A Personal Message from Joni...

i have read your story, and watched your movie. your story affected me in such a way, i couldnt sleep, i was overwhelmed, and sooooo moved, you wouldnt believe it. i admire your courage, and strenth which i know is through God. im glad you are a cancer surviver. i have parents that werent so lucky. they are gone, and i miss them. you can catch me on facebook. i am always on facebook during the day. im so happy i found you. i feel like i already know you write soon. love, and prayers, karen bailey.

You are a ray of sunshine in a dark world. I've followed you through your books for many years. My sister has been paraplegic for 17 years. She had bedsore that led to flap surgery. I was so fearful of losing her. She is well now thanks to prayers. She has a cheerful spirit like you. May angels wrap you in a robe of comfort, protection and warmth to heal your pain. God was having a good day when He made Joni!!!

Hi Joni I have followed you for many years, enjoy all of your music. I have had lots ups and down In life but It is Gods grace that keeps me going on going one day at time. I watched your video I will be praying for your pain more later Nancy C Canaday

Dear Joni! Also I have broken my neck and it was the 1973rd For many years I had terrible pain, but Jesus set me free to be completely bound by pain! Now I also help with botox injections in the back muscles become tense and strangely enough I can feel it and it hurts if I do not get the injections that helps a lot. Do not know if you know about this or tried it? God bless you, my sister in Christ Gunnel in Sweden

Dear Joni, I live in Ohio and have been a "very long time" listener. But today, you spoke to me clearly in regard to Hebrews 10 and admonished me to live by faith and not shrink back. My first chemo treatment was last Wednesday, and I discovered that days #3 and #4 are the ones that hit me hard. In 2004 I had radiation treatments for breast cancer, but this time it is in my lungs and liver. After 3 months of testing, it has not been determined where this originated. So I have 4 doses of chemo scheduled, 3 weeks apart. I have alot of support through my church, family and friends and also have a webpage on Caring Bridge that brings me alot of encouragement. I would love to have a copy of "Don't waste your cancer" by John Piper. At the age of 64, I still have alot of living to do and 2 great-grandkids to see grow up! It is my prayer and desire that to be a survivor will give Glory to God and open the door of salvation to even one lost soul. Joni, thank you for your transparency and I will be praying for God's mercy to touch your pain.

I am from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. God blessed my family and I at your Scotts Valley retreat this summer. We then heard about your battle with breast cancer, and have been praying for you, and that God continue to give you strength, and healing. Sincerely, Christina Schultz

Hi Joni, I saw your film on TV 30 years ago and you played a big part in my conversion back then when you said you would rather be in a wheel chair loving and knowing Jesus (or words to that effect) than be perfectly healthy and not know him. That stunned me as I was quite healthy but I could see that you had something that I hadn't got and we were about the same age. You were in the Promised Land of God's Kingdom and I was wandering around the desert. Tomorrow I am giving a sermon/talk about Hebrews in the desert and I am going to talk about you and how you in surrender to God, are amazing. I am sorry about your pain - pray for it to subside and disappear. Many thanks and praise God for you and much love, Sarah

Hi Joni, I just listened to your Joni and friends radio program this morning, on being "crushed with a purpose". I am so grateful God has helped you exude a sweet perfume as you are "crushed" with such pain. I thank God for your example. I long to be a rose petal, but in my talk with God this morning I acknowledged that I am often a stink bug instead. Allow me to share my little ramble with God. I had just read Colossians 1:21-22: Praise you God, I am reconciled - but I long to be more righteous in life. Often I am a stink bug, not a rose petal; when I am crushed and rubbed I tend to make a stink rather than a sweet perfume. Please change me God, to be more like Your Son. Transform this stink bug into a rose petal. I love you and trust you. Amen.

I am praying for you today. Last night was very difficult for me as I lay feeling helpless and frustrated in this body that suddenly over the last 6 months has taken me captive. I am 50 but feel 80. I cannot move like I did, have pain, fatigue, and cannot afford a doctor's care. I have followed your story since I was a child and always felt that you were such a hero for what you have endured and overcome and do still. I have always been fortunate for the most part to have a strong body and good health. 6 months ago I had a Severe Sciatica attack that changed my life.. and now autoimmune issues. Everyday more and more I am held captive and am unable to do what I want to do without tiring stiffening and hurting.. exercise to me is the worst.. because after I hurt all the more. I prayed last night in tears.. and the LORD led me to your article in Charles Stanley's In Touch. I felt the LORD tell me .. as I have lately.. to Surrender. HE knows and is working out His will and plans..though my wrestling comes in wanting my own way.. Thanks for sharing your life.. it brought me comfort. ~ Phoenix

Joni, I'm so sorry you are in pain. I have knee osteoarthritis (at the age of 26) which sometimes gets so bad that I can hardly turn round in bed, let alone climb stairs or walk properly and it can be quite depressing and frustrating when it goes on for a few days. So my heart really goes out to you because even though I don't know what it's like to be in a wheelchair, I defintely do know what pain over longer periods of time is like. I'm praying for you and I hope that the pain levels go down at least a little.