Shaving David can be challenging because I'm always scared of cutting him.   I promised him that if he didn't move mommy would give him a piece of chocolate. Then out of nowhere, for the first time ever,  when I was done shaving David said "chocolate".  It made me smile after a long hard day. 

We all have to learn not to sweat the small things because it truly is the small things in life we should  live for.  ;) 

Tomorrow it the big day... Graduation! I wrote the speech for my student who is graduating, but it applies to all of the families and special students who will be graduating tomorrow.

"Words cannot express how proud of you I am. You are a determined and courageous young woman. You have defied adversity.  You have looked life’s challenges right in the face and continued moving forward, and the opportunity to be even a small part of your journey is an  experience I will never forget. I know I was here to change your life, but the truth is you changed mine. If I succeeded in teaching you half of what you have taught me, I feel accomplished.

You have taught me to sing, dance, clean, and above all you have assured me that I have chosen the right path for myself. When I think of hero’s I don’t think of Superman or Wonder Woman. I think of my students, my son, and the amazing families that have helped push you all to this point.

My one wish for you is that you continue to share that beautiful smile of yours with the world, because that smile has not only brightened my life but has brightened the lives of many people you have encountered.

As an educator, member of the community, mother of a special needs child, and as friend I salute you! I salute you and your amazing families who have embarked on this long and sometimes challenging journey with you.

May you continue to be blessed in all that you do for you all are the wind beneath my wings!"

After prayer & careful consideration I have decided that I'm going to start looking into opening my own school for special needs children. I still don't know the details or what this will entail,  but I really believe  that is what I'm called to do.

I've spent the last year watching amazing families struggle to find their way in a system that seems to work against them. I believe that our children deserve the same education  "typical" children are awarded.   It would be an honor to have the opportunity to be part of bringing about necessary change to our educational system. 

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated and embraced! 

Results are in and David and I did not make it to the semi-finals.  There were families that had over 20,000 votes.  However, as I have said before vehicle or no vehicle we still feel like winners!  Being able to pull over 2,400 votes in just 17 days took a lot of dedication and effort from you all and David and I are grateful for the support.  More than you know =)  THANK YOU… THANK YOU… THANK YOU!

Three spectacular families will be blessed with a new and accessible vehicle which puts a smile on my face.   As far as David and I, I know that God will provide in other ways as he always has.  I am still faithful that the best is yet to come and I am looking forward to all of the many adventures that lie ahead.   God bless you all and happy Friday.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen".

Hebrews 11: 1 (NKJV)

God had definitely used David to teach me to fly!

Voting has officially ended.  Whether we win the accessible vehicle or not one thing I can say is we still feel like winners.  We've been blessed with an amazing support system that we are extremely grateful for!   

God has always intervened when the limitations in our lives have held us back. I have no doubt that he will continue to do so throughout David & my journey.  

There were over 1000 deserving families who needed this vehicle, so I will be happy with whoever wins, knowing that a special family will be granted the gift of mobility.  Something many of us take for granted every day when we get up and use our legs.

I know in my heart that if we don't win this competition it is only because God will provide in other ways.   From here on out I'm excited to see this competition unravel.  Good luck to all ;)

Last Day for Voting

Wow in just 17 days we have managed to exceed over 2,200 votes and Hopefully secure a spot in the semifinals. I want to make sure that everyone knows how truly grateful David and I are for all of the love and support. 

Last Mother’s Day David and I were blessed with a new and improved accessible home, eliminate many of my burdens and the barriers preventing David from the independence he has longed for.  I do not find it ironic that this Mother’s Day we have a chance to potentially eliminate the last barrier in our way, which is mobility.  

Voting closes today May 10, 2013 at midnight. I am kindly asking that everyone vote, share, and ask all of their friends and family to vote and share our link for just one more day.

David and everyone on his Team rock!!!!

http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/entrant/michelle-campuzano-phoenix-az/

ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT TO SECURE A SPOT IN THE SEMI FINALS (top 5%).  We are currently at 1,744 Votes, which is amazing considering how late we started. 

We still need ANYONE and EVERYONE to continue voting daily and if at all possible post our link to your page daily for the next 4 days, and please ask you friends and families to vote and post the link on their pages as well. I BELIEVE we can do this!  Go Team David!!!  

http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/entrant/michelle-campuzano-phoenix-az/

All things are possible through Christ

David and I have been nominated to win a wheelchair accessible vehicle.  If we can make it into the top 5% of votes in the next 5 days our story will go to a panel of judges who will select a family to receive a full equipped and accessible vehicle.  

We started the competition 51 days into a 68 day voting period which gave us much less time to acquire the votes we need than our competition, but I BELIEVE!!!!!  This would be life changing for us and would eliminate a huge challenge for us.  This would mean that lifting David (who is 95lbs)  would no longer be necessary for us to travel or go places.  This has been a burden that has physically taken a toll on my body over the last few years. 

We need ANYONE and EVERYONE to continue voting daily and if at all possible share our link on Facebook, through email, and with friends and family,  daily for the next five days, and please ask you friends and families to vote and post the link on their pages as well. It would mean the world to us.

Be Blessed. Go TEAM David!!!

http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/entrant/michelle-campuzano-phoenix-az/

Yay we exceeded 1,000. Although we started this contest a month late, thanks to everyone’s faithfulness we have managed to catch up. Just remember as our votes increase daily so do many of the other contestants so please bear with us for 8 more days. Please continue to vote and share with friends and family. ;) We have just a few days left (till April 10th) to make it in the top 5%.

Have a blessed day!

http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/entrant/michelle-campuzano-phoenix-az/

Ok everyone in only 3 days our votes are already up to 264. The highest number of votes I have seen this far is 1600. If everyone continues to vote daily and ask their friends and family to do the same there is not reason why we should not be able to get into the semi-finals (top 5%) in the next 14 days.

Also several people are getting a message that says they have already voted. This is because you are allowed one vote per IP address. Which means only one person can vote from the same location. My work friends are having to vote from home and my mom who lives in my house is having to vote from her phone. Sorry it is making things a little difficult.

http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/entrant/michelle-campuzano-phoenix-az/

God’s Perfect Will does not always feel so perfect at the times...

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope”

I have spent many years wondering why even though I have trusted God and remained faithful, I was not seeing his perfect will for me, manifest in my life.   After all I could not imagine how God’s perfect will for me would entail having a broken child,  a broken home, and a broken heart.  My life has felt like falling short of perfect was an understatement. 

The closer I drew near to the Lord the clearer “God’s perfect will” became.  I began to have revelations about where I had been and where I was called to go.  My first revelation was that my son might not be perfect in the worlds eyes, but in God’s eyes David is as perfect as they come.   I was not punished with a disabled child, yet blessed with an incredible son who God would use to share his power and grace with the world.   My broken home well that was a blessing in disguise because although at times I felt abandoned and alone I later realized that being alone saved me from more heart aches then it caused.  Oh and that broken heart well now my heart beats to God’s drum and not only has my broken heart been restored, it has also became part of my testimony and calling.  It was in my weakest moments that God taught me how to be compassionate, empathetic, and how to share his love with the broken hearted. 

So God Will doesn't always come in perfect packages, but when you continue to learn the lessons he requires of you and put your faith in him, he will give you perfect understanding and that is when you will fulfill GOD’S PERFECT WILL for your life!

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Please Vote, Share with friends and family, and in 24 hours vote again!!!

I need everyone's help once again but, I promise this time it is simple.  It is National Mobility Awareness Month and a dear friend of mine has nominated David and I for a chance to win a free accessible vehicle.  What does this me????  If we win I will no longer have to life 95lbs in and out of our car or have to disassemble and reassemble David's wheelchair every time we go anywhere.

So here is what I need...  I need all of my friends and family to vote and share this link and ask all of their friends and family to vote and share the link.  It is a national contest so we need all the votes we can get to win.  You can vote once every 24 hours for every IP address.  Please spread the word and help us.  =)

http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/entrant/michelle-campuzano-phoenix-az/

This weeks been harder than I thought! My smile can only hide so much.

Happy Birthday Daddy! If I could blow out a candle and have one wish granted  it would be one more day with you.   I wish you were here so that we could celebrate you today but today I will cherish and remember all the amazing things about you that made you... YOU!   We will celebrate the life you had, the smiles you made, the laughs you gave, and the fact that you are waiting for us in a place far greater than any of us could ever  imagine!!!  

Then on the third day...  He rose!   Happy Easter!

Easter Sunday 2013 ~ Counting Our Many Blessings!

The Ultimate Sacrafice

10 years ago today I made a decision that would forever change our lives.  After an opportunity to work with a local nonprofit that serves at-risk youth I realized that I was fighting for the wrong team.  It was in that moment that I decide to follow Christ and serve disadvantaged children.  Today I have been blessed with a beautiful son that wears a permanent smile, I have seen miracles and been part of them, I have students and families whose faith and dedication inspire me daily,  amazing friends that I could not live without,  a loving family, a new and accessible home, a car, education, and most importantly a relationship with Jesus Christ. 

I can’t imagine where I would be had I not made that decision to serve Christ and am grateful I will never have to  find out.  I am not perfect, better than the next person, nor do I live a sin free life, but one thing I am is SAVED!!!!  I am so grateful that God made the ultimate sacrifice so that I could live the life I live now. 

Happy Good Friday everybody and Thank you JESUS!

When people ask me how I have managed to do the things I have done, this is the only logical response.  Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice!

It is the simple things in life!!!!

David has just discovered that there is candy in the plastic eggs. After he got done getting into the eggs he could open for his class he then began hunting in my students and his Easter basket. I wanted to get frustrated because I had spent hours organizing the baskets and eggs so that each student would get surprises they would like or could eat, but after taking a deep breath I realized that I have waited 16 years to watch my son discover the candy and treasures found in Easter eggs. 

When all else fails... SMILE!