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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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« Acupuncture Update (Joanne) | Main | One Last Surgery (Joanne) »

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Betsy

Continuing in prayer for your precious family.

Lisa Schubert

Good Morning guys! Yes I too prayed that she would live! Joanne is one tough cookie and always has been. No matter in what shape... ... the girls need her, you need her, her parents, your parents, her sister, the church, her friends, her followers,me. We all need her, no presure there. When this happened all I could think about was please don't let her die. I cried so much, I held my kids and talked to my husband. I have said it many times this changed me. If anyone can handel this it is Joanne. God did answer prayers and he will continue to do so. Love you guys! Lisa

Maribeth

Toben, I've been with you from the start. I recall your days of praying for Joanne to live. I also recall your hope that she would be able to read and when I see that she has finished another book on Facebook, I smile and thank God!
You are all in my prayers.

A Speckled Trout

I read that the definition of courage is getting through one more moment. You, Joanne, and your girls have been very courageous indeed.

From IL

Be sure too check out all the FREE books for the Kindle (all the ones we should have read, enjoyed and understood in HS but maybe didn't) and the daily deal of the day. Each day one book is on sale for 80% or more off. Today's book is $1.99 and takes place in TN in 1913.

Also, if you are tired, Joanne, but want to at least follow along; don't forget about the voice activated reader!

Toben, I agree, it's all about prespective, isn't it?

How are the girls?

From IL

PS. Joanne I see you are reading Janet Evanovich. You should have many books to keep you busy. Number 18 comes out on November 22, 2011. I have it pre ordered to arrive on my Kindle at 12 MIDNIGHT (and ONE second). Enjoy! They are all great. I have a handful of them in book form. I would be happy to send them to you to save you from having to buy them? Let me know! It would be my pleasure. I have 7-11!

andi

I'm not sure if you're aware, but different acupuncturists use different size needles. If they are reusable (they get sterilized), they are thicker. You may ask your acupuncturist about thinner, one time use needles to see if he/she thinks it may work as well and cause less pain.

I'm so thrilled you're seeing some changes! And that she has a Kindle to read by. But mostly, I'm thrilled that she has someone so centered to help her through her trials and tribulations.

Shawn

Joanne, I have downloaded a really fun game on my kindle that I think you would enjoy. It is called Jigsaw Words and is free on Amazon. It seems to pass the time when I am not reading. I have been following your journey since you have had the stroke. There have been several of my family members that have had strokes in the past. I am just amazed at how far you have come.

Take care
Shawn

Child of God

Still riding with you on this journey! Praying and praying for you all for of course for you Joanne.
This is not an easy journey you are on but I still praise God for answering prayer. You will make it Joanne, it is a tough ride, but you can do this. Keep pushing.

Praying and praying,
<><

Andrea

Toben,

Let me just say, you are just an amazing husband. As for Joanne, what I truly appreciate seeing in this journey is the fact that your entire family, including Joanne, yourself, Kristen, your in-laws have been transparently honest. Your brutally honest posts about whatever you are feeling including your with doubts, despair and not just pushing those feelings down, but talking about it when many christians just push those down and hide it for they do not want to come across as not trusting God. Anyone who reads this blog knows how strong your faith is, but do you know how enormously helpful the working through the faith part is, the choosing to trust God is to people watching. I sincerely hope your family considers writing several books. Joanne's journey, how to navigate a marriage and parenting during the sickness part, the role of extended family. You teach us all so much by the blog whether you know it or not, just by living your life. Thank you for opening your lives and letting us into this personal journey. You are in our prayers.

Michal Ann

So lovely to read your post. Thank you for the update on your wonderful family. From a self-centered point of view, I appreciated mention of massage therapy. I'm a late-life student in massage school and you inspire me to keep on fighting through the intense course load.

All blessings and light on Christ's path for you! Goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life.

merlin

needles not nails....that is praise worthy

I've just learned about the welcoming prayer, as crazy as it sounds, try to welcome the pain and see what happens.

Donna Boschma

Toben--you warm my heart with your post. So beautiful--so how marriage is designed to be--but often is not. You and Joanne are in it for the long run, and I am so encouraged by both of you and you guys sharing your heart. Real stuff--real life. Thanks so much.

Suzanne in RI

Joanne,

"May the God of 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." Romans 15:13 NIV

Amy

Praying for the pain to ease and for hope to spring up...

lisa @ the preachers wife

You have my prayers brother. I think of your bride daily when I'm picking out my ring for the day, when I get my lipstick out of my zippy purse, when I look at my Nancy Drew card she gave me when I completed my manuscript. Joanne is such a gift and rare treasure to this earth. The Lord declared that for Joanne to live is Christ. Indeed it is. Give her a hug from her short friend in Alabama.

Erin Koss

Thank you for helping me to remember, "Life is not so hard" this morning. I am praying for Joanna this morning for endurance, hope, faith, and continued improvement.

Kind Regards,

Erin

Angie

Great perspective, Toben. I haven't stopped praying for your sweet family from day one. Give that beautiful wife of yours a big hug for me!

Michelle

Words beautifully spoken and lives beautifully lived :) holding your family in prayer.

Amy Lynne

I will continue to keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers!

missi

Hi Joanne and Toben- Thanks for the update and my prayers will be continued. I am so glad to hear, Joanne,that you are able to read. I am a big reader too and it is a joy I would hate to give up. Here are some books you may like: My Bible study group is doing Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby. So, so good. My fiction reads are Pride and Prescience by Carrie Bebris, Murder on the Rocks by Karen MacInerney, and Home to Harmony by Philip Gulley. All good. What are you reading? I am going to pray God does something special for you today to encourage you!!! Take care.

Chillatlife94

Toben & J,

A wonderful post sharing your heart with us regarding the heart of a servant. I follow J on twitter and I do rejoice as I see her tweets regarding her appetite to read. I actually offered up a thanksgiving prayer to the Lord for her ability to read after all that she has been through. I will continue to pray for her spirit and healing to be complete. God bless you and your family.

Until HE shouts!

Anuja

I am continuing to pray for you both. May you feel His loving presence each day!

Solacegirl

You don't know me, but I found a link to Joanne's blog several months ago. I wanted to let you know that I've been praying for you guys. I'll pray again for your family in just a couple of hours as I get ready for bed. Tonight I'll pray for really good rest and a renewed sense of joy upon waking tomorrow. Praise God for all those meals made for you in love. Pretty special. I really like my Kindle too. Mine was stolen a couple of months ago, and sweet woman, who loves hers, heard mine was stolen bought me a new one!)

Kendra Jarvis

Joanne-
I know you don't know me but I have followed your story since the seizure. Some days must be difficult for you...but on those days in particular please remember how you have inspired so many. God has used your life and is continuing to use your life to show his love, mercy, compassion, and never-ending grace to others. You have a purpose-you are stil here-God has a plan specifically for you Joanne. Be encouraged!
Blessings,
Kendra

aTXtumbleweed

Still Praying in Hurst, TX.

Karen Booker Schelhaas

Praying, Toben and Joanne. You're never far from my mind and heart.

Beth Jones

Praying and standing with you for complete healing, Joanne....praying, interceding, that you will one day be walking and running with full function in that arm! Thank you, Toben, and your family for these sometimes painful but real, transparent updates so we know HOW to pray! The battle belongs to the Lord and oh, He is mighty! And yes, books are some of the most wonderful gifts in the world! :)

Jennifer

Hi Joanne and Toben,

I am a complete stranger to you, but a sister in Christ no less. I read your book, Joanne, "Living Simply" a year or two ago, and then picked it up recently to reread parts of it again. Since having recently started my own blog, I decided I wanted to look you up on yours to see what you have been up to. I was shocked to hear of the tragedy of the stroke, but remarkably encouraged by God's goodness to you in the recovery that you are making as well as the strength of Christ in your marriage, and the blessing of the Body of Christ around you. I will pray for you both and your continued recovery, Joanne, and for your families. God bless you in this time. May He continue to cover you with His peace and encouragement as you lean into Him for everything. He won't let you down!

Marcy

Toben -
Your post brought tears to my eyes.
I have been following this blog since January and continue to pray for Joann. Thank you for blessing us by sharing His love and trusting in His strength no matter the circumstances.

I know He has to be so proud of your family. "Well done, good and faithful servant." May God bless you all in unexpected ways this week.

Carrie

I check in occasionally, and pray for all of you often. I wanted to leave a quick comment to thank Joanne again for introducing me to Memory Monday. I have not been faithful in posting lately, but I have been memorizing my verses. I often wonder if you will be doing Memory Monday again? It truly has been a blessing to me.

Anyway, I know it is Tuesday, but thought I would let you know that my post is up on my blog http://butgrow.blogspot.com/2011/10/i-really-miss-blogging-really-i-do.html

Jen Kisrow

You all have my prayers, you are amazing , and a blessing reading and praying for you have been such a honor!

Cindy Beall

I love you guys.

Lana D

Still praying in Sugar Land...and loving you guys.

Ana Paula

All the best for you guys.
Ana Paula.

Ginny

Even though your posts are far apart to us we know you all are so busy...we are thrilled with an snatch of an update...we just want you know we don't forget you all either. Although we have never met and we live in a different state...we are still one. May our God Bless you in a special way today! Ginny and family

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