I want so many people to be blessed by this book. And I’m asking you to help me and perhaps win 2 books. Here’s how:

1. Please take a moment to think about who should have a copy of this book: Sunday school class? Grandparent of your own child? A friend preparing to be a physical or occupational therapist? Your doctor? A neighbor child?

2. Then, via the comments below (no emails) complete this thought: If I had 2 copies of Just the Way I Am, by Krista Horning, I would give one to ______.

3. Please enter this contest only once and only if you promise to give away one of the 2 books you’d receive as a winner.

4. Post your comment by the deadline of Friday, 4/30, midnight.

Mostly I’ll be choosing randomly from amongst all the comments, but if any of them catches my attention particularly, that one might automatically become a “random” choice.

Each winner will get 2 copies of Krista’s book–one to keep and one to give.

Krista and her family serving at
Joni and Friends Family Retreat last summer

Today is his son’s birthday–a good day to tell you to go see his other blog–Wrestling with an Angel– where he writes stories and insights from his life with a son who has multiple disabilities.

. . . just as we were about to give up, we found someone who could help. He picked us up off the floor of our hopelessness, held us up with His strong arms, wiped away our tears with His gentle hands, and healed your seizures with His mighty power. He changed our lives forever. His name is Jesus, and you know Him well—for it was you that introduced us to Him.

From that point on, everywhere I went I told people your story, which has become my story, which is still today God’s story. He turned your tragic disability into a wonderful ability to impact lives and spread His fame. I am still amazed at your one simple life, so well lived in His amazing grace, with such a display of His fantastic glory. You were (and still are) an All Star on His team.

Be sure to read  all of his birthday letter to his son.

That was an appetizer for this fascinating presentation. This one is over an hour and packed with information for parents, teachers, and anyone who cares about a person or family affected by autism. I think you’ll want to have your pencil and paper handy.

I haven’t read or used yet most of the resources that Dr. Grandin mentions in this video. But I’m posting below links to those resources to make it easy for us to follow up on what she says.

ABA – Applied Behavioral Analysis

1-800-3-AUTISM

Autism Asperger Publishing Co.

Future Horizons, Inc.

Autism Collaboration

I receive a small percentage for purchases made through the
Amazon links which are included  here for your convenience.

Today, his father writes of even deeper, broader blessing that God gives through Paul and others we might think of as disabled:

My boy is not a baby or an infant – he’s almost 15 years old.  But he has been graced with both innocence and confidence.  When he sings, he sings without fear or any thought to what other people may think.  He sings at school and he sings on the bus and he sings in stores and he sings at home.  He proclaims, frequently, who God is.

Can you imagine what that does to the evil one when my boy, and all the other girls and boys like Paul, sing?  How many unclean spirits have our children with significant cognitive disabilities silenced by their innocent praises?  How often have we been spiritually protected through those in our care?  How frequently has God smiled at the God-centeredness of those the world considers expendable?

He has been brought into that reality by pondering Psalm 8:2:

Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.

I hope you’ll read all Paul’s father had to say about the power his son has from God.