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A New Normal

 

Subject: A New Normal
 
Jennifer Shaw Music April 2009  
 
In This Issue
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We had a life changing moment for our family this month.  Our son, Toby, was officially discharged from services as a special needs child.  It's a bit ironic, because it's Autism Awareness month, and I just had an article about Toby's disorder come out in many publications.  Toby is not autistic, but he has Sensory Processing Disorder which most autistic children have, so they asked me to write the article.  God has done such a miracle in our little boy's life, it's just incredible to see!
Jennifer Shaw
Jennifer Shaw

We knew the meeting was coming.  When your child is diagnosed, they give them an IEP (Individual Education Plan) that sets goals for their progress, and we had meetings every few months to see how he was doing.  Once a year they redo the IEP completely.  Everyone had told us for months that he was doing so well, it was really just a matter of formality that they would complete his testing and discharge him.

And yet, I cried through the entire meeting.  It's so hard to know how to feel.  I am so very happy for him, and for us.  We never thought this day was possible!  To go through area after area with the teachers and therapists saying that he was at or above grade level was just incredible.  How different from his first assessment as a baby when we heard words like gross motor delay, fine motor delay, extreme sensory processing disorder, extreme feeding issues, and hearing impairment.   We've been through years of therapy, several surgeries, tons of testing, but now he's sitting across from me practicing his letters  just because he wants to.  He's going to go to kindergarten next year as just your typical (hilarious, smart, loving, awesome!!) kid.

I cried because I was thinking about all the fear and pain we've been through.  Toby was diagnosed three weeks after my dad died, and I have never been through such a dark place.  I cried thinking that we were losing our safety net.  These therapists and teachers have literally been our lifeline since Toby turned two.  And I cried with such thanksgiving to God, who loves Toby so much, who healed him through these wonderful people, who loves me so much!  How can I ever thank Him for what He's done?

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble"  Psalm 46:1

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with kindness"  Jeremiah 31:3

"We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done"  Psalm 78:4
 
I love telling Toby about God.  His sisters have seen what God has done in Toby's life.  We do not always get the answers we want from God, but that does not change who He is.  He is awesome, He is mighty, He is loving, He is good!  In this case, though, He answered my prayers by giving me more than I could ever ask or imagine.

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."  Ephesians 3:20-21

Soli Deo Gloria!

Jennifer
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Pass it on, get a download, and get in on the ministry!
 
I get so many messages from people all the time asking me when I am going to be in their city for a concert.  But I bet you didn't know that the most important factor in where I go is YOU!!  Over 90% of my ministry events are booked from personal referrals.  People just like you go to their churches and tell them about me or connect me with a ministry event.  YOU are my best booking agent!  In fact, I want to reward YOU for all your continued support of my ministry.  I just finished up a tour of over 60 events, and now I am working on booking my fall through spring schedule for 2010-2011.   If you'll forward this newsletter on to pastors, women's ministry leaders, and/or music directors, I'll send you a free song download.  And if your referral results in a booking, I'll be thrilled to meet you and give you a FREE signed copy of any CD I have! 

So put on your booking agent hat today and:

1)  Forward this email to your pastor, music director, and/or women's ministry director and tell them why you'd like to see me come.  Even better, include a specific event you have in mind!  For ideas, visit my ministries page.  They can also check out my intro video, and website.

2)  Copy me so I know you sent it, and give me your name, the contact's name, the church name and address, and the approximate attendance on a Sunday.  I do events at ALL size churches, but this helps me know how to proceed when I call.  (info@jennifershaw.com)

3)  Let me know which song you want!  You can hears clips of everything in the store.  Or just tell me to pick one.  :)


That's it!  You have a huge part in this ministry, and I thank you so much!  Let's work together to tell more people about the love of God.

Jennifer

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About Jennifer Shaw Music
Singer, songwriter, speaker, and worship leader Jennifer Shaw recently topped the national Christian radio charts with a # 3 hit song "Your Great Name." After being classically-trained as an opera singer at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, Jennifer became a professor of music at Cedarville University before she felt led into her current role as a worship leader at her local church. Her testimony includes tragedy and triumph, being the parent of a special needs child, and losing her father to Lou Gehrig's disease. Her new CD, LOVE BROKE THROUGH, features songs that offer hope in any circumstance and also reflect her recent experiences on the mission field in Africa and the UK.
 
Jennifer Shaw Music
P.O. Box 340773
Columbus, Ohio 43234