RAD week; a free inclusion and faith-based special needs vacation bible school!

Austin Christian Fellowship RAD is hosting RAD week. RAD stands for respite, all abilities, discipleship! They are hosting this free inclusion and faith-based special needs vacation bible school for children with special needs from Monday-Thursday of this week. While the children go and learn about God, be loved on, and have an amazing time with their peers, volunteers, and buddies, their parents are sent on a surprise paid for date night!

Look at God!

The first day I took my daughters to this event I felt an overwhelming peace from God, and felt his presence in the place of the vbs, as well as could sense the pure love and acceptance from others shown to all the precious special needs children and their families. God has his hands and his favor on the program and all in attendance and those who are faithfully serving. 

My sweet daughters walking into RAD week.

After dropping my girls off, I read the card that was given to each parent. Before I drove to pick up my husband, I cried, tears of Joy, and I thanked God for blessing all the special needs families with this priceless experience. RAD's goal for RAD week is to help every child and student that attends know how loved they are and that they are perfectly and wonderfully made! Their parent goal is to provide a time of rest and connection for parents and caregivers. Safety is one of their top goals and to put on a fun and interactive vacation bible school for kids. They are definitely meeting their goals and it is so beautiful to witness and see God work in and through His people to serve the special needs community.

The first evening's date night card with gift card to Jack Allen's kitchen.

My daughters loved the first two days of vbs and can't wait to go back. Even my youngest has been putting her palms together and has been praying for everything. Her sweet 3 year old prayers sound like this 'Thank you Jesus for mommy', 'Thank you for daddy', 'Thank you for sister', 'Thank you for fun'!

Towards the end of the evening during wrap up and pick up, I am able to witness both of my daughters engaging in praise and worship. My oldest does not attend church regularly due to being overwhelmed and having sensory overload. My prayer is that this changes for her soon. Nonetheless, being able to witness both girls in a church setting brings so much joy to my mommy-heart and soul. 

Another person who has been impressed on is my husband, he is currently working out some things with God and is yet to be a believer. I pray for his salvation daily and released him to God. I married a good man and I know that God will allow me to witness and experience my husband as a Godly man, in this lifetime. Being able to have alone time with my husband is priceless and so precious to me, I love Jesse with all of my being and having this time with him has been like heaven on earth. He and I started dating in middle school and have an adventurous lifetime together (I'll share more another time) of experiences and memories. This week feels like we are dating again and I love it! As his wife, I am his helpmate, soul mate, girlfriend, everything! Having the time to have alone quality time and discuss things has really been helpful to put some personal things into perspective. He also mentioned that he and I should support ACF RAD because they really serve the community. And I'm like, yes, yes we should. That opens up the conversation to discuss the reason why this local church and program is serving the special needs community at no cost to the families; God. 

There's still two more days of RAD week vbs for the girls and date night for my husband and I and I'm so grateful and thankful to God, ACF Round Rock RAD, Taylor Orsat, volunteers, and sponsors! Thank you all for serving God and the special needs community. Even if you all did not provide date night, it would still be a blessing, because while you all are serving the children and showing them the love of God, what you are giving the parents and caregivers is priceless. You are graciously giving them Time. Time to have respite (rest or break), time to connect with spouse or other loved ones, or time to do anything!

Thank you so much ACF Round Rock RAD! 

XO,

Minerva

P.S.: This message was written and inspired by Jesus & coffee!

Lampa Latte consumed not too long ago!

The second evening's date night gift. A RAD coffee cup and gift card to Lamppost coffee. 

Colossians 3:17 (NIV) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.