Special needs families easily grow weary and discouraged from the nonstop routines of personal care, therapy sessions, and medical appointments. You can help encourage them and point them to Jesus! Tune in on Monday for the launch of the Heart for the Disabled campaign.
See photos of the Lockwood family at joniradio.org.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and I hope you know what next week is!
Yep, we’re gonna be celebrating a brand-new year, but we’re also kickstarting our Heart for the Disabled campaign. Next week, I’ll be sharing with you the stories of wonderful special needs families who attended our Joni and Friends Family Retreats. These dear families now are struggling – the nonstop disability routines, the weariness of it all. Even Christmas was hard for these kids with disabilities and their siblings. So many of these families are barely holding things together by their fingers and toes. But, oh, you will have the chance to lift their spirits as I ask you to write notes of encouragement, offer up prayers, Scriptures, words of favorite hymns – anything to brighten the hearts of these families! And when they receive their huge packages of Christ-centered encouragement on Valentine’s Day? Wow, it’s gonna make a big difference.
Like, I remember back in 2020, when I asked you to encourage the Lockwood family. Kevin and Sarah have been married for over 20 years and have six amazing kids, all of whom are adopted. Katie is from Kazakhstan, Eli from Vietnam, and Michael, Hannah, Daniel, and Josiah are all from China. Their four youngest all have varying disorders and disabilities, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, facial paralysis, ADHD. It’s hard for this family to just go on vacation like typical families. Mom and dad are always on the go, helping with toileting needs, medication, health appointments, school, you name it. It is intense. But the Lockwoods have found such amazing refreshment at our Family Retreats. And now they are serving in a leadership position at retreat, helping other families find more encouragement.
Well, okay, back in February of 2020 when we sent them your Valentine package of Christ-centered cards, gifts, notes, the family gathered around this big box, and they opened it up, and just let the contents spill out over the table and onto the kitchen floor. So many prayers from caring people! So many wonderful Scriptures that refreshed their souls. Even gift cards to places like Panera. I mean, beautiful pictures crayoned by the grandchildren of you, our listeners. Even Sunday school classes created Valentine’s with Bible verses. And you know what Kevin and Sarah did? They were so delighted, they taped up each colorful card and note all over the kitchen walls, on the refrigerator, in the living room. They snapped photos of this wild array of cards from you, and they sent them to me. So, you simply must see these fun photos! And I’ve posted them at joniradio.org. And hey, while you’re there, take a close look because the smiles on the Lockwood kids – honestly, it’ll make your day.
So, join me next time on Joni and Friends because starting Monday, I will be sharing with you the stories of five new families who really need your Christian encouragement. Dealing with a lifelong disability in the family is so hard, and they need inspiring words from you. So be sure to have a pad and pencil handy when you tune in next time because you will want to jot notes. But even if you miss them, we’ll have all the details posted – along with photos of each family – at joniradio.org. Friend, Hebrews 3 says to encourage one another daily as long as it is called Today. And you’ll have a chance to do just that right here on Joni and Friends next week for our Heart for the Disabled campaign. We’ll see you then! And don’t forget: Have your pad and pencil ready!
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