Letter From Lisa – HopeNotes #38

Hi Friends, How are you this week? Sorry this is a day late, but I still wanted to get it out to you!

We’ve had a fun but crazy week around here. My sister left to go back to Phoenix today. This week she has graciously driven Josh and I all over and participated in everything from taking him to Little Gym with me to the adoption mom playgroup. Thank you so much for your kind emails and prayers. She is still actively seeking work and eager to get back to Arizona (and even the heat!)

I’ve been checking emails daily and responding to those I can fast or that need prompt attention. If you’ve emailed or written me via mail about something and I’ve not yet gotten back to you, my apologies. I will soon! I have nearly 500 emails in my inbox. The great news is Michelle helped me clean my office. I still have a few mail bins of papers to go through, but I can walk to my desk from the hallway without doing any acrobats or odd limbo moves. I wish I’d taken before and after photos for you.

My newest medication (Humera) has not kicked in as I’d hoped or at least with the speed as I had wanted. I am flaring badly and trying to just not complain. I know you all understand how it is when you have family visiting and want to show them a fun time and yet trying to walk around a mall (or Sea World in our case) wipes you out for a couple of days.

We made it to a bookstore and I picked up a copy of “The Shack” –one of the hotest selling Christian fiction books out there right now and one that people keep describing as life-altering. I just made it through a couple of chapters last night before going to sleep but I have a feeling I may be recommending it to you next week. Has anyone else read this and would like to share your opinion or feedback?

Love you all. May you feel His peace,

Lisa Copen
Rest Ministries Director and Founder

Rest Ministries Will Be On TV Show

Exciting News!
Rest Ministries has been chosen to be featured on the television show American Bible Society Presents. Film crew will be arriving in San Diego from Los Angeles some time in May (date is being determined.) They will be interviewing Lisa and visiting a HopeKepers group. This is a God-sent honor and opportunity, reaching over 400 channels across the country. We will keep you posted on dates/times, etc. but please keep it all in prayer. (Lisa is trying to figure out how to quickly get rid of some of her round prednisone face. If anyone has any quick weight loss/fluid retention tips, she’s listening!)

HopeKeepers Magazine Updates
Just to inform you…

• People are just starting to receive their magazines (bulk mail takes forever!)
• If you ordered them in bulk for your church, I sent them out last week
• If you are an author of an article, they were sent two weeks ago;
• If you are a foreign subscriber, they were shipped last week.

Wondering if an issue is heading your way? You can click here to see. If you want one and aren’t on the list, you can get one by ordering anything in our store (even a $.50 item) and we’ll stick one in your envelope.

Lots of Topics to Discuss at Our Web Site

Lisa thought this last week would be the week the web site went live, but with her sis visiting she actually slept (from exhaustion!) rather than working all night. So… she is testing a couple of pages right now and by the time your read HopeNotes this next week it should be up. She’s so excited for you to see the changes!

Have you been to our Sunroom lately? These are just a few of the topics people are posting on and we’d love to hear your feedback!

• Giving the problem to God as soon as it appears
• What are the symptoms that seem to bother you the most?
• Lonliness and Illness
• Neurostimulator Implants and RSD
• Pets as Therapy
• Favorite Scriptures
• New Ways to Explain Fibromyalgia

Be sure to visit our Sunroom to join in for some excellent discussions!

In The Word

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” -James 1:5

The National Day of Prayer

This event is celebrating 57 years, and for the first time ever, will be broadcast Live from the USA’s Capitol on May 1, 2008. GOD TV will air the program live in its entirety on DIRECTV, channel 365. Speakers include: Sec. Condoleezza Rice, Mrs. Shirley Dobson, Dr. James Dobson, Rep. Mike McIntyre and Judge Janice Rogers Brown. See the web site for more info.

You may also be interested in the events the Presidential Prayer Team is organizing for this date. And the The U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon which begins April 27th will be webcast around the world at www.DCBibleMarathon.org

What Should I Make For Dinner?

If you’re like most of us here at Rest Ministries just figuring out what to make for dinner is the hardest part. Well, let your computer do it for you! Just go to SuperCook.com and enter in whatever ingredients you have. It can be as simple as entering “ground beef” or you can start adding in items as you shop to have a full listing. Then hit “add” and bingo! It gives you dinner ideas. It will also ask you, “do you have…?” and you can add the items you know you have on hand. Your family may miss those beans and wiener days, but hey, it’s an easy way to get healthy.

Are You a Woman in Pain?

All too often, when women are in they are told they are being “emotional”, psychogenic or it’s “all in their head”, and therefore, not real. Women are more often prescribed sedatives to “calm their nerves” while their male counterparts are prescribed painkillers. If you’re interested in signing an online petion that is being addressed to the American Medical Association about a Women In Pain Bill of Rights click here: http://www.petitiononline.com/winpain/petition.html

Thanks to Everyone Sharing HopeKeepers Magazine

We’re getting lots of nice emails from all of you who are saying that you are passing on your HopeKeepers Magazine to a friend when you are done with it! Thank you! Please don’t toss them… drop them in your doctor’s office waiting room, pass it on to your pastor, a friend, or counselor. And don’t forget.. with every order from The Comfort Zone you also get a free copy, so you may end up with a few to pass along!

> read about HopeKeepers Magazine

A Cheerful Heart – Understanding Women

Anita Renfroe Christian Comedian Will Make You Smile

Looking for a giggle? We heartedly recommend checking out Anita Refroe. You may have caught her recent video “Mom Sense” featured on Yahoo’s front page and she’s a new featured guest on Good Morning American. She has a new DVD coming out soon called, “It’s Probably Just My Thyroid.”

> Have something silly to share?

Inspirational Quote From Joyce Meyer

I have discovered that patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.

You can look at a person’s attitude and know what kind of thinking is prevalent in his life… It’s better to be positive and wrong than negative and right! I would rather stay positive and get 50 percent good results, than stay negative and get 100 percent bad results!” –Joyce Meyer