Episode 14 - Debunking the Lies, Special Marriages Can Thrive!

Christine is joined by authors, speakers and disability parents, Todd & Kristin Evans. Todd and Kristin recently published a book called: How to Build a Thriving Marriage as You Care for Children with Disabilities.

Building a vibrant and joyful marriage is always a challenge. When you add the stresses inherent in parenting children with disabilities, it becomes both more difficult and more critical.

Once on the brink of divorce, Kristin and Todd Evans uncovered the unique set of skills critical for growing a fulfilling relationship amid the extraordinary challenges of caring for their child with disabilities and medical complexities. They share honest and transparent stories as well as practical and tangible ways to improve your marriage while caregiving.

Statistics will tell you that special needs marriages are doomed, but Todd and Kristin share the hope (and data!) that supports that special needs marriages can actually THRIVE!!! That's great news!

Find their book: Amazon

Find endless disability, marriage and caregiving resources at: www.DisabilityParenting.com

Instagram: @disabilityparenting

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kristin.evans.5895

X: @AuthorKristinEv

The best news we may ever hear is that Jesus enters into our messy stories. He meets us right where we are at. In the book of John, we see this when a woman with a bad reputation encounters Jesus at a well. He had come there just for her. The same is true for each one of us too. Meet Him at the well and find Living Water.

YOU are Invited In!

Bible Reference: John 4: 1-42 NIV

www.christineboyle.com

Her friend, Scott Habeeb, joins Christine and together they talk about the journey of bringing friends and families affected by disability out of the margins and into true community. As executive director of Masterpiece Alliance, Scott also shares how they are reaching, equipping, and educating churches to become places of belonging for friends with disabilities and their families.

YOU are Invited In!

Masterpiece Alliance: www.masterpiecealliance.org

Young Life Capernaum https://capernaum.younglife.org

The 5 Stages of Changing Attitudes

Bonus Episode!!!

Christine is joined by her friend, Sue Passauer of MEI Travel & Mouse Fan Travel, who specializes in Disney travel planning. Together they talk all things Disney! If you want to know the ins & outs of Disney, how to save money on a Disney trip, and how to do Disney with a disability, this episode is for you!

Most importantly, Christine urges her listeners to find their happily ever after and make memories that will last a lifetime!

YOU are Invited In!

Time Stamps:

33 min - Break down of Resorts, Skyliner, Food at Resorts

1 hr 19 min - DAS (Disability Access Service)

1 hr 45 min - Park Details (first aid, accessible changing) & Airport/Flying Info

Sue Passauer's Contact Info:

sue.passauer@mei-travel.com

Business Cell #: 985.789.5268

Sue's Direct Team Page - Sue Passauer (emails will go directly to Sue)

Other Information Referenced:

Walt Disney World - Accessibility & Planning Guide & Recommendations

Give Kids The World - www.gktw.org

TSA Cares - www.tsa.gov/travel/tsa-cares

Orlando Medical Rentals - Website

AdventHealth - Website

Disneyland - Accessibility Planning Guide & Recommendations

Disney Cruise Line - Information for Guests with Disabilities or Medical Conditions

Christine courageously shares an experience when her family was asked to leave a church due to her son’s disability & because he was being a “distraction.” Although this was an incredibly painful time for her family, she knows God wants to use this story for good & to create change. Christine encourages churches to become places of belonging for all people, where everyone has a seat at the table.

YOU are Invited In!

Have you ever wondered where God is amid your suffering? Have you ever told him “I’m done?” I have. I know what it’s like to get to that place and to ask God tough questions. Left up to me, I would have walked away. But, let me tell you what God did...

You are Invited In!

Referenced Book:

When God Weeps - Why are sufferings matter to the Almighty by Joni Eareckson Tada

Referenced Scriptures:

1 John 3:20 - If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. (NIV)

Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Revelation 3:16 - But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! (NLT)

Acts 9:16 - I will show him (Paul) how much he must suffer for my name. (NIV)

John 10:28-30 - I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” (NIV)

In this episode, Christine spends time with her friend, singer/songwriter Josh Wilson, to talk about their shared love for friends with disabilities and how they first met at a week of Young Life Capernaum camp. Josh openly and authentically tells his story of recovery from alcoholism as well as his on-going struggles with mental health challenges. If you need hope and encouragement that it gets better, don't miss this one! God's not done!!

Josh Wilson is a well-known singer, songwriter and musician. With top 10 Billboard hits such as, "Savior Please," "I Refuse," "Dream Small," "Revolutionary," and more, Josh's music is well known to anyone who listens to Christian radio. He's toured with artists and groups such as: Steven Curtis Chapman, Casting Crowns, Third Day and Matthew West, to name a few! He's a Texas native with a heart to write and share songs that he needs to hear and hopes that you need to hear them too!

"I used to think that being a Christian meant having things all together, but the longer I've followed Jesus, the more I've realized that I call myself a Christian because I don't have it all together." ~Josh Wilson

Website: joshwilsonmusic.com

Facebook: Josh Wilson

Instagram: joshwilsonmusic

Christine is joined by her very first guest, Ryan Wolfe, an expert in the field of disability ministry. Ryan shares how he has learned to effectively love and serve this community, no strings attached. From church based ministry to guardianship programs and day programs to Challenger Baseball, Ryan has found ways, in his over two decades of experience, to meet practical needs as a way to build friendship and trust with the disability community.

Ryan is the President of Ability Ministry, an independent Christian non-profit ministry that strives to enhance the lives of people affected by disability, including residence, job placement, opportunities for social interaction and spiritual growth. Ability Ministry also seeks to partner with individuals, churches and other organizations to meet the physical and spiritual needs of people with disabilities. Ability Ministry works to enable others through training, resources, and encouragement to effectively minister.

Ryan served in church disability ministry for over 15 years in Canton, Ohio. He was also a church consultant for Key Ministry. He was a regular contributing author for Joni & Friends and Irresistible Church. Ryan is also a featured speaker, who you can find speaking at many disability conferences each year.

You are Invited In!

Mentioned Resources:

Ability Ministry: abilityministry.com

Disability is Beautiful: disabilityisbeautiful.com

First Christian Church: firstchristian.com