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My favorite Puritan prayer from Valley of Vision always encourages me through the toughest of days, and whatever kind of day you are having, I trust it’ll speak to your heart, too: "Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision... Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision. Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine; Let me find thy light in my darkness, thy life in my death, thy joy in my sorrow, thy grace in my sin, thy riches in my poverty, thy glory in my valley.”
Flying Home Today!
By the time you read this, Ken and I, Rainey and Kathren will be heading to the Orlando airport to fly home to Los Angeles – as always, we’d appreciate it immensely if you would ask God to grant us safety, helpful gate agents, opportunities to witness about Christ, a pain-free flight for me, rest for my husband and friends… and, of course, that my wheelchair would show up at LAX in one piece and in working order :-). It’s been an awesome trip as we have cast the Luke 14 vision among a whole new group of believers – may it result in people with disabilities coming to Christ, and God receiving all the glory! Come back here on Monday for more updates, and thanks again for your intercessions, friend!
Meet Paige and Tyson... Prayer Warriors!
We’re more than half way through our trip here in Orlando, Florida and leaning hard on your prayers – in fact, I want you to meet two friends from Orlando who always pray for me whenever I travel. Paige, 18 years old, and her brother Tyson have a rare neuromuscular disorder that has made them paralyzed, deaf, ventilator-dependent and virtually blind. But, boy, do these two love to pray (I always email them my itinerary when I travel)! Last night their parents brought them to a Joni and Friends reception at our hotel and everyone was so inspired by their stories – they love Jesus! Psalm 10:17 says, “Oh God, you hear the cry of the afflicted” – that tells me the prayers of people with disabilities can have quite an audience with the Lord. Be praying… tonight I speak to 600 participants in the Kingdom Advisors conference!
A Prayer Warrior par excellence
We’re in Orlando and on Saturday the 28th, I had a chance to lunch with Vonette Bright, of Campus Crusade for Christ – she and her husband Bill started the ministry in 1951 to reach college students across the country; Campus Crusade is now on every continent reaching millions with the Good News of Jesus (I was involved with it in 1971 while attending the University of Maryland/ Baltimore County). In 1988, Vonette was successful in introducing legislation to make the first Thursday of every May the permanent date for the National Day of Prayer. After we lunched, I asked her to pray for our busy schedule here in Orlando (she did a good job of asking the Lord to help my body ‘get on the right time zone’). But I was most encouraged by the parting scripture from Deuteronomy 33:25 she gave me, “your strength will equal your days.” Onward and upward into the rest of the week… and should you wish to join the prayer effort for Joni and Friends, follow along on our prayer page!
My 'Hope' Tree
Second Timothy 4:2 tells us to always be ready to give the Gospel both "in season and out of season." Actually, most of my life in this wheelchair has been living for Jesus during those 'out of season' times (when my disability gets difficult). The last few weeks, in fact, have been a little challenging with pain. But as I've wheeled out my front door every morning, God has brightened my spirits - I look across the street, and there it is: my Hope Tree. Every year in late January when the weather is cold and rainy, ornamental pear trees always break into the most glorious, white, spring-like blossoms (here in California trees can blossom "out of season" and the ornamental pear tree is a great example). These lovely trees don't...
Stephanie's Story
One year ago, Stephanie and her mom were driving to Los Angeles when her mother lost control of her vehicle. They careened off an embankment and Stephanie was hurled from the car. After paramedics airlifted her to a nearby hospital, doctors told her that she would never walk again. An athletic senior about to graduate from high school, Stephanie plummeted into depression. Soon, Stephanie was entertaining thoughts of suicide. That's when her aunt gave her a copy of the “Joni” book. Suddenly, this 17-year-old realized she wasn’t alone – Joni went through everything I'm going through! Stephanie called our Joni and Friends Bay Area office, searching for help. Our Bay Area team shared the Gospel and asked if she wanted to receive Christ as Savior. “Yes, I want to know Him,” she replied, “and I believe He was with me in the hospital when I felt so alone.” She received the gift of salvation that day, and now, Stephanie and her mother attend a local church (a short time ago, they even drove down to Agoura Hills to visit me). Stephanie and her mother are just one of the families that our Joni and Friends' Local Offices are ...
Premier Designs
Premier Designs is a direct sales jewelry company founded in 1985 by Joan and Andy Horner in Dallas, Texas -- “Jewelers” host home jewelry parties for friends, family and neighbors. But it doesn’t stop there. Premier Designs supports Christian ministries and missionaries around the world (and Joni and Friends is one of the grateful recipients). Last weekend, while speaking at a Premier Designs Regional Rally in LA, I met a Jeweler named Elizabeth. She told me that when she holds training sessions for women seeking to be Jewelers, she always shows them the Joni and Friends’ TV episode about Wheels for the World. “I want these girls to understand that they are not the only ones who become blessed from getting involved; thousands of people with disabilities around the world receive help and hope from God!” Yep...
Serendipity with my Sis!
Last week, not only were our Joni and Friends teams in town, but so was my sister Kathy – my wonderful sissy with whom I grew up sharing a bedroom, blouses and beach-camping sleeping bags. When we were kids on the farm, we organized the HD Club (short for Horse and Dog Club). It had three members and Kathy was the vice president (I was too young to hold an office). I won't ramble on about our wonderful childhood escapades, but if you're interested, read all about it and more in The God I Love. While Kathy was in California, we took a day off and headed to California Adventure Park and Disneyland – in case you're wondering, it's Kathy holding the videocam (and screaming)in that little home movie over on Joni's Corner. Her visit was refreshing and sheer fun – and what's more, she's reading-through-the-Bible-in-a-year along with us (and many of you, too).
Health Update
Even though I am always mindful of the way God healed me from breast cancer, the idea of it recurring simply doesn't enter my mind. Which is why Ken and I are always grateful for every six-month checkup that brings a good report. We just received such a report from our doctor. Smiling big, we read those sweet words on my PET scan, "no evidence of disease." One year down, four more to go, and I can be declared cancer free. :-). So rejoice with us! And join us in thanking God for the unbelievable measure of energy and good health I'm enjoying these days (part of that regimen includes drinking LOTS of water as Francie, my secretary, gets ready to give me a swig)! It's going to be...
Thanks for Having a Heart for the Disabled!
This is the final day of an incredible week of Christ-centered encouragement as you and many others have written such uplifting notes. Our last family is Gerald and Theresa – Gerald has cerebral palsy and he and his wife live in the inner-city. These two have been a great help to Joni and Friends in reaching other special needs families in their town. But recently Gerald fell out of his wheelchair...
