Some of you may not know that one of my children has Juvenile Diabetes.  While God is using this in His own way for our "growth" in grace, it is still a very trying time.  As I write this however, I know that there are many more families out there dealing with far more serious conditions.  But though the conditions are all of different degrees of difficulty, there are many of the same things we share.  One is that we all wish we could "get away from it all" and I know that our prayer more often than not is "Come Lord Jesus!"  And although that is our hearts desire for eternity, for now we just need some respite from the constant struggle we have in our homes.

I know for some of us, the struggle is really a "count it all joy" time.  Some of us are wired differently, and can handle it better than others.  But even if we can handle it well most of the time, we all need a break!  Don't you think so?  I do.  We need a rest.  But we can't just take a day off and ignore the special needs or situations.  Life goes on!  Diabetes doesn't take a break.  Fill in the blank here:  your child's disability or disease does not take a vacation.  It is very hard for us to find someone who we can trust with our child so we can go away for a day or two.  So we just don't go.  And families, spouses, siblings; they all need a break for refreshment and ministry.  We have wonderful friends with children of Down Syndrome.  They can't find anyone to step in for a short time so they can get away.  We all want to help sometimes, but it is hard...

Enter "Hopeful Farm."  This is SO exciting!  I am pasting a letter here for you to read, and be sure to listen to the interview at the end of it.  This is a vision that was given to a young homeschooled girl, that is now coming to fruition many years later.  I am so expectant to see what all the Lord is going to do with this family and their willingness and desire to minister to families in need of a break.  I really think this is the heart of the Lord, and I am so happy to be watching it unfold.  Take a moment to read about Hopeful Farm, and tell your friends too!  There are many ways that you can help, Lord Willing, for this to become an amazing reality that will bless many families one family at a time.

Nancy

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Dear Friends,

I'd like to take a moment this morning to invite you and your children to participate in a very special event that is going on this week – something your family is just going to love to be a part of!  

Many of you are familiar with Jill Novak, author of The Gift of Family Writing and publisher of The Girlhood Home Companion. This summer the Novak family began a new chapter in their lives with the founding of Hopeful Farm, a non-profit organization based in Kentucky that ministers to families impacted by special needs.

The vision for Hopeful Farm was planted in the Novak's hearts ten years ago, after the birth and death of their fourth child, Nicholas, who was born with a genetic syndrome. Now, Hopeful Farm is finally becoming a reality.

The mission of Hopeful Farm is truly unique and much needed as it seeks to provide an all-access environment in which families impacted by special needs may find time to focus on each other, build relationships, and gain refreshment and renewal in an escape from the exhausting grind of everyday life.

This is the first time Hopeful Farm has held a benefit of this magnitude, and you will not believe the resources that are being donated as a thank you for your participation. If you have been wanting some of Jill's writing and drawing products to enrich your home school curriculum, not to mention her resources for mothers and daughters, this is something you have to see!

www.hopefulfarmfoundation.org/benefit.htm    

Not only that, but Jill's publishing friends have donated some incredible resources as well, as a way to bless you for becoming involved in this very important work.

Your family can have a direct impact on families with children with special needs – and in return, your own family will receive a blessing from all of the wonderful companies that have offered their products in support of Hopeful Farm.

If you would like to hear what Hopeful Farm is all about, you can access an online interview by Cindy Rushton with Claire and Jill Novak at www.hopefulfarmfoundation.org/interview.html    

This benefit will run for one week only until Sunday, October 5^th, so take a look now...and please tell a friend or three or four about it!

Thanks so much,

Nancy