VL-Issue 44- July 22

More documents

Recommendations

Info

SURRENDER THE WAY YOU THOUGHT LIFE SHOULD LOOK. GIVE IT TO THE LORD. BOBBIE: It was a relief to finally have an answer, but it brought with it a host of new questions. What would Samuel’s future look like? Would he ever be able to communicate with us? Would he be able to had lifted. My perspective pivoted, and I attend school one day? could finally see our situation differently. We quickly learned that every case of I understood that, just because life had autism is unique. We often tell people now, taken an unexpected and challenging “If you’ve met someone with autism, you’ve turn, that didn’t mean God had left us. He met one person with autism.” Autism hadn’t messed up either, and He certainly comes in so many forms, and we had no wasn’t trying to punish us or teach us a way of knowing where Samuel would fall lesson. God was inviting us to join Him on on the spectrum. a life-changing journey. Kyle and I grew tired of fighting for answers no one could give us, so we focused As these things dawned on us, Bobbie and I realized we needed to rise out of our on the one question we could answer: How self-imposed prison of pity, fear, and anger and start fighting for our son and our potential? Our response to our situation could we help Samuel reach his God-given family in the spiritual realm. was the only thing we could control. Bobbie and I had read Mark Batterson’s We knew the sooner we got help, the better outcome we’d have. We didn’t want to book, The Circle Maker, with a small group from church. We had learned the importance of “circling” something or someone done more, so we began researching avail- look back one day and think we could have in prayer. able resources for children with autism. We decided to start circling Samuel in The closest center was in Winstonprayer. We literally took turns walking Salem, almost a three-hour drive from our around our house, praying that God’s will home in Greenville, NC, and Samuel needed daily therapy. My parents lived in that would be done for our son. At night, in the middle of the chaos, we’d turn on the area and invited Samuel and me to move floodlights and take turns walking around in with them. Kyle remained home due to our home, praying out loud. I am sure the work commitments. On weekends, either neighbors thought we were crazy! he drove to Winston-Salem to be with us, When Samuel was 18 months old, we or Samuel and I returned home to him. finally received a diagnosis of autism. It Our whole world centered on Samuel’s was what Bobbie had suspected all along. therapy. Many sacrifices had to be made, and not just by us. Incredibly, my father put off his retirement to help us cover the mounting expenses from Samuel’s therapy. It was difficult to accept help from family, friends, and even strangers. We had always been so independent. But Kyle and I quickly learned that we wouldn’t make it unless we humbled ourselves and received help when offered. We also had to learn to ask for help; the road was too difficult for us to travel alone. The facility in Winston-Salem was a godsend. Within months, Samuel was making noticeable progress. He began making eye contact and using his hands. He picked up a pencil and tapped it on the table. Kyle and I celebrated every milestone as a gift from God; we took nothing for granted. When Samuel turned 3, we heard his voice. It was the most beautiful sound ever. A year later, he said the words I’d longed to hear, “Love you, Mama.” KYLE: I’ll never forget the day I walked into the house, and Samuel called out my name, “Dadda.” Samuel was four, and I hadn’t known if he would ever understand who I was. I broke down and cried. We clung to every victory, big and small, as we faced the ever-present challenges of raising a child with autism. We still do. Remembering how far Samuel has come enables us to press on through each unpredictable day. Thankfully, God continues to give us His strength. The weaker we are, the stronger He shows Himself to be (2 Corinthians 12:9). At the treatment center, we met many families who were walking the same uncertain road we were. Bobbie and I were thankful to be a part of such a wonderful community of people and to have access to these life-changing services. But we couldn’t help but think of the many families who weren’t as fortunate as us. In one of our prayerwalks years before, Bobbie and I had both had the idea of starting a therapy center in Greenville. After witnessing the effects of therapy on Samuel and how it had helped our family, we began to seriously consider the idea. Families from eastern North Carolina needed access to therapy. Was God leading us to step out on their behalf and shine His light onto their path? It was an exciting but frightening concept. We had no idea how to move forward or what to do. (And if we’d known all God had in store for us, we might have run in fear.) Nonetheless, we said, “Yes, God,” and stepped out in faith. God quickly revealed our first step. We were to secure one therapist to help Samuel and be available for other families. Friends and business leaders held a tennis tournament called “Aces for Autism” to raise funds for that therapist’s salary. That was in 2015, and Aces was born. 24 Issue 03 / 2022 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Samuel is 11 years old now; and he continues to make progress. This once nontalker now talks nonstop! It’s unbelievable how he went from not making any sounds to having this vibrant personality that says hello to everyone. Samuel has the biggest heart, and he puts a smile on people’s faces Kyle and Bobbie help families with autism through their nonprofit, Aces for Autism, and by fighting to change legislation. They have successfully advocated for autism therapy to be covered by insurance. everywhere he goes. As a family, we still face many challenges, especially now that Samuel is growing bigger and stronger. Every day, Bobbie and I must trust that the same God who helped us navigate the obstacles of the past will continue to provide for us in the future. He will meet all our needs—Samuel’s, our family’s, and the needs of Aces. God has also blessed Bobbie and me with PHOTO BY MARGARET DEBRUHL In 2016, we started offering services at Oakmont Baptist Church. We held an event there for families to learn about therapy opportunities. We wondered if anyone would come. We were shocked at the long line of families winding around the room. BOBBIE: There were so many kids like incredible adventure. Since 2016, we’ve had the privilege of coming alongside 81 families. And we’ve outgrown several locations as we’ve added needed services and therapists. In 2022, Aces will break ground on a new 30,000-square-foot building in Greenville. Over 300 families are waiting for services. two more children—a son who is now 6, and a daughter who is 3. Only by God’s grace can we maintain balance and ensure that each of our children receives the love and attention they need. It’s not an easy task. Maybe you are walking through a similar dark valley. Maybe you feel alone and afraid, or angry and confused. Bobbie and Samuel, so many families with shattered To God be the glory. Not only that, God is I know how you feel. But we want you to dreams. And here they were, all waiting to using Aces as a model for centers across know that there is hope. With God, you will speak with us! We could see the despera- the country. And He has used Kyle and make it. He is with you, and no matter what tion on their faces. How would we possibly me to fight for new legislation for better it looks like, God still has a plan for your help them? It felt like an overwhelming and access and accommodations for families life. And He will bring it to fruition. impossible task. with autism. If you haven’t done so already, surren- As we looked at the line, Kyle and I re- We laugh when we think back to our der the way you thought life should look to minded ourselves that God was with us and prayer for God to make Samuel “normal.” the Lord. Give Him all the pieces of your that He had not called us to help all these God never looked at our situation—or shattered dreams. He will put the pieces people on our own. He was with us, and Samuel—the way we did. He had a plan, back together in ways you can’t imagine not only that, Aces was His idea. God would and it was far better than anything we (Ephesians 3:20). ultimately provide for these families— could have imagined. That doesn’t mean it will be easy or that not us. All He asked of us was to listen and Suppose God had answered our prayer there won’t be any pain. God doesn’t always faithfully take the next step He would put the way we wanted. We’d have missed the protect His children from hard things, but on our hearts. joy of Samuel and experiencing God in He does help us through them. We were determined that Aces would such a powerful, personal way. Our situa- Take one day at a time. Trust the Lord be more than just a center for services. tion forced us to rely on the Lord, to trust to give you His strength, wisdom, peace, It would be a ministry of God’s love. We Him as our constant source of provision. and joy. When He sends people to help you, wanted to walk alongside these families, Further, we’d have missed the privilege of accept their help. Don’t isolate yourself; provide life-changing tools, and wrap our knowing and helping hundreds of families you cannot walk through the valley of the arms around people. We tell all our fam- in our area. shadow of death alone. You need the Lord, ilies: “You’ll get through this. Yes, it will and you need community. be hard, but God will help you. And we’ll KYLE: It’s been an adventure, for sure. help you too. Together, we’ll take it one day at a time.” Kyle and I had no idea how God would grow Aces over the years. It’s been an We’ve experienced incredible highs and lows, but God has been with us every step of our journey. Bobbie and I wouldn’t trade this life for anything. KYLE AND BOBBIE ROBINSON are the founders of Aces for Autism. Families seeking support for autism may contact Aces for Autism by email at info@acesforautismnc.com or call (252) 689-6645. VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM Issue 03 / 2022 25
Page 1 and 2: REAL PEOPLE | REAL STORIES | REAL H
Page 3 and 4: ISSUE 3, JULY 2022 “I have loved
Page 5 and 6: ISSUE 3, JULY 2022 CONTENTS 8 9 13
Page 7 and 8: Through the stories of Victorious L
Page 9 and 10: STEPPING FORWARD issues from those
Page 11 and 12: easoned, I’d be okay. The traject
Page 13 and 14: STEPPING FORWARD Pass the Test BY K
Page 15 and 16: If my motive for doing something is
Page 17 and 18: not sure I would know how to live w
Page 19 and 20: felt since a child. I told the doct
Page 21 and 22: STEPPING FORWARD The Golden Rule
Page 23: PHOTO BY MELISA ROSZEL to other doc
Page 27 and 28: PHOTO BY 252BUZZ I felt so inadequa
Page 29 and 30: Our heavenly Father is generous bey
Page 31 and 32: TRANSFORMED LIVES PHOTOS BY RAELYN
Page 33 and 34: WANT TO KNOW JESUS? “Come to me,

VL-Issue 44- July 22

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?