Rediscovering God’s Goodness at Joni and Friends Retreats & Getaways

By Joni and Friends|Published On: August 14, 2023|Categories: Family Retreats, Marriage Getaway|

Maribeth and her husband smiling with their arms around each other in front of a fireplace decorated for Thanksgiving.

At twenty-five years old, Maribeth had big plans for her life: graduate from nursing school, work off school debt, have a healthy baby, and enjoy a “normal,” happy life. But God had other plans…

When Your Plan isn’t God’s Plan

The night Maribeth graduated from nursing school, her water broke. Just twenty-five weeks pregnant, she soon gave birth to a tiny two-pound warrior named Ella. At first Ella seemed to be thriving. Then her belly began to swell, and doctors discovered that she had a serious—and often fatal—infection.

Crash carts, nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists, social workers, and a chaplain swirled around little Ella. Maribeth and her husband Chris braced themselves for the worst. Doctors gave a prognosis: “bleak, with less than a two percent chance of survival.”

For five long months, Ella teetered at the precipice between life and death… and she survived.

A Constant State of Uncertainty

For several years Ella’s family lived with constant uncertainty. Her parents were so glad she was alive and seemingly well that they didn’t notice for a long time that she was “different” from her typically developing peers. At nine years old, Ella received an official diagnosis: autism, cerebral palsy, and an intellectual disability.

Ella’s diagnosis brought both relief and new uncertainties. On one hand, Ella got access to programs and interventions to help her thrive. On the other hand, Maribeth and her husband had to come to terms with the fact that Ella would need full-time care for the rest of her life.

While they have always been willing to do anything for their daughter, Chris and Maribeth soon realized that they can’t meet all of Ella’s needs on their own.

A selfie of Maribeth and family, all smiling at the camera.

They turned to prayer. God soon provided an answer by crossing their paths with a Joni and Friends staff member who told them about the ministry. After learning more, they signed up for a Joni and Friends Marriage Getaway.

Finding Renewal at Marriage Getaway

“Within a few hours of hearing, seeing, and taking part of this ministry we could feel the Lord providing the specific encouragement and hope that we needed exactly in that season. We could sense that God was making provisions for our future. There was such a tremendous peace and hope that washed over us from the very moment we were introduced to the mission of Joni and Friends,” says Maribeth.

Chris and Maribeth found just what they needed at Marriage Getaway. Meeting other couples in similar circumstances, sharing many of the same struggles, they no longer felt alone.

As each couple shared their story, Maribeth and Chris could feel this beautiful community being built up and secured around them—God hemming them in with his love.

Since Marriage Getaway, Maribeth and Chris have maintained relationships with many of the couples they met and have attended other events hosted by Joni and Friends. They look forward to bringing their family to Family Retreat too!

Rediscovering God’s Goodness

Though God’s plans were very different from hers, Maribeth now sees God’s love and goodness shine through her family’s story.

She says: “I have been brought closer to the Lord because of it. I would not be the mother, wife, friend, neighbor, and believer I am today had Ella not opened up my spiritual world view. I am so grateful for all the ways she has brought me closer to understanding the fullness of God’s goodness despite the trials and tribulations we may face.”

You can help more families living with disability discover God’s goodness and purpose in their life. Together we can bring hope through hardship to people at home and across the globe.