a story of big hope
Berkeley, California holds a special place in our hearts. Mike and I (Maria) were students, met, and married there. It’s also the place where Mike became a Christian. You'll find a whole gallery of Berkeley pictures from our trip at the end of the post. While vacationing in Berkeley recently, we took a walk on campus, intending …
We come two by two each month to the Orlando Museum of Art, are warmly greeted, and don our nametags—blue for the “diagnosed,” brown for the companion. I’m getting to know the group and they to know us, and it’s become a happy and comfortable place for Mike. We come for “Art’s the Spark,” the …
No loss of oxygen robbed Mike Francis of his love for the Bible and his unshakeable belief in the imperative of every Christian spending time in God's Word to hear the Shepherd's voice, learn the precepts, and store it in his heart (Psalm 119:11). The last sermon of the year was always devoted to this …
You can take the man out of the pulpit, but you can't take the pulpit out of the man! Anyone who has been around Mike knows his deep and abiding desire to minister again, in particular to preach. At the invitation of his dear friend Dr. David Harding, along with the elders of St. Petersburg …
What a joy it was to be part of Lafayette Federated Church's "Thriving With Disabilities" conference this past September. The church has a marvelous and extensive ministry to people with disabilities called "One Body Many Parts," and we were excited to be invited to share our story. We traveled with our friends Dan and …
Grateful greetings from the Francis family! One of the things we have asked you to pray about for most of the past year is the fundraising for our future, so I write this update “so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted through the prayers of many” (2 Cor. 1:11). …
Beloved friends and family of God, We’ve passed another bittersweet anniversary and begun our fourth year of enjoying “new Mike” while missing “old Mike”—the journey we call Mike Marathon. God is still hearing and answering your prayers, and I write to thank you! In my last update, I asked you particularly to pray for Mike’s transition …
Continue reading We get by with a little help from our friends!
Two fundraising events were held recently for the "Mike Marathon" fund for the Francises. What follows is what Maria shared. {6-2-18 update: see Maria's note at end of post.} The apostles John and Paul wrote some words I find comforting at times like this. Join me if you recognize the verses: What would you think …
Beloved friends and family of God, Mike is wearing a new wedding band. Mike’s wedding band disappeared recently. On the one hand, it was just a thing; on the other hand, it was a beloved thing: gold, a hard-earned purchase from Shreve jewelers at the Corte Madera mall in 1986, and beautiful on Mike’s handsome …
Beloved friends and family of God, As the year draws to a close, I am struck once again by how much our family depends on your prayers and how grateful I am for each one of you. I have a bit of good news to share and want to give credit where credit is due: …