Joan’s Personal Retreat: How I looked forward to my personal retreat at a cabin in the woods. I planned to take walks among the tall pines, read on the patio, answer to no other person, journal, relax, nap, rest and pray.

After unloading the car and putting away my food for the next few days, I stared at my stack of books. What to read first? The book titled Go Back and Be Happy by Julie Papievis (http://www.gobackandbehappy.com) seemed to call my name. I had never met Julie prior to the day at the Christian Book Expo when she autographed her book and gave it to me.

Julie Papievis: I read the first few chapters and learned how Julie experienced a devastating brain injury that took her to the gates of heaven. As she was about to enter she heard an unusual message, “Go back home and be happy.”

Her story captivated me and I couldn’t stop reading. I jotted notes to myself in the margins as tears threatened to spill from my eyes. (And this from a woman who rarely cries!?) After arriving back in my office, I sent Julie an email expressing how much I appreciated the inspiring message in the book she wrote with writer Margaret McSweeney.

The 700 Club: So it is a delightful privilege to invite you to hear Julie Papievis share her story on The 700 Club (http://www.cbn.com/700club) this Tuesday, September 1, 2009. If you don’t have the opportunity to watch the television interview on Tuesday, visit Julie’s website (http://www.gobackandbehappy.com) after Tuesday afternoon to watch the video.

Julie says, “I think the Lord wants me to keep telling His story of hope!” I strongly recommend that you read Go Back and Be Happy (http://amazon.com) and then share it with your family members and friends. Let’s pass around the hope!

We celebrated Jesus’ birthday with our family on Wednesday, Dec. 17. We had a wonderful–and loud–time with our daughter Lynnette, son-in-law Adam, son Rich, and daughter-in-law Anne and the seven grandchildren (from oldest to youngest): Annika, Max, Kirsten, Luke, Lesia, Sam, and Calissa. Here’s a pix of Papa and Grandma Joan with everyone!

We (Papa and I, Grandma Joan) enjoyed having Lynnette, Adam, Rich and Anne and all seven grandchildren over for a TACO LUNCH today. We ate on the patio. See the kids and Grandma Joan sitting at the kid-sized table?

Lesia, Luke, Kirsten, and Sam relaxed on the hammock while Annika and Max played the hammock-strings like a “harp.” Then all the children went with Adam and Papa for a golf-cart ride and run beside the cart.

Adam and the girls made brownies for our desert and the boys brought ice cream, chocolate syrup and chocolate chip cookies. Then all the men helped clean up. We had a fun day.