Janice Smith: Why I am Thankful

God is at work in my life in many ways. God is there in the rough times, like recently when my brother had a stroke. Your hugs helped me feel God's presence of healing.

God has put people into my life who help me, people at our church, people at Minuteman ARC, and especially my mother. My mother taught me the ropes on how to be on my own. She said, there will come a time when you have to be on your own. She helped me get involved with Minuteman Arc.

I have become very active in Minuteman Arc. It's opened up new horizons for me. It has a program called "Work Opportunities", which has helped me get the best job in the world- I play with cats and kittens at "Buddy Dog," an animal shelter in Sudbury. In Minuteman Arc, I am more with my own community. I get to do more adult stuff and get involved with new activities, like the "Self-Advocacy" program. I have had training in self-advocacy. The skills have helped me, and now I'm helping others.

My church gives me opportunities to grow too. My work with the church school and nursery keeps me busy. Melissa, from church school, has really given me responsibilities; I take attendance and lead the good morning song. I like having responsibility for young kids in the nursery too.

I give time and money to West Concord Union Church for lots of reasons, but mostly because I want the church to be healthy, and I want to say thank you to God for bringing us together as a community. Giving makes me feel great!

My mother helped me decide how much to give to the church. We decided that I will give sixty dollars each year.

God has made a wonderful change in my life by giving me a better outlook, and positive things like getting involved in new adventures at Minuteman Arc, Buddy Dog, and church.  And I am thankful.