Who is in your family?

Lori (she, her) AKA Mom
Lyle (he, him), age 12
Victor’s Gonzales (he him)
Sally Sue the dog
Hewey and Dewey the parakeet brothers

How long has your family been part of MSUS?
Since 2013.

What activities have each of you been part of at MSUS?
I [Lori] have been part of the mom’s group since at least 2014 and before COVID Lyle would go upstairs with the other kiddos for RE during the service. He loved all of the pillow/stuffed animal piles as well as the Iron Man toy. He also very much loved the chocolate chip cookies at the hospitality service afterward. I became a member in 2020.

What are each of you up to these days?
I [Lori] work in I.T. and Lyle will be starting 7th grade this school year at Fridley Middle School (it’s fun that service is now at his school cafeteria). Lyle loves animated movies, especially Pixar movies. He loves his tree swing and trampoline at home and playing with Sally the dog. This year we started taking karate lessons together; we have our first test for the next belt level coming up this September. Earlier this summer Lyle and I went on a road trip to South Dakota and camped in the Black Hills. We hiked the Needles, visited Wind Cave and drove through “Bear Country” Park where we saw a lot of cool animals.

Tell me about a memory of MSUS that stands out to you.
I remember the second time I ever visited MSUS there was a guest speaker talking about his experience growing up with autism (before it was commonly diagnosed) and feeling like I was meant to be a part of this community (little Lyle had just been diagnosed with ASD). I was immediately welcomed by everyone and found a warm, super supportive and fun group of moms in the mom’s group. I truly felt less alone and “at home.” How would you describe the MSUS community to someone new? I love the absolute variety of thought, feeling, philosophy and art; I always find meaning as well as belonging every time I visit or join online.

Lyle and Sally Sue