Lunch, friends, words of wisdom...classic.

The last few days have been interesting here at Joni and Friends. I am still working hard churning out blog posts for the Kids' Corner blog, drafting FAQs for the revamped website, and coming up with 365 tips on how to be a better friend to someone with a disability. The tips are going to be made into a day-by-day calendar for the kiddos. All of these tasks have proven to be challenging, but good. My fourth blog post--on forgiveness--will be posted on Friday, October 26. (Happy Birthday to me!)

So, I had lunch with Joni, whom I have dubbed, "Her Rolling Highness." I am in no way implying that she is self-righteous, pious, or any other term of the like. Obviously, people know otherwise! She is just one of those people that whenever she speaks, you stop and listen.  You want to stop and listen. She has so much wisdom! During lunch, she wanted to know my family dynamic, how I came to know Christ, and what lead me to spend the last few months at JAF.

I share with Joni just how much my family means to me, even getting a little emotional. I would not be who I am or where I am without my mom, and I am eternally grateful. She not only saw to it that I came to know the Lord at an early age, but she has been, and continues to be, such a driving force in establishing my independence. (Thanks, Mama!) I shared with her just how close my brother, Joe, and are, and that he is still my "phone-a-friend" on certain things. I then shared with her that my dad went to be with Jesus six years ago, and what a good feeling it is to know that he "fought the good fight" and is resting comfortably in the arms of Jesus now, after not knowing the Lord. As dysfunctional as my family is, it contributes to one AMAZING story--MY LIFE. :)

Remember this post? Well, I brought the book along to show Joni, and she loved it. Her exact words, "Wow. Now, that is a CLASSIC!" I shared with her that my favorite part of the edition that I have is the mouth-written note on the back cover. Joni was eager to see it, as she had forgotten about that, and what she wrote. :) The book has seen it's better days, as it was used when I came in contact with it. It is now autographed. I plan on framing the cover, since it is basically detached from the book. :)

I have attended two cancer talks that Joni has given this month. This past weekend, she gave a talk at the Reagan Library, where there were at least 400 people present. Pretty great turnout, eh? Afterwards, Joni approached me saying, "It made me so happy to see you--my friend--in the audience." That has to be one of the highlights of this amazing experience. Having someone so inspiring call me a friend!? Thank you!

I now have a GREAT photo to have and reflect on this California adventure. What do you guys think?