Events

Book Giveaways This Week

May 7, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

Oh, Don't ya love spring? The humming birds arrive, the flowers bloom, the clutter starts to appear when the sun comes out. Wait a minute. I am talking about myself here. I have been trying to declutter for months. . but I am finally hitting my home office here at Rest Ministries. I want space, open spots on my desk that don't have a pile. But I have so much good stuff! And some of those goodies are books. Most of these are books I have been given by the authors, the publishers, etc. and I just cannot keep them all. They are "like new" (I have read everything on my Kindle since 2008--much easier on my rheumatoid arthritis hands). So these little books are gems that I have barely broken the cover on. Each day I will post the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Announcements, Books, Events, Give-Aways-Contests, What's New? Tagged With: Amazon Kindle, Author, book, E-book, Facebook, Kindle

AMC Theaters Offers Movie Times for Those with Sensory Sensitivities

January 12, 2012 By admin 2 Comments

I love movies. If I am watching a movie at home I feel like I need to be folding laundry or working or something. But sitting in a theater, I feel as though I am allowed (required even!) to sit in the dark and give it my full attention. Not everyone gets to enjoy this temporary getaway, however, when it is all a bit too much for your child's sense--or even your own. So I was thrilled to see that AMC Theaters and the Autism Society have teamed up to allow families who are affected by autism (or other disabilities--anyone qualifies) a chance to see movies in a environment that won't overload their senses. The idea for this program all started when one parent who had a child with autism asked for a special screening at AMC Columbia Mall … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Events, Our Best Tips, Parent of Ill or Disabled Child, What's New? Tagged With: add, adhd, asperger's, Autism, Child, disabilities, Disabled, entetainment, movies, sensory integration disorders, sensory processing disorder, sid, spd, theater

Joni and Friends Starting San Diego Chapter

November 1, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

If you live in the San Diego area you may be interested to know that Joni and Friends is putting together a satellite office. The first step is to gather together the people who would like to be involved. Joni and Friends is the disability ministry of best-selling author Joni Eareckson Tada who was paralyzed following a diving accident in the 1970s. Rest Ministries is an affiliate ministry of Joni and Friends and I (Lisa) have had the honor of speaking and exhibiting at various Joni and Friends events for years. It is an amazing ministry that has changed the lives of millions of people, from those in third world countries who have received a wheelchair through Joni's Wheels of the World program, to the thousands of families who have … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Events, HopeKeepers Resources, What's New?

Fall Bible Study Begins October 19th

October 12, 2011 By admin 2 Comments

We are so excited that over 20 people have already signed up for our Fall Bible Study! We will be conquering the topics of: I Can’t Do it Alone – Discover how to feel more comfortable accepting help from others. I Feel So Guilty - Learn how to overcome feelings of guilt, moving towards acceptance of God’s grace. Everything Is So Out of Control – Find out how to surrender over to God your attempts to control your life. My Body Image Is Hurting – Chronic illness often affects one’s body image. Recognize how to base your self-image on how God sees you. How Do I Cope With This Depression? – Understand why even Christians become depressed and how to move on to feeling better. Sue Ellen, who led the Summer … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Announcements, Events, What's New?

New Fall Bible Study Starts 10/19

October 5, 2011 By admin 15 Comments

We are excited to be offering a Fall Bible Study here at Rest Ministries. Our first study happened this summer and over 50 people signed up. Many of them attended the weekly conference call and grew to become good friends with other participants as well as dive into the Word. The calls will take place each Wednesday on our conference calling line at 11 AM pacific, 1 PM Central, 2 PM Eastern, USA. They will be recorded and available to listen to later if you cannot make it (for members of the study only). This Fall's study will be "Learning to Live with Chronic Illness," a five lesson (8 week) study on topics of: I Can't Do it Alone - Discover how to feel more comfortable accepting help from others. I Feel So Guilty - Learn … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Announcements, Articles, Events, What's New? Tagged With: Amazon Kindle, Bible, BibleStudy, Christianity, God, Religion and Spirituality, Sunroom, Word

Today Starts Invisible Illness Week

September 12, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Today starts Invisible Illness Awareness Week. Each day there will be a post at the Invisible Illness Week website (our sister site) on the podcasts we are "featuring" that day. I began this in 2002 and it's reached out to hundreds of thousands of people over the years, encouraging them that they are not alone. This year we will not be having a "live show." I made this decision earlier in the year for many reasons, and have been glad I listened to the Lord's instruction. August I was sick most of the month from an allergic reaction to a medication. The day after my son returned to school, for the first time in 15 years my computer had it's hard drive go bad. (On an 18-month old computer!) It was at the shop a week and just I it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Events, Invisible Illnesses, Podcasts, What's New? Tagged With: Chronic Illness, Chronic pain, event, God, invisible illness awareness, Invisible Illness Week, Jesus, lisa copen, you are not alone

Lisa on Grace Cafe Radio Podcast This Morning

August 15, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Join Lisa this morning at 8 Pacific/11 EST at Grace Cafe. Grace Cafe is the program of Marsha Harwood & Julie Hunsucker "Sharing Life, Hope and a Cup of Coffee; a place for women to grow in grace together" and it broadcasts every Monday @ 11:00 Eastern Time on CWA (Christian Women Affiliate) Radio. Listen here live (or later! It will be archived). … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Events, What's New? Tagged With: Christianity, Divine grace, Eastern Time Zone, God, grace, Podcast, Religion and Spirituality, Theology

Invisible Illness Week News to Know

July 15, 2011 By admin 3 Comments

National Invisible Illness Awareness Week will be held this year September 12-18, 2011. This annual event is sponsored by Rest Ministries and Lisa Copen began it in the year 2002. Here are things to know: [1] Spiritual Warfare is Happenin'! In less than a week Lisa has received more mean-spirited e-mails and comments did in past years combined. There is a lot of spiritual warfare going on even among those who live with illness. Many of them want National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week to specifically serve those who are atheists (and proud of it) as well as those who live with "alternative lifestyles." Despite the fact that most all illness support online is for a secular audience, people want to stir up controversy for the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Advocacy, Announcements, Events, Invisible Illnesses, Links, Person w/ Illness, What's New? Tagged With: Christian, God, Illness, Invisible Illness Week, Lord, Prayer, Rest Ministries, Spiritual warfare

Invisible Illness Theme Announced!

June 16, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

It's that time! We've announced our theme for National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week 2011: "Deep Breath, Start Fresh." Founder Lisa Copen shares how to get involved in this video. If you are unable to view the video in an email or RSS feed see it here: About 2011 Invisible Illness Awareness Week. After much thought and prayer, Lisa has decided to not have a virtual conference this year. "To be honest, the conference takes a lot of time, my energy and money. It is an exhausting 3 months of preparation, follow through, and recovery for me," Lisa shares. "At this time, I'd love to focus more on better meeting the needs of those here at Rest Ministries, such as the Summer Study, finishing up some Bible studies, and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Announcements, Articles, Events, Explaining Illness, Founder's Blog, Invisible Illnesses, Person w/ Illness, What's New? Tagged With: Arthritis, God, Health, Invisible Illness Week, Lord, oregon, Rest Ministries, Rheumatoid arthritis

The Museum Of disABILITY Is An Interesting Place to Visit

June 2, 2011 By admin 1 Comment

Daniel J. Vance I recently happened upon a delightful surprise. While planning for a family vacation, I learned of an interesting tourist attraction: The Museum of disABILITY History in Buffalo, New York. "The museum is the result of the desire of Dr. James M. Boles," said 51-year-old Doug Platt, museum curator, in a telephone interview. "Boles was teaching an introduction to developmental disabilities course at University of Buffalo and wanted to direct his students to a website for a comprehensive look at how people with disabilities have been treated throughout the ages. There wasn't one. That's how the museum was born, in 1998." Boles also was president/CEO of People Inc., a New York nonprofit providing employment, residential, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Events, Hobbies-Crafts, Links, Medical Professional, Person w/ Illness, What's New? Tagged With: daniel vance, disabilities, Disability, Disabled, Employment, Health, John Elder Robison, Museum of disABILITY History, People Inc, Temple Grandin

Reflections of the Joni and Friends Conference

May 17, 2011 By admin 4 Comments

Last weekend I had the honor of speaking and exhibiting at the "Through the Roof" conference sponsored by Joni and Friends, the ministry of Joni Eareckson Tada. I know many of you prayed for me during this time, so I wanted to share with you some of the highlights. I tried to pace myself during the week, but my son got a bad sinus infection and missed school Monday through Thursday. This kind of changed my plans and priorities but he was a great kid and helped whenever possible. Time to Go! Thursday afternoon the babysitter arrived and my ride arrived a few minutes later. I drove up to Agoura Hills with Julia, the woman who was doing the close-captioned services for the conference. We had a great time and we were able to breeze through … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Events, Founder's Blog, What's New?

Jenny Prokopy Features Rest Ministries in Speaking at International Technology Event

April 18, 2011 By admin 1 Comment

By Lisa Copen Rest Ministries, specifically the Sunroom, was recently featured as "one of the organizations doing it right" by Jenny Prokopy who spoke a the SXSWinteractive technology conference. Her presentation was called, "Health Communities: Superheroes Who Need a Justice League." Many of you may know Jenny, the founder of chronicbabe.com, who has worked with us during Invisible Illness Week and other events. I was honored when she called to interview me the week before. I applaud her for including a faith-based organization in her presentation and examples! You can listen to her entire presentation online here. She speaks on health forums and social networks such as the Sunroom. She interviewed me the week previously, excited … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Announcements, Events, Health News, Sunroom, Support Group Leader, What's New? Tagged With: Chronic (medicine), God, Health, Illness, Invisible Illness Week, Lord, Rest Ministries, Rheumatoid arthritis