I am about to do something I have loved like crazy on other blogs but never done on this one. I am about to take you on a house tour. More importantly, I’m about to introduce you to one of my favorite people on the planet and a hero of the faith in every sense of the word. I met Janice Meyer about 10 years ago when I was on Life Today with James and Betty Robison for the first time. She has worked for them for 30 years and, when she’s not globetrotting for their missions’ ministry, she floor directs on the set during tapings. I liked her immediately because she was warm-hearted and a ton of fun and we shared a connection through several of the Bible studies she had done. Then, through all the years of serving with James and Betty, we truly became good friends and faith-sisters. You bond with the person who stands guard over you in the bush in Africa while you try to talk yourself into being able to tinkle under a tree in a part of Angola where old land mines are believed to still be buried. That was a lot of words in one sentence but it was about as succinctly as I could put it.
Here she is, so you can picture her before I escort you through the front door of her house:
Janice is the international photographer for Life Today. (James and Betty’s whole ministry is called Life Outreach International but, to keep from confusing you, I’ll stick with the name of their television broadcast because that’s what will be most familiar to you.) She has been to 64 countries on behalf of their ministry and not to sight see. Two things drive her all over the globe: desperate need and full-on crisis. Because pictures say so much more than words, she goes to the most horrid conditions you can imagine so that viewers don’t have to take their word for it when they say that people are suffering terribly on this planet and, jointly, we can help.
Here’s the deal about Janice and one reason I want to introduce her to you. She has seen more suffering with her own eyes – more starvation, malnutrition, life-threatening thirst, sex trafficking, oppression, and corruption – than any person I have ever known in my life. And she has as much joy and delight and hope and faith and unwavering belief in the Scriptures as anyone you will ever encounter. At times, I don’t know how she does it. The grace of God splashing over her is the only explanation because she has never grown hard-hearted and desensitized. She doesn’t endure it because she’s gotten used to it. There is no getting used to what Janice sees. She endures it because she is called by God to do it. She compiled this book from the multitude of pictures she’s taken around the world and laced them with her very moving commentary. This sits in my den. (If you are interested in knowing more about this book, see janicemeyer.net.)
Here are two reasons why you who are active in this community can feel a particular connection to Janice. She’s an active reader on our blog and she participates in our Scripture memory team. In fact, when I was there last weekend, this was one of the first things I got to see.
I stay with Janice when I am in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for a Life Today taping. No hotel on earth I’d rather stay in. She has a tiny little guest house out in her backyard and one thing I particularly love about being there is the good company that comes to my door. She is one of the few people I know as obsessed with dogs as I am. That Golden’s name is Traveller. I have known him fur a long time.
OK!!!!!!!!!!! Now, on to the house tour! I’m taking you to some spots around her house because she is so incredibly creative you are not going to believe it. And I might add, she accomplishes every bit of this on a very tight budget. This is a small, modest home and just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Here are a few highlights:
Surely you can tell but, just in case you can’t, it is suspended from the ceiling. This Vespa was completely rusted and leaning up against the side of a building when she found it. She sanded it down and put paint on it, fixed his lights and named him Rusty.
This tractor grille came from a farm equipment junkyard she could not pass up in Colorado. Who does this???
This is an old ski lift from Snowmass.
This wall was made from a stack of throw-away wood she happened on. She painted, cut, and arranged all the pieces herself.
This piece may be my very favorite. She also found this in a farm-equipment junkyard and turned it into a table that sits between her couch and a chair in her den. Come on now.
These are the drawers in her bedroom. Yep. A chicken coop.
This is the bedroom in the tiny guest house. Please enlarge this picture and see that she hangs a chalkboard over the bed so that she can write welcome messages to her guests, complete with pictures of their loved ones she’s printed out. Unbelievable. I have never known anyone – on ANY budget – with more hospitality.
And lastly, a picture of Janice and me. Well. A close rendering. It really was taken at my house in the country. I so hope you guys enjoyed this! Now since I’m solo on the blog, I may be throwing all sorts of random posts at you. Every single one of them will come your way with a ton of love. Be encouraged today, my dear sisters! There are a whole lot of us out there who love Jesus! And we’re blood kin. Know this day and then again tomorrow that you are not cast out into these cultural elements alone. We have mighty good company among us. Janice included.
I have enjoyed many of your blog posts but gosh, this one is really special! Thank you for sharing that! XO
Thanks for sharing these awesome pics of your beloved friend Janice. She is not only talented but stamped with a wonderful gift from our Abba Father! Beth, I just finished your EAT, Pray and Love study a couple weeks ago. During the “Pray” segment; when you read the “simple truth” newsletter from your sister’s church, the tears started softly rolling down my cheeks. My heart was deeply moved & grateful for the miracle in your sister’s life. Her story and your continued prayers for her excelled my hope and faith to keep pressing on, praying on, standing on God’s word for my son, my sisters, their children and my friends that don’t have Jesus in their heart. I believe there are miracles God hasn’t released yet….if it is possible to get a copy of your sister’s “simple truth” newsletter, would you post the info? You may use the email I used for comments if that is an option.
Many thanks for your anointed conferences, your anointed praise team and shining your light where we all can witness the Christ in You! Greater Blessings!
Sandra Kinard
Hi Sandra, Thank you for sharing about how the Eat, Pray, love message has impacted you. We join you in asking for salvation and freedom for the family and friends for which you are praying!
Please forgive me that I am unable to find the simple truth newsletter. That message was from several years ago, and I have not had success in finding anything about it. I am so sorry.
Love this post.
Lovely, inspiring!
How creative! Love it!
thank you for sharing it with us, i loved it!
This was so much fun! Thank you and Janice for sharing!
Adrienne
THANK YOU Beth, I love this blog post! How fun to meet Janice. Her creativity is amazing!
Beth, It is so nice to be blessed with friends, no sisters, who love the Lord with all their heart. It makes the friendship so much sweeter and deeper. I am touched that the Lord loves us so very much in this way, that we get to sojourn with sweet friends on our stay on the planet. I am so glad that you have Janice. May God bless her and you today and every day. Love you, sister! Lynda
Such a fun post! Thank you Beth and Janice for sharing with us.
This is such a fun post! I love her style! Hospitality is always impressive and you can never be too thankful for God bringing you good friends. Thanks for sharing, Beth. Also….I want that book!
Wow, What a cool, fun post. It’s nice hearing about the people you meet on your travels. Thanks for sharing. God Bless and love ya lots!
John 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the father in my name, he may give it you.
Thanks, Beth….that was way cool!
Hi just received Janice’s book in the mail, and it is just *gorgeous*! It’s a true coffee table book with one moving and beautiful photo after another, with commentary. Thank you Beth for giving us a glimpse into Janice’s life and home! Tell her thank you from me, so much!
That was fun!
WOW! Just WOW! I loved every inch of those pictures!
Kim, Columbia City, IN. Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NIV
This was so much fun! I am doing the Children of the Day bible study, and I think that Janice embodies the verse, Isaiah 30:21.
Philippians 1: 9&10. GNB. February 1, 2015
I pray that your love will keep on growing more and more, together with true knowledge and perfect judgement, so that you will be able to choose what is best. Then you will be free from all impurity and blame on the day of Christ.
Beth thank you for sharing about your
your friendship & the neatest art work
from Janice. Wow what a talent God has blessed
her with, I can barely hang a framed picture! 🙂
I might copy the chalk board idea—how cute is that!
I just wanted to share with you how much I appreciate your ministry with the Bible verses and how it has multiplied. I have two additional kids of our own who are doing the memory verses plus two friends of mine who have opted to do it they’re not with the website. So thank you.1st Cor 4.8-10 KJV. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
Terese Kay Black Earth Wi.
Job 28:28
And he said to man,
“The fear of the Lord-that is wisdom,
and to shun evil is understanding”
Kathy B. Albany, GA
2 Corinthians 12:10
“Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
NASB
Sophia S. Harleysville P.A
Psalm 17:8
“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
(NIV)
Gabriella S, Harleysville, PA
Philippians 1:6
“being confident of this, that he began good work in you, will carry it on to completion to the day of Jesus Christ.”
NIV
Jennifer S, Harleysville, PA.
“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 8:10 NIV
Lena Harris-Shreveport, Louisiana-“O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done perfect things,…”Isaih 25:1
Love this 🙂
Marilyn Wright, Snellville, Ga
Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint”
Sandra Ruder, Hillsboro, KS
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor. James 4:10 (NLT)
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalms 37:4
Pam Webber Mesa, AZ
Psalm 29:11 NIV The Lord gives strength to His people; The Lord blesses His people with peace.
Meg, League City TX
And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 NIV
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17. ESV
Hebrews 13:6-we may boldly say : The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? HCSB
but I am trusting you O Lord, saying “You are my God”
psalms 31:14
NLT
Romans 15: 13 NIV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Janet, Midlothian, Texas
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for The Lord upholds him with His hand.
Psalm 37:23-24 NIV
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
2 Peter 3:18 NIV
Renea Harrison
Howe, TX.
I delight to do Your will, O my God; yes, Your law is within my heart.
Psalms 40:8
Amplified Bible
Joy Schilli
Anna, TX.
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the Lord’s decree will prevail.
Proverbs 19:21
Holman Version
Kim – Cullman, Alabama- God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9. NLT
Prov. 1:33 But whoever listens to me will dwell secure, and will be at ease without dread of disaster.
marla svedeman San Antonio, Texas
For this reason I kneel before the father
Ephesians 3:14
Psalm 33:2(NIV)
Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Kathy, Missouri City, TX
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Psalm 119:114
KJV
Proverbs 4:23
Above all else guard your heart <3 for everything you do
flows through it <3
Debby McCoy
Stigler, OK
Keller, TX
Romans 11:36 (NIV)
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.