Bushnell Family Update Spring/Summer 2007

The Bushnell family

L-R back: Jacob, Sheraya, Zach, Josh, Zeph

L-R middle: Mercy Grace, Jordan

L-R front: Linny, Sherry, ShaHannah, Tom and Jayben

We are sitting here smiling, thanking our Heavenly Father. Besides barely squeaking by to get the $13,000 needed for this magazine…(the Lord is never late, but seldom early), we have needed extra funds for some special projects we have taken on this summer. Thanks to the Neal Family Foundation and others contributing generously this quarter, you are reading this magazine.

It is a great issue and I am so glad that we can spend a few minutes together here.  Pull up a chair and a glass of ice tea and get ready for some interesting insights on raising children with special needs, saving babies from an early death and coping with life on a unique level.

First a little about our family.  The brief run-down…

Jake, 23, is still working in information technology, networking solutions and occasional computer repair.

Josh, 21, is building portable sheds this summer with a friend, James Byler. 

Jordan is 19.  His Down syndrome is just part of who he is.  We love to have him be a part, as he wants to participate.  He loves to go camping and to church.  He plays his guitar, along with his CD’s (mostly kid’s worship songs). Actually he is fairly good at the piano and can play relaxing chords???...or what ever they are called.  He is a good imitator.

Sheela, 18, totally blind and mildly mentally disabled, is still at Faith Mission Home in Free Union, VA.  She is happy and getting along really well.  She has acquired many special friendships she will never forget.

Zack, 15, is working full time for a friend building metal pole buildings. His big interest right now is fresh water fishing.  He bought a row boat, installed bass seats and loves to figure out how to catch trout (mom’s favorite), and would love to hook the elusive

tiger musky!

              Lynny, 15, with autism and cerebral palsy, is loving summer now that it is finally here. We took her camping with us to Winchester lake.  Using the porta potty was a little rough on someone who only has use of her right hand, and no legs.  Still, she kept a good attitude and had a great time.

              Zeph, 13, is the main helper doing most of the maintenance, mowing and tending to the needs of our household and vehicles.  He and Zack built a go-cart that goes really fast. As it zooms around the house, up and down the driveway and around the fields, they have big smiles on their helmeted faces (covered with muck and grease from head to toe).

Sheraya is 11 and is a big help with little ShaHannah.  She is navigating through 7th grade work and would prefer to read, sew and swim this summer. 

Mercy is 9, and as with all my girls, decorating is a favorite pastime.  Bouquets from the field or flower beds,  our table is never without some form of fancy.  I bought doilies, candles, material, ribbon, and silk center pieces, filling a cupboard with stuff to stir their creative juices.

Jayben is almost 6.  He loves to fish with the boys (he caught 4 sun fish on our trip).  He loves story time and will do just about anything to get to snuggle with mom or dad in the evening.

ShaHannah is almost 3.  Helping in the kitchen has got to rank #1 on her list.  As soon as mommy is getting food together, swoosh comes the chair from across the kitchen, pushed up to the counter. Her little eyes sparkle, and eager helping hands (sampling tongue, too!) make cooking take twice as long and twice as fun. “Sorry about those shells in there daddy.. .” “Hey mom, what’s wrong with these muffins?”

 May your summer be full of wonderful memories and may you move gracefully into another school year..

              We are praying for you and would appreciate your prayers,