Joel said “school” today! Of course it totally came out “cool” but it was in reference to school. I praise God for every new word my boy speaks. One day he will have a conversation with me. I remember all the tearful moments thinking “one day he’ll swallow food,” or “one day he’ll walk.” There is no question Joel has been terribly delayed and our whole family has shared so much hardship with him. However, I have celebrated more victory with Joel than any of my other boys. I appreciate every tiny triumph in his life.
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Some of us are frustrated that there are areas of our lives where we feel spiritually delayed. Things that other people seem to overcome easily, or just never struggle with at all, trip us up again and again. In our short-sightedness it is easy to feel like God is withholding blessing or grace that He gives to other people. Today I want to encourage you that God appreciates every tiny triumph in your life. Your victories are huge to Him. If you have to move a little slower in some areas of your life, you will just learn to discern exactly what victory looks like, and most of the time, victory looks like persistence while you keep believing God.
Mon. 9:58 am – New word alert.
February 25, 2013 | Comments | Joel Update
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Thank you for sharing your family’s story. Your message of hope, love, faith and strength is very powerful for us. Joel has touched all of us up here in Canada.
School is Cool!
Hi, my niece-in-law Sherly Wodtke O’Neal, shared your website with me very shortly after you created it. I check it daily or actually several times a day sometime, and lift up your family in prayer. I love the Valentines Day clip of the 2 boys kissing, very precious. Thank you so much for sharing it with me. I look forward to seeing Joel’s wedding video of him kissing his bride.
Thanks you for your testimony, and the many lives you have touched through Joel illness.
God bless,
Randi Steeves
You have given Joel the gift of life in a miraculous way never seen before. You give him happiness and love instead of sadness and sorrow. You have given him the gift of life and it shall not be taken for granted. I’m 13 years old and I work on humanitarian MLA formatted papers for grades and I will for sure write about Joel’s condition and his story. Many prayers.
Thank you. Thank you for sharing Joel’s victory; he’s bound for greatness. Thank you also for your message; it went straight to my heart.