Relationships

I Need You, Lord. When Your Healthy Spouse Has a Medical Condition

February 2, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

Dana Kennedy An antiseptic smell I couldn’t quite place permeated the air. Perhaps it was a combination of Pine Sol and Clorox. Industrial carpet woven in blues and reds needed a vacuum. A lone ant traveled by my foot. I took the damp tissue in my hand and squashed it. A few fluorescents created shadows which revealed the starkness of the room. The barren environment mimicked the fact that I was the only occupant waiting. It was the middle of the night, and I lay curled on my side wondering if my husband was going to live through surgery. I also--possibly selfishly, yet realistically--wondered if my body would allow me to make it through the ordeal. Having postural intolerance, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia severely … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Caregiver, Loneliness, Marriage, Person w/ Illness, What's New? Tagged With: Bible, Cancer, caring for ill spouse, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Chronic pain, Gatorade, God, husband is chronically ill, Jesus, Love, Marriage, medical condition, Psalm, spouse is ill, when caregiver becomes ill

Jolene Philo Shares About Her New Book (and free giveaway!) For Parents of Kids With Special Needs

January 12, 2012 By admin 9 Comments

with Lisa Copen I am so excited today to share with you about two books that are written by a mom who has both the professional credentials as well as the education of experience, Jolene Philo. Jolene joined us here at Rest Ministries in 2009 for National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week to discuss the topic that many parents, including those with chronic illness, face on a daily basis-- "When Your Child is Chronically Ill". (This podcast is still available and an encouragement to many, so stop by and listen.) Jolene, thank you again for joining us here at Rest Ministries! Most people are not familiar with your story. Can you tell us a little about your own family? [Jolene:] When our beautiful newborn boy was transferred to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Books, Parent of Ill or Disabled Child, Parenting, What's New?

Devotion: Explaining Illness to Children

December 4, 2011 By admin 2 Comments

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:35, 37) When I first learned I had multiple sclerosis (MS) I was teaching second graders. The relapse I was having made me lethargic. Too weak to teach. I knew I couldn’t tell my students I would be absent because I was too tired. The challenge was explaining my illness in a way they could understand without scaring them. First, I involved them in a role-paying activity. Several students were selected to be parts of the central nervous system. They pretended they were ‘sending’ messages received from the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Explaining Illness, Parenting, What's New? Tagged With: ADHD In Teenagers, Christ, chronically ill parent, explaing illness to kids, explaining illness to children, God, God the Father, ill dad, ill mom, Immune system, Jesus, mom in chronic pain, mom is sick, Multiple sclerosis, Schizoaffective disorder

Q & A: If I Go to this Holiday Party, Should I Explain About My Chronic Pain?

November 29, 2011 By admin 6 Comments

My best friend is having a holiday party and I would really like to go. On the other hand, I am kind of dreading it. All those people dressed up to the nines, carefree, without any problems in their lives. My daily pain, food allergies, broken down feet, all make a simple party rather dreary. I always feel like I need to explain why I am not real social. My friend says just to come and not worry about it, but I am not sure. Should I go? I understand it is not an easy decision to make. There are benefits to getting out and meeting new people, even when we don't feel all that great. But that doesn't mean we should sit around at the party and explain to people how hard it is to have some fun. Would we want to make the effort to have a night … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Explaining Illness, Help! Q/A, Loneliness, Person w/ Illness, What's New?

Eflyer: Are You Ready For Those Family Gatherings?

November 18, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

PRODUCT LINKS: Why Can't I Make People Understand? | But You LOOK Good! | How to Deal With Annoying People | Coupons for the Family … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Books, Explaining Illness, RM Shop E-flyers, What's New? Tagged With: Explaining Illness, invisible disabilities, invisible illness

In Response to Pat Robertsons Statment on Alzheimer’s and Divorce

September 16, 2011 By admin 17 Comments

I was shocked to hear such a bold statement from Mr. Pat Robertson, 700 club host, who, on Tuesday's broadcast, justified that a person should not be held accountable for leaving his spouse and seeking divorce if his spouse has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. In this scenario Mr. Robertson has shown the world that one's personal comfort, especially in the case of having a spouse with a chronic illness, is more important than the marriage vows of "for better or for worse, until death do us part." The religious broadcaster Pat Robertson and chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) told his "700 Club" viewers that divorcing a spouse with Alzheimer's is justifiable because the disease is "a kind of death." During … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Caregiver, Caregiving, Church Leader, Founder's Blog, Marriage, Person w/ lll Spouse, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: 700 Club, Alzheimer's disease, Christian Broadcasting Network, Joel Hunter, Joni Eareckson Tada, Pat Robertson, Rest Ministries, Terry Meeuwsen

He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother

August 8, 2011 By admin 1 Comment

I give him a hug. It's been nearly 3 years since I've seen this man, my cousin, who is like a brother to me. He used to give me rides on his motorcycle, back when we were young and carefree. Nothing in the world could hurt us. We were in our twenties. Long conversations. Time. Before spouses, kids, illness. We were poor. Philosophical conversations were cheap. . . yet rich. Now I stop by his family's new clothing store while I am in Oregon. I've not even arrived, and I am disappointed. I have few expectations. His life is busy now. He's distracted. He is rushed. Always stressed. No time for talk. Oh, how I'd like to just go for a walk. Ask, "How are you really?" and have you answer honestly. Regardless of your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Explaining Illness, Founder's Blog, This is Me, What's New? Tagged With: Arthritis, God, Illness, Lord, oregon, Rest Ministries, Rheumatoid arthritis, San Diego, Scar

He Wants to Fish

August 3, 2011 By admin 3 Comments

"Mom, I want to go fishing. It's free!" I pick up my son from day camp. It's 4 PM. It's 95 degrees. Today they fished at the lake during camp. He has his pole his Grandpa got him 2 years ago. He's used it twice. Now he wants to fish more. I could barely walk down the paved trail to sign him out of camp. My feet are swollen, sore. I am faint from the heat. I hope to make it back to the car. I joke about that, but sometimes I wonder. He stops. He sticks his chest out. His lip curls up. "You aren't seriously going to have a tantrum over this, are you?" I ask. . . calmly of course. I am not one for unplanned battles. Walking down a boat landing and onto the dock is non-negotiable. I have no need to feel guilty. Grandpa … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Founder's Blog, Parenting, This is Me, What's New? Tagged With: Day camp, Fish, Fishing rod, Lord, Mother, Recreation, Rest Ministries, San Diego, United States

Making a Difference in the Lives of Soldiers With Illness, Disability, and More

August 1, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Debbi Farmer One of the privileges of writing articles to share with the members of Rest Ministries who are looking for resources to help with their particular kind of pain is finding a "hidden jewel" that can out-shine many others. "Healing our Heroes Network" is just that jewel! "Once a Hero always a Hero," however our military heroes today are only human and can suffer many kinds of wounds too complex sometimes to treat, too personal to share, and too deep to heal without help. That is where this wonderful program comes into play. The "Soldiers for Bibles Ministry" a part of Heart of God International Ministries has seen the need to bring together resources to help our heroes in one convenient location. "Healing Our Heroes … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Advocacy, Links, Marriage, Mental Illness, Ministry - Personal, What's New? Tagged With: bibles for soldiers, invisible illness, Military, military chaplains, Ministry, outreach, ptsd, soldier, USA

My First Day of Fatherhood

June 19, 2011 By admin 1 Comment

By Karlton Douglas Here is the story of my experience at becoming a father. The thought I hope you keep in mind is that our Heavenly Father cares even more for us than we do our own children, and unlike us, He doesn't feel helpless because He is all-powerful. I was nervous about being a father. Most men about to become dads probably are. But after my wife suffered ten hours of back labor, and no baby in sight, the family doctor called in a specialist. My wife lay with her eyes rolled back in her head from pain, and I was ready for a breakdown. In trying to explain what I understood of the situation I did start breaking down emotionally in front of both sides of the family. Never had I been in such a situation where I felt so … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Parenting, What's New? Tagged With: day for dad, father's day, first father's day, Parenting

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

Q & A: I Don’t Seem To Fit In To Online Support Groups!

June 13, 2011 By admin 9 Comments

Sometimes I feel very left out in the online support groups. I live with an incredible amount of daily pain and I just need someone who cares. It seems like everyone else in the group have people who support them and write them back. But when I share something from my heart all I get is a bunch of well-meaning advice. I don't need advice! Or . . . no one responds at all. What I need is someone who will listen and try to understand. -Sandy Hi, Sandy, I can hear the pain in your words. I am going to assume since you wrote to me you are asking for some kind of advice, so here is my best 2-cents. Ask yourself, "What would the perfect response to my post be?" When we say we want people to "listen" and yet we are typing our posts out … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Explaining Illness, Help! Q/A, Hurt Feelings, Person w/ Illness, Sunroom, Support Group Leader, What's New? Tagged With: Conditions and Diseases, DVD, God, Health, Lord, Rest Ministries, Rheumatoid arthritis, Support group