My Deaf Friends

In 1981 I started teaching myself sign language from a book. I was a daycare director at the time so I taught the children to sign the alphabet, numbers and simple words. It was a lot of fun. I would attend deaf workshops and a community college in the area to build my vocabulary and improve my skill. I didn't have the opportunity to be in fellowship much with the deaf until years later...2001. We moved to St. Joseph Missouri when the Lord brought these deaf people into my life one at a time. They are very dear to my heart and I am proud of each of them. They have thought me so much.
Amy Jo Amy is a mother of 2 children. A daughter and son. She tolerated my poor "book" skills and became my very best friend. She gave me the most precious gift of all...her language. I learned what kind of a person she was on the inside. Our friendship has experienced the mountain tops and valley's and has held together. When our relationship began I could only understand maybe a 10th of what she signed. Her patience's was incredible with me.
Michael Michael came about 4 months later. He is Mr. Personality with a capital "P". He is single and full of fun. He is from Kansas so his signs were somewhat different. He finger spelled common words just to give me the challenge of reading him. Everyone loves to be around him because he's a prankster. He's very creative in his story telling. He can hold your attention even if you can't sign.
Christina Christina is a bright young lady who loves nothing better than to talk. She prefers "chatting" with you over eating. She can talk about everything. She is mainstreamed in the public school system so her social skills are well developed. I have to remind her when we are in church it's time for the preacher to talk and not her. She is full of life and has a lot of potential. Watch the video on the Home page when she got the Holy Ghost as a 8 yr old Deaf Girl Speaks In Tongues.
Jeremy Jeremy is my challenge. Minimal language skills. Jeremy has caused me to become more ASL than any of the others. I am challenged to break the language down to drama, pictures, and jesters. I feel such an accomplishment when I can get him to understand. Faith, trust or things that are invisible give me a head ache...but with the Lords help and Jeremy's willingness we get the job done. The day he got the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues was a day for our church to remember - because he don't talk at all. Be sure to watch his video on the Home page too.