Prelude from Cindy: Thirty-one years ago, one of my best friends from high school and college, Debbie, gave birth to Janice.  This started a journey of grace in her whole family’s life.I know there were many difficult times, coupled with questions and disappointments, but I am struck, as she looks back on her journey, she sees not only God’s grace but His calling on her life.  Debbie and Janice, both know who their TREASURE is!  

 Debbie shares her story about Janice~

 In the 1st trimester of pregnancy, I nearly miscarried.   The pregnancy continued, with the assistance of the MD and lots of prayers.    She was however born 8 weeks premature, despite the measures that the MD had taken.   For months after her birth when I would verbalize concerns to the pediatrician, he would remind me of this prematurity.   I knew that “something” was not quite right, though.   At about 5 months age, my Pastor and friends from church gathered to pray over her and her blind eyes were opened, and she peacefully slept through the night.    She continued to be delayed in her development however, and we began the process of Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, and all the other therapies available.     Then – she was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.

  

  

I continued to pray over Janice, and spoke the Word of God over her and to her!   We would put on Worship music and dance around the house- with her in my arms and her siblings dancing around her.     She grew to love the Lord with all her heart.    Friends at church have called her a spiritual barometer- that one look at her face will tell you the spiritual atmosphere.  Over the years Janice has shown us what it means to love unconditionally.    She models true patience and trust in all circumstances.   (Matthew 6:25-34).  She seldom complains of physical pain, though I believe she feels pain daily.     She cries when feeling emotional pain, and is intensely compassionate when she sees the suffering of others (such as stories of children who are starving in other countries).   

 I still occasionally wonder what her life would have been like, had her body worked “normally”.

God reminds me not to dwell on the “what-ifs” of life.    

 He made things as they are for His purpose and His glory.   

 She is a living testimony just as she is.  

She shares a home with 4 other young women who all have similar physical limitations and needs.     She works a part-time job with the assistance of a “job coach”.    She takes the city bus to her job and the job coach meets her at the job site.      She is dropped off at church on Sunday mornings, and a church member is waiting for her at the door to assist her with her coat and to get her into the sanctuary.     She participates in skits at the church.    She and I enjoy time together.    I go to her home after work 1-2 times weekly.    I paint her nails, read books, watch Food Network and share a meal with her.       She comes home for weekends 1-2x monthly, where she can relax and be pampered by her Mom, or sing along to the “oldies” with her Dad.   Sometimes she likes me to take her shopping.  She loves to shop for her sister and her nephews.    She is loving and generous.