A song that has encouraged me this week

Take a few minutes and watch the video above (don't forget to mute the jukebox)
I keep hearing this song on the radio by Kutless called That's what Faith Can Do. It lifts me up, it carries me and surrounds me with hope in my sadness. This is how I feel about my faith. "when the world says you can't, it will tell you that you can" The lyrics are on this video. They have spoken to me in the last few days. God has given me grace and peace to face each day. I will post more soon. I have so much to say. Monday, the funeral was a day that honored who Eric was and glorified God. I am so grateful for everyone who helped contribute in so many ways. I have seen God so clearly in these past few weeks and I hope to share with you specifically His goodness.

Be blessed!
Lori

To live is Christ, to die is gain

I was thinking I would wait to post until after the funeral, but I am not sleeping much and writing helps me process things. I think it will help all of you to know when you come to the visitation. I want to first say thank you for all of the love, support, prayers, food and notes of encouragement. Most of the notes all have encouraged me to stay focused on the blessing in this tragedy. I am so comforted that Eric is in heaven right now and when I get sad, I have to turn my thoughts to Eric in heaven seeing God face to face hearing "well done, good and faithful servant", singing at the top of his lungs praises to our God, dancing like a crazy man like he did when I met him in college 19 1/2 years ago. (He was one of those that you had to back up and make a circle around so he wouldn't knock you down), Playing hockey, football, basketball or baseball and encouraging the whole team, Eating the most savory of foods (by mouth), meeting and becoming instant friends with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Paul, John, David (oh, to imagine) and all the prophets and saints and his friends and family that have passed before him, laughing that laugh that we all miss, running circles around everyone in his new body, and seeing colors and things we can't even begin to imagine.
This has been a very emotional week as you can imagine, but I am already feeling his mercies new each morning and sensing the peace that passes all understanding. The day Eric went to be with the Lord, I didn't think I could possibly get through it, I was in shock and disbelief and then I had guilt and if only I did this or that and I thought it would take months or years for God to get me through these things. I need to tell you that I know it will take a long time to really stop hurting in my grief, but God has taken so much of my burdens and given me so much comfort that I couldn't have even imagined that came by the very next morning. Every day is such a gift to each of us and his mercies are new in the morning. This is the way that Eric lived each day and I will continue to trust in God for my strength.
May God's peace and comfort encircle all of you who dearly loved Eric too,
Lori

Details on Visitation and Funeral

The following will appear in the GR Press on Friday and Sunday:

Eric J. Fox, age 40, of Grandville, formerly of Jenison, went to be with his Savior on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 after a courageous, five year battle with ALS. His genuine love of life and for people gave him the ability to make friends in minutes. Eric has fought the good fight, he has finished the race and has kept the faith. He was loved and will be dearly missed by his wife of 14 years, Lori; his children, Zach and Maddie; parents, James and Joan Fox; sister, Julie Fox; brother, Jary (Erica) Fox and their children, Emma and Katelyn; parents-in-law, Steve and Linda Kammeraad; sister-in-law, Kristi (Brian) Rogalske and their children, Ashley, Nathan and Emily; brother-in-law, Kevin (Stephanie) Kammeraad and their children, Carlos and Maria; and many extended family members and friends.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 10:00am at Kentwood Community Church, 1200 60th St. SE, Kentwood with Pastor Rob Reynolds officiating. Interment Fort Custer National Cemetery.

Those who wish may make memorial contributions to ALS Association, or Global Partners c/o Rob and DaNae Reynolds.

Relatives and friends may meet the family Saturday from 7-9 pm, Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9pm at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Drive SW.

Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com or the family’s blog at www.ericjfox.blogspot.com.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

This is Brian, Lori's brother-in-law (Kristi's husband). Eric went to be with our Lord earlier today. Eric was always so excited to be serving our Lord and today he went to be with Him. Please keep Lori, Zach, Maddie and the entire family in your prayers as they grieve the loss of a great husband, father, and most importantly, servant of Christ.

Lori asked if I could make the posting tonight as I'm sure you can understand she is overwhelmed right now.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. Details of visitation and the funeral will follow. Lori is still trying to get a hold of some individuals and make final arrangements.

A quick update

I have to say that time still seems to go by fast as it is already Spring and it seems like just yesterday it was January and I was so worried if Eric would make it through the night a few times. Early January, Eric's goal was to make it to Zach's 13th birthday and his 40th on January 17th and January 21st respectively. When he did that, he told me he just wanted to make it to Spring. I remember thinking to myself, I don't know if that is possible and even I don't know if I can continue to take care of you until Spring as I was feeling so overwhelmed. Well, God is bigger than my thoughts and fears and here we are enjoying a beautiful Spring day together! God is so good!!! Eric got outside a little bit today and I even washed all my windows today inside and out and Zach and Maddie cleaned the screens and each other with the hose. It was a good day! We were introduced to a new caregiver tonight with Visiting Angels who will be working a few hours in the evening once a week. He seems very nice and very knowledgable and he said he felt like God told him to take this job. I know God is always providing in so many ways and this could be another blessing for our family. We are also starting with a new girl tonight to help for one night a week who we found through prayer and a friend of a friend.
Please pray that this would be a good fit. I am really looking forward to getting a full nights sleep once she is trained.
Other good news is my brother and his family of four are home from Columbia safely. Maria is 2 and adopted from Columbia. Isn't she beautiful!! Carlos is 5 and was adopted from Guatamala when he was 1. They arrived on Tuesday night and me and the kids went to the airport to meet them with my family. It was late so we had a caregiver stay at the house with Eric. They were so tired but glad to be home. I posted pictures above.

Enjoy your Spring break and vacations if you are taking them!
Lori

Go State!!!! Final 4 again!

Daddy Interview

I decided I should do this for dad too so the kids did this interview for Dad about a week ago. Here are their answers. Maddies are first marked with an M and Zach's are second marked with a Z.

Daddy Interview -

1. What is something dad always says to you?
M and Z - I love you!

2. What makes dad happy?
M- a hug. Z- Making him feel loved, spending time with him.

3. What makes dad sad?
M-fotos. Z- not being able to do things he used to be able to do.

4. How does your dad make you laugh?
M- He makes jokes. Z- he jokes around on his computer.

5. What was your dad like as a child?
M- funny. Z- funny, crazy.

6. How old is your dad?
M and Z- 40

7. How tall is your dad?
M- he is tall a lot. Z- 6'3"

8. What is his favorite thing to do?
M- listen to music. Z- hang out with family.

9. What does your dad do when you're not around?
M- watch TV. Z- he watches TV and movies.

10. If your dad becomes famous, what will it be for?
M- singing. Z- writing a book about his life and testimonies living with ALS.

11. What is your dad really good at?
M- driving in his wheelchair. Z- cheering people up, telling people about God.

12. What is your dad not very good at?
M- talking. Z- being patient.

13. What makes you proud of your dad?
M- that he is so nice. Z- he is a great dad that I hope I can be when I grow up.

14. If your dad were a cartoon character, who would he be?
M- I Carly. Z- Fred Flinstone.

15. What do you and your dad do together?
M- play games. Z- we watch TV and movies and talk about life.

16. How are you and your dad the same?
M- curly hair. Z- we are both tall and loving to others.

17. How are you and your dad different?
M- Eyes. Z- I am clumsy like my mom.

18. How do you know your dad loves you?
M- because he says it to me all the time. Z- He tells me every night before I go to bed and when I get home from school. He shows it during the day.

Mama Interview

I read this on a friend's facebook page about a year ago and decided to have my kids fill it out. Here are their answers. Maddie's are first and marked M and Zach's are second marked Z. I loved their answers and plan to have them fill it out every year.

Mama Interview -

1. What is something mom always says to you?
M- No. Z- I love you.

2. What makes mom happy?
M- when I'm good. Z- spending time with her, getting a good deal!

3. What makes mom sad?
M- if daddy would die. Z- sad movies.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
M- Tickling me. Z- she is always good at joking around.

5. What was your mom like as a child?
M- she was like me - crazy. Z- funny, clumsy :)

6. How old is your mom?
M- 55 0r 40. Z- 38

7. How tall is your mom?
M- 15ft tall. Z- 5 foot.

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
M- play with me. Z- be with family.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
M- on the computer paying bills. Z- go shopping and help dad.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
M- having a lot of money so we could buy anything. Z- a famous actor or famous Christian book author.

11. What is your mom really good at?
M- typing and going on the phone. Z- telling people about God, Math

12. What is your mom not very good at?
M- she drops a lot of stuff. Z- trying to be cool :)

13. What does your mom do for her job?
M- I don't know, Bible Study, teach? Z- helps dad, part time accountant.

14. What's your mom's favorite food?
M- fruits and vegatables. Z- Salad. (sounds healthy, you think I'd be skinnier)

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
M- that you play with me. Z- she is able to help my dad.

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
M- Hannah Montanna. Z- Wilma Flinstone.

17. What do you and your mom do together?
M- puzzles, excercise. Z- we go on dates and hang out together every other Tuesday.

18. How are you and your mom the same?
M- Brown eyes. Z- we are both clumsy and funny.

19. How are you and your mom different?
M- mom has earrings and sparkly makeup and I don't. Z- I am 13 and she is 38. I'm in school and she isn't.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
M- when she kisses me all over and tells me. Z- she tells me every night and then some.

21.Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Unanamous - COSTCO!

Hope you enjoyed this. If you want me to email you the blank document to try it yourself, let me know.
Lori
P.S. I am sitting outside typing this, enjoying this beautiful day God has given us! I love Spring! I have the window open so I can hear Eric's Dynavox and have gone in about 4 times for him now, but I don't care if I can be outside for just a bit, I will take it!