It’s been years in the works, but we finally made it to a concert with Elizabeth. This is especially exciting because for many years we had to be very selective about the activities we would attend. In 2021 we took her to the movies and she surprisingly did great. My husband and I painfully sat through Clifford The Big Red Dog while our daughter enjoyed herself. The rest is history; she will sit through just about any movie now in addition to other noisy activities. Fireworks, baseball games, theatre productions and even concerts are now an option for our family! This might seem small but to us, it’s a huge win.

Last weekend the Wonder & Awe Tour with Mercy Me was in town. We took a step of faith several months ago by purchasing tickets but were very selective with our seat location. There was a set of three seats in the nosebleed section that was perfect for us.  The seats gave us easy access to the exit, away from the crowds avoiding any possible bumps into neighboring spectators. She doesn’t always remember not to swing her arms in public, therefore, making the sacrifice in seat location was well worth it. When the music began, it was evident that she recognized the songs from the radio and apple tv. Her swaying and rocking began and with a smile on her face, we were certain she was enjoying herself.

The part came when they tell you touching stories of children all over the world who need to be sponsored. The man speaking spoke about his own adoption story and the time he visited a little girl in El Salvador waiting to be sponsored so she too could receive a backpack full of essential items. At the end, he extended the opportunity to become a sponsor and said, “raise your hand if you would like to sponsor a child”. Before we knew it, Elizabeth had her hand raised and was receiving a sponsorship packet for a little girl in the Dominican Republic. I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry. My husband and I were so touched that God would use our nonverbal, autistic daughter to step up and say yes. It’s not that we didn’t want to, we were just waiting for an opportunity to discuss it among us. Now posted on our refrigerator is a picture of 9-year-old Abigail who will receive the opportunity to know Jesus along with essential items she needs. I love how God works! His ways are not our ways; His ways are better!