Hi Friends,

The last few weeks have been a new lesson in surrendering. As many of you know I was scheduled to have wrist/hand surgery 9/24 but a staph infection made that impossible. I ended up with cellulitus on my right ankle and an abscess. It has drained me of energy and it healing very slowly. I went to the wound care center last week and have been on antibiotics for nearly 4 weeks. And... off my main rheumatoid arthritis medications. Surgery still has to happen. I was awake all night last night with either my ankle throbbing or my hand pulsating. Each turn of my wrist could rupture the tendon so I am being careful in how I use it.

In the midst of this I know how blessed I am. Despite the fact that this is all going to cost over a thousand dollars it would have been much more without health insurance. My family is planning on coming back as soon as surgery is scheduled to help out with things. I am so very grateful that the infection appeared just before surgery and not after. And the fact that God timed Rest Ministries new shipping help with all of this is literally a lifesaver.

It's given me time to reflect on priorities (like getting well and having enough energy for Josh when he gets home from school.) And to also sit back and pray about where God wants to lead our ministry. I am eager to have energy back to start all the things I feel led to do, but the more I feel that way, the more I believe God is saying, "Wait... and rest... Remember? You called in Rest Ministries!"

So I've been working on our new store which should be up soon (and very cool) and I've been doing more transparencies for Scrapbookmyadoption.com that my sister and I own. When I can't think, it gives me a chance to just be creative. I miss doing things like cross-stitching and quilting, so this gives me a creative outlet.

Thank you for your prayers, your deep understanding when it takes me a few days to get back to you, and for the encouragement. I'll admit it... I'm weary, kinda of down. Knowing I still have surgery before me and all of that recovery (in other words, it will get worse before it gets better) is emotionally draining at times. But then I feel badly for whining when I know so many of you are facing daily challenges that I can't even comprehend.

You'll see below that my husband recently bought me an Amazon Kindle for my 40th birthday (yes, I am spoiled.0 and I love having a Bible on it, available to me anywhere, anytime with a click of a button.

Bless you,

Lisa Copen
Rest Ministries Director and Founder

PS: Wondering what I am up to or how to pray for me?
I appreciate your prayers so much! Follow me on Twitter.

PPS: Have you listened to the Invisible Illness Week seminars?
They are here archived forever...

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

What's Up at RM?

Rest Ministries is currently in a transition period of re-evaluating how we can better serve you. As Lisa planned for surgery she thought she would use the "down time" to pray, collect information and "tighten up" some of our programs. There are also new areas of ministry we'd like to establish, and add to our board of directors. Ironically, it seems every company is doing this now because of the economy, but we had plans to do it anyway!

If you have a suggestion on how we can improve a particular group you are involved in or something you would like to see on our web site, we'd love to hear your ideas and will be happy to consider them. Contact us here under "An Idea or Improvement"

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Have You Seen Fireproof Yet?

It's still at theaters and opening in more each week! It's a life-changing movie, especially for marriages. Why does Lisa think this film, Fireproof, is so terrific? Read her review here for Fireproof, the movie!

Watch the official trailer for "Fireproof"

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Volunteer Positions Will Create New Ways to Serve

Do you love internet marketing? Writing or posting articles? Organizing people? Are you a MySpace expert? Squidoo? Shoutlife? Blogger? As we are reorganizing areas of our ministry we will be posting a new list of volunteer positions. If you feel the Lord may be calling you to an area of ministry, or you have a passion for reaching out to the chronically ill, continue to pray about where your gifts and passions are.

Most positions will require about 10 hours per week and we need people who can be long-term, committed volunteers for leadership positions. Watch this ezine for fresh opportunities! And if you think you can't commit to 10 hours a week, that's okay. All our coordinators will need assistants that can help on a monthly basis.

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Are you a Rest Ministries Volunteer Coordinator?

Watch your email this next week for a survey about how we can better serve the group of people you serve through your area of ministry. We will be evaluating how we can improve our service and join our volunteers together better as well.

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Did you order brochures for Invisible Illness Week and still have some left over?

A few people have asked for updated cards. We won't have 2009's for a bit, but we've created labels to stick on the last of ours over the top of the text on the bottom front of the brochure about the 20 Blog Talk Radio programs available to listen to. You can download this pdf them here. They fit the 5160 Avery Label.

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Lisa's Husband Got Her a Kindle!

For my 40th birthday my husband surprised me with an items I have been trying to put money aside for for the last last year - an Amazon Kindle reader. If you are an author and plan to send me a copy of your book to review, consider emailing it to me as a text document and I can upload it to my Kindle and (1) have it available to be able to review it faster; (2) save you the cost of the book. Despite not yet having surgery on my hand, I'm loving the ability to read and not turn any pages or hold a thick book that strains my fingers. It has a hefty price tag, but will be an amazing tool to do research while writing future books too.

If you have a Kindle yourself, or know someone who does, you may be interested to know Rest Ministries books (Mosaic Moments, Why Can't I Make People Understand and Beyond Casseroles) will soon be available in this digital format too.

>Read more about Lisa's opinion of the Kindle here.

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Inventory has Moved

Thanks to Lisa's mom who helped pack many boxes and do inventory and Lisa's husband who made two trips to UPS with over 16 boxes, most of the books and other items will now be shipped from another larger non-profit ministry organization for us. Shipping started 10/16/08. If you ordered something in the last couple of weeks, it has shipped. A few orders still came from Lisa's home if it was her books or items she still had in stock.

Items will be coming from Indianapolis, IN which should also make the shipping time a bit more equal than when it shipped from San Diego. And they will be sent via Fed Ex ground, which should help decrease the lost packages!

Remember to say a big thank you to the Lord for this blessing. With Lisa's hands getting worse every day, this could not have come at a better time (they are a Christian organization that found us!)

left to right back row: Sheryl & Noval Smith and Nancy Brown front row: Lea and Mike McKenzie

Some of the moderators from our Splashes of Joy group got together for their annual visit to Atlantic Beach in July. Splashes of Joy is a group for women at Rest Ministries who are coping with a chronic illness and also dealing with depression. Together, they have an amazing ministry encouraging one another.

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Special Thoughts

One of the Splashes of Joy members, Giselle, recently wrote a prayer about her experience. It's precious and we know that you will be blessed by it. it can also be found on the Splashes of Joy web page.

Heavenly Father,

I pray for all these wonderful ladies here, especially for those who are lurking but unable to share their struggles.

Father, You know that all of us suffer from depression and we suffer with one or many chronic pain conditions. I know that it is not Your

Will for anyone to suffer but to believe and be healed. Father, sometimes it's is so hard to see how we will ever be healed. Many have even giving up on praying to You because they have never been healed or had their prayers answered during there suffering. Some have waited a lifetime for answered prayer. Many think You are not there for them.

The truth is that You are always with us. It is us that lose our trust, hope and faith in You.

Father, I pray You pour out a blessing on every member here, not just those frequently involved, not just for those who are rarely here, not just for those who lurk. Father, pour a blessing upon each person connected with and through this site.

Our ultimate desire would be to completely healed of depression and the things that cause us Chronic pain. And in Your time You may do that for some. You may ask others to wait because it's just not time yet.

And others You will not heal for reasons of Your own.

We are all crying out to You to deliver us from these things anyway. We have faith and believe You are the Great Physician and that in Your time You will heal us.

For those of us that You are asking to continue to wait and for those that may never be healed, I ask that You give them the strength and courage they need to face each day. Give them perseverance to get up each morning and face their day and live it to the best of their ability. Give them peace and discernment in their homes, in their families and in their own mind. Give them hope and help them believe that You will always be there and will give them what the specifically need to face that day. Help us not to be too hard on ourselves when we've had a bad day. Show us that You love us unconditionally.

Father, so many of us get discouraged when we can no longer do something because of depression and pain. We get depressed when we can't take care of our loved ones. We get depressed when we can't care for our house. We get depressed when going out into the world that doesn't understand. We get depressed when we can't even get out of bed. We get depressed because in some ways we lost the ability to do the things we used to be able to do and the things we loved to do. I know depression is a disease but know that life struggles don't help.

Show us that despite all these things that when they face You in heaven You will not care what their home looked like, what their capabilities were. You won't care that we had pain and depression (because in Heaven all these things will be gone). But You will ask us how we served Him despite all these things. When we meet You face to face we will no longer have pain, suffering, broken bodies. We will be new. And You will open Your arms and welcome us home. I know Father that You are sad that we are going through these things on earth right now and that You cry with us. But I also know it is You that literally carries us through each day.

Help those around them to have compassion and understanding. May they see things as they are but to not be afraid of stepping in and helping out. Father, I know it's hard on our loved ones when they can't take our pain away. Be with them as they try to love us and let them know that it's normal to feel inadequate when they can't heal that person. Help them not to be afraid of the future but to live each day as it comes. Place love and compassion in their hearts.

Father, because of the depression and Chronic pain some homes have been broken. Restore the relationships You can and for those that can't be restored show the women left behind that you can be their husband, friend, father, provider, and that there is hope.

For those that are in the midst of family struggles, give each woman the courage she needs to have each day. Give her wisdom in doing all she can to restore those relationships. Give her courage to change the things she needs to change on her part but also give that same courage and wisdom to the others involved.

For those who had a partner and no longer do, and for those who pray for a life partner I ask You to wrap Your arms around them and show them that You can be their partner. Show them that You are always there even in the loneliest hours.

For those who struggle to provide for their families and have to force themselves to work at a job, despite their struggles, I ask that You poor an abundant blessing for financial stability and strength to persevere.

Father, be with each of us during our struggles. Help us remember that You are always there and that You will carry us during our most difficult times. May we always praise You no matter what.

Father, thanks for starting this group and putting the right people here at the right time. It's by You that someone has been directed here and that they will instantly connect with another person here and thus having someone to encourage them, love them, not judge them, care for them and most importantly pray for them. Thank You for putting such amazing prayer warriors on this site. So many women have faced these things because of their faith in You but also because of the prayers and wisdom of so many here.

Father, bless each one here with health, happiness, hope, joy, wisdom, perseverance, financial stability, restored relationships, new relationships, and faith in You.

We thank you Lord, so much, because we wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for You and for all these women who see each other through.

In Jesus' Precious Name I pray. Amen!

About Giselle: "I am from Saskatchewan, Canada and have 2 children, ages 17 & 19, and a daughter-in-law. I work part time as an office administrative assistant. I have many interests: family, friends, writing, sewing, quilting, crafts, reading, watching movies and enjoy gardening and being outside amidst God’s beauty.

I have had depression and chronic pain for about 8 years. Life hasn’t always been easy and there have been many many struggles in those years. However, I am so thankful to be able to look back and see how God has gotten me through. He led me on a spiritual journey that I may never have experienced if I hadn’t gotten sick. My relationship with Him has blossomed more than I could ever imagine. He has provided for me in so many ways, one of which was leading me to Splashes of Joy and Rest Ministries where I have found so much love, strength and encouragement. And because of this I can look forward and know that God and all these beautiful ladies will continue to see me through. Praise be to Him always!"

I too am soon to find myself in a wheel chair. I was in a auto accident which left me with nerve damage in my lower snipe. I live with chronic pain in my legs, and recently I have begun to experience a weakening in the muscle of my legs. I have a problem finding enough strength know to climb the two small step that take me to my front door.

I have had a terrible fear of finding myself, having to use a wheel chair. My grandmother was in a wheel chair before her 60th birthday. The family refused to be burden by her handicap and put her in a nursing home. My mother was also in a wheel chair before her 60th birthday. We never allowed her to be put in a nursing home, and I cared for her in my own home. But the pain in her legs and her fear of becoming a burden to her family overwhelmed her and she commit suicide.

My fear of being in a wheel chair, I have come to realize, has been based on the fear of my being a burden to my family. Recently, as it became more evident that I will soon being needing a wheel chair, my prayer life has changed. I know longer pray that God will deliver me from this trail that lays before me, but that he show me a way to live my life to its fullness, despite having to use a wheel chair. His gracious mercy has shown me that I will not be a burden to my family, simply because I refuse to be. I know quite few people that have spent their whole life in a wheel chair and still found it with themselves that ability to live their life to its fullness, and to be of value to other people.

When we view ourselves as having no value or allow other people to tell us we know longer have any value, simple because we can't walk, we lose our ability to see ourselves as useful human beings. Our own negative attitude can make us a burden to our family and to ourselves, simple because we have given up on life.

Right know, my grandchildren need me. Five months ago, I began to homeschool my three grandchildren. In the process I have come to realize just how much they need me, and how much I need them. Each of my grandchildren are unique in their needs and personality. And each has challenged me in ways that I needed to be challenged. Being in a wheel chair will not hinder my ability to teach them, or my ability to produce Historical worksheets that other parents can use to teach their children American History.

Gods can show us if we are open and welling , that being in a wheel chair is not the end of our life!

> Click here to submit your own story

"Blessed is he who is kind to the needy." Proverbs 14:20

U.S Health Plan Under New President

We are unable to endorse a specific presidential candidate (since we are a nonprofit 501c3 organization) and we think each voter should take many areas into consideration when voting, we hope you will stay informed about the health plans both candidates propose. Nurse.com asks, "McCain vs. Obama: Who Has the Better Health Plan?" and we thought this was worth passing along so you can better understand what is being proposed. (We're not particularly thrilled... and wonder if the current state of health plans will change regardless who is president, but still, we shouldn't bury our head in the sand.)

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Our Favorite Money Saver Online!

If you are tightening things up on finances right now (and who isn't) be sure to sign up for Ebates.com . Whenever you make a purchase at a participating store online you receive a "rebate" of a certain percentage and at the end of the month they send you a check (or if you get $25, whatever comes first.) Lisa has used this site for a few years. Last year alone, due to many of you signing up, the ministry earned over $300. "This isn't a scam," says Lisa. "I really do get checks every month and cash them!" They also have incredible coupon deals, like 50% off most items at Vistaprint.com plus 10% back to you! Click here to sign up at Ebates.com and the ministry will earn $15 (yes... per person) and you will earn $10 cash back instantly. You have to make 1 purchase before Oct. 31, 2008.

Stores include places like Snapfish, drugstore.com, Target, Old Navy, JC Penny, and Lane Bryant. Many stores are offering free shipping! So save yourself some energy and order necessities (or plan Christmas shopping) online and have everything sent to you.

You can pass on the link to your friends if you'd like them to also participate. The link is long so it breaks up. The "refer a friend portion should look like this "refer-a-friend"
http://www.ebates.com/refer-a-friend/0809promo.htm?referrerid=7K4KfrLT6C4%3D

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Do You Have a Child or Teen with Illness?

Check out HopeLab. It is a nonprofit organization that combines rigorous research with innovative solutions to improve the health and quality of life of young people with chronic illness. They work closely with young people with chronic illness to understand their needs and to incorporate their critical and ongoing input into product development. They recently released a new video game for kids with cancer.

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Survey Finds Massage Rates As High As Medication

Among those who actually had a massage in the past year, 28 percent say massage therapy gives them "the greatest relief from pain." Another 28 percent say medication gives them the greatest relief. Chiropractic comes in third at 11 percent, followed by 8 percent who got the most pain relief from physical therapy, 3 percent who said acupuncture was best for their pain, and 1 percent whose pain best responded to biofeedback. Read more

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What's the Best Medication for Your Buck?

Wondering if you should try a less expensive medication? Switch from brand name to generic? Visit Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs to look up drug option by the name of the medication or by your condition and then talk to your doctor about it.

> 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!

Head on over to the Invisible Illness Week blog and check out the categories for Resources for Online Networking . By taking a survey, you help us create news for press releases. By commenting on a blog somewhere about illness and mentioning II Week, you could potentially send hundreds of people are way!

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!