"I LOVE A GOOD CRY"

It has been a while since I updated the blog, Lori has been keeping it updated the best she can. Thank you for taking time to read about what we are going through it is not easy, but your love and prayers are felt & appreciated. We have been truly blessed in so many ways during this season of our lives, but many fighting this disease are not as fortunate. Please pray for all those who are suffering from this awful disease. We a relatively relaxing week last week adjusting to the school schedule and football practices. Last Saturday night was amazing night. I was given the opportunity to speak and share my faith in an auditorium at Aquinas College before the Tuesdays with Morrie play. The play was so well done and was about Professor Morrie Schwartz battle with ALS and his relationship with Mitch Albom, one of his students. Many of you have read the book or seen the movie, but Lori and I had never done either. What made it special was having both of our parents there along with some of our friends to share the powerfully emotional experience with us. It was a chance for us all to release our tears together about this horrible reality we face and as Morrie says “I love a good cry”.
One thing that I found missing from his life was the definite presence of Christ in his life. He was actually an agnostic at the beginning of the play. He referenced God and angels, but not what Christ did for his eternal security. We have hope only in Christ and his promises for all of us. One thing I really took away from the play among many was the quote “When I am taking, I feel like I’m dying but when I give of myself, I feel like I am living”. This is how I feel. I cannot sit back and let this disease take my life and only sit back and take from everyone. I need to have purpose by giving to others and sharing hope and the inspiration that only comes from God in ways that He has equipped me to feel like I have something to live for. The play was to benefit the ALS Association and there was a silent auction beforehand. They raised over 5,000 last we heard. We were outbid on a Michigan State basket with a signed basketball we were trying to get for Zach and after the play, this couple came up to us and said they wanted us to have it! What a blessing for them to do that and they don’t even know us. We were overwhelmed with gratitude. Another God moment was meeting the author of the book Lori is reading (Shelly Beach of the caregiver devotional called, Precious Lord, Take my Hand) Lori has quoted some of her late night readings from her book on the blog. We were able to meet the cast (only two people as pictured above) and tell them what a great job they did. Overall, a wonderful evening. Thank you to the Klumpps for watching our kids all night.

Prayer Requests are for me and the 9 men riding in an RV to Nebraska on Friday night straight through to see a Huskers football game and then returning home Sunday. Pray for safe travel and rest and a great time of fellowship. Lori thinks I am a little nuts but she is looking forward to some down time from caregiving and thrilled that the guys are willing to help me out.

Also, we had a meeting with our rep for the VA specially adapted housing grant we got who was an awesome Christian man. After meeting with him for six hours on Monday, we were overloaded with information and very strict criteria that needs to be met to get approval by Cleveland which takes a minimum of four to six months to get the green light. Please pray that God will give us wisdom in how to proceed at this point. Please pray that our house would sell soon so the decisions and timing will be easier to make. As this information has sunk in, we are feeling very discouraged about the grant we were so excited about last week. We know God still has a plan for us and we want to follow His will so pray that we will hear His voice loud and clear.

If anyone would like to walk with us this year in the Walk to D’Feet ALS on October 11th at John Ball Zoo, please contact Matt or Stephanie Kucinski at mkucinski@hotmail.com or 616-307-7429.

Have a blessed week.

Eric