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  • Hello and welcome to my blog! My name is Joanne and I’ve been blogging for many years under the name The Simple Wife (you can see all of my old posts under the archives or by clicking on any of the categories that interest you). I love receiving comments from you and try to respond to each one personally. I hope you’ll visit often!

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Tami Snowden

wowowowowowow!!!!!!!!
A note from Jo----SOOOO great to see!
Love you Joanne! and I love your family too!

Amy

Praise God! Selfishly, I've waited for this moment when there'd be a new Joanne message. And now it has happened. Wow. So wonderful and exciting. Continued healing to you, dear lady.
Also, thanks for the new prayer requests. Will get on those now. Blessings.

Traci

so so SO SOOO good to hear from you Joanne!!! You have alot of people smiling today :) i will be praying for that peace that surpasses to wash over you continually~ you are a strong warrior, girl!
love from a minnesota siesta~ traci

Kate Stoker

Yaaay! Welcome back to blogworld...we sure have missed you. Keeping you and your family in prayer daily. Love you bunches!

Julie

Oh God is good! How great to hear from you today!!!

Karene

What a miracle to see Joanne's own words! Praise God! I love that the hospital is supporting you in the room decor :). Still standing with you in prayer.

Marla Taviano

Joanne!! Oh my goodness, girl!! Thank you!! I love you!! I miss you!! You haven't missed a beat!! Oh, wow.

Praying for you, friend. I can't even fathom what it must be like to be so strapped, confined, limited. Praising God for the miracles he's worked and asking him to fill your heart with peace while you wait on him. He is going to do (and is doing!) HUGE things through you, girl!!

BethS

Hey, Joanne! It's so great to hear from you. Here's to a blessed Wednesday.

Michelle

WOW ! Tears flood my eyes as I read the very long awaited words from Joanne - And they are so from her, just as always , praising and in Huge awareness of God's wonderful plan! So glad to hear from you Joanne and looking forward to many,many,many more :) Rest well and know that prayers and hugs are sent your way.

Sharon

Yay! It is great to hear from Joanne. I imagine it took a lot of effort to write that all out, which makes it even more meaningful to all of us.

I LOVE that they hung a "do not disturb" sign on her door. That is hilarious! I'm glad they are being accomodating on the decorating being a bit more (I bet that's the understatement of the century) than they are used to. And I'm glad for the message all the decorations send to the staff as well as Joanne and your family. Joanne is a very special person, loved and cared for by many.

Toben, I listened to the radio show for the first time today and loved it! Now I just gotta figure out what in my schedule needs to go away so that I can listen to it every day!

Praying, praying, praying.

Nikki

Joanne! You are A-MAZ-ING!!!! Happy, happy tears are streaming down my face right now at your post! :)

Praying against discouragement and frustration for you... that you will lean wholeheartedly into the great God who has brought you so far already.

Kim - connorcolesmom

Oh I just SQUEALED with delight!!! I am beyond excited that Joanne has made such progress!!
I want you to know that I went out of town for 6 days (And did not have access to the internet) and when I returned my boys asked about Ms. Joanne. We all think of and pray for her daily!
We are continuing to pray for Joanne and believe God for more MIGHTY miracles!
Much love

Paige Szajnuk

Wonderful to hear from Joanne! Praises to our Heavenly Father who made it possible.
In honor of you, Joanne, my SSMT verse this time is the one you chose in early January - 1 John 4:19 "We, though, are going to love - love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first." (MSG).
We love you, Joanne, and continue to pray for you, your family and all who are participating in your recovery. Hang in there, Siesta!!

Paige in Kansas

Ashley Honea

Oh wow! So good to hear from J!!!

Cathy Davis

I am so happy to see what God is doing through your healing Joanne! I love you siesta!

mary beth

I am sitting here in awe! This is HUGE! Praising God and thanking Him! Praying that His spirit will fill Joanne with peace in those times when she is feeling swamped with frustration and discouragement.

Patti in Craig

Such a blessing to get our first official blog blurb from Joanne today! Praising Him with you and continuing in prayer.

Jeni

Joanne, I love you and I miss you and I'm praying for you! God has done amazing things in your life and your situation. He's got big plans for you, girl!

Kristen

Our God is a God of miracles. The most beautiful note I've ever read.

Praying!

Holly Smith

Aw, Sweet Joanne, my friend. How I have missed you...how wonderful to hear your voice on the page. I love you, dear one. And every single step, I am praying and cheering you on. I will celebrate our Mighty God! I am celebrating YOU, my friend. Hope to see you soon. Just send the word and I am THERE.

Love,
Holly

Cheryl

SO good to "hear your voice"!
Girl, we have been and will continue standing in the gap on your behalf.
Love y'all!!!

Denise

When our God works, He works indeed! I don't know Joanne or her family but I will be forever linked to you all. Following each post has been vital to the end of each day for me. Praise God for his awesome power!!!

Kathy Rivera

What a joy to have Joanne join the conversation. Toben, there is great wisdom in knowing that you are caring for Joanne physically, emotionally and spiritually. We are made in fasinating dimensions and discernment grows as it is used. May clarity and wisdom be yours as you ask. We, the multitude, are alongside you all as we pray. What a privildege it is.

Mary Lou

What a miracle!!! How amazing our Big God is! Praying the prayer requests...praising Him.

God is good and He is good all of the time!

Mary Lou in TN

Kelly in CA

OH. EM . GEE!!!!!!
that is so amazing! Wowowowowow!!!!!!!
Praise God!

Lisa mac

God is sooooo GOOD! We praise the Lord after reading this blog post. We continue to pray for you Joanne. So grateful for the miraculous healing God is doing. May His love and peace flood your heart. He loves you so! Hope to hear more of your thoughts soon. Blessings! Lisa

Christine

=D It's so great to hear from Mrs Heim!! I'm praying so much for her to be at peace and to not be discouraged and for her to continue her great progress of healing (: (: I'm amazed that she could write all that out today =)) That's reallyy awesome!! I'm so glad you were able to decorate her room like that to show her how many people love and care for her. Mrs Heim: I hope you'll always have all the popsicles and otter pops you want =) And I hope you know God is doing ammaaazziingg things through you!!!

--Christine <3

Meryl

WOW! I had some catching up to do in the posts and I am so so happy to hear about all the good news. Joanne writing, Emma's visit and consequent visits, Joanne's popsicle, Joanne telling you "I love you", and a message straight from her! It is so uplifting and so inspiring.

And now you guys are looking for a new place to further her progress. Amazing.

I still pray and think about Joanne and your family everyday. Keep doing what you and your family are doing, because it's really really working!

heidi

Praise GOD!!!!! Our God is AMAZING!! Keeping you lifted in prayer. :D

Heatherly

HOORAY! PRAISE GOD!!

Jerri G...Catersavvy on Twitter

Toben,

I hope you get a chance to read this in the next day or so...I would really like to see Joanne. As another 17 day coma survivor who has had many physical and emotional challenges, I am hoping to meet her and help her to see that the depression and sadness lifts! Praise the Lord!

I do hope you will invite me when you think she is ready.

I am just wanting to share with you that although she is a devout Christian woman, as I have always been, there is an enormous weight on her heart. She might feel as though she should be praising for her recovery when she feels so far from able. I did.

I felt grateful but cheated. I was happy to be alive and yet felt as though my life slammed into a brick wall...instantly (by my unconsious standards) and profoundly different.

I'm sure she had a mental picture of herself...you, the girls and where she was headed. She had her secret hopes and dreams and although we know that there are no specific promises from God, when all that changed, I was a little angry at the theft of it all. How can you love and worship God and also ask him "why me"? I did.

What's more, I felt the tremendous load of how to use my blessing, how to show God my gratitude when I had no clue as to what he intended for me to do...when, how, what? He saved ME...why? Why not the 17 year old girl who had died in another ICU? I know they call it survivor guilt. One doesn't FEEL like a survivor being prodded and poked and pushed! Inside, there is a little girl who just went through a terrible storm and needs a hug.

I just wanted to share that she may be a bit in the dumps for a while. It will get better and not so often as God speaks to her heart. What happened to her was HUGE!
Give her the gift of time. She needs to heal emotionally as well as physically.

Thank you for your posts and your open heart! I am just happy that God lead me here and I can share with you. I will continue to lift Joanne up during her time
of repair and restoration. She is blessed and we are all blessed by her.

Allisonsavenue.blogspot.com

I've been reading this blog for about a month now, and I am SO excited to see a message from Joanne. What a blessing!

Sandy Chapin

Love you Joanne! Great to have a post from you and hear your thoughts. I've definitely missed your blogging. You are an amazingly strong woman and I am so proud to call you my friend. Continuing to pray for you and your family.

Dawn Enger

This is just precious and miraculous to see her writing and communicating. Beautiful!

Kimberly

Wow. I LOVE YOU JOANNE!!!!!!!!!!! So nice to hear from YOU!!!

Kimberly S.

Joanne, I knew you'd be back soon! I was beyond happy to read your post. Miss you much,Keep up the good work.

Still praying for you, and your WONDERFUL family!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!

Jill

Joanne,
It is so exciting to see you writing!
Praise God!!!

Jennifer medeiros

Hi Joanne, what a blessing to read a note from you! It warms my heart. I will continue to lift you up in prayer my bloggy friend. Lots of love
Jennifer

Marcy Massura

I don't know you- and yet? I ADORE YOU.
And pray for you every day. I say 'God that Joanne lady? Could you help her out please? cut her some slack k?'

I know- you have a way to go. And this is the new-normal. And your life will forever be divided in before and after. But still...

YOU ARE HERE.
And we are all glad for that.
:)

Susan Moher

His blessings are indeed new everyday!!! The highlight of my day is to check on 'The Simple Wife' each evening and see how she and the family are doing each day...to share in the praises and find the specific prayer requests for the evening and next day. Thanks again to all of you for allowing us to walk this road with you, be prayer 'warriors' and see God's miracles at work each day!
Continuing to pray BIG for you all---

Rachel B

Oh my, this much advanced language clarity already?? Don't you realize you kinda busted your head just a few weeks ago? Wow, no wonder your head hurts girl, it's trying to keep up with how fast you're healing! Don't slow down though. Let it complain, it'll catch up with you eventually.

Our God is way beyond awesome. I so love what He does. :-)

kimberly

How incredibly exciting!!! Joanne, I have been following your story since it happened and am so happy to hear from you! Girlfriend - you are so coming back! It is so great to finally meet you - I can't wait to get to know you better.
Thinking of you from Seattle my friend,
xx

Sara G

Joanne!! We never met before but I want to reach out and give you a big hug!! You are so loved by God, your family and friends, us bloggers and many more! There is so much I would like to share but then I would be writing chapter after chapter. I read your updates and all my memories come back with my own progress, feelings and emotions. I am one of your cheerleaders! Oh btw, you definitely have the best room that I have ever seen! shh I'm a little jealous lol. Woohoo! Praising God!
Sara from Oklahoma

Christie

Love your updates, Toben - truly! But it was such a wonderful/exciting/FUN treat to read a note from Joanne to her "bloggy peeps". Made my DAY!!!

Love to your family! It is exciting what the Lord can do!!

Kelly in Carrollton

amazing, just amazing!! great is His faithfulness in His protection of you, dear joanne. thank you for this gift of words. rejoicing with you!!!

Sara

Praise the Lord!!! Our God is a God of miracles. I love you my sister in Christ and neighbor in CO.
Sara

Carinne Blackwell

Oh WOW!!!! I have been following your story Joanne and I am amazed, and uplifted, and encouraged and completely in AWE by God's power!!! I dont know why...we all know exactly what He is capable of. But, He continues to amaze me with his Majesty and His Power!!!!

ginger morris

Love you, Joanne!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1

Melana Cummings

This THRILLS my heart!

Ginger

so exciting to see Joanne sending out a message in her own writing! Prayers continue and God will continue to bless.

Jennifer Camplin

Amazing note from J with her own words.
Way to go.... Cont' prayers with you!

Teena

I have followed and read for the past month.... after reading the first tweet I started praying. reading.

today I am rejoicing.... so thankful...

wow..... wow ... wow

Shasta

Ok Joanne, now your just showing off! Hehe I love that you are already using words I'm not even going to try to spell, And I haven't even been in a coma! Wow, I am so impress with what God is doing in your life! you and your sweet family are such a blessing to so many people! You are guys are as addictive as a soap opera, but unlike soap operas, you get better and better!!!! I'm staying tuned to the next episode!!! Love ya!

Kristen

Welcome back sis. :) See you in the morning.

Vindiciti

Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!

Julie Hoagland

In awe of this amazing woman! In awe of God's healing hand. Praying still!

Julie Hoagland - Seattle, WA

Colette

This is the best post yet!!!! I can't wait to print this out and bring it to the prayer warriors at church tomorrow!! Last week I printed out the update and had it read at our prayer service , but this one will really encourage everyone to keep on praying!!! God just continues to amaze us with His awesome Miracles!!!
Joanne I just met you once very briefly but I remember you so clearly! And now I have become hooked on your blog!! I read it every night before I go to bed so I know what I need to pray for next! It is like reading a novel and everyday has something new and exciting!! My Faith has multiplied since I began praying for you!! God is still working through you even though your body needs to be restored!! And each day He is working WITH you on that too!
I will continue to pray for ALL of you!! Thank you Jesus for everything you are doing for each and every one of us!! We love you so much!!

Kathleen Jaeger

Wow! A note from Joanne. May the Lord continue to shower His lovingkindness upon you & your family & to give all of you the strength to continue in the days & days & days of recovery ahead. For your good and His glory!

Betsy

Welcome back to your blog, Joanne! Welcome back!

Tammy

So good to hear from you Joanne! I am praying for you and your family. God is working powerfully in your life and I stand in awe of all that He has done and has yet to do!

Jennifer

Joanne, I don't know you personally but found out about your stroke through Beth Moore's blog last month. I have been following Toben's updates ever since. I am SO IN AWE once more of our gracious Heavenly Father!!!! I have prayed and cried for you and your family so many times over the last 4 weeks. Did I not believe God could do this - YES! Then why am I so amazed? My flesh, I suppose. I'm so so happy for you and your family. This is just the beginning of the gracious gifts Jesus has planned for you.
You are richly blessed with your beloved family who have kept watch over you faithfully. You will remain in my prayers.
Jennifer
Texas

Krista K.

Joanne, it is so wonderful to hear from you! Please know we are praying every day for you! Keep it up, you are doing amazing things, but we all know what an amazing person you are!

Barbie

It's so wonderful to hear from you today Joanne! Praise the Lord for all that He is doing. Continued prayers are coming!

hannah

praise jesus! woohoo!

Michal

What a wonder! What a miracle!

Ephesians 3: 20-21 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Lifetimeoftlc.blogspot.com

I had to stop in to check in "Our Joanne"!!! That's what I call her.. I sat and cried reading her note to us...My mom is a survivor and she asked that I update her.. she is not on the computer but I share the post with her about Joanne's progress. In 2006 my mother suffered the same kind of stroke, along with an anyerism and subrecnoid hemorrage and today she is functioning but some memory loss so I can share Joanne's story a few times with her and every time it's like the first and she gets so excited to hear what God is doing..Joanne has a large extended family in us.. We love your whole family and I can't wait to see what's next..:)

Ruthy :o)

WOW! Spell it back wards and what do you get !WOW!

How GREAT is our God .....

Love Blessings n continued Prayers

Becky K.

I am going to be a new reader of yours, Joanne. I have been here praying for and following your miraculous recovery...now to get to hear from you brings great joy!
Not the way I would have chosen to learn about your blog, though. Honestly.

Keep up the great work Heim Family!!!

I am thrilled that it seems you have found a great rehab! Praise God!

fuzzytop

Yay!!! Thank you LORD! So happy to hear from you Joanne! Continuing to pray....

Love,
Adrienne

Kelley Bassett

Rejoicing and still praying along with you! So good to hear your voice, Joanne! How great is our God!!

melissa irwin

Wow. I had never been to J's blog before this incident. Hearing from her is so amazing. I'm so thankful she can write out her thoughts! That is such a praise.

Amber Payne

Joanne,

May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ fill your heart and mind this day! We'll continue praying for you!!

Tara

Thanks for the wonderful message Joanne!

That is so awesome of the hospital to put the do not disturb sign up! I love the all the support!

Theresa Roach

WOW, Praise God for that sweet note from Joanne! I am praying that each day gets better and better and that the pain goes away! Big HUGS and prayers from Georgia!

miss chris (carleton)

Tears! Joy! Praise! Joanne!!!! What a thrill it is to hear from you. Know that you and your loved ones are always on my mind and heart. Always. Praying hard for your continued healing. You amaze us all. Hugs and kisses, dear friend!

Kim Feth

Yeah! I get to address this to Joanne and not just Toben (no offense, Toben).
Joanne, Welcome Back! We have been praying for you and sharing the good news of your story with all sorts of folks as we go through our day here in NC. We are praying for a total healing that will allow ALL of the medical providers to step back and say, "Wow, that could have only been GOD. It wasn't anything we did!"
We will continue to pray big and also pray that God handles all of the small details, as well. Including your shoulder pain and head pain.
Peace,
Kim Feth
Apex, NC

Kaye

So very thankful for answered prayers for all of your family.
Praying along with you, for wisdom in regards to knowing 'the next right place' for Joanne, and praying for her to be pain free soon!
Blessings today and every day,
Kaye
Matthew 21:22

Debi C.

Dear Toben,
I have been "connected" with your precious family since hearing about Joanne's stroke through Beth Moore. I feel like I've been interceding for my biological sister! My heart is amazingly connected through Jesus and prayers! After reading this post, I read Jesus Calling for today (the 16th)....wow, please make sure someone reads this to Joanne! I think it will be a great encouragement to her heart amidst the situation she finds herself in right now. Love and prayers sent your way via Texas!

Leah

You are truly seeing miracles! It is amazing that she is able to communicate with such heartfelt expression after such a serious stroke! I know it is an amazingly long road ahead and Joanne has a lot of healing to still do and it will be hard but what a huge encouragement that she is here! It was so much longer before my husband was able to even grasp much of reality after his TBI. I love to read about her progress and the Lord's healing. Praise!!

lisa @ the preachers wife

Joanne!!!!! Oh my goodness gracious woman am I praising our God right now over this note and YOU! I've always told you I wanted to be you when I grow up ampd look at you now whipping this thing just like we all knew you would. And of course you have. The best room in the place. Pierre just doesn't know who he is dealing with. You are strong...the word of God abides in you and you are continually overcoming the evil one. I adore you sister.o

Kristy Beckendorf

Oh Joanne, your hubby has been writing us good posts - but I have waiting to read some words from you!!!! So excited!!
Love you and miss you!!!!

Kelly Lyrene

"Psalm 118:17 I will not die, but LIVE, and tell of the works of the LORD." I read this verse and prayed it for Joanne while she was in such a critical coma. I believe we are seeing the great answer to this prayer! She is already "speaking" of the great God who alone heals and deserves glory! Looking forward to "hearing" all about Him through you, Joanne.

Dianne Walters

Joanne,
So wonderful to hear from you!!!! God is so amazing and prayers are being answered every day. You don't know me, but I'm one of your Siestas from Hartselle, AL, and I'm so delighted over your progress. Continuing to pray for you!
Love,
Dianne

Kelli

wowza yawoza!! It is good to see a note from you Ms. Joanne. Keep up the hard work and we will keep praying for you and your family. Welcome back!

Kelli in Colorado

Allison Johnson

How cool! I'm doing a happy dance for you! Me and my Bible Study ladies are thrilled to hear your voice again. Keep up the great work and know we're praying for you sweet girl!

Deidra

Praise You, Lord Jesus. Blessings to you today, sister.

Elaine from Koinonians at V7PC

Amazing!! Joaanne's message speaks volumes!! God IS able to do immeasureably more than all we ask or imagine!! To God be the glory, great things He has done!

Blessings and continued prayers!

stacy

Joanne! You've been on my mind relentlessly and you've just made me smile wide. Keep progressing "my dear darling bloggy peep!" One gets the feeling (from stalking your blog) that your family and friends would move mountains for you... One also realizes how much you deserve this adoration!!!

Be well.. & keep showing us miracles.

p.s. You still owe me a coffee date & introduction to the Pink Attic Cat! ;) I almost went in the other day - but - I decided I'd like to save that for you.

Gina

We are so happy that you are doing so well. Have been praying every day for you and your family. Our Lord Jesus is the great physician and He is on your case ;) For pain relief try arnica gel on that shoulder. It is a miracle remedy. You can get it at a health food store.

Love,

Gina and Joyce

Tracy

WOW, I am so glad to hear from you Joanna. I started following your blog when you were in the coma. This was my first time to hear from you and I must say, I got a tear in my eye and a huge smile on my face. Will continue to pray.

Tracy

Joy

God is so good!

Heather B

Joanne, what a blessing it is to "hear you" today! Thank you LORD, for answering the prayers of the saints!! I don't know you personally, but my family has been following along with your journey and praying regularly ever since hearing about you on the LPM Blog: http://blog.lproof.org/2011/01/urgent-siesta-prayer-request.html

A fellow siesta,
Heather B.

(It must be so overwhelming to be recovering from a stroke and a coma, and also to have so many people praying for you and reaching out to you. If I was in your place I think I would want to know that there are no expectations, but simply that others want to support you in prayer as you all continue to find your way through all of this. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit! Take your time Siesta... you are a beautiful work in progress and taking a path you have never taken before. On a more practical note, I am also praying that someone will let you have some popsicles, for heavens sake! Get the siesta something sweet to eat!! I can't imagine how difficult it must be to not have anything to drink. Blessings to you!!)

Pam Houston

Praise the LORD! Joy unspeakable and full of glory to hear from Joanne herself...Siestaville is surely having a party of celebration as Joanne makes her way back to the land of the living. What will God do with such a love demonstrated through such a dedicated husband, girls, parents and sister and all extended family and the family of God around the world that have risen to the occasion in faith believing? Heaven will tell and earth will hear....

Michelle V

Oh Joanne it is so good to see you writing messages! Hallelujah! Praise God! He is awesome! I know I am only one of thousands of Siestas who have been praying!

Phyllis

Found your blog the day of your stroke. Have been following God's work in your life and your family's life since then. To God be the glory for all that he is doing!

Elizabeth

I also found out about the blog right after your stroke. Read about the prayer request on the Beth Moore blog.....am praying for you and your family. How cool to see your own words! Keep 'em coming.

kym

What a wonderful amazing miracle. You have renewed my Hope today. Love to y'all.

Lisa in KS

This post is definitely Praise-Bump worthy :)! So glad to hear from Joanne!! I know there's still a long road ahead...keeping up the prayers.

Kellie

It is so amazing to know that those words were first in Joanne's mind, then sent to her hand, and actually written on paper. Wow. God is so good and faithful and true.

It is also neat to hear about how the nurses are stopping by to see her room. There is no telling how many people will be touched and moved toward God.

Continued prayers for you all... especially for God's peace.

Amy T

I can't even remember how I heard about the stroke right after it happened. I came over here and read about it and began praying for you all. Then I was catching up on my Family Talk podcasts and heard Ryan talking about it and thought "That sure sounds familiar!" Then realized the connection. I've been catching up on the last couple of weeks of Toben's blog posts and it has been such an amazing miracle seeing the daily process (albeit in fast forward since I read one after the other). God is amazing. Your family has been a blessing and I pray for comfort, peace, and healing for each of you. You, Joanne, are an amazing woman and the love of your family is obvious. God's hand is so evident in this whole situation and thank you for allowing His glory to shine in your lives.

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