GREAT WEEKEND!

Last weekend we drove to Monroe, MI for a Skate for ALS benefit that our good friend Doug Wemple (top pic with Eric) organized for the ALS Association at Canlan Ice Arena. On Friday night Eric said a few words to the players and did the honorary puck drop for the benefit game between the police and fire departments. It was a bittersweet for Eric to watch everyone play hockey since he has not been able to play the sport for a long time, but he loves to watch a good game! We met Erin who coordinates the east side of the states fundraising efforts and were able to meet a family who has been struck with this disease in April this year who came up from near Toledo, OH to watch their grandson play hockey. It was a joy to talk with Melvin and Trudy (pictured above with Eric) and their kids and grandkids. It always helps to talk with other people with ALS because they can relate so well with what you are going through. Melvin is a veteran from Vietnam so Eric and Melvin had a lot to talk about and we all have the same passion of a cure for ALS! May God bless their whole family and continue to provide their needs and be their hope. Saturday there was a carnival and lots of hockey being played. Saturday we had dinner with the Wemples and I took the kids to Splash Water Park with the free passes we received while Eric watched the Olympics. Sunday we headed home and went to see our church praise team at the Hudsonville fair open for Avalon. It was a beautiful evening and it felt like worshiping at church since our church had tickets for a reserved section up front. Maddie had fun dancing with her friends and playing little pets on a blanket and Zach loves to sing worship music with his dad!
Monday was not a great day for us. We had a lot of things that could go wrong do just that and our spirits were starting to sink. Many realities of this disease again crept into our thoughts and consumed us that day, but as always our God is faithful and his mercies are new EVERY morning. When we are down, I always feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders and then when it is lifted (and it always is), we can feel God carrying it for us and blanketing us with his peace. I often think about those who don't have the hope we have in Christ and wonder when trials come their way how they get up out of that pit and how they can live that way day after day. I am so grateful for our Redeemer and the body of Christ who lift us up in prayers!
We received good news on our lift van yesterday from the VA and we have been approved!! We should have our van by the end of next week about the same time that Eric's wheelchair will be here. Praise God!!

Lori

I was reminded today in God's word below:

“Call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall honor and glorify Me”

Psalm 50:15

God is standing ready to deliver us. He promises in His Word that He is near to all those who call upon His name. No matter what you may be going through, have confidence knowing that God is working behind the scenes on our behalf. He promises to deliver us! Notice that this verse tells us that our part is to honor and glorify Him. We don’t have to wait until everything is perfect to give Him praise. [Something Lori & I need to always remeber when having days like Monday]We can give Him honor and glory right now. We can thank Him for all He’s done in our life so far, and what He will do in our future. Call on Him today and focus on having an attitude of faith. If we speak His Word and declare His promises over our life, knowing that He promises to deliver us. Trust in Him because He is faithful and just to never forsake us.

Thank you for continuing to pray for us as we daily lean on Him for strength.

Your brother in Christ,
Eric