Joni and Friends Blog
Today is the official first day of summer, and it brings to mind that verse in Proverbs, “He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.” Whether it’s plucking ripe tomatoes or picking corn, this is the season to go out and gather crops!…
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“It’s a normal brother-sister relationship. Yes, there are challenges. Yes, there are hard days. But there are also some really good days. At the end of the day, you’re my brother, you’re my sister. I love you.” – Jessica Johnson We know that disability impacts the entire family, but sometimes we can miss the impact…
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It’s a very special week here at Joni and Friends… we’re celebrating the typical siblings in families impacted by disability! Typical siblings play a special role in the family dynamic. Daily they make sacrifices for the welfare of their family through both service and patience, and typical sibs help their families navigate a world that…
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Ken and I always look forward to attending Family Retreats for the refreshment it is for us, but looking around, I love how refreshing Retreat is for other attendees… especially siblings. At the time of my accident, my sisters were mostly in their early 20s, but I could tell my broken neck really shook their…
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Growing up with a sibling who has a disability can be challenging, but it can also be a great blessing. Meet Gideon Amick who is now 15 years old. When Gideon was almost 2 he became a big brother to Sarah who has Down syndrome. On Gideon’s 2nd birthday, Sarah had open heart surgery. In…
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It being Father’s Day, it is no surprise that I’m remembering John King Eareckson, my Daddy. I was born to him late in life, the last of four daughters. I loved being his little buddy, shadowing him around the farm, working hard to mimic him. Whether it was how he curried the horses or mixed…
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Burnt toast, spilled coffee, and wrinkled clothes. Just a few things to add to your morning, after forgetting to set the alarm. Oh, and let’s not forget the sore back, the anxious spouse or special needs child that demands your attention. Yes, the special needs child that you love desperately, but consumes so much time,…
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Subscribe to the Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast Apple Podcasts Google Play Spotify “God not only showed me the purpose for Ryan’s life, he showed me the purpose of mine. I asked Him to save my son Ryan’s life and He saved me.” No father is ever prepared to hear that his child will be…
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We applaud the American Medical Association (AMA) for reaffirming its stance against physician-assisted suicide at their annual meeting in Chicago this June. As their Code of Medical Ethics Opinion 5.7 states, “Physician assisted suicide is fundamentally incompatible with the physician’s role as healer, would be difficult or impossible to control, and would pose serious societal…
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When courage seems lost, fathers need a friend who can open their eyes to the sovereignty of God’s grace and his power to transform even the most difficult circumstances into times we can celebrate God’s goodness and experience his joy. For parents, the realization that your child has a disability hits hard. But be encouraged…
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