebook a friend of mine was raving about her experience at a Joni and Friends family camp.  If you aren't familiar with Joni and Friends, it is the ministry of Joni Eareckson Tada.  They do a number of things related to disability including getting wheelchairs to people in need and helping churches create special needs ministries.  The other thing they do is host family camps throughout the US each summer.  In these camps each family is paired with a one on one helper for each child with special needs.  There are tons of typical camp activities like horseback riding, rock climbing, zip lines, pools, etc.  In the mornings the kids go off to play while the parents get to be fed through worship, speakers, and fellowship with other families on the same path.  In the afternoons there are fun family activities and in the evenings they have bonfires, ice cream socials, etc.  The one on one helper is there for you and even eats meals with you so that there are an extra set of hands to help the kids and the parents can really enjoy their time. 

When I called Larry over to the computer to show him this and tell him about it his eyes lit up.  His first reaction was "SIGN US UP!"  I went to get more information and saw the price.  The light in his eyes went away pretty quickly.  There was no way we could afford that right now.  I assured him that we would save and go for sure next year but I could see he was disappointed. 

I contacted my friend on Facebook and she encouraged me to try to get a scholarship and even put me in touch with someone who works with Joni and Friends.  I contacted the woman and told her our situation.  She encouraged me to sign our family up for camp, apply for the scholarship, and see what God does.  I did just that....with out my husband knowing.  It will not be a full scholarship but I told them what we could pay so we will see how much of the remainder they will help us with.  I found out today that the scholarship applications were submitted and it shouldn't be long before we have an answer.  I will tell Larry when everything is in place.  I can not wait to see his face!  I have told the boys already.  They are very excited and want to be there when I tell their dad :).

Here's the cool thing.  I've told just a couple of friends and family members about this and they know what we have been through in the last 9 months or so.  They know how desperately our family needs a break, needs to have fun, needs to be recharged, and needs to be ministered to.  They have been so supportive, offered to help cover the costs not covered by the scholarship, and one family member even said she would put money away all through the next year so that next year we can go with no worries about the cost.  I feel incredibly blessed by the people who love us and I know Larry will be amazed when he hears this too.

When we have an answer I will share more about it!