About Janet Perez Eckles
Janet may lack physical sight, but she has the gift of insight.
"I've faced violent storms in my life," says Janet, who lost her vision in her 30's due to Retinitis Pigmentosa. "But I found that life is not about what you cannot do because of circumstances out of your control. Success comes when you recognize what you can do with what God has given you."
Janet was given a dose of adversity but also a great measure of success. With vibrant passion, Janet weaves stories of inspiration and hope. Her unique perspective also sparks enthusiasm and refreshing insight in her messages to her English-speaking or Spanish-speaking audiences. "Blindness keeps me from connecting with their eyes, but not with their hearts,” says Janet. “My messages evoke tears and laughter, but this blend opens the door for inspiration to trickle in.”
Each of Janet's messages, as well as the pages of her inspirational book, kindle hope, insight and passion for a life of victory on the foundation of God’s Word.
Her inspirational book, Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life, published in 2004, includes compelling illustrations of how Janet turned adversity into added wisdom to conquer obstacles.
"I penned this uplifting story in my book because struggles and hardships are inevitable. But so is God’s healing. Like a Spring rain, His promises of restoration pour down when one is willing to receive them.”
“With a blend of vivid illustrations and a touch of humor, I take my readers through a path God has provided – from the stress we face to the success we desire."
Janet is a contributing author to 10 books, including the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and Guidepost books. Her column “Janet’s Corner” appears in a monthly local newspaper.
Her magazine articles, strung with colorful illustrations, appear in numerous publications
including Today's Christian, Light and Life Magazine, SEEK!, The Christian Communicator, Spirit-Led Writer, Praise Magazine, Christian Woman Today, Spiritual
Voices, Faith Writers, Write to the Heart, and dozens of online magazines.
Her profound experiences have also been featured in the New York Times, Orlando Sentinel and other major publications.
Education, Background & Awards
Janet earned her Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University.
She is the recipient of the Professional Excellence Award by the world's largest over-the-phone interpreting company.
In her career as a certified Spanish court interpreter, Janet uses her skills to help remove language barriers and to train and coach other interpreters across the country, Panama, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
In addition to serving as a ladies’ Sunday school teacher, Janet is also a CLASS graduate (Christian Leaders, Authors, Speakers Services), a Toastmasters CC, a "She Speaks" graduate with Proverbs 31 Ministries and a certified graduate of The Significant Woman ministries, as well as a member of Word Weavers of Orlando, American Christian Fiction
Writers and The Writer's View. She is also a board member of Disability Media, Inc.
Ministry
Janet is the Founder of Islands of Peace Ministries and serves in the Prayer Support for Women ministry.
Home and Family
The warm tropical breezes in Janet's Florida home are a contrast to the cold winds from the Andes Mountains in her homeland of La Paz, Bolivia, which she left when she was 12 years old.
Gene is the love of her life and husband of 31 years. Her two sons, Jason (with wife Rachel) and Jeff, also live in Orlando; her youngest, Joe, enjoys the glory of heaven.
When she’s not dining out with friends or attending bible studies for couples, she’s composing brief posts on her blog to spray light reflections in the midst of a hectic world.
Janet lives each day guided by her mission: To use her own trials and adversity to inspire, encourage and ignite in others the passion to seek victory in Christ.
Janet's Parents
Folks have asked about my parents. In the May issue of my newsletter I relate how they came to live with us when our sons were ten-, twelve- and fourteen years old.
When our sons were small, they couldn’t pronounce ‘Abuelito’ which in Spanish means ‘dear Grandpa’. So we all call my Dad ‘”Ito’, and my Mom, we call ‘Ita’ for ‘Abuelita’. They’re both indeed an added treasure to our family.