Going to The Shack

You've heard about the novel, The Shack, and perhaps you've read it. I was dubious until I saw William P. Young, the author, speaking about his life and why he wrote the novel. I was in tears.

Now I know people who hated this book, and I know people who loved it. I'm not sure there are many in between.

I am one who loved it. I love it when a book takes God out of "the box" people try to put him in.

Did you know that the place where Paul Young has set his story is real? There is a Joseph, Oregon, and there is a Wallowa Lake where the tragedy occurs.

Well, this coming Thursday my husband is driving me to Wallowa Lake where I will be speaking for a women's retreat Friday through Sunday. I will share my topic "Friends, the Silver Lining in Difficult Times," which is based on a song I wrote for the amazing people who lifted and carried me places in Israel I would never have experienced without their help. We were working together on an archaeological excavation team. I can hardly wait to speak to these wonderful women I've communicated with, and I can hardly wait to see some of the sites I have imagined in my mind while reading The Shack.

I've always been this way. After reading historical fiction I could hardly wait to see Andrew Jackson's home "The Hermitage" in Nashville, Tennessee. It met my every expectation. And since I've seen photos now of the area where I'll speak I know it will do so as well.

I hope if you've been afraid to read this book you'll take a risk and see what it's about. And let me know what you thought of it if you've already read it. I'll let you know what I think of the area the author describes after my weekend away!

I'm stopping for now--I spoke this morning and am a little tired.

Have a great week!

Jo

Vote and Exclaim at the Beauty of Fall

I know you've heard this so many times you're tired of it, but I urge you to vote before or on Tuesday. No matter who you are voting for, don't believe pollsters. Your vote counts and matters!

Sorry you haven't heard from me in awhile. I've been balancing too many plates to write and thought I should prioritize to keep healthy and calm. Especially during this time of watching highly volatile campaigning and Stock Market swings.

Yes, like you, we have taken a huge hit to my husband's 401K--yikes!

We have so much to be grateful for though--our health, home, family and friends. And have you been watching fall explode like we have? I exclaim so often every day at God's amazing creation! This is a favorite time of year for me when the colors are unmatched by any painter's palate.

My speaking opportunity blessed me to no end with people telling me how touched they were by what I sensed God wanted me to share. I can't tell you what a blessing it is to be used as his instrument of change in the lives of others because of sharing God's Word--the Bible--and how it relates to our lives.

Anyway, I hope you're doing well, friend. More soon!

Have a great day!
Jo

Making Friends

A woman from New York named Maureen listened to the archived talk I gave on helping those who help us on blogtalkradio.com during National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week and she wrote me with a most interesting question.

During the interview I had talked about a woman who asked, "How are you?" I had answered, "Do you really want to know?" and she turned to walk away as she said, "Not really." I was stunned. I had said that because I was becoming unsure of how honest I should be since most seemed to want to hear, "I'm fine."

I then described how it is helpful to have a friend who tries to understand our difficulties due to our illness. The kind of friend who will ask, care, and occasionally help us when we're in need. Maureen asked how we find that kind of friend. She said she's moved around a lot and doesn't have a good support system. I can relate because Ray and I have moved around some as well and I have wanted friends wherever we lived.

I'd like to share how I have made this kind of friend. The first thing I do is ask God to make me a friend to someone who needs and wants what I can give, and I ask him to bring people into my life that will do the same. I don't leave it there though. I attend a local Bible women's study or one at the church we attend because I've made friends in this kind of setting before.

When I am in the small group of this Bible study where we're asked to share about ourselves I am vulnerable about having an illness (MS) that makes life challenging at times. I also tell how God is working in my life because of it. This oftentimes causes someone to come up to me with compassion or a similar health concern.

If this happens, or I sense God is leading me to reach out to a certain person, I put myself out by asking that woman to meet me for coffee or lunch, or to come over to my house for coffee. Since the only way to really have a friendship is to be a friend, I want to be a good listener and show I care. As we get to know each other I learn more about how to meet her needs--which may only be to listen, it's a valuable gift we all need--and I share more about my own difficulties.

Then, if I need someone's help I take a risk and ask her if she can meet it--drive me somewhere or push my wheelchair in a mall to help me Christmas shop. I never know when someone will desire to get a blessing by helping me without asking them. I've made several friends who were just looking for someone to help because it gave them a purpose. When I asked they jumped at the chance and we developed a wonderful relationship because of it.

I'd enjoy any feedback you have to this blog topic!

To making new friends . . .!

Jo

Chocolate and Caramel Corn

Do you love chocolate? Caramel Corn? Have you ever eaten them one right after the other? Well I did on Saturday!

It was my birthday--no I'm not saying how "young" I am--I can't believe it myself! (My heart and being is that of a 25 year old!)

Back to the chocolate ... Well, my husband tried to find my favorite ice cream (jamoica almond fudge) and we had to settle for chocolate toffee--too bad. I received a card from an old friend that said eat lots of chocolate and enjoy myself, so I knew I was doing the right thing by imbibing on the ice cream.

You see, this friend Anne shared lots of lunches with me that ended in the jamoica almond fudge ice cream. She also taught me to downhill ski with outriggers, the short skis attached to crutches. My regular skis had the tips held together with a bunge cord in a five inch pipe that kept me from doing the splits. This also helped my ski tips to not cross each other as easily. We have so many wonderful memories of skiing together at Winter Park and Mary Jane in Colorado where they take great care of the disabled. You can check out a picture of me skiing on my website Photo page!

Well, I had to take Anne's advice and eat lots of ice cream.

But I also had to eat the homemade caramel corn our neighbor made for my b-day! Ever since reading my memoir last year, Soar Unafraid: Learning to Trust No Matter What she has remembered my birthday. I simply had to show my appreciation.

So, pig out I did! And fortunately I didn't have a stomach ache (though I suppose I deserved it.)

On Monday at 4:40 pm after my medical test I said, "I can hardly wait to eat!" having survived on clear fluids since noon on Sunday. But as we drove away while I ate crackers while looking forward to grilled chicken I thought of all the people in the world who are starving or don't have sanitary fluids to drink. And I thought about my pigging out and I felt entirely awful for being such a pig and a baby when others would have been glad for the fluids I consumed, let alone the birthday dinner and dessert(s!)

I am all too well reminded how good life is for most of us here in America. And I am entirely grateful for the blessings I have when so many do not.

Enjoy and be grateful for your generous helpings of food, clean water, and life. We are so blessed, aren't we?

Have a great week,
Jo