JONI: Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a very special guest today. You know, every once a while when I am sitting at my desk here in my office at the headquarters of Joni and Friends, families come by for a visit and often they bring their children; kids who have disabilities, and today was no exception. While I was at my desk working on my computer in walked this wonderful family, Alexandra Mihaila and her daughter, Sarah Mihaila. Sarah is eight years old and she has a shock of beautiful brown hair, sparkling eyes, freckles across her cheeks and a wonderful smile. And even though Sarah is very young, this girl has learned how to manage her disability of spina bifida incredibly well. In fact, she wrote me a little letter and presented it to me. I was so blessed by it. I just have to share it with you because in it she talks a little bit about what God has done in her life through her spina bifida. Remember, Sarah is only eight years old. Sarah, welcome to the program.
SARAH: Thank you.
JONI: I would love for you to read for our listeners this special letter because it so touched me, and I think it’s going to touch their heart. Would you read what you wrote?
SARAH: Dear Joni. I’m so proud that I’m coming this Tuesday. I hope that you feel better. I like to do sled hockey, singing, writing and … I would love to sing one of your songs with you — like “Spirit Wings.” Here are some things about my life: I was born with spina bifida on March 17, 2006. God planned my life wonderfully — even before He created this world. When my mom was pregnant with me she found out that I had spina bifida, hydro …hydrocephalus?
JONI: ‘Hydrocephalus — that’s what that big word is, but you did a good job of pronouncing it. Keep going.
SARAH: …the water on my brain. Problems with my blood and other severe complications that can put my life into danger. They told me that I will be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. God answers prayers and here I am today walking with braces and ready to praise my living God.
JONI: Well, my goodness, you certainly do praise your living God, just by not only walking with these braces — and by the way you are doing a great job of walking. I am so glad you are strong enough to get up out of your wheelchair and walk with leg braces, but your life testimony, your witness, your smile, Sarah, by the fact that you are only eight years old, you are praising the Lord just by taking breath and coming into my office here today and sharing your story, not only with me but with all our listening friends. You know, I’m reminded of that wonderful Bible verse “From the lips of children He has ordained praise.” Friend listening, I think you have heard today a fine example from the lips of a child who has been ordained of the Lord before the foundation of the world to give Him praise. As Sarah aptly put it, she is to the praise of her living God. Sarah, we’re going to post your photo on my radio page today at joniandfriends.org, but we are also going to post your letter on our Kids Corner at joniandfriends.org. So I’m going to be telling all my young friends to look you up. Okay? Thank you for joining me today.
SARAH: You’re welcome.
JONI: Let me hear from you today on my face book or you can always post a comment on my blog at joniandfriends.org.
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