It’s Heart for the Disabled week here at Joni and Friends!
That’s right, this is Joni Eareckson Tada and you well know this week that I am asking you to help me give real Christian encouragement to some disabled people and their families who attended last year’s Family Retreats – because it’s mid-winter right now, the skies are gray, and these families are in need of a lift, what with all the disability routines day after day. So I’m asking you, friend, as I’ve been doing all week, to pick up a pen and jot a Valentine’s card or a note, maybe send a poem, a Scripture or two, or just a brief letter telling a special needs family that you’re praying for them. And today I’m thinking of the family of Mark and Julie.
Now this special husband and wife have ten children – is that incredible or what? – several are their own birth children, but most of their kids are adopted and have serious disabilities. The ages range from 2 years old all the way up to 18. Some of these kids are blind, some deaf, several suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome, autism, ADHD, one is medically fragile, having gone through numerous surgeries. My goodness, that’s a handful! Well, I had the privilege of meeting this family at our retreat last year and I could not believe how much Mark and Julie have taken on – why, when they arrived at Family Retreat, we immediately assigned them six – count it – six volunteers. And all those volunteers are needed, scurrying around with Mark and Julie’s teenagers who have severe autism. Why, these six young volunteers were constantly tracking with all 8 kids that came to Retreat, whether in the cafeteria, getting meals, in the swimming pool, on the hiking trail, arts and crafts, basketball courts, sitting during the worship services – you name it, they were giving 100% to help Mark and Julie’s kids. And it was so cute; I mean, these volunteers kind of tag-teamed it, giving each other breaks so others could get some rest.
What amazed me was watching Mark and Julie and their eight children as they left our Family Retreat. I knew at home they would not have six volunteers to help them like they did at Retreat. And with recent surgeries and just the day-to-day routines, Mark and Julie really need Christian encouragement. They need to read some uplifting Scriptures from you or maybe a poem or words to a favorite hymn – or perhaps you could get your children or Sunday school class to color some cards for Mark and Julie’s eight kids. And you don’t have to, but if you really want to go the extra mile, tuck in a Dunkin’ Donuts gift certificate or something. Believe me, Mark and Julie and their family will be thrilled to open up their mailbox on Valentine’s Day and wait ’till they see those hundreds of cards and letters from listeners like you.
So please be sure to jot your note today to Mark, Julie, and their eight wonderful children. Then, send your card to Joni and Friends, P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, California 91376, and we’ll make certain to package it up with all the other notes to Mark and Julie’s family so that they’ll receive it in time for Valentine’s Day. Again, mail your note of encouragement to Joni and Friends, P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, California 91376 – and if you need to be reminded of the details about this special needs family, or if you really want to know the names of all those children, then we’ll have them listed at joniandfriendsradio.org. Finally, most of all, bless you for caring about Mark and Julie and their family. May you know God’s joy and his favor today because of your very generous heart for the disabled.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
© Joni and Friends