Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story Kindle Edition

I was 19 working at a Christian conference center for the summer when Joni came to speak. When the director asked me to help prepare dinner for Ken and Joni, was elated as I had been very blessed by one of her books. I shared my excitement with him, and I'll never forget what he said, "They are ordinary people with flaws like everyone else". And he would have known as many "famous christians" had been to the center. Having now been married over 30 years myself, I was anxious to read Joni and Ken's story as a long married couple. What were the challenges they faced? How had Ken managed in the care giving role for so many years? How had they handled the struggles that all marriages face? Sadly, I felt that the book promised this honesty, but didn't deliver. For a short book, too much space was dedicated to their past story or to essentially advertising for the book, "Wild at Heart". I don't think a married couple should share every detail about their private lives, but sharing the struggles can be a help for others. I came away from the book feeling like the author was afraid to let the world know that Joni is truly a flawed person like everyone else. I didn't feel like Ken's challenges were adequately explored. For example, in the book, it talks about how Joni would try to stay out of the house on Sunday afternoons so that Ken would have the space he craved. She comes across almost saintly in trying to avoid the conflict being home would produce. I wanted to know why Ken felt that way and when did this start? Did they understand Ken's needs to have rest from the care giving or perhaps was Joni in some way to blame for the issue? After 30 years, I have learned that both partners have their struggles and both have emotional and spiritual needs that the other doesn't always understand. There are times that you want more than anything to throw in the towel or want to be as far away from the other person as possible. It doesn't mean that you are a bad person, it means you are human. For me some of the humanness was lost in the book. I hope that they will write another book and share more on how their marriage works after so many years together.

Pros:1) Writing is of excellent quality.2) Discreet and respectful account.3) Message is clearly conveyed.4) Stays true to the topic on hand: marriage through suffering.5) Reveals real marriage: the joys, the fun, the good memories, as well as the hardships, hurt feelings, bitterness, etc.6) Points of view from both Joni and Ken.7) Inspiring and uplifting, scripturally grounded.8) Ideal book for every married couple, especially those dealing with health problems, etc.9) Offers God as the necessary component to a successful marriage. This answer is deemed too simplistic to some today but it is absolutely true, and this is revealed to the reader through their story. God is undoubtedly glorified through this book, and that is so refreshing.Cons:1) Frequent flashbacks to past events confuse reader.2) Too discreet for today's readers: much left unsaid, like sex, hard conversations about not having children, etc.3) Assumes reader is familiar with her story already, like daily minutiae of life as a quadriplegic. (Another book covers this.)4) Perspective differences between author and reader. Her perspective is that quadriplegia doesn't seem like a big deal to she and Ken because that's their "normal." She speaks candidly about their first date- he had to feed her, give her something to drink, empty her leg bag of urine, and it does mention all this, but then brushes over it afterwards because it simply becomes a normal part of life for him. It may be "shallow" but I would have loved to know more about their daily life, as it differs so much from a couple that isn't disabled.5) Would have liked to have heard more from Ken, especially during their dating period and early marriage.Other reviewers question why Ken chose her. Joni writes that Ken admired her, but ultimately, it's understood that they ended up together because God paired them together, simple as that. That's hard for people to understand, but it really is that simple- God created Ken for Joni, and Joni for Ken. God made Ken with the heart that accepted Joni's disability and, in the book, expresses to Ken to keep up the physical strength necessary to meet its challenges. It's simply a God-match.Would I recommend it? Absolutely!! A must-read for every Christian and every couple. Even with the few cons, I'm richer for reading it.

I've had this in my Kindle Que for a while but just began the read this morning. Interrupted only by a phone call and coffee preparation, I didn't put this down until finished. This story is utterly beautiful and convicting. Oh, to love Jesus and others with a measure of the depth of this couple.I couldn't avoid the thought of how little I will have in terms of crowns to present to the Lord on that great day. But they will have many. As a result of reading this, i want to serve Him better and more meaningfully. This book makes me want to live a surrendered life to Christ. This book makes me want to please Jesus with a life well spent. Thank you Tadas, for sharing the joy and sharing the purposes found in pain.

I'm the one with the painful disability/ my husband, the weary caregiver. I've often said that it's probably easier for me to be a living sacrifice: I can't crawl off the altar... at least as readily: I can't run away from me!For my husband, though, there are so many ways to run away: including religious (as opposed to truly spiritual/relational) options. These options are insidious, because they have the appearance of godliness, without the power! And we humans seem most prone to those kinds of options.But, in reality, there are plenty of options available to both of us; and this becomes more clear listening to the Tadas.Hearing the back and forth perspective of both Joni and Ken as they, with great vulnerability, tell of their journey--including the failures (the sins) of both attitude and action, that propelled them towards each other and Christ--is both uplifting and convicting.I'm so grateful to God and to them for their candid, yet sensitive, telling of their unusual love story.

You can't read this book and be indifferent to it. There is so much pain, anguish, despair, yet also so much joy, gratitude, inspiration. You can't but admire a couple who go through what Joni and Ken have gone through and still keep loving God, seeking to serve him, giving hope and inspiration to millions of other people who suffer in various ways.The book is not really just for couples or for those who have someone disabled in their family. Any human being can learn and be inspired by what they have gone through and still go through.I would have liked to know more about what attracted them to each other, why Ken, probably unlike most men, was able to see beyond Joni's disability and see a woman he could love, how they knew that God wanted them to marry and serve him together.

It took me a long time to buy this book, I wasn't sure if I wanted to impose on their personal life. The book is well written. The first chapters had me in tears then it changed thankfully to reveal hidden truths and deepening love. I felt it very brave of both Joni and Ken to be so truthful. It was a lovely story all the more for being real not fiction. Many of us go through this in our marriages and it's thrilling to know God never takes His hand of us at any time. I love the fact they always give all the Glory to God. God has brought them through everything.Wonderful book, I have now bought it on kindle.Highly recommend.

I have always admired Joni ever since I was a kid. I have been blessed by several of her books over the years and I often wondered about Ken, her husband. This story is simply but beautifully told. Reading through the pages I remain amazed how Joni (and her husband) go through a wide range of problems, emotions and heartache and still give God all the glory and praise. This is a book about an undying love and faith for God who doesn't always answer prayers as we hope - His ways and thoughts are much higher than ours - you will see as you read this book. This book also touches on Joni's latest ordeals (she wrote a book on her chronic pain, A Place of Healing, which is well worth reading) and how she has overcome cancer. Those who read An Untold Love Story will be blessed!

Thank You Lord for showing me the way that i should be going. Thank you Joni and Ken for sharing your story.

I'm single and have never been married - but I have lived for 60 years with a shorter, paralysed left leg. More recently, I've developed arthritis in both knees, left ankle and neck, so I cannot walk and use a wheelchair. Life is challenging, though nowhere near as challenging as it is for you. Thanks for your honesty and vulnerability. I feel you understand even though we have never met. Praying God's strength will always be enough for us. xxx