Reminded that God is always at work even when we stray

We wanted to share with all of you something that God has helped us come to understand this week. We have been feeling very down, lonely and even depressed over the last three weeks and that is right where Satan wanted us to be. It is so easy to become consumed with our human emotions and the way this disease continues to change our lives. We have not been seeking God's help daily through our struggles. This week, God has been speaking to us in so many ways and reminded us who He is and how much He cares for us. God has been doing this through people, through his Word, sermons, a book on tape, through answered prayers, things that are not coincidences but rather God at work in our lives.
Today, a good friend with ALS, Jana Woods, has passed away from this horrible disease. A few months back, she was in our home laughing with us. We had heard she was admitted to Hospice not long ago and had every intention to go visit her there thinking we had time, but we got caught up in our own busyness and wallowing in our self pity that we didn't listen to God and our hearts and make the time. We are not saying this to make you all think you need to come visit us this week or feel bad. We know that God lays it on peoples hearts when he knows that we need an encouraging word from them and He works through his people to show His love. We used to feel guilty for not helping everyone that was sick in our church, but realized that we are only responsible to go when He pricks our hearts or puts them on our mind. We are all called to use the gifts God has given us to further His kingdom. We are reminded about the brevity of life when someone dies and we don't know when we will take our last breath. We are reminded that it is so important to spend time with the ones we love and to share the gift of salvation that we have been given with others. Every day is a gift! We get so caught up in things that really don't matter for eternity. The enemy is so crafty in keeping us distracted with things of this world and not keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. We are so thankful that God never leaves us, when we are feeling like we are alone, it is us that have strayed away.
We heard a sermon from John 5 recently that talked about the man who was crippled for 38 years. He was trying to figure out a way to get into the healing pool when others kept going before him and he had no way to get in. Jesus approached him asking if he wanted to be well and told him to pick up his mat and be healed. He obeyed and was healed. His life began at the point of his faith. He had work to do! We were reminded of the work that God wants us to do. At the point of our salvation, we are healed and cleansed of our sin and God commands us to sin no longer and to live for Him. We are praying for physical healing and want it so badly that we lose focus on eternity in Heaven with Jesus and our purpose while we are here on this earth. He wants us to live a life free from sin and sadness. He wants to offer us hope and a future! If we are caught up in finding a cure or wanting to be healed, it's hard to trust God as my disease progresses. We cannot live the life God has for us without Him.

We have been praying for a sports camp for Zach to attend this summer in a christian environment and God led us to Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp last Friday and we drove him to camp today! If you are able to send Zach an encouraging note while he is at camp, the instructions are below. The letter should be sent out by Tuesday or Wed since he will be coming home on Friday. We think it would really lift his spirits to receive letters this week since he doesn't know anyone there except the couple who told us about the camp that help coach. We know God will watch over him and bless him this week! Keep Zach in your prayers too!
If you are planning to send a letter to your camper,
address the letter to the individual, Fellowship of
Christian Athletes Camp, Dining and Hospitality Service,
Albion College, 611 East Porter Street, Albion, MI 49224.

Maddie is doing a Soccer camp at a Grandville church too and she packed her bag to stay overnight thinking she was going away for the week too like her big brother! Pray that God will speak to her precious heart this week.

Sorry this is so incredibly long, thanks for listening, praying and loving us!
Your brother and sister in Christ,
Eric and Lori