Awana and Triston

Remember that SAD post about Triston and I spending our first evening w Awana? Well, things flipped flopped fantastically since that evening. During a break between hospital stays in April Awan held their closing ceremony. The kids were to receive awards and join in a party for all their hard work. Upon dropping off T at the front desk I was confronted by one of the leaders. She, with tear-filled eyes, thanked me for the note I wrote to them weeks prior. She was touched by our story and most importantly how I felt about the organization.
I HAD to write something to these people. I not only saw a positive change in T but this place is outstanding. And if you recall, his path of religion via school and Awana have guided me as well. As I have found myself saying in recent weeks-my religious path is that of a preschooler's mind and I am ok w that. You gotta start at the beginning sometimes. And considering the place I am in right now I need this type of simple innocence when it comes to God and how I tackle my beliefs, disbeliefs and many questions. And the other reason-Grayson's journey has taught me something else-to say what is on my mind. Share the good that people do. Don't we all love to hear our actions mean something to others? That we are doing something right, no matter how little it may seem to ourselves? I needed to let them know they had a good thing going. In my note I mentioned a sentence or two about G and why T needed something for himself and Awana did this for him, for us. I also mentioned what an emotionally difficult evening the first night was for he and I and how we decided to give it one more shot. She assured me that it was moments like these that reminded them of WHY they do what they do for these kids. By the end we were both crying and hugging. She then added that she hoped I didnt mind that they put a clip of the note in the slide show that would be presented during the assembly. Whoah, thanks for the heads up. I got a double heads up moments later when Najette texted me to make sure I had kleenux bc T was in several shots. Umm, all of a sudden this event that was feeling like I HAD to attend so T would not feel left out (in the midst of returning from the hospital days before) was getting very overwhelming!

I approached the church where the event was to be held. Found my friends. And what a relieving feeling that was. The old and new friends that nudged us to join this program-Najette, Alysa and Catherine. It felt good to be included in something, a group, friends, people I can count on. We settled in for the slideshow accompanied by heartfelt music. I could not stop the tears AND the proud mommy feelings. I had friends next to me to place thier hands on my shoulder, squeeze my hand or just wink.

A pic from the slide show-eating ice cream from the ginormous ice cream sundae. There was this fantastic pic of the camera running the length of the sundae and then immediately after the faces and tongues lined up in front of it-hilarious!

his pal Jackson

popsicle party

Peeking into the audience.
On stage singing some great songs.

And can I tell you how proud I was of T!! It was not until I remembered it was an award ceremony that I realized T would not be getting one (although I do think kids should get one for attendance-even if it is those cheapsie cookie cutter paper awards that way no on feels left out bc I did notice T was not the only one receiving anything that night). We only started the program in February or March and there was no way he was to complete his book in time. I got nauseous thinking of how he may react when it clicked in his head, too. But then I saw his face on stage. HE WAS simply thrilled to be up there singing. A part of a group. Feeling included in something that was all his own. And as names were called to accept awards his face never flinched toward worry or sadness. He was just my T. Amazing.

And even more exciting...as each age group went up there to do there thang I could sense the excitement and interest in his body language as I watched the back of his head/body from my seat. And following the ceremony he shared w me that he cant wait to be a TNT ( I think that is what they are called seeing as it is mos after that I am writing this). It was the teen group. It seemed to me they eventually become junior leaders themselves or run camps or lead awesome missionary lives. Whatever they become-God is there center and that was obvious in their performance. Why wouldn't he want to be like them someday?! THEY ROCKED OUT! They had instruments, guitars and were all around cool dudes (and ladies). It was a great performance. And as a side note-God-like music can really rock (another religious aspect I am figuring out). Triston was impressed and so was I. He had a vision of what Awana could be like down the road. And regardless of what becomes of Awana in our lives down the family road it still left an impact on him, in such a short few weeks he affected and I loved that feeling. We are signing up for their VBS this summer (vacation bible school-it's like religious summer camp) and Awana (its like religious boys scouts) in the fall. This time he will begin it when everyone else does and not get that sense he missed out on things. He is looking forward to it and so am I! Shhhh , it serves as mommy CCD on the side!