Joni and Friends Family Retreat 2014 ~ Part 2

This past week I saw God work in such amazing ways!! I just returned home from my 3rd year of serving at the Joni and Friends Family Retreat in MN. God opened up so many doors and so many opportunities for service. www.joniandfriends.org

This year Joni Eareckson Tada attended the MN camp along with her husband, Ken Tada. I was so excited to be able to meet Joni! 

Every morning the STMs (Short Term Missionary, volunteers) have a devotional time. On Sunday morning I was so blessed to hear Joni's thoughts on spiritual disciplines (as retold by Judy Siegle).

1. Cultivate the discipline of praying without ceasing, -- brief prayers. speak it out loud.

2. Sing hymns to self -- memorize songs

3. Memorize Scripture -- now focusing on Jesus' words

4. Devotionals -- A Quiet Place -- Nancy Leigh Demoss

5. Gives thanks -- Joni was interviewed in the book, choosing gratitude, by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. She was asked how she keeps such a positive attitude with the challenges that she daily faces. Joni said that she has learned to give thanks in all circumstances; it has become a reflex reaction.

I was very impacted by the 1st and 5th point. Wouldn't it be amazing to have your "reflex reaction" in a stressful situation be to give thanks and pray?! I pray that I would be able to develop the spiritual disciplines of giving thanks and praying continually and that God would use that to make me more like Christ. 

Another lesson I was reminded of at camp is that when we are faithful serving the least, God will bless us abundantly. 

One of my most exciting adventures at camp happened on Friday. I was playing my harp for one of the younger campers outside the dining hall, along with helping him play some glissandos on the harp. Then as I started to play Amazing Grace with him, Joni rolls around the corner and joins in singing. Then I am able to share the harp with her. She could play some glissandos on the harp! And then I held the harp in proper position for her and was able to help her hand play some strings. It was such a joyful moment to be able to share my love for music and praise with Joni. 

I had prayed before camp that I would have the opportunity to show Joni my harp. But God had so much greater plans! I am in such awe of the greatness of our God. He is faithful to do abundantly, overflowing, more than we can ask or even imagine!

Joni and Friends Family Retreat 2014 ~ Part 1

This past week I saw God work in such amazing ways!! I just returned home from my 3rd year of serving at the Joni and Friends Family Retreat in MN. God opened up so many doors and so many opportunities for service. www.joniandfriends.org

This year I was so blessed to spend time with a new camper, Evie. I had so much fun with her and I loved getting to know her family. I was blessed to have Rosanne as a partner STM (short term missionary) to "share" Evie with. She has such an amazing testimony of God's faithfulness. 

Marie and Evie

Rosanne and Marie

Parachute fun!
At camp this year, many of the children enjoyed playing with parachutes and coordinating keeping a ball on the parachute.
Then the campers in wheelchairs were able to a "wheelchair dance" under parachutes.
I loved seeing all the creative ways JAF camp had for every camper to enjoy their time to the fullest.

 Evie learns to drive!!
She loved playing with the horn on Rosanne's chair.

Evie loves meeting babies!
Her smile tells it all. Evie loves to be an encouragement to others by making cards.

 This year I learned a new way to communicate with a camper. Evie "talks" with her eyes. She can answer yes/no questions and make choices between 2 options depending on where she looks with her eyes. We made several crafts together with her directing me on which stickers and colors to use by her eyes. She is such an amazing little girl!

This year's theme for the elementary program was the underwater adventure - how our hope in Christ overflows!
Evie loved getting dressed up for the "underwater adventure"

Praise and worship time was one of our favorite times.
Evie loved to play maracas and participate in action songs. 

We learned several Scripture verses this week which spoke about our hope in Christ. 

Evie and her family!
I learn so much by watching how the families care for and love their children with disabilities.
I am so blessed that they would share their lives and families with me for one week.

Jesus Loves Me - Talent Show
Sign language by Evie and Dani, Harp by Marie, Singing by Rosanne

God shows up best in our weaknesses. He is glorified when we give Him the praise. 

"May the God of all HOPE fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him,

so that you may OVERFLOW with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Hebrews 13:15

Joni and Friends Family Retreat ~ Lessons Through the Years

This year I was blessed to be able to serve as an STM (short term missionary) at the MN Joni and Friends Family Retreat for the 3rd time. (www.JoniAndFriends.org) Each year God shows Himself as faithful and I learn more of His character. He draws me closer to Himself as I learn to serve and minister to and along side those with disabilities and other challenges. God uses suffering to draw us closer to Christ and cause us to depend fully upon Himself.

Here are some of the lessons I learned each of the past 3 years along with some photos demonstrating those lessons.

We Are His Workmanship - Ephesians 2:10

In 2012, I learned that God views every person as special in His sight. We must learn to be friends with others and see them as God sees them. A person's disability is not what defines them, rather it is the character and personality. Everyone can learn to love and praise God. The knowledge of God is spiritually discerned and those who seek Him humbly as a little child with find their joy in Christ!

Press On - Philippians 3:14

In 2013, God taught me to trust His plans. Every camper assignment is different and has its own rewards and challenges. Reaching out to others and just being their friend is just as important as a STM assignment that requires a full days work and fun. :) I also personally was challenged to try some new activities and get out of my comfort zone.

Hope Overflowing - Hebrews 13:15

I believe one of the most important lessons God taught me this year (2014), is to show compassion and be a willing servant no matter the task or who would be benefited. God is showing me that since at camp I am willing to serve anyone even when I am tired, find the task unpleasant or unrewarding, feel like sleeping in, or simply would not receive much notice or praise for completing a job. But then at home I have realized that I can be so selfish or lazy or seeking praise for myself. I am learning to treat every assignment as important and every person I serve as valuable and worth my entire effort. I must not categorize some people as "difficult" to serve or "easy" to serve, regard those without the "disability" label, but who need some extra help, as a "bother", but am willing to give those with "disabilities" cheerful service.
God also reminded me that His plans are way superior to my plans and desires. When we are faithful to serve Him in humility and joyfulness, His blessings overflow abundantly! God opens up doors that we could not have imagined. When things don't go exactly how we expect or plan, God has something so much greater in store for us!

I pray that you are encouraged to continue to seek God's will and plan for your life. You will be amazed when you look back through where God has led you, how His plans are always perfect!