Sharing Hope Through Every Hardship in New England
With 11-year-old twin boys Austin and Joey, and 4-year-old Willow who has developmental delays and difficult sensory issues, Mike and Amy’s days are full to the brim with both blessings and challenges. Amy describes sweet Willow as “constant motion.” Mike and Amy are determined to do their best to “meet Willow where she is” each day, but the caregiving demands required to parent special needs children can be all-encompassing.
Mike and Amy’s day-to-day challenges were magnified beyond belief when Mike got coronavirus and ended up in the hospital for two weeks with double pneumonia. As her husband lay fighting for his life in the COVID unit, Amy “wondered if she had the strength and mental energy to be Willow’s solo-caregiver.” And while Amy worried about the future, Willow cried out, “Daddy be ok? Daddy be ok?” Her tender heart toward her father put words to the whole family’s fears.
“I wondered how I was going to make it through this. How would I ever keep Willow calm?”
Amy
Austin and Joey are loving brothers and help their Mom a lot, but the family was truly overwhelmed. Not only were Amy and her children quarantined at home; they were separated from Mike at a time when they longed to be by his side.
Mike and Amy’s family had already connected with Joni and Friends New England through Family Retreat, and when Mike was hospitalized, our New England team sprang into action. We reached out to Amy, prayed for the family and packed up a Joni and Friends Special Delivery gift bag for Amy and the children, and delivered it to their doorstep. Through that Special Delivery, hope arrived on the scene.
The gift bag included sticker books for Willow, some activities and Family Retreat sweatshirts for the boys, Joni’s Beside Bethesda book for Amy, and a Joni and Friends Hope Blanket. Each gift gave Christ-centered encouragement to this dear family at a time when they needed it most.
We partnered with the local church, and soon Amy was also blessed with groceries, note cards, and an abundance of prayer!
When the Special Delivery gift bag was delivered, our New England team was met at the door by Amy and all the children – keeping an appropriate social distance, of course.
Amy remarked, “I didn’t realize what a storm we were in, but we were in it. Seeing friendly faces at the front door, knowing you were praying… the Joni and Friends Special Delivery was a thoughtful touch at just the right time.”
Willow kept repeating, “Thank You! Thank You!” And later Amy let us know just how much the boys’ faces lit up when the gift bag was opened. “The boys felt so special!” declared Amy. This loving touch provided a simple act of kindness communicating a sincere message:
Every person matters to God, and there is always hope in Jesus – even through the most daunting hardships.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
Amy sent us a picture of Willow snuggled under the Hope Blanket and said, “Success! Willow does not fall asleep easily because she cannot self-regulate, but she was out like a light, and early at that! Thank YOU, Joni and Friends!”
The impact of prayer and knowing they were not alone allowed Amy to take a deep breath.
And as she prayed with her boys that night before bedtime, Austin’s faith summed up the whole family’s changed perspective, “We don’t need to be worried about Dad because we have Jesus!”
Mike is on the road to recovery and has now returned home from the hospital. He and Amy say that his victory over COVID-19 is all due to faithful praying friends and the goodness of God.
And when Mike spoke to our Joni and Friends New England team he said, “Thank you so much. My heart and soul could feel Jesus’ strength coming from your prayers.”
We are dedicated to supporting families impacted by disability through every hardship, and we consider it an honor to do so through Family Retreat, Special Delivery, and ongoing support groups.
Support Joni and Friends New England
You can be a part of everything God is doing through our Joni and Friends New England office! Show your strong support today so that more and more special needs families living under the strain of disability and disease and experience the miraculous power and love of Jesus!
