Author

The Stones in the River Experience

If all women pass through similar seasons of life, why do you feel so lonely?

Maybe it’s because no one has ever dared to share about real life, loss, and love in such a beautiful way.

Now you can know you’re not alone.

Stones in the River isn’t just a book.  It’s a beautifully photographed and elegantly designed work of art.

Throughout its pages, Jo Jackson guides you to live a life that is truly a testimony to God’s faithfulness—no matter what challenges you may face right now.

Just like the Israelites who passed through the Jordan River so long ago, you too can place stones in the river to serve as the spiritual markers of God’s faithfulness through every season.

Jo Jackson has been where you are. She has experienced the highest joys and deepest sorrows of life’s journey. That’s why you won’t get cliches or pious platitudes from her. As a vibrant grandmother to more than 20 children, she lovingly invites you to join her for an authentic journey through the twelve stones in her own river of life, so you can learn from her and discover your own purpose

From the exquisite photography, to the aesthetic beauty and intentional placement of each word on every page, to the heartfelt passion and raw sharing of her story and wisdom, every page reveals a little broader glimpse of God’s grace.

• What will be the stones in the river of your life? 
• How will you shape your family legacy?
• What story will you tell of God’s faithfulness?

Through love, loss, and life, many of us struggle to find hope. There is a place deep within us that calls out for God. Discover your your own spiritual markers and finally enjoy the confidence of knowing that every day you are leaving a rich legacy of God’s love, grace, and faithfulness.

The Lord commanded Joshua, saying,

“Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe and command them, saying, ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from out in the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet are standing firm, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the lodging place where you will lodge tonight.”

“Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ then you shall say to them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall become a memorial to the people of Israel forever….”

“….So that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”—Joshua 4:4-6, 24

As I pondered these verses on that barn-wood floor, I began to think, how can I gather my stones of God’s faithfulness in my life to help those whom I love who are coming along after me—my precious children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren?  How can I record the testimony of God’s faithfulness to me and our family as indisputable evidence of God’s love and care?

My mind raced as I considered God’s hand on my life and pondering all my own “stones” strewn before me on the floor. So began my study of Joshua’s Stones in the River.

Following the divine example, I attempted to creatively arrange the wisdom of a lifetime and all of my life experiences in a way that would empower my family members to create a life of significance and beauty for generations to come on this Journey of Life. Yet as I became excited about recording God’s faithfulness in my life, I realized my journey might also help other women who, like me, have experienced love, loss, and life—maybe even you. That is why I have written this book—to share the story of God’s faithfulness through all of my Stones in the River.

In my book, I candidly share my own life journey which explores seasons of friendship, drifting without direction, marriage and remarriage, motherhood, losing a spouse, recovering from grief, and celebrating the joys of new love.