Joni & Ken

An Untold Love Story

By: Ken Tada, Joni Eareckson Tada, Larry Libby

Narrated by: Stephen Grey

Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

God's Immeasurable grace. It's the most important ingredient for the perfect love story.

Tragic circumstances often stretch relationships to their breaking point. But God's grace is always more than enough. For Ken and Joni Eareckson Tada, enduring quadriplegia, chronic pain, cancer, and depression only made their love more vibrant through 30 years of marriage. Discover a bond that has seen the worst and claimed the best. Listen about Joni and Ken’s challenges firsthand. Discover God's immeasurable grace along the way, as their story inspires and enriches your own relationships.

A love untold. Until now.

Ken underestimated the challenges of marrying a woman with quadriplegia. Even the honeymoon wasn't easy. Through their years together, Ken becomes increasingly overwhelmed by the unceasing demands of caring for a woman with chronic, extreme, nightmarish pain. He sinks into depression. Though living under the same roof, they drift apart. In the midst of their deepest struggles with depression and pain, Ken and Joni return to the one true answer to their struggles. One that is far from a denial of Joni's diagnosis or thoughts of how wonderful a quick exit to Heaven would be. In their darkest hour, Ken and Joni encounter a heavenly visitation that changes their lives - and maybe yours too - forever.

©2013 Ken and Joni Eareckson Tada (P)2013 Zondervan

Just When I Thought There Was A Perfect Marriage..

Joni and Ken Tada seemed to me, as an outsider, that they had a perfect loving marriage, despite Joni's very dire disabilities. But I should have know better that sinful man and sinful woman do not have anything "perfect".... not until we have gone to glory with our Lord.

However, they are such a lovely, inspiring couple, who were not afraid to talk publically about the challenges of marriage, even between a Godly man and woman. They were very personal, revealed some of their sins and brought things into perspective when I look at my imperfect marriage to my beloved husband. I've learned, from reading this book, that prayer is SO very important and I need to pray for my husband much more than I have in the past. I hope that many couples read this book. Whether Christian or not, I believe they would plant seeds in the heart of an unbelieving couple. So this would make a great gift for an unbelieving couple who are struggling with their marriage, or, a Christian couple who are struggling!

We see a lot of ourselves in this very poignant story. And as I write this review, Joni and Ken are still with us on this earth. They can teach us a lot... because, you know, they really love Jesus.

A blessed and truthful book, I just loved it!

So encouraging!

I always wondered about the Tada marriage, thinking they must be some exceptional saints to make it work. It was great to get a peek behind the curtain and see that they struggled with some of the same issues other couples do. Joni’s celebrity and busy life were probably as big an obstacle as her disability. And Ken also struggled with depression and other personal issues. Amazingly, her cancer diagnosis drew them closer and helped Ken see the role God had for him. They do not minimize her suffering, which is an encouragement to others who are dealing with cancer, extreme pain, and other problems. But they always hold up Christ as our ultimate hope. So encouraging!

a heartfelt book

I loved every minute of this book. it was inspiring. it also helped me look at my marriage in a better light.. I almost cried a few times with joy after hearing some of the stories.

Perspective through suffering

I lost my wife and best friend of 30 years to breast cancer at age 55. From the time she was diagnosed to the time she entered Heaven and now 11 months of grieving behind me, I have a different perspective. This book adds to, affirms,and cements my new perspective. Difficult and tear filled roads pave valley floors but they lead to greater intimacy with our Lord. As I listened to this book, I paused many times to thank God for my treasure who is now a resident of Heaven (Sheri) and for the example of Joni and Ken. May God richly bless you.

It was so REAL; I almost didn't finish it.

I strongly recommend listening to this book even if you think you KNOW Joni's story. B/c let me tell you, you don't know it. Joni & Ken were so REAL about how difficult their 28 years of marriage had been. They didn't sugarcoat some of the most miserable moments. It was so real; I almost couldn't finish it. I'm so grateful I did. I've recommended this book to so many people including my single friends. We so often question what lesson God is trying to teach when we see others suffering. When their suffering is compounded over and over, we often act like they must be doing something wrong b/c the Lord wouldn't allow His faithful servants to repeatedly suffer. As hard as we might be with others, we're often even more judgmental when facing our own trials. This book would make a perfect gift b/c it addressed suffering and sacrifice found in marriage or in the caregiver/patient relationship. It showed how imperfect people can work towards His perfect plan.

A beautiful love story!!

Beautiful story! A love story between husband and wife as well as a love story between your Savior and you! What an encouragement of taking the trials God bestows on us and using them to honor God and grow closer to him and our loved ones through our darkest times!

Joni AND Ken

The tone of this book feels alot different than Joni's first book. Her first book was emotional, while this book has little emotion. I started to read this book expecting to hear more of Ken's voice and his take on loving someone with a disability; this is not what this book is about. It is truly about marriage and the history of their relationship. Thankfully, it does give a brief history about Ken, the mystery man. I did enjoy the last chapter, when Joni and Ken actually read their ending thoughts and advice. Overall, the book humanized them. They aren't perfect or angels. They are people who have struggles, just like everyone else.

anything is possible with God.

What a story! Joni shows us that you can find joy in any circumstances. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is struggling.

Inspiring and relatable 🥰

Joni and Ken’s story is inspiring and relatable. I am a wheelchair user also due to a car accident over 36 years ago. Although our disabilities are very different, I can understand many of the things she speaks about in their life together as husband and wife. Many times I cried and laughed as she was describing our situation too. I met my husband before my accident and he just knew that I would be his wife one day. Mind you he was only 15 when God placed that on his heart. My husband, like Ken have servants hearts and love their wives unconditionally. May God be glorified in and through our lives. He is faithful❣️

Tracy Michaud, author of Broken and Blessed

terrific

what an open and raw reflection of the struggles and transforming beauty of marriage. reminder that anything worth something takes work and selfless commitment.