Hi Friends,

Well... I am back! I think! I've been experiencing that saying, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." Thank you for all the prayers of encouragement as I've been recovering.

In a nutshell (skip if you don't want to hear my ails... it's okay.) [ As many of you now I have rheumatoid arthritis. This fall during Invisible Illness Week I got cellulitis, which turned into a wound, which got the flesh eating bacteria... Hence 7 days in the hospital. 3 weeks of IVs at home, flaring from lack of RA drugs since August, the flu Christmas eve, and then the cough that lasted weeks, causing flaring in my back and sides bad enough that I couldn't sit up or stand some days without help. I am feeling a bit better, still of meds for awhile and needing to meet with the hand surgeon for the surgery that was to have happened during September. ]

But God has been at work and I even "took notes" so I could write up some articles after I felt better and remember the humor in all of it. I so am excited about all that we are doing at Rest Ministries to tighten things up and create a more supportive environment. My son started Kindergarten in August, we went straight into II Week, and life has not been "normal" since. I am finally enjoying some time to pray about the ministry and work on our future (and not feel like my head is in medication fog).

Here are some highlights:

Radio Show Starts Next Week
One exciting piece of news! I am kicking off our first Hope Endures radio podcast next week, Feb 10th and 12th. If you participated in Invisible Illness Week seminars, it's the same idea. You log on to the internet and hear us live. Details are below. I will send out an additional email in the next few days with more info too.

HopeKeepers Magazine out Mid-March
HopeKeepers Magazine is in the works. We are going digital since we are still in debt from the last print job. But at least we aren't shutting down like dozens of magazines. We know many of you have questions, and I have tried to answer all your HK Magazine questions here, so check out our FAQ before emailing me, and you will get a faster response, K?

Help Needed!
With all of these changes and addition, I have a HUGE need for more volunteers. Many of you have signed up to volunteer but were waiting to see the right place to plug in. I will soon announce a list of places we need your help! I really can't do this without you, so please consider volunteering some of your time and expertise (whether it's web research or praying for others.) If you've never signed up to be a volunteer, you can fill out an application here and you will be sure to be notified when we post the new positions.

I know that some things have fallen through the cracks in the last few months. I thank you for hanging in there with me. I am working on our new storefront too, so soon ordering will be much easier. We've been very pleased with our new shipping company and being able to contract this out has been a Godsend for me. It's the reason I have the time for the podcast and other things now too.

Lastly, if you're married or have a special someone, I invite you to join me and pray for your husband for the next 37 days (it started February 1st) with the Facebook group, "40 Days of Prayer for our Husbands (or serious other)." Over 700 women are praying! Every day you will receive an email telling you what to pray for and something to do. Encouragement too... for those of us (like me) that fail within hours (the first step being "don't say anything negative to your spouse.")

Thanks for all your prayers,

Lisa Copen
Rest Ministries Director and Founder

Yes! I can make a donation to help Rest Ministries continue their outreach!

Volunteers Keep Things Going While Lisa Recovers

A special thanks to all of you who have jumped in or done some extra volunteering while Lisa has been in recovery mode this last fall. Kay is back doing devotionals full-time; many of you have stepped forward in the Sunroom to help out. Our Encouragers Club has given hope to so many, and our writers team for the devotionals continue to make such an incredible difference in the lives of so many. I always said I couldn't do it without you, but this last season I found this to be especially true! Thank you!

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What Lisa has been working on

Since I've been gradually feeling better my time for Rest Ministries has been spent on:

(1) Catching up with emails.

(2) Reading submissions (over 200) for HopeKeepers Magazine. We will soon resume publishing it but we will be taking the path many publishers are such as --and publishing it online. We know that's not everyone's ideal, and it can be printed out. But it will temporarily take the place of the "hard copy" due to printing/postage increases.

(3) Working on our new store. Most items are now listed; we're getting some assistance on working out the last bugs.

(4) Updating the Sunroom

(5) Putting together a list of places we need volunteers and then soon matching those up with the people with passion!

(6) Blogging again! We were blessed to be a part of this month's Grand Rounds Vol. 5 No. 19 and also the How to Cope with Pain January Carnival. Why do I do this? Each time I blog and it gets sent out via one of these groups, a bunch of people who would never find us otherwise!

(7) Planning a podcast schedule for 2009!

(8) Did you help us by making a wonderful donation in December? Lisa will be getting your letter out to you in the next week. Thank you sooooo much!

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Lisa's Blog

She's been trying to get back to blogging again, but the good news is that what she is blogging is spreading around the net. As a professional blogger for Wellsphere.com her blogs were featured over at that web site reaching thousands. On January 28, HealthCentral, a leading publisher of over 35 websites for individuals facing specific health challenges, announced that it has acquired Wellsphere. With over 10 million health consumers visiting this web site a month, Lisa is eager to see how this new exposure may let more people know about Rest Ministries!

Devotionals Now Available on a Blog

You can now read our daily devotionals on the web site. You can also have them emailed to you, find a widget, and soon, you will be able to meet our writers and find their web pages. If you have a web site or blog, we encourage you to copy the code for the Widget (see FAQ about Reprints) so that you can have our devotionals on your very own site, automatically updated each day. (Yahoogroups will continue to deliver them too.) See chronicillnessdevotionals.com

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Have You Checked Out the Sunroom Lately?

We've reached over 900 people! While we always want to have our priority be the quality of relationships and not the quantity of people, we are thrilled that we have the opportunity to encourage so many. We're currently looking for feedback on "reasons you love the Sunroom" and "what we can do to improve it." Let us know today!

A couple more announcements about the Sunroom...

[1] I've been re-organizing it a bit and we now have many categories for your posts in the discussion area. This can help you find where you want to post or where to best encourage someone or find a new friend you have someone in common with.

The new discussion forum topics are:

• Resources to Share
  
• Things I Think Would Encourage Others
  
• Looking for a Friend or Pen Pal
  
• General Comments
  
• I Need Help Coping With....
  
• Prayer Requests
  
• Family and Friends Understanding
  
• Just Diagnosed
  
• Illness or Pain Related Questions
  
• Spiritual Questions/Comments Re: Illness
  
• Caregiving
  
• Working While Chronically Ill
  
• Thankful for Friends Here
  
• Events
  
• Administrative Things about the Sunroom

To find discussions:

To find the most recent scroll down from the main page to where the center box says, "Forum." To see them by category click the top tab that says, "Meet and Share" and click "Discussions."

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Periodic Announcements Now in the Sunroom

Be sure to check out the announcements section at the top of the center of the main page. Here we will post updates, features, needs, and more.

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Talking Politics

It's no surprise that many of us may have issues with some of President Obama's decisions, but we've asked you to refrain from focusing on these in the Sunroom unless is particularly is related to illness. We definitly applaud your desire to share your opinion and pray for the president, however, and have found that the Presidential Prayer Team is an excellent site. You'll find out tons of ways to pray, who to pray for, up-to-date legislation changes to pray for travel, and more.

Rita Eno lives with Lupus; Fibromyalgia; Osteoarthritis; Reynauds; and Epilepsy. She shares, "Every day I look forward to going to my computer to see if I've had a visit from one of my new friends at Rest Ministries. Hearing from others who know what living with chronic illness is a blessing.

Taking one step at a time isn't so hard when you're holding hands with friends who are walking with you. Thank you all for the hours that you give to us by leading this very special ministry.

It's especially appreciated knowing that in spite of suffering with illnesses yourselves, you continue to give. May our Precious Shepherd bless you all richly for all that you do in his name.

With much thanks and hugs to you all!
~ Rita Eno"

> Click here to submit your own story

"But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." Job 23:10

If you didn't get a chance to get to the theaters to see this amazing movie on marriage, definitely head on down to the rental store to check out a copy. Fireproof was seen by about 4 million people at the theater and changed many lives. Lots of churches are planning "movie nights" to show this film now that it is out on DVD. Read more and see the trailer here.

Did you know about 75% of marriages impacted by chronic illness end in divorce? We think this movie and the book The Love Dare are some of the best tools we've found to improve your marriage, regardless of how wonderful (or hurting) it may be.

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O Magazine Looking for Interviewees

A writer, Cynthia Kling, is writing an article for Oprah's O Magazine called, "It's not a Disease, it's a Gift." The conditions she is covering focus on ADD, OCD, Depression, "shyness," Aspergers, etc. She says, "I am writing about people who have taken a different approach to their unique wiring - rather than medicalizing their ADD, dyslexia etc. - they have reorganized their lives that take advantage of these unique strengths." Her email is ckling@panix.com and her deadline is February 15,10:00 a.am. Eastern Though we don't endorse anything Oprah, we thought this may be a great way to share your story with a huge audience if it's applicable.

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Ben Carson Movie Features Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Be sure to catch the movie, based on the true story of Dr. Ben Carson, whose lifelong journey led him to become director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children's Center, a best-selling author and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The movie premieres Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT), exclusively on TNT. Read more details about it on Lisa's blog.

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Want to DeClutter?

Have your kids outgrown their DVDs and you're looking to swap? Now you can swap one of your used ones and then choose one to be sent to you through Swap DVD. You can also buy credits if you don't have any DVDs to list.

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USA: What Medical Expenses Can Be Deducted for Taxes?

If you have been paying a lot for health care recently, you'll be glad to know that some items like a new mattress, exercise-related expenses or even elastic hosiery to treat blood circulation problems may qualify as deductible from your taxable income using Form 1040, Schedule A. You have to itemize deductions to claim these expenses. And. . . medical expenses are only deductible to the extent that they exceed 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). Check out Turbo Taxes list of items that are tax deductible for 2008.

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Find Fun Giveaways
From Christian Women

Over 4,000 Christian women participate as a "Christian Women Bloggers." You may have noticed the CWO logo on Lisa's blog. Each week these Christian women post freebies that different women are offering: things like books, lotions, downloads, things for gifts and more.

> Have something silly to share?

People are always asking, "How can I help Rest Ministries?" With the internet, it's easy to help spread the word. With just a few of us working together to write a review someone or "Stumble Upon" an article, Rest Ministries can gain tons of exposure without having to spend a dime! We'll share a suggestion here each week, where if you can take a minute it will help us reach more people!

Let people know about our Daily Devotionals! It's easy! They can view them each day on this blog (www.chronicillnessdevotional.com) or you can even sign up to get a "Widget" (a piece of code to cut and paste) and put on your own web site or blog so people can read them there. Find out more about reprints, etc. at the blog.

Did you know we really need your prayers? In the last few months we've had volunteers who have suffered heart attacks, lost their home, lost a loved one, had additional illnesses diagnosed and more.

Our ministry is blessed, but at the same time we have computer crashes, administrative issues and all kinds of things that just remind us that though God is in control, the enemy desperately wants to slow us down! We have a great list of things you can pray for us about for 2008. Print it out here and stick it in your Bible or on your fridge, and remember us, okay? It's very appreciated!