I am so thankful to God for making restministries become a part of my daily life. It really helps to see that there are people out there who care and understand. In these illnesses we feel so alone. Thank you for listening to Gods call and assisting this ministry to reach so many. Stacey Lawson

To all of you I want to say thank you....being a shut in with CFIDS, FM, related chemical sensitivities, and arthritus, as most of you know, is not easy, but Share Care and Prayer is a light in my life....thank you. I have a friend on line that I found through you and your member list...I wait each day for the recent addition of the daily devotional. I cannot thank you enough for the devlotionals...they are positive (which is what we need in our circumstances) and faith building. Thank you all so much for all you do to help people like me...and especially for all that you do for me...Thank you, thank you THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! with love Wendy

Thank you all so much for your wonderful devotionals, the care and time that you put into a website and ministry that is so badly needed. Your work is a blessing to me and I know to many of my friends...I run a prayer board that has quite a few people with Lupus , Fibromyalgia and other chronic illnesses, and I have shared your site with so many friends now. I am so glad that my friend Joy shared it with me a few months ago...it has helped so much! God Bless you and keep you..and thank you for everything that everyone of you do...I have Lupus and Fibromyalgia, and it's to Your Website that I go to first last and always for hope, inspiration, and most of all the Love of the Lord! Love in Christ, Patty Jones

I am so grateful for all of the individuals (especially Kay) who put the time in to write such exceptional Chronic Pain Devotionals. I appreciate the wonderful scripture references and the focus on faith and God. It has helped me to feel encouraged and uplifted as I attempt to live with chronic illness myself. God bless and a sincere thank you from my heart. -Olivia Sherrit

Though I do not suffer from any chronic illness, many of my patients do. I am an "old country doctor" who believes that all healing is a gift of God, and that we, the health care providers, are merely His instruments. I read your devotional every day as it often gives me words of comfort and encouragement to those who daily battle pain, fatigue and depression. Thank you all for making this ministry possible. Leslie Polland, M.D.

I just want to say thank you to all involved with getting the daily messages to me. I suffer from chronic illnesses myself, and constant pain, and there are days when I feel totally isolated, and alone. Then, I check my messages, and it seems that the one from you people is "right on" to the way I am feeling on that particular day. Thank you so much, and please accept my appreciation from the bottom of my heart. May God Bless each, and every one of you. I am rather new to this Internet stuff (the computer, and Internet access was a Christmas gift from my Son), so, I am still very much in the learning stages. I have been trying to find some Christian Singles sites, but, most of the Christian men require a soulmate with a perfect body. That has been so discouraging, and I have cried a lot. Can you recommend any sites suitable for someone like me? Again, thank you for your daily messages, and I pray that you will keep them coming to me, and any others who receive them. Yours in Christ, Gaye

I just want to say Thank you so much. There are times when I feel so discouraged,,and comes my e-mail from you all... I take a deep breath and then feel the peacecome back....Thank you again...Barbara In Fla.

I could never begin to thank Rest Ministries enough. I try to read the devotions everyday. I have used them to share with others --they are invaluable. I thank God for this type of ministry. May it continue to flourish. As we know--many times there is no cure or medication that will offer relief. Pain whether emotional/physical or spiritual can captivate and make one's life appear hopeless. We need to be reminded that the Great Physician is there to heal, encourage and sustain us as only HE has the power to do. Thank you to everyone who has a part in this ministry. May God continue to enable you to keep on keeping on. Shari Barberg

I have read morning meditations for many years as a way to start my day. It helps me try to get in God's will. Since I started receiving Rest Ministries' devotionals, they have become my source for the morning meditation. It has been a tremendous help for coping with illness and trying to live the spiritual life. The writers are very good. Thank you for sharing your time and talents. Her devotionals are written, it seems, just for me! She truly knows how to relate the chronic illness to the Christian life. She has shared so many Bible verses and words that touched me just when I needed that very word. I contacted her privately with a need and she responded so generously and with such a comforting nature. She is truly one of God's angels :) I feel a deep love and appreciation for this beautiful woman!! Beth Rittenhouse

To each one who volunteers, my heartfelt thanks for your ministry of love. In whatever you do, you are an expression of Jesus' heart and hands which inspired hope, gave strength, and also healed. May God richly reward you with joy and peace, Sandra

It is my pleasure to say thanks to you and all of the volunteers as well. I read the devotional every morning. It helps me to start the day with God on my mind as well as in my heart. I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and wake up feeling as exhausted as when I went to bed, but in more pain. So, it is important to me to set my course for the day on God's path. Sincere thanks for making it a bit easier to let God be close by my side from the time I wake up. Marty

Hi ! My name is Jeannee and I just wanted to say, as another disabled woman who reads all this stuff avidly, that I really do appreciate fellow disabled people and temporarily able bodied, helping us out in such a ministry !!! God Bless ..... GcmDave1@aol.com

There are not enough words to tell you what a difference you make to all of us. If you did not do what you are doing, some of us would literally give up. We need help sometimes finding perspective when we live with chronic pain and illness. We need people to remind us of God's love and care for us. There are days that you are the only thing that keeps us hanging in there. Thank you seems like so little to say to all of you, but there it is THANK YOU from all of us and may God continue to bless you and fill you up as you continue to minister to those that are hurting. Judy

Thank you to all the volunteers that are used in rest ministries. Your ministry is great and helpful and a blessing to me. Thank you for the prayers and the time spent in service to our great God through this vital and needed ministry. "Do not become weary in doing good for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up."-Gals.6:9. In His Love-Teri

I'm lonely and you've been an encouragement to me. We don't have a fellowship to belong to and my husband suffers daily pain. I was really "stuck" in the grief cycle, doing it alone, but reading that I'm not alone helped me move on. It's a relief to "talk" to people who are real rather than "PERFECT". Love, Adrienne

To The Rest Ministry Volunteers: I want to take this time to extend my heartfelt thanks and express my love for all those who have so selflessly given of themselves to others in this precious, God-blessed and founded ministry. Your efforts are so appreciated, beyond what you could ever imagine. May God bless you all often and richly. Hugs and Love in Christ, Gaylene Richardson

Dear Friends, I would like to take a minute and respond to the volunteers of this ministry. I too, have been an active volunteer in church as well as the school system. Volunteering is one of the most humbling experiences a person can be a part of. I do want to thank any and all of the people involved in this ministry. Since my own personal illness, I look forward to receiving the daily devotional. I cannot begin to explain what it has and continues to mean to me. Please be aware that I never take you all for granted and pass this great ministry on to others. You have covered so many bases of reaching the chronically ill. Thank you for your devotion and commitment to such a wonderful ministry. I will continue to remember the founder and all of the many volunteers associated with this ministry in prayer. May you continue to be blessed and used in a might way. Sincerely, Pamela N. Hamm

I want to give a special thank you to all the wonderful people who volunteer to keep Rest Ministries going. You have been a special help even though we may not be aware of who you are. If it weren't for all the wonderful people, I don't want to think of where I would be today. Lisa and Laurie, I owe you a special thanks for all the phone calls and emails. Bless you in your work! Love always, Polly

Dear Lisa, Thank you and all those that have helped to put out Health Ministries. It has been a God send in a time of turmoil and fear. While dealing with my daughters illness I have found such comfort in your words each day and I know that Jenn has also found that comfort as she reads through your wonderful newsletter that comes to her door. You have been a blessing to our family in a time when we felt lost and alone. You have made us see again, that we are not alone in our struggle. Carolyn, mom to Jenn [3 RSD 4 years, Rt. foot, lower leg, Hip&Groin pain from sympathectomy Rahway, NJ]

I hope you know how much these messages have helped me. I suffer from fibromyalgia,asthma & osteoarthritis. There are times when I feel so alone in my pain and it helps to know others are out there and care. Most of all, being an ordained minister I know God cares and loves us regardless. I try to pass them along to a friend from church who is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and has had two bout with breast cancer. Thank you and God bless you. Margo Perryman

Dear Volunteers, I was diagnosed with severe Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue and a host of other problems that come with these syndromes in 1996. I live in a small community 75 miles from any town, with no church to attend. My husband and I moved here 18 months ago, and I have missed fellowship, worship and singing with other believers more than anything else. I sometimes wonder why we were brought here to the high mountain desert where you can hear a bird call a half mile away...why sometimes even with His magnificent beauty surrounding us...I sometimes begin to feel like an ember set aside from the fire, and been concerned about growing cold. Being housebound because of constant pain and winter snow, missing family and old, tried and true friends, I find myself becoming discouraged and lonely. I thank God for restministries. It is a way for me to connect to others who belong to the Lord. I am reminded to look up and wait on Him, that I am not alone and that I have time now to pray and be with Him in total dependence. I am reminded that He said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." My favorite verse describes what you do for me and others in giving of yourselves and time to this ministry. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows." I thank Jesus for you all, and the love through Him you share. In Him, Mari

TO EACH AND EVERY VOLUNTEER WHO HAS ANY PART OF HELPING IN ANY WAY , I PRAY THAT GOD RICHLY BLESSES YOU ALL. IF IT WASN'T FOR ANY OF YOU WE WOULD NOT HAVE A GROUP LIKE WE DO... BELIEVE ME WE ARE VERY THANKFUL FOR EACH OF YOU , I PRAY THAT GOD WILL BLESS EACH ANY EVERY ONE OF YOU IN A MIGHTY WAY,,, YOU GUYS DONUT KNOW HOW MUCH YOU MEAN TO US.... YOU ARE LIKE OUR GUARDIAN ANGELS..THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS AND BE WITH EACH OF YOU... ANITA REID LEBANON MO.

Thank you all for caring for those of us in pain. It means so much to read my devotionals. So many times I feel that you are speaking directly to me. Keep up the good work and God bless. Betsy Durham Asheville, North Carolina

Thanks to all the volunteers at Rest Ministries! Having the understanding people at Rest Ministries to turn to is very helpful to me. Debbie

THANK YOU for your time and encouragement with the Rest Ministries!!! I have progressive MS and each day your devotional brightens my day. I don't know what the future holds but I DO know who holds my future!!! I hurt so much for those who do not know the Lord as their personal provider. I can't imagine a day without relying on His peace, comfort, provisions and compassion!! I truly appreciate all of your many hours of effort in putting together such a web site that truly inspires and encourages. I have told MANY people living with the MonSter about how it gives me a lift and they too have been comforted by your site. THANK YOU!! Sandy Fitzgerald

HI; I just wanted you to know that I find your messages a help each morning. Today, Sunday, I rose with anger that found its way into the house from somewhere that I hope closes up quickly. My daughter came in to the room early asking a perfectly normal question for a teen-ager to ask. She simply wanted to know if she could go to a store to buy some shorts. Money pressures surfaced along side my disability. Well I just wanted to say thanks for sharing an upbeat message with someone having a bad day. May God bless you and keep you well. Ron Roblaski

I am so grateful for finding the daily devotionals and appreciate the authors who write them. Each devotional is an encouragement daily to keep going and allow God to work His perfect plan in my life. Hearing from others also helps to prevent those pity parties in which I am often tempted to indulge. Thank you and may God bless your work at Rest Ministries. Sincerely, Judye Pearson

I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy the daily devotionals. They are filled with such insight, and offer great comfort. Out of the author's deepest pain, comes heir greatest treasure...and they bless us by sharing it. thank you. Nanasom@aol.com

Dear Lisa and coworkers: I want to thank you for your rest ministry and tell you how much you mean to me and the devotional that I get in my email every day. It is such an encouragement and blessing to me as I read it every day and I usually forward it on to my other friends, as I try to save them time by just letting them see the page, instead of spending the time trying to type it or look for it, they have emailed me back thanking me for forwarding the page to them! In this busy world we live in, it is so refreshing to read the many devotionals and praises and know we are not alone, but others too have chronic illnesses and trials that they are going through too and how wonderful it is to know we have a great God who knows all about it! You have a great ministry and I pray God will bless you all richly! warm regards, Cathy Gardner

Dear Lisa and all Rest Ministries Volunteers, Thank you so much for all that you give of yourselves to make Rest Ministries successful. This ministry has been such a personal blessing to me. After living with Rheumatoid Arthritis for 18 years, I finally found that special place where encouragement, support and Christ's love are shared in such a special way. You all are very much appreciated and please know you have helped bring hope, joy and peace to my spirit. As a new HopeKeepers Leader, I thank Rest Ministries for making these groups possible. The resource materials and support that has been provided have been very helpful. With God and Rest Ministries working together in our HK Groups, comfort, understanding and the love of Christ can touch many lives. Thanks again to everyone at Rest Ministries. God bless you all. Lynn, Gainesville, FL

I cannot thank you all enough for the many times you have helped me and were not even aware that you did. I have so enjoyed the chronic pain devotion's and have shared them with many that I know that are ill them selves. Your hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed nor unappreciated foryou have been a true blessing to me. Thank you All. Sincerely, Debbie

To the many of you that volunteer with Rest Ministries - A HUGE THANK YOU for giving myself and others an opportunity to feel God's blessing and touch by your many efforts! ...I thought you might enjoy this poem that I once saw in a Rotary newsletter. Unfortunately it did not list the author so I cannot give proper credit to whomever created it. In Him, Sarah Hundemann, a frequent visitor of Rest Ministries. I am living life with joy thanks to my Lord and Savior, even through the many trials of having endometriosis and fibromyalgia. (I have endo. and fibro. They no longer have me!)

Thank you so much for the devotionals I receive every day. More than once what was said has been something I really needed to read right at that moment. Thanks to all the volunteers. God bless you and keep you all, always. Elaine

Lisa, I would like to say thanks for all the hard work that your staff does. It is a blessing to receive my daily devotional. Thanks for the hard work that you and your staff do. Jane Rankin, President Fibromyalgia Association of North Carolina

I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your ministry. Many Christians do not recognize the fact that we have chronic conditions and don't know what to do or how to address the problem. This is especially true in the Charismatic and Pentecostal type churches who believe in healing. They just can't deal with the fact that someone is not healed so therefore do not know what to do with it. The support I have received from this site and the people there is wonderful. It is so good to get that kind of support from others who are believers. Your daily devotionals have meant so much to me and your newsletter online has been so helpful to me because I cannot afford the subscription. Thank you Rest Ministries for being there! Doris Craver, disabled RN in Mississippi

Dear Volunteers, I do not know how to put this letter on fancy paper with angels and roses etc. in the background, but if I did, I would have done so. You all are angels whose fresh fragrance is as pleasing as roses. I know, you are not angels in the Biblical sense, but I mean it complimentarily. Without our wonderful volunteers who do everything from clean toilets to write devotions, where would we be? God has blessed you all with the wonderful gift of a servant heart. With it you have all blessed me! May God continue to richly bless you each and every one....love, Darlene

THANK YOU!

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Dear Volunteer:

National Volunteer Recognition Week is coming up! This gives me a wonderful opportunity to personally thank you for the service and dedication that you provide to Rest Ministries, Inc. The ministry began in 1997 and it's been fully supported by volunteers such as yourself who reach out to others in ways that use your gifts and abilities. The enclosed poem (author in unknown) explains how I feel about the gift of service that you provide to us.

You are certainly a blessing to so many. Our volunteer devotional writers encourage people daily. Encouragers give hope and personal concern to people who send in prayer requests. Coordinators and moderators keep everything running smoothly which is no easy task!

I recently heard a speaker say, "If you see something that is not being done and you think it needs done, chances are this is your gift!" I've seen that through many of you who have stepped forward to volunteer for something such as our homeschooling program, devotional encourager, pen pal coordinator, or moderators of groups who notice that the groups need a great deal of daily support.

I wish I could acknowledge you more frequently and with greater gifts! With over 200 volunteers, our budget does not yet allow for the costs of many gifts plus shipping. Please know it's never out of a lack of appreciation.

Let me take this opportunity to tell you, on behalf of myself, my assistant, Lisa, and our board of directors, THANK YOU! Despite our own illnesses, our ministry continues to grow and it's because of the time you spend and the energies you dedicate to Rest Ministries. I couldn't do it without you!

God bless,

Lisa Copen
Rest Ministries Director