Playdate

I just wanted to spread the word about something I'm getting going at our church.

Saturday, March 27 at 10am will be the first (hopefully of many!) Grace Chapel playgroup for little ones with special needs!

The "After the Rainbow" group and other DS groups that I've been a part of have been completely invaluable to me. I seriously don't know what I would do without them. These people have been a wealth of information, encouragement exactly when I needed it and a sounding board when I feel like I can't even keep my head above water. I've made lifelong friends in these groups and they are priceless treasures.

But I keep thinking time and again... I'd love to connect this way with people in my own church. And there's no sense waiting for something to happen when you could start it yourself. :) So my hope is that parents of special kids in our church would be able to connect and find support in their own body of believers. I know so many parents in our church but continue to find that they don't know one another! Hopefully we can come together, build some friendships, have some coffee all while our little ones play and get to know one another as well.

My short term goals: Have this one play date and see how it goes. I want to discuss with other parents- what are some ways we can better connect with one another (ex. this playgroup, when where and how often; or other ideas), I'd like to see us be a resource for one another (knowledge of doctors, therapists, books, etc.), a prayer support for one another, and lastly- to address how our church can better facilitate our special kids on Sundays... as well as our special little visitors!

Long term goals: I'd love to see this eventually reach out into our community as well. Who knows who all we could bless AND what all the Lord could do with our amazing kids!

Lofty goals? Maybe. But why not dream big? I could go back to just having my little internet/phone/email circles but there are amazing little cuties walking through the doors of my church every week and I know their parents must long to reach out for support the way I do.