Category Archives: Joni and Friends

Counting Down the Days

Disability, Joni and Friends, Vacation, , , ,

We are roughly one month away from our annual trip to Joni and Friends Family Retreat at Camp Allen! It’s the highlight of our year and we are counting down the days until we can be reunited with families who experience life like we do.

A few weeks ago, Kevin and I had the opportunity to share our testimony of how Joni and Friends has impacted our lives and the lives of our children. I’d like to share a small portion of what we said at that J&F event in Houston.

…Being at family retreat really wrecks you in the best possible way. This summer will be our 9th camp and I already know what’s going to happen when we pull up and see the welcome parade. I’m gonna lose it…like the don’t-wear-make-up-because-I’m-about-to-ugly-cry kind of lose it. I’m going to see the Folmars, the Strouds, Becky & all the STMs…and I’m going to ball my eyes out. However, it’s interesting because when we leave after that 5th day, I don’t shed a single tear. And I have short theory about this-

Upon arrival, it hits me, just how much my parched soul has longed for a break; an oasis from the day-to-day tasks around Gideon’s care. I know that God is about to rain down manna through the hands and feet of these precious STM’s and I just feel overwhelmed with thankfulness. But when it’s time to go home, I leave with a deep-rooted sense of fullness; the kind you feel after a feast. That’s because Joni & Friends provides not only incredible food for the stomach and but healing nourishment for the weary soul.  

Several years ago, it dawned on Laynie that we only get to go to Family Retreat as long as Gideon is alive. And right then, at the age of 7, she loving told me, “I hope Gideon lives a long time so we can always go to family retreat… but if he doesn’t it’ll be okay, because we can still come back as STM’s, right mom?”

We may be partial because we are on the receiving side of what camp has to offer for now, but we believe there is not a more worthy ministry to support than J&F. All those years ago, Laynie understood the impact that she could have by volunteering at Family Retreat. Turns out, she didn’t have to wait for her little brother to go home to be with Jesus; because last summer, she attended camp as an STM, choosing to serve, rather than be served. And ever the leader that she is, she asked her cousin Addison, to volunteer alongside her.

As we drove out of camp, we asked the girls to tell us about their experience serving. Laynie led the conversation with, “I’ll never go back as just a family member. I only want to go if I can serve …and I’d like to serve all 3 weeks if possible.” Both our daughter and niece left Camp Allen with a greater understanding of what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus. And they’ve been counting down the days until they get to go back!…

This ministry continues to change the trajectory of our entire family. When we started attending camp, it was because we just wanted a break. (And don’t get me wrong, we are still BEYOND grateful for the daily (9 am- 3 pm) respite that Kevin and I receive!) However, each year that we attend, the Lord continues to reveal that he’s doing more than just giving our family a fun and relaxing experience. He’s changing the hearts of my children.

Josiah (age 7) has already claimed that one day he will be the STM for his friend Aaron. And I have no doubt that he’ll reach that goal.

We are so thankful for the opportunities Joni and Friends have provided for our family throughout the years. The girls are eager to serve in July and I’m certain God is going to grow their faith and compassion even more.

If you’d like to support Laynie and Addison serving at Family Retreat this year, this cost is $475 per person. Below are the links for their individual fundraising pages. 100% of what is donated goes directly to their total… No fee’s are taken out.

https://secured.joniandfriends.org/AddisonJolicoeur

https://secured.joniandfriends.org/LaynieJolicoeur

Or if you’d like to write them a note of encouragement, you can address them to-

Life with a Happy Heart

PO Box 1335

Rockwall, TX 75087

Thanks for following our journey!

Also, here’s a few highlight videos from last year’s Family Retreat!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuV2-SuLKe5/?igsh=MTQydDFtZzdmNjUycw==

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuYcyzsRzzO/?igsh=MWhtc2dyN2hvczRpNQ==

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cua_SuCuFBy/?igsh=MWJyMnpqbnBrcGg4NA==

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuduSwXtGkG/?igsh=MXJvODk3OGZxZHFkcw==

Getting Ready for Family Retreat

Joni and Friends, Special needs children, ,

I am so excited because our favorite time of year is almost here!! We are just a 6 weeks away from going to our annual Joni & Friends Family Retreat! If you know us, then you know this is Christmas in July for our family.

This place is our little slice of Heaven on Earth. For 5 days, these sweet STMs (Short Term Missionaries, aka- volunteers) love on our kiddos from 9-3 each day so moms and dads can have some much needed respite. We are free to engage in planned activities such as skeet shooting, horseback riding, swimming, etc.. OR we can just go back our rooms and nap!

What is so unique about Joni & Friends Family Retreat is that they have STMs for kids like Gideon. I know that Gideon will be cared for and loved well by the sweetest person on the planet- Sophie. She’s been his STM for the past 6 years now. Outside of family, I don’t know anyone that loves Gideon like she does. The relationship they’ve developed is a special one for sure. Meanwhile our other kiddos get to do fun activities with other kids who understand what it’s like to live the life they do. There’s a unique bond among friends who “get it.”

So the reason I share all this is because there’s been a new development in our family retreat plan this year. My 13 year old daughter decided that she doesn’t want to be served at camp this year. Instead she’s decided she wants to serve others. 💜😭

So this means she will be going as a volunteer (STM) so she can make a difference in the lives of others. And if that’s not cool enough my niece Addison is going to join her as an STM too!!! 💜😭 I’m just overwhelmed that these girls want to serve in this capacity because it’s not easy. But ask any STM, and they’ll tell you it’s worth it.

So here’s the last part of my post. This year Laynie and Addison decided they wanted to raise the money for their ticket to camp. So that’s what I want to help them do. Each person that goes to camp pays $475. Whether you’re going to family retreat as a camper or an STM, everyone pays the same amount. So below I have some links- one for Laynie and one for Addison. If you’d like to pray for them or make a donation on their behalf, we’d be extremely grateful either way!!

http://form.joniandfriends.org/goto/LaynieJolicoeur

http://form.joniandfriends.org/goto/AddisonJolicoeur

***Update- After 2020 we stopped doing public fundraising for our whole family to go to camp. Just felt weird given hard times. However, a sweet friend encouraged me to post it anyways. So here’s the link to our family fundraising page.

http://form.joniandfriends.org/goto/JolicoeurFamily