Joni’s Story

Encouragement, insights, and personal updates from Joni. 

Welcome to my corner! Every week on my Diamonds in the Dust video series I am highlighting a special lesson from God’s Word that has helped me live in my wheelchair for more than five decades…with a smile! It’s my heart’s desire to pass along these short, yet deep little lessons in hopes that the insights will inspire you to follow Jesus willingly and gladly down whatever road is ahead.

Resources and Encouragement

Read through the Bible with Joni and Ken!

Order Joni’s newest book, The Practice of the Presence of Jesus

Check out Joni’s 5-day YouVersion reading plan!

Joni Eareckson Tada’s 5-Part Advent Devotional

Joni’s Blog Posts

Joni Eareckson Tada wearing a button-up cardigan, a white turtleneck, and a colorful scarf, smiling for the camera next to her "Christmas Eve Night" artwork. She is set against a black background.

December 18, 2024

The Church Shines in the Snowy Mountains on Christmas Eve

When it comes to the artistry of my painting Christmas Eve Night, the entire piece is a play on temperature, contrasting a warm, golden glow inside...

Joni is smiling and sitting in her wheelchair next to her painting titled "The Nativity."

November 12, 2024

Christ Jesus Came into the World to Save Sinners

I was completely at a loss when, in 1980, I was asked to create a completely unique and original work of art for a Billy Graham...

Joni wearing a bright blue long sleeve with a colorful scarf smiling at the camera next to her "Joy to the World" artwork.

October 21, 2024

Joy to the World: The Angel’s Joyful Announcement

The night sky was serene and peaceful over the quiet hills near Bethlehem, when “Suddenly a great company of heavenly hosts appeared” (Luke 2:13)...

Joni, dressed in a vibrant green button-up long sleeve shirt, smiles at the camera beside her captivating painting titled "Horse in Wild Mustard." The artwork, rich in color and detail, features a majestic horse set against a backdrop of wild mustard flowers, highlighting her artistic talent and passion.

September 27, 2024

The Beauty of the Horse Shines Through the Darkness

Depending on the type of painting, I don’t always keep scraps from my planning process, things like original color tests, rough sketches, and experiments...

Joni next to her Mountain Majesty artwork

August 12, 2024

God is Our Unshakeable Rock and Strong Foundation

Whether they be the soft, misty hills of the Smoky Mountains or the towering peaks of the Rockies, a mountain has always lifted my spirits...

A picture of Joni seated in her wheelchair saying hi to a little boy seated in his wheelchair with Ken beside them leaning down and smiling.

July 30, 2024

From the Heart of the Founder

What exactly was God thinking when he wrote a diving accident into the script for my life? To be sure, he knew it would transform me and give me a greater...

Doing a report about Joni?

Read Joni’s biography or learn about some of her favorite things.

Joni’s Interests

Colors

  • Teal Blue
  • Coral

Food

  • Lindy Eareckson’s Maryland crab cakes
  • Ken Tada’s barbecued tri-tip
  • Any kind of fresh fruit salad

Movies

  • Chariots of Fire
  • Miss Potter
  • The Blind Side
  • The Sound of Music
  • Pride and Prejudice

People

  • My husband, Ken
  • Charles Krauthammer
  • Steve Estes
  • Elisabeth Elliot

Memories

  • Speaking at the 1989 Billy Graham Crusade in Budapest, Hungary
  • Filming the Joni movie
  • Visiting the Pool of Bethesda in the old city of Jerusalem

Flowers

  • Yellow Roses
  • California Poppies
  • Hyacinths

Birds

  • Bewick’s Wren
  • Titmouse
  • Goldfinches

Animals

  • Quarter Horses
  • Yellow Labrador Retrievers
  • California seals

Hobbies

  • Oil Painting
  • Travel
  • Reading

Free Time

  • 4:00 Tea
  • Sunday lunch in my church’s rose garden
  • Enjoying my backyard after work

Games

  • Scrabble
  • Backgammon
  • Balloon Volleyball

Places to Visit

  • The Holy Land
  • Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
  • Devon, England

National Parks

  • Yosemite National Park
  • Glacier National Park

Monuments

  • The Lincoln Memorial
  • Mt. Rushmore
  • Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Museums

  • The Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas
  • The Reagan Library
  • National Air and Space Museum
  • The Art Institute of Chicago Museum
  • Imperial War Museum in London

Inspirational Books

  • Crazy Love by Francis Chan
  • Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris
  • The Valley of Vision by Arthur Bennett

History Books

  • Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose
  • Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President by Allen C. Guelzo
  • John Adams by David McCullough

Children’s Books

  • Smoky the Cowhorse by Will James
  • Runaway Home by Elizabeth Coatsworth and Mabel O’Donnell
  • Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson

Biographical Books

  • A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot
  • George Muller of Bristol by Arthur T. Pierson

Theology Books

  • The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World by Dr. John Piper and Justin Taylor
  • Studies in Theology by Loraine Boettner

Disability Books

  • The Long Good Night: My Father’s Journey into Alzheimer’s by Daphne Simpkins
  • Blame it on the Brain: Distinguishing Chemical Imbalances, Brain Disorders, and Disobedience by Dr. Edward Welch
  • Depression: A Stubborn Darkness by Dr. Edward Welch
  • Same Lake, Different Boat by Stephanie Hubach

Spend time with me, and I’ll have you singing along on a hymn – I love the words to the old hymns! When I was first injured and laying in my hospital bed in the dark, I would chase away fear by softly singing my favorites. God used the timeless words of those beautiful hymns to lift my spirits and draw me close to Him. So click on a couple I’ve posted here and sing along!

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

All The Way My Savior Leads Me

Amazing Grace!

And Can It Be That I Should Gain

Angels From The Realms Of Glory

Angels We Have Heard On High

Be Thou My Vision

Beneath The Cross Of Jesus

Breathe On Me, Breath Of God

Christ The Lord Is Risen Today

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought!

He Was Wounded For Our Transgressions

Holy, Holy, Holy!

How Firm A Foundation

I Know Whom I Have Believed

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

It Is Well With My Soul

Jesus, Keep Me Near The Cross

Jesus Paid It All

Jesus, Thy Blood And Righteousness

Lead On, O King Eternal

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Man Of Sorrows! What A Name

More Love To Thee, O Christ

My Faith Has Found A Resting Place

My Jesus, I Love Thee

O Come, All Ye Faithful

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O Little Town Of Bethlehem

O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

O The Deep, Deep Love Of Jesus

O Worship The King

Once In Royal David’s City

Silent Night! Holy Night!

There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood

Up From The Grave He Arose

Were You There?

What Child Is This

What Wondrous Love Is This

When He Commeth, When He Commeth

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

When Morning Gilds The Skies

You can download all the hymns in a single PDF: Joni’s Favorite Hymns

Share Your Story

One of the best things about Joni and Friends is the “and Friends.” That’s you! Over the past 40 years of ministry, we’ve built a marvelous network of servants and leaders from around the world who desire to share the hope of Christ to a skeptical world. When we share our hearts, burdens are lifted and joy is multiplied – thank you for telling me about the Lord’s work in your life! Some of what you share may end up being a part of one of our radio programs. Thank you for encouraging me and others with your story!