ups and downs

Today we had an few appointments and the kids are at Grandma and Grandpa Foxes for a few days. Eric got measured for some A.F.O.'s which help fupport his ankles and legs when walking to give him better stability. He said they felt good and we hope they will keep him on his feet walking as long as he can and safely. I have to admit I have been getting very worried about the way Eric has been walking lately. It has been very unsteady at times and I wish I could walk beside him and be his stability and I am always grabbing his hand thinking that it makes me feel better, yet it makes it harder for him to maintain his balance. We watched the video last night together that he linked on the right side of the blog called ALS is real. It always slaps me into reality when I see the progression of this horrible disease and think that can't possibly happen to Eric, but Eric is experiencing most of the things on this video. When I see him start to change like this, it is very hard to take it in. I know Eric has been having a very hard time with it lately and I can't even begin to put myself in his shoes. He stays very strong and positive for me and the kids and I know that helps us all deal with this disease, but it is so hard for him to always stay positive when his body is deteriorating. Our faith is strong and we believe that God is the ultimate healer and have been praying diligintly for healing. It is so hard to wait on God and to stay strong. We watched a movie tonight called Iron Man and I couldn't help but think how great it would be if we could get one of those suits for Eric that would allow his body to be strong and move around and something to keep his heart beating when his body couldn't and then I thought that is selfish of me. Who are we to take matters into our own hands thinking that we know best. I know there is a time to be born and a time appointed for all of us to die, but that is so hard to imagine when it is someone you love so dearly. Eric is a husband, a father, a son and a geniune friend to so many people so I know you all can understand what I feel. Someone asked me at church how I was doing and I said really good so it must be time for me to have a breakdown soon not knowing exactly when that would be. I usually break down more when I think of the reality of this disease so again I try not to and to focus on each day. I find joy in spending time with Eric and treasure each moment and hope that I can stay strong and supportive for him like he has been doing for me. I don't mean to sound down because He raises us up and I know He will continue to do it, I just wanted to share what we are going through to help you understand and it also helps me relieve some of what we carry. We still need your prayers for healing and to sustain us. Thank you for praying!
God Bless,
Lori

ENJOYING OUR SUMMER TOGETHER

We have been enjoying our time together this summer.

Last week we went on our annual triple date with my sister Kristi and Brian and my brother Kevin and Stephanie. Last year we went to Grand Haven and this year we ate at Blue Water Grille and had coffee and dessert at San Chez. To see pictures, you can link to their blog on the top right of our blog. It was good food and fun hanging out with them!

We left on Sunday after church for some relaxation at friends of ours cottage that they graciously offered to us with the Barr family. It was very relaxing and we had great weather. They have a home on Big Bass Lake and it has everything you need and is nestled in the trees on the water. We took the Pontoon boat out each day, played games, cooked some great meals, went looking for deer at dusk and saw dozens of them including twin fawns. They are not very afraid of you up there so you can get close to watch them. Eric and Mitch really enjoyed doing this. The kids all got along very well and always found something to do. We took a day trip to Ludington and it was a gorgeous day and the water was pretty warm in Lake MI. The pics above are from Ludington. We came home on Wednesday night with piles of laundry and things are pretty much back to normal around here again. It is always good to be home after a trip. We love going away and we always love returning home too!

Some updates of things in the works are:

We have received a notification of our specially adapted housing grant that they have received it and are sending it on for review. We pray we have a decision soon!

We have heard of another lift van in the area and hope to find out more about it next week and hope it will be a good fit and a good price.

We looked at a house today with a wheel chair like the one Eric will be getting and it wouldn't need huge renovations to adapt it for Eric and it suits all of our needs. We still have our house on the market and need to sell. It has been really slow the last two weeks with no showings so as much as I hate cleaning it, we really need some activity and of course a solid offer so that we can make an offer on this house. Please keep this in your prayers. We know that God has what is best in store for us so we are praying for discernment.

Looking forward to enjoying the warm weather here in West Michigan next week. We will update you if anything new comes about, but until then.... Enjoy time with family and friends and count your blessings!

Lori and Eric

Good news!

We got a letter in the mail from the VA today saying that we have been approved for the adaptive vehicle grant. We did a happy dance in the driveway when we read it. This will really help us out in purchasing a lift van. The one that our friend found for us did not work out for us when we put the sample chair in it. It was too wide for the space it had to sit. We were pretty bummed b ecause it was a really nice van. We will continue to look especially now that the grant is properly approved.

I had my wheelchair assessment on Tuesday this week and my electric chair has been ordered. It is a Permobil C300 and it is quite the machine. This is being proactive for me to keep me safe from falling and for fatigue. It will help me to get out more and do the things I want to do.

We had a few comments on our blog about my activity outside of the house. I realize that some of you who read this blog don't actually know me and my family or you just cannot relate to our lives. Those of you who know me well know that I love to be doing something and am not one to sit at home all day, every day. While there are many days that I am home all day, me and my family love to go on trips together, big and small. We have created some of our best memories in this last year and really enjoy taking trips. There are also things I have always wanted to do like go to the Grand Canyon and Disney with the kids. I know others with ALS and everyone is different on how they live their life. The important thing is that they are spending time with those they love and feel that they still have purpose in life. I feel that God still has so much purpose for my life and I love being with people I love, meeting new people and forming relationships. There will be a time when I may be confined to our house and I am alright with that, but while I still can get out and do the things I love, we will continue to do as much as we can. The nice thing is our vacations are always based on how I am feeling and we never have a schedule. We spend time talking, praying and just having a great time together. A quick note too. It was completely my idea to do the roller coasters. I love them and had to say my farewell!

We are looking forward to going to our friends cottage next week with another family up North to just hang out and relax. This will be a nice break from appointments, paperwork, bills, etc. relaxing by the lake with nowhere to go. We have been looking forward to this all summer.

Lori has been having problems with her eye and had an appt today to find out that she has a corneal ulcer and needs to keep her contact out for 1o days and use antibiotic drops to take care of the problem. Pray that this heals and no further damage is done.

We want to express our thanks for all of the help we had this week. Thanks for the meals, the rides, the prayers and for my Pastor and the guys who came over this week to just hang out and watch guy movies with me. A special thanks to my friend Joe S. for being there for me & my family. We feel loved! Know that we love you too!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Something I read this week:

More Than Conquerors

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:"For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Roman 8:28-39

Thriving not Surviving

You're not a survivor. You are more than a conqueror.
It's easy to get into a survival mode. When times get tough and things aren't going our way, it's tempting to just settle where we are, not believe for increase and not believe to go any further. It's tempting to think, "If I can just hold on a little while longer. If I can just make it through another year." If we're not careful, we'll develop a survival mentality to where we're not releasing our faith. We're not believing to rise any higher. We're just hoping to maintain. We'd be satisfied if we could just break even. But we're not supposed to break even. We're supposed to break through to a new level, to more of God's favor, increase and promotion.
God can prosper us even in the desert if we'll just be bold enough to believe. We were created to keep our focus on Christ! So be more than a conqueror today...

Your brother in Christ,

Eric

The rest of our vacation

We left Detroit on Thursday about 12:00 and had brunch at Denny's on the way to Cedar Point. We got into the park about 2:30 and the kids were so excited! It was a beautiful day and we rounded the park with the wheelchair as the kids hopped on rides. Eric had just wanted to ride the Millenium Force and the Maverick roller coaster and that he did! A lot has changed in his body since last year so it was not quite as memorable as the previous summer and I did not enjoy the rides at all because I was so worried about Eric on the ride. When we got off he said it was his farewell to roller coasters which makes me cry some more because it just means that things are progressing in him. We have the farewell photo attached above. It's not such a big deal because they are just rides and don't define our life or bring true joy. I worry about Eric alot when we do things now. It's almost like you worry about your child. It made me think of how God considers us his children although some of us are young and some older. He doesn't worry about us because he is God and knows all things, but he does care so much about us and doesn't want anything to happen to us. He wants what is best for all of us!
It started raining at about 8:3o and didn't let up so we ate dinner at Johhny Rockets while the servers danced to some classics and then they made us rain ponchos out of garbage bags to brave the rain to our car. We had decided it would be best to skip our second day at CP and just head to Cleveland. After sleeping in again, we hit the road to the place we lived when we were first married and my first job after college. It was fun remembering back 13 years ago in our lives where we were and how far we have come. It ended up raining again so we went to a movie and ate at Tower City and then headed back to our hotel by the airport. They upgraded us to a suite with a sitting area and seperate bedroom which was fun. We had two TV's and the kids somehow always ended up in our room with the King size bed or they were swimming in the pool. We weren't able to get internet service at that hotel , hence no updates until now. On our last morning we were awoken to an alarm saying we had to go to the nearest exit so off we went in our PJ's. Maddie was grabbing all of her animals and clothes to take with. When we got out there it was a false alarm, but we got some more starpoints which we can use on our next vacation for a free night so we didn't mind at all.

We spent some time reading the Bible study by John MacArthur on Phillippians and it was so good I thought I would share some things that really made so much sense to me:

In the first chapter of Phillipians it talks about how Paul could have such joy when writing to the Phillipians while in prison and MacArthur points out how most people find happiness as an attitude of satisfaction based on positive circumstances largely beyond their control, therfore it can not be planned or certain. However "spiritual joy is the deep and abiding confidence that all is well between the believer and the Lord. No matter what difficulty, pain, dissappointment, failure, rejection or other challenge one is facing, genuine joy remains because of that eternal well-being established by God's grace in salvation. The fullest, most lasting and satisfying joy is derived from a true relationship with God. It is not based on circumstances or chance, but is the gracious and permanent possession of every child of God." I was reminded that JOY is one of the fruits of the spirit that we receive by the Holy Spirit when we are saved (Gal 5:22). He also goes on to say that "the one certain cause for loss of joy in a believers life is sin, which corrupts our fellowship of the Lord, who is the source of that joy. Such sinful attitudes as dissatisfaction, bitterness, doubt, fear, and negativism cause joy to be forfeited. Anything other than sin, no matter how difficult or dissappointing need not take away the believers joy. Yet even minor things can do so if believers react sinfully to them.... Consequently, the only way to restore lost joy is to repent and return to the proper worship of and obedience to God." WOW!!!

I knew that Eric and I have joy regardless of our circumstances, but I never looked at exactly where that comes from and that when it seems to be diminished, it is only because we are not focused on the Giver of our joy. He is everything!!! Somehow this just restored my joy when I was allowing fear to rob me of my joy. I just thought I needed to share all of that in case someone else needed to hear that like I did!! Jesus is the ONLY way to true joy!
Have a blessed week!

Lori and Eric

How about them Tigers!

What an awesome day!
We left for Detroit today at 1:00 after cleaning like crazy for another showing. We actually had an offer on our house on Monday which was exciting, but they offered too low and could not accept our counter. It is frustrating, but we couldn't come to the table with that much money to close the deal. God has it all planned out and we have to have faith that someone else will be interested for a fair price. We are having an open house on Sunday while we are gone so pray that that goes well and that we show it often while we are gone because it will actually stay clean!
We got to Detroit today at 4:30 and were able to go onto the field because our friend Doug Wemple nominated our family for their dreams come true program. We got to go right on the field level and meet a few players like Clete, Thomas, Curtis Granderson, Jim Leland (mgr) Todd Jones and saw all the players practicing! That was really cool!! Since our seats were in the upper deck about 15 rows up from the floor and we had a wheel chair borrowed for Eric, Doug asked if we could get seats in a handicap section together. After they came back, they said that our family could go in the VIP suite! We had no idea what a treat we were in for! When we took the private elevator up there and got to the suite, Mike said all of the food and pop is complimentary and we could help ourselves! This was so wonderful because Maddie was ready to be done with Baseball and had a cut on her foot from her flip flops and wanted to be carried. She just rode on dad's lap most of the night. The kids enjoyed chips and cheese and brownies and sprite while Eric and I had steak and red potatoes, chicken and rice, talapia, roasted veggies, salad, fresh fruit, loaded nachos (well just I had that, not really on Eric's diet and I had cheesecake and lots of diet cherry pepsi) We were stuffed! Then they brought out pizza and icecream. We were living the high life tonight. That is a once in a lifetime for sure! We even had tables in front of our seats so we could eat and watch the game. The game was not going so good in the first 6 innings 0-6 Indians and then all of a sudden Joyce hit in runs to tie up the game and in the top of the 9th inning, Cabrera hit a walk off home run!!! The crowd goes wild!!!! What a night! Are you impressed with my knowledge of baseball? Comes from a son who plays little league and a husband who loves sports! Our friends Doug and his son Eli and Mark V and his daughter Heather and boyfriend Caleb were able to join us in this great day! We checked into the hotel in Romulus to crash which everyone has already done here and will head to Cedar Point tomorrow!! Have a wonderful weekend and we will post more after Cedar Point if we are not too wiped out. I promise to make sure that Eric will take it easy.
Grace for the day,
Lori

FAITH...WHAT IS IT?

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

What are we hoping for in our lives today? The Bible says that faith gives substance to the things you hope for. Notice this verse starts by saying, “Now faith…” It’s not “later” faith or “one day” faith. We have to believe that God is working behind the scenes right now. I know it’s not easy to see especially if we are going through a rough stretch or valley, but faith is so important because it keeps our focus on the “One” that answers and is always there for us. Faith is simply believing that God is a good and faithful God—that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. My pastor quoted an author, Randy Frazee’s idea of faith in his book “FINISHING STRONG” as this: ‘faith takes us all the way to sight, till we see Jesus face to face.’ I’m holding on to God’s Word and wanting to finish strong and to hopefully hear my Savior say to me: ‘well done my faithful child [servant] .’ My opinion is that too often many of us are consistently changing or redefining God to be the way we want Him to be. We put limits on God because we don’t really know Him…we don’t take time to get to know and trust in Him. Do we really believe that God wants to move in our life, today? Do we really believe He can provide for our needs, today? Do we really believe He can heal our relationships, today? Whatever we are hoping for, we need to open our hearts and expect that God is working on our behalf. Stand strong and declare that victory is already ours. As we face each day with faith and expectancy, we’ll increase in strength and see God’s hand working in every area of our life!

Have a blessed week!

Your brother in Christ,

Eric

A quick (OK not so quick) update

It's late, but I'm so exhausted that I can't sleep. This week has flown by. We had a great time up north last weekend and mostly good weather. It was hard for Eric to be up there and not able to do the many things he wanted to do with us like fishing, seadooing, swimming, etc. but none the less it was just nice being together as a family away from all of the demands of life.
Wednesday brought major storms to West Michigan. My sister and I and the kids went to see Wall-E and came out of the theatre to a major thunderstorm with flooded roads and trees down in the streets. It was an adventure getting home. Eric was home with our Angel and had called and said we had no power. Our power stayed out until sometime in the middle of the night so we played LIFE by candle light and then sat in the garage and watched the storm and listened to the sirens. We went to Meijers at night and just walked around and ran into many of our neighors and friends who had no power. It made me think about how we are so lost without our power for one day when many people don't even have power in other countries to cook their food or keep it cold or for them to stay warm or cool. We worry when we don't have TV or our computer and A/C in our homes and don't realize how good we have it. They were predicting power to be out until Fri or Sat so when it came on in the night, I just praised the Lord!
We had a showing on Thursday, so I had to go to town on the house in the morning since nothing had been done the night before.
A friend from our church found a lift van at a used car dealer he trusts for sale and he had it brought to us from Portage Thurs morning so we could test it out. It is a very nice van and the lift is in the back of the vehicle and Eric could roll up to sit in the middle of the kids and lock in a wheelchair. We have been checking in on our VA auto grant to make sure we can use that for this vehicle. It was something that we weren't thinking about yet, but God just works like that to take care of things. We really like the van and hope it will work out.
The reality is that Eric needs to get his wheelchair ordered. We have an appointment to get measured and assessed on July 15th. He has a hard time holding his head when he walks and has become unsteady on his feet quite often lately and risks falling and it really scares me. I hate to see him like this because it is a sign of progression of this awful disease! There are days when things just seem normal for us and there are days when it is really hard to think that Eric has ALS and today was one of those days. I haven't cried in a long time because we just keep moving along and we really do enjoy life every day and love on eachother as much as we can because life is so precious. Tonight the tears are flowing freely. I know it is good for me to cry so i will just let them flow. We heard from our friends in Florida that we have never met who have ALS and he is not doing good at all. He is barely able to move and he was only diagnosed this year. It breaks my heart talking to his wife and not knowing what to say or how to comfort her because it is such a reality for us too. This disease is so different for everyone affected and there is just so much unknown, it is just not fair! Please pray for Roger and Karen. One thing he know is "his ticket is paid for and he is going to heaven" Praise the Lord for his salvation and his testimony to others.
We had a good day on the Fourth of July together and today have been cleaning most of the day and doing yardwork for another showing on Sunday and a second showing from the couple that came on Thursday. Please pray that this is the right house for either of them so that we can be freed to move forward to get the right home for Eric. It has been very tiring keeping the house ready to show and I told Eric that if the house sells, I will not be cleaning again until we move out. Well, maybe just dishes and laundry. Anyone who has sold a home knows what I am talking about! I had better try to go to sleep again. I have been reading a devotional called "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" for caregivers by Shelly Beach and it has been very encouraging to me. Sometimes I think she knows exactly how I feel. I recommend it for anyone who takes care of a loved one (she cares for her parents) but I want to close this with a prayer she wrote on todays reading:
"Dear God, my prayer today is, 'I believe. Help my unbelief,' In the middle of pain and suffering, my heart cries out for answers, for proof, for evidence, for something that can make sense of the devestation that I see in the world around me. But God, You hold the keys to the history of the world and to every indignity and injustice that has ever been perpetrated, and You promise that in the end all will be made right. Father, we cling to you, knowing that we won't find those answers in this world but only by looking into Your eyes and trusting You for the future. Give me that faith, Father."

"I sougth the Lord, and he answered me, he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." Psalm 34: 4-5

Good night!
Lori

Taking a break!

We are getting packed tonight to go to a friends parents cottage this weekend and are looking forward to some relaxing time on the lake with the Bolkema's.
Zach had his game last night and it was a great game despite the mosquitos. Their team won and their coach prayed with them afterward which was awesome. What a great season!
Maddie got a new pet this week ( a hermit crab) and Prince got a new snack! I'm not sure if she left it out or it got out but we got him on Wed., he went AWOL on Thursday and today I found a small part of him and a guilty looking dog. I'm just not sure how he ate the shell??

Please don't say anything to Maddie, she thinks he is on an adventure in our house. We hope you all have a great weekend!
Blessings,

Lori

What we've been up to

It has been a while since we did an update again. Summer is upon us and it has been nice being home again just getting back to "normal". The kids have been having fun playing with their friends in our neighborhood and have been really helpful around the house and helping Eric. With Zach home now, he has been a really big help since he is older and able to be home for Eric when I have to run out for quick errands. Eric is on a mostly organic fruit and vegatable diet right now which involves many trips to the grocery store. If you think about it, the reason some foods last so long is because of all of the perservatives added. It's frustrating having to shop more often in smaller amounts because I just love Costco!! But it really makes sense to not put anything extra in our bodies that God did not intend for them to process. It is very hard and I can't tell you how many times I ask Eric what do you want for dinner and he'll say a juicy bacon cheeseburger or a huge bowl of Carrabas pasta or a chocolate shake! Then he'll say OK, I'll have a salad or some veggies. We have added steak and chicken to the diet to give it variety, but no pork or fish. Our chiropractor pointed out to us "it's just fuel". A good way to think about it when you are craving something that has no nutritional value! Just some food for thought :)

We have shown our house twice last week and both parties have expressed some interest so we are waiting to see what happens with that and have really been praying for God's direction on where we should go. Building vs buying something more suitable with little renovation while we live there. Please pray that God would allow our house to sell and direct us to the right path for our future home.

Zach had a double header last Thursday to make up some baseball games and they won both of their games. Zach hit an in park home run in the last inning and brought in three runs tying up the game and he was so excited! It is such a joy to see your child be good at something and really love being part of a team. We had a great team this year and a wonderful coach. Thank you Ron and all of the great dads and moms who helped out! At the end of that night, Zach's team was awarded trophies for the team champs for the minor league and then 5 of them were chosen to play in the all stars this week. Zach was one of them and he is excited!! He will be playing under the lights this Thursday at 8:00 pm for at Georgetown Little league field 11 for any of you who are able to come out!

Eric has been meeting with some people at the ALS Association this past week to see how he can be used to help advocate ALS and help find a cure! He is also busy doing things on his own with my brother to see what difference can be made. He has passion and purpose through this disease that inspires me as his wife and others too!
We are planning some short trips this summer to some cottages with friends in Michigan and a Tiger game and trip to Cedar Point which we are really looking forward to!!

Be blessed this week and enjoy life and where God has you for a reason!!
Lori

A letter from Eric's sister Julie

Eric's sister Julie wrote this very touching note to us and wanted us to put it on our blog so here it is: We love you, Julie!!

Let me tell you about my brother, Eric. He is a faithful, devoted, and caring man. He has always been there for me and my family. His drive and passion are amazing in finding a cure for this horrible disease that he has. He is not going down without a fight.

To know where Eric is today and where he used to be is amazing. Growing up Eric and I did not have it easy. We had loving parents and did their best to teach us right from wrong. Sometimes I think that Eric should have been my older brother instead of my younger brother. He was always looking out for me and making sure that my friends were "good" enough for him. Giving me lectures when he thought that I needed and listening to me when I needed it. Sticking by each other when we were getting into trouble(which was never, ha-ha). Eric and I have stories that will always be with us to the end. There were times when we wanted to strangle each other. We had our share of fights as well; that did not make mom and dad too happy either. I know that we pushed our "luck" with mom and dad.

When I found out that he has ALS, I thought to myself, how could this be happening. How could this happen to our family. Eric is truely an inspiration to me. I know that I would not be this far in my faith if it was not for him. He just kept telling me to have faith and God would take care of the rest. I need to believe in that God will provide and love me just the way that I am. When Eric got saved; he was shouting it from the roof top, I was very happy for him. Eric has the most wonderful wife and children. He is a devoted and loving husband and father. Lori is a wonderful woman and an asset to our family. Zachary and Madison are unique and special as well. I have told Eric in the past to count his blessings and recount if necessary. Now it is my turn to count my blessings because of Eric and Lori. God knew what he was doing when he sent our parents looking for us. Eric and I were "hand picked" by God for our parents. For those of you who do not know what I am talking about; Eric and I are adopted.

Eric, I am very blessed to have you in my life. What you have taught me in this past year has been truely amazing. It has opened my eyes to a lot of different things. Even being at the lowest point in my life, you are there. Sometimes I feel like I complain a lot, you are always there to listen to me. It should be the other way around. Eric, please do not change, I can not tell you how much you mean to me and to our family. I am glad that you are fighting this disease to the end, you are a stronger man because of it. You have taught our family a lot and I pray that you continue to do so. I love you Eric, more than words can say. I am very proud to be your sister.
LOL
Julie

YouTube - foxtrotter88's Channel

YouTube - foxtrotter88's Channel

ONE HAPPY FAN!

MITCH ALBOM STANLEY'S TRAVELS
A promise kept, a life touched, a Cup delivered
Ozzie, Mr. I bond with ALS battler
BY MITCH ALBOM • FREE PRESS COLUMNIST • June 13, 2008

CORONA DEL MAR, Calif. -- You often hear pro athletes -- especially pro hockey players -- talk about "riding the bike." They mean the stationary bike exercise machine, and they ride it to train, to recuperate, to push their lungs and muscles. Some hockey stars all but live on those things.
Well, the man who co-created the stationary bike industry, the man who, about 30 years ago, started a company called Life Fitness, which produced the Lifecycle, is a guy named Augie Nieto. You've probably never met him. And none of the Red Wings -- despite countless hours on stationary bikes -- had ever met him.
Until Wednesday.
On Wednesday, one Red Wing met him. It wasn't a business meeting. It wasn't a product pitch. The meeting took place inside Augie Nieto's home in southern California.
The Red Wing was Chris Osgood.
He brought the Stanley Cup.
He carried it, two-handed, through the front door and down the stairs. He carried it through a living room. He put it on a table near a man who sat in a wheelchair, unable to move his arms or his torso.
"How ya doing?" Osgood asked.
A punishing disease
Well, how's Augie doing? On the one hand, you could say he is not doing well. He has ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease. It struck him three years ago, in the prime of his life, age 47, when he thought he had everything going for him: beautiful wife, beautiful kids, gorgeous home, millions in the bank, a life of adventure and accomplishment. In fact, it was during a water-skiing trip through the Mekong Delta in Vietnam (and let's be honest, how many regular folk do that?) that Augie sensed something wrong. He fell a few times, and his muscles weren't reacting the way they should.
Soon after, he got the diagnosis. ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. His body, of which he had been so proud, was on a path to unavoidable decay. And his life, at least as this fitness mogul had known it, was doomed to slip away. Everything he took for granted, in time, would need to be done by someone else for him, including bathing, dressing, brushing his teeth.
Or lifting the Stanley Cup and putting it across his lap.
Which Chris Osgood did on Wednesday.
"How does it feel?" the goalie asked.
"I feel," Augie said, his words coming slowly, "like a champion."
There's more to that sentence than you could ever know. Augie, after an initial bout of depression, decided to make the most of whatever time he had left. He created a new business of sorts, this one called Augie's Quest, and its sole purpose would be finding a cure for ALS. It would be run like a business, with businesslike goals and businesslike efficiency. It would be funded with contributions from Augie and from others. To date, he has raised -- get this -- more than $14 million. Yet he has no illusions about a cure that would heal his own body.
His dreams are for others.
And in thinking that way, even as he sank into a wheelchair, he has risen to new heights. He authored a book about his experiences (called "Augie's Quest") and is at work on a second (called "Reciprocity, Incorporated"). In this one, he is interviewing successful business people like himself who have found a compelling need to give back.
One of the people he interviewed was Mike Ilitch, owner of the Red Wings, Tigers and Little Caesars. After an hour-long meeting last month in his Detroit office, Ilitch was so impressed with Augie, even though he could not move from his wheelchair, that Ilitch promised to bring him the Stanley Cup if his team won it.
Augie thanked him and headed home.
And the Red Wings developed one very anxious fan in southern California.
The joy of Stanley
"What were you thinking," Augie asked Osgood, as he looked at the Cup, "in the last 10 seconds of the playoffs?"
Osgood grinned. He knew Augie meant the final play, when Osgood went sprawling to the ice to block the last, desperate shot by the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 of the finals. The puck never got in the net. The blue light flashed.
"I couldn't wait to get back up," Osgood said.
For Augie, and others with ALS, getting back up will remain a dream. But rising up is another matter. What Augie has done is inspire people around him into action. His pureness of spirit makes people energized to work with him, to battle ALS, to pool their efforts to try harder. It's as if he taps into that part of people that is hidden by the everyday craziness and only gets revealed when you realize all of our days are numbered in some way.
Augie does all this while in a wheelchair, while needing to be fed or have his tears wiped, while typing with his toes on a computer, and while following your gaze with his own constantly smiling eyes, which miss nothing. Having Lou Gehrig's disease may turn your body into a prison, but your mind is sharper than ever.
And so Augie's mind was racing Wednesday morning, taking it all in. He had never seen the Stanley Cup. Around him were children, friends, cameras and video cameras. People posed with the Cup and took snapshots. Women kissed it. Men touched it with reverence. Osgood held the Cup over Augie's head and some people pushed Augie's arms to make it look as if he were holding it up as well.
"I feel like I'm part of a legacy," Augie said, his slurred words being translated by his son, Austin.
"Dynasty," Augie corrected.
"Dynasty," Austin said.
Actually, he is part of both. The legacy of spreading the Stanley Cup from NHL arenas to hospitals, swimming pools, playgrounds and even living rooms of everyday people.
And the dynasty of the human spirit, which touches one person, who touches another and another and another. You could see Osgood's face change while he was in that living room. He had been on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" the night before. He was headed to a Hollywood movie premiere of "The Love Guru." But none of those places would yield the magic he was seeing at that moment. "I like doing this stuff best of all," Osgood admitted.
He posed with Augie. He put his arm on his shoulder. They talked. They laughed. Then the phone rang, and it was Mr. Ilitch, calling to see how it was going.
"You're a special guy," Ilitch told Augie.
"Thank you," Augie said. "Now we have to get the Tigers going."
Ilitch laughed.
There is a small detail of this story that has been left out. A few days after the Detroit meeting, Augie and his wife, Lynne, were back in their southern California house, and Lynne was going through the mail. Lots of junk. She impulsively threw out a batch of letters. Then something made her go back and pick one up. The handwriting on the front. She opened it.
A check from the Red Wings for $50,000 for Augie's Quest.
She grabbed another envelope from the trash. A check for $100,000 from the Tigers.
She grabbed one more. A check for $100,000 from Little Caesars.
One life touches another and another. So does a particular silver trophy, carried this week by a good-hearted goalie who held it over the head of a good-hearted fitness giant who no longer can do it himself.
"Amazing," Augie whispered.
How's he doing? Well, you could say he's doing great. And if he can be doing great, we can, too.
For more information on Augie's Quest and how to make a donation, go to augiesquest.org. Contact MITCH ALBOM at 313-223-4581 or malbom@freepress.com. Catch "The Mitch Albom Show" 5-7 p.m. weekdays on WJR-AM (760). Also catch "Monday Sports Albom" 7-8 p.m. Mondays on WJR. To read his recent columns, go to www.freep.com/mitch.

INSIGHTFUL THINGS I'VE BEEN READING

by: Dr. Napoleon Hill


During these times of lack of harmony among men and nations, when the world is rocked with chaos and strife and lack of faith, what greater work could a man engage in than that of planting constructive thoughts where destructive ones grew before? You have influence with a certain number of people and if you wish to exercise that influence so it will bring you the greatest return in happiness and in fortune you will lay aside all hatred or prejudice which may have fastened itself upon you and devote every ounce of your influence to helping men see the folly of strife and struggle and destructive effort. In thus wielding your influence for good you may be sure that your efforts will return to you, like a boomerang, not to curse but to bless you and yours, for as surely as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west the world will hand you back that which you hand it. You can be a man with a grievance or a man with a message; you can be a BUILDER or a DESTROYER, but make sure of this, that you can no more tear down without in turn being torn down, than you could sow wild mustard and reap a harvest of oats.





Source: Napoleon Hill's Magazine, Volume 1, November, 1921, Number 7, back cover.






Each of us is responsible for making a difference in our lives and in the lives of those around us. Therefore, each of us is a potential teacher and needs to be aware of this role. All teachers model behaviors, intentional or not, and students replicate those behaviors, good or bad.
If we agree to the fact that there is one aspect that we cannot afford to overlook when giving ourselves a success makeover -that being ourselves -, then the hand held mirror serves as a good prop. The mirror becomes a metaphor for introspection and introspection is the one crucial aspect that develops our success consciousness. Dr. Hill states: "You do not see your real self when you look into a mirror. You only see the house in which your real self lives."
Why a mirror? Well, to really see something we must observe, and to analyze something we must look within before we can conjecture about what is to happen without. As you gaze into the mirror, I would like you to consider these four characteristics that underscore personal development.
First, a renewed self calls for checks on personal performance and individual perception. To reference an unknown monk from 1100A.D.who wanted to change the world, he eventually understood that before the world, nation, community,or family could be impacted by anyone, that person must first change himself. We become the solution from the inside out - not from the outside in. Here comes the mirror part - look within for the answers!!!
Second, we need to profess action, not dialogue, when dealing with renewal. As teachers (and we all are), we need to know the progression of learning. Bloom identifies six "stair steps" to learning. Beginning at ground level they are: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Bloom indicates that to know a concept in all its intricate detail, one must progress actively through the stages of learning. Consider that application is halfway up the ladder of learning and comes before the evaluation stage. Before we can formulate an educated opinion we must have some basis in real life experience, i.e., application. For example, Napoleon Hill states: "Opinions are the cheapest commodity on earth. Everybody has them." Here comes the mirror part - can you observe and measure yourself actively doing something? Or, is your best advice just an opinion, and not an educated one at that? Dr. Hill tells us to develop a plan and then work the plan. Can you catch yourself in your mirror working the plan by walking the talk?
Third, renewal screams for outcome. Are you on a diet, an exercise program, or a day-by-day spiritual reformation? Well, then, you expect results such as weight loss, a stronger body, and increased spirituality as you progress. If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there. Obviously, you must have a plan to reach a destination. Working the plan creates a roadmap. If we know the direction we are going, subsequent steps in the right direction will get us there even if we only take one step at a time. Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. states, "Where we stand is not as important as the direction in which we are moving." Here comes the mirror part - can you see yourself moving in the direction of your dream? If not, turn around.
Finally, success consciousness causes introspection coupled with ongoing personal assessment. "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" is an often heard quotation that still rings true. Have some fun with this. Try substituting your favorite noun - concrete or abstract - for country and hear how purposeful it sounds.
Ask not what your job can do for you, ask what you can do for your job. Ask not what your dreams can do for you, ask what you can do for your dreams. Ask not what your mother can do for you, ask what you can do for your mother. Ask not what your Church can do for you, ask what you can do for your Church.
This little activity guides you toward creating a goal and a direction. It builds enthusiasm. It propels you to an outcome. Here comes the mirror part - see that star in the background? Hitch your wagon to it.
Reflect an attitude of gratitude.
Look for evidence of good things [blessings] sent to us by God.
Now, you have refocused and you can see the mirror images in a much clearer fashion. Throw out the drudgery and revitalize yourself by focusing on behaviors and outcomes. Remember the least action is worth far more than the greatest intention. Do not intend to act. Act. Ask people how you are doing. Listen to what is said, but recall you are only receiving someone else's opinion. Distill it for what it is worth. Do less and accomplish more. But, do it now.
Finding your definite major purpose requires that you uncover what you do best. Don't force interest where none exists. Intensify versus trivialize. Do only what is significant to you, but do it well. All Rosa Parks had to do was sit, but this action seated her in our nation's history. Just sit. Sounds wonderful. Think about it. One thought, one vibration, one idea can create a rippling effect that could change the course of the world.
Looking at our selves promotes introspection. Acute observation serves as a catalyst for growth and development. When we look within, we promote movement beyond the problem toward the solution. When we look within, the significance of attitudes becomes apparent. When we look within, we uncover universal laws for success.


“Whatever is true, whatever is honest, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is kind, if there is any virtue, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).



What you think about determines the quality and direction of your life. Naturally, people who think positive, uplifting thoughts have happier, healthier, longer lives. They are less stressed, more vibrant and enjoy better sleep. That’s why the scripture encourages us to think on good things—things that are true, noble and lovely. Some translations say to “fix your mind” on them. When you fix your mind on noble things, you close the door to the negative voices and open your heart to allow God to work in your life. Choose today to fix your mind on good things. Do whatever you need to in order to keep those good thoughts before you. Write them on note cards and put them in a place where you can see them. Confess God’s promises over your life and declare His blessing on a daily basis. As you fix your mind on the goodness of God, you will rise higher in every area of your life. You will be filled with His peace and victory.



I hope some of this helps...have blessed week!

Your brother in Christ,

Eric

WHY WAIT ON THE WORLD TO CHANGE...LET'S START CHANGING THE WORLD ONE PERSON AT A TIME!

When I was younger, I used to dream about changing the world. My childhood wasn't the most joyous period in my life as many of ours weren't. I always thought, when I got older that I would spread some joy in the world and help make it a better place. I heard something this morning at Lori's parents church in Holland for Father's day, the Pastor was talking about making a difference in one persons life. He used the parable in Luke 16 (19-31) about the rich man and poor beggar Lazarus. He talked about how one person can make a difference in someone's life. We can change the world one person at at time if we learn from this parable the "hidden message". This person could be in front of you every day just like the beggar at his steps. What are we doing to make a difference? It makes me more aware of the people around me and their needs. Am I paying attention or do I even see what they need or what they may be going through. Convicting! Most of the time we are caught up in our own lives and business. Just some food for thought especially when you read of their eternal rewards and punishments. (heaven vs. hell) I want to be like Lazarus.

We watched a movie tonight that my parents just saw called the Bucket List which was about two men who were dying of Cancer who made a list of things to do before they "kicked the bucket" and it made us think of things you want to experience and also what kind of legacy we want to leave behind.

Today I (Lori) want to wish Eric and all fathers a wonderful Father's Day! I watch him laugh after the dog has eaten another onion that has fallen on the floor from my poor feeding ability and think of how much I love him. I know that sounds strange, but we see each other in a much different light now and appreciate small things about each other. It is not always easy to see things from each others perspectives, but so important for us. We laugh and cry together and I wouldn't have it any other way. I am so thankful that God chose to put us together nearly 18 years ago. That is half of my lifetime!

“He raised us up together with Him…that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable, limitless, surpassing riches of His free grace, His unmerited favor…” Ephesians 2:6-7 AMP.

We serve a God of unlimited grace, favor and blessing. He longs to show us His goodness and pour out His abundance in our lives. When God sees us, He sees unlimited possibility. He sees unlimited potential. He sees unlimited resources. God’s grace and favor in our life enables us to become what He sees, but we have to first open our heart and take the limits off. We limit God in our thinking. Thoughts of doubt, unbelief and unforgiveness in our heart will close the door to His favor. In Mark chapter 6, it says that Jesus could do no mighty works in a particular town because of the unbelief of the people. It works the same way today. But when we choose thoughts of faith and expectancy, we are opening the door for God to work in our life. We are taking the limits off. We are giving Him the opportunity to multiply what we have in our hand. Choose to take the limits off by choosing His thoughts of victory.

God is so good to me!

Make a difference this week in someones life; keep your eyes & heart open where you might join God in changing the world one person at a time.

Love your brother in Christ,

Eric

Inspired reading in the word of God

my dad and I after being diagnosed w/ALS

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

II Corinthians 12:9

“But now since you have been set free from sin…you have your present reward in holiness and its end is eternal life”
Romans 6:22

Holiness is a powerful force in our lives. It leads us to eternal life. Holiness simply means being “set apart.” You are set apart when you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He makes His home in you, and His holiness lives on the inside of you, too. The Bible tells us that without holiness, no one can see God. God sets us apart and calls us His own, but it’s up to us to continue living a life that is set apart from sin and destructive influences. We have to set ourselves apart from our old ways, old behaviors, and old mindsets. Remember, God chose to set you apart for Himself because He loves you. He doesn’t want anything to keep you from His promises and blessings. Make the decision to let go of anything that would hold you back today. Remember, you are set apart for God’s purposes. Let that sink down into your heart today and fill you with hope. As you embrace holiness and live a life that is set apart, you will see God, and you will live the abundant life He has in store for you.

Have a blessed day!

Eric

Reunion Week!

It has been another busy week and sorry again for the delay in updating the blog. This summer, our hope is to update the blog once a week unless something more urgent comes up or prayer is needed.
Eric received some e-mails from friends from High School last week which came as a nice surprise. They were encouraging to him and brought back many memories of his younger days. Last week we were also able to have dinner with our dear old friends, the Campbell's who we haven't seen in about two and a half years. It was so great to see them again and see how much their kids have grown up. You can always tell how long it's been by how much the kids have grown when you don't see people. Kids grow and change so fast! We laughed so hard we cried talking about old times together. We knew them in our first home where Zach was born and our front door was lined up directly with their back door about twenty feet apart in a trailer park so we had some crazy memories of life in a trailer park with young children. Kelly used to watch Zach when he was a baby and the recent weather reminded me of the day she called me at work during a tornado watch and said they were all in the bathtub! Those were the days!! Our families have been blessed over the years and we are so grateful.
Zach is still playing baseball and his team is doing great and they are 9-1 with three more games this week plus a few makeup games coming. He loves to play and has been testing his skills at pitching this season. Madison finished her swimming lessons at the Y this week and she passed to the next level! She has come such a long way this year as a swimmer and we hope to be spending lots of time by water this summer. She prefers cold weather so when it is hot out, she likes to be in the water.
We also did more lift chair shopping this week returning to Talsma's and Art Van. We decided on a chair at Art Van which is the largest we could find for Eric's size and had to order it. What decided it for me was seeing Eric and Maddie sitting side by side in it all cozy. It is a very wide chair and I love that the kids will be able to cuddle up with Eric when they want to. The good news was they were offering 20% off that week and ordering the chair would have a better warranty than the floor model which ended up being the same cost with the discount. Plus we got to pick the color and fabric this way too. The only downside is it takes 6-8 weeks to deliver.
We will receive a portion of the chair back from Medicare for the motor and the rest will be covered from the trust fund from our fundraiser! Praise the Lord!!
We again want to express our deepest gratitude for all of the work that was put into the fundraiser and to all of the people who came out to the event and for all of the love and support we have received. All of the money that was raised is in a trust fund for Eric for future needs such as a lift chair or a van or other things that aren't covered by Medicare or the VA. What a comfort to know that we will be taken care of in the midst of the changes that may come with this disease. That is a huge burden lifted from us just because people care and God used them to help us!
Saturday was a work day after Zach's game because we had an open house today. I was planning on painting the porch this week and never got to it and thought I would do it when I got home and clean the house too. My parents showed up at Zach's game and came over before going to festival and my dad ended up painting the porch and some of the trim for about 4 hours in the hot sun while my mom and the rest of us cleaned like crazy all day from the basement to the garage and the yard. Thank you mom and dad!! Thank you also to Dan J and his son who have been mowing our lawn this summer!!
The open house brought about 6 couples through one who was interested, but have a house to sell. We have another showing set up tomorrow so hopefully we can keep the house clean.
We had an ALS Support group this afternoon and we are just plain exhausted!
I know I keep saying this, but next week things should be slowing down with school being done. I think we will sleep in til noon for the next week to celebrate summer break and to catch up on our sleep.
Eric has been very fatigued this week and I have to say somewhat discouraged. Every morning he wakes up and he still has the disease. He knows that God has the power to heal him and he told me he always wakes up thinking that maybe this will be the day! We got our report from the ALS clinic this week again which is always very discouraging. She noted that there is marked weakness in the right side of his face and fasiculations in his tongue. What does this mean?? It's not something that he notices so it would be almost better not to know those things if there is nothing that can be done about it. Please keep us in your prayers! Have a blessed week!
Lori and Eric

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 16
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND & MORE...FUN!

Wow where does the time go? We are sorry we haven’t updated the blog in almost a week! Let me give you a recap of what has been going on in our busy lives. Last Saturday was a dream come true for me; my friend Doug W. was able to secure 2 tickets to go to Joe Louis Arena to watch the first game of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Pittsburgh Penguins & the Detroit Redwings. It was truly amazing to be there. The energy was electric and contagious. Detroit won the game 4-0! As a former hockey player it is every players goal to make it to the Stanley Cup…for me just being there watching it meant so much to me, thanks Doug!
One thought I had while watching the game was what would our churches look like if every believer had the same passion as all of these fans that were passionately cheering after the redwings scored a goal? Why don’t we act/praise God in the same way? Is it because we don’t really believe in Him like we do our favorite sports team? Maybe we need to evaluate this and ask God to help us with it…I know I was convicted by this and I’m wrestling with God about it.
Sunday was an awesome day because God was working on me throughout the service regarding the way we passionately worship & praise Him. One time Pastor Gary said something so profound that I totally agreed with and I wanted to get up and shout Amen, start cheering God on to keep speaking through His servant, but I held back - why? I need prayer to just let God get ALL the glory He deserves.
In the afternoon we took the kids to see the new Narnia movie with our close friends, the Barr’s. It was great; almost as good as the first one in my opinion. The kids all enjoyed it.
Monday was Memorial Day, which has more meaning to me because of my service to this great country in the Persian Gulf War. We went to watch the parade at 9:30am; Zach walked with our church [Wellspring] along with 240 others that were dancing, singing, and handing out candy & brochures about Wellspring. The praise team was singing some jamming new songs from atop the float which had huge different sized vibrant colored photo’s of smiling people. The theme this year was “CHANGED LIVES” which was perfect seems God has been busy the last couple months changing over 70 peoples lives by them accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! Tuesday we were back to normal with a treatment at the Born Clinic, cleaning to show the house, [9th time in 6 weeks]; we’re praying that they make an offer because they are coming back this Tuesday!
On Wednesday, We had our Angel Care here and Kucinski’s came over to hang out. Matt stayed with Eric and they watched a movie while Stephanie and Lori went to lunch and ran errands together. It was a great day! We found out it was Eric (our angel care person)’s last day and a new person would be starting on Friday. Zach had a baseball game at 6:00pm, which his team won 9-2. Zach pitched 4 innings only giving up one run!
Thursday was a busy but fun filled day. We took Maddie to get her eyes checked for kindergarten she passed no problem. Then we met with a local chiropractor, Dr. Aaron Kik to discuss a new protocol to try to fight this disease. Please pray that I can be disciplined to stay on the new diet & vitamins regiment and that we could see some positive improvements. Afterwards I had another treatment at the clinic and was taken there by our neighbor, Al Garcia, who also has ALS for about 20 years! He has the slow progression type so we compared notes and he gave me some insights on the disease. This was a huge blessing for Lori because she was able to stay home and clean the house for another showing that night; thank-you Al. That night after Zach’s game went to Culver’s with some friends, The Smith family and it was fun hanging out with them talking about life.
Friday morning we went to the VA for bloodwork and to check on our applications for grants. It was good that we went because the adaptive housing grant was approved at 20% of the potential grant so we appealed it since Eric qualifies for the full amount. The vehicle grant had been closed out for some reason so we had to get that reopened and looked at. This is how things are with the VA and you need to be persistant to get what you are entitled to. Please continue to pray for these things to be approved in the time that we will be needing them. We got our new Angel (we will refer to the home health care person from Angel Care as our angel from now on). She is wonderful!! She did everything on the list and more. She has 4 children of her own and has been in this field for over ten years. What a blessing! Sorry this has taken so long to update the blog and it is quite long, but it has been very busy as you can see and we again hope to slow down and relax at home more soon. Four more days of school next week. Have a blessed weekend. Thank you for your prayers and support!

Your brother in Christ,

Eric

Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

MY BODY IS REALLY SICK...NEEDS TIME TO HEAL

I realized yesterday just how sick my body is. Like some americans I wasn't taking very good care of my body over the years, by what I was eating [mostly fast food diet] & drinking[2-3 2 liters of mountain dew a day]coupled by the lack of sleep [average of 4-5 hours a night]. Then factor in the stressors & anxieties of daily life, environmental toxins exposed to in the Gulf War and in the cities I've lived in; one tends to see the big picture...my body is real sick not getting the opportunity to heal!
Since my diagnosis last May I have tried to address these areas, but find I still need prayers, discipline and motivation to get my body back to health. I have overcome the need/desire to drink pop,thank you God; that was a tough one. I have been taking about $200-300 a month worth of vitamins & minerals...which my body was depleted of for so long. I have tried to eat mostly organic foods, but during the winter months its hard to find them. Due to being so busy lately we have comprimised for convience and time by eating out too much.
Well I am going to need to work harder stronger being more disciplined this next year in regards to my diet in order to get my body back to healthy.

After much prayer, I've decided to FIRE all my doctors seems none of them care like I do. I will rely on the "The Great Physician" from now on!

I hope you all have a blessed weekend.

Love Eric


Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).

Everyone goes through seasons of difficulty and challenge in life. One of the enemy’s traps is to isolate us and convince us that we won’t make it. But God promises that He will deliver the righteous out of all of their afflictions. We are righteous because of our relationship with God through Christ Jesus. We are righteous simply by having faith in Him, His goodness, and the promises in His Word. If you’re going through a tough time today, keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. Declare His promises over your life. We are more than conquerors through Him! The joy of the Lord is our strength! As we continue to stand, even during the difficult times, we can be assured that victory is on the way. It might be today…it might be next week…next month, or next year, but God is faithful! Through faith and patience, we will inherit the promise. We will get beyond these difficulties.

HIS WORD IS MY GUIDE

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…” (I Thessalonians 5:11).

God designed us to live in relationship with others. He wants us to help each other grow. None of us will reach our highest potential by ourselves. We need people in our lives to encourage us, and we need to encourage the people in our lives and help them reach their potential. The word “encourage” means to “urge forward.” Many times you can see things in other people that they don’t see themselves. You can see their strengths and talents. You can see that God has a special plan for them even though they may be going through a difficult time. Don’t assume that people see what you see in them. Take a moment and encourage them either with a kind word or a simple note. There might be a special gift you can give that will remind them of their goal or dream. In whatever way you can, urge the people in your life to keep moving forward. If you’ll be a people builder and help others fulfill their dreams, God will help you fulfill your dreams also, and you’ll live in blessing all the days of your life.
God continues to use His word to change & transform me.
Have a blessed week!
Eric

Faith Hospice Fund

Wow, where does the time go? It was a beautiful weekend with the sun shining although breezy, it was nice. Eric's brother Jary and Erica and their girls came over on Saturday and he got our grill working again (we had a small fire problem with the control knobs last time we used it) so we grilled steaks. It was fun hanging out at home with them and the Hetricks. Sunday eve was the AWANA awards night for the kids so we are done with AWANA this year. It will be nice being able to go to the evening services again. We have showed our house 3 times in the last four days with no real interest yet. Keep praying. We are looking at some quick touchups like painting the porch and trim and stretching and cleaning the carpet. We had our home health respite care start last week and a young man from Grand Valley named Eric came to help Eric with any needs while I am able to leave the house. After going over things for a few hours, I went to work at my brothers and didn't have to worry about anything. This will be such a blessing for us. The night before, I left for Costco for an hour and things did not go well at home. It's hard for all of us when this happens. It's frustrating for Eric because he can not do things on his own, upsetting for Zach because he doesn't always know how to help his dad and other kids in the neighborhood just want him to play and don't understand always and Maddie just wants to play all the time and doesn't think about much else as most five year olds do. I feel bad because I need to leave for things like groceries, etc, but feel like I shouldn't leave even for a short time. Needless to say, this couldn't have come at a better time. This will be a huge relief for me and I can rest easy when I leave during respite care.
This morning Eric was honored by a ceremony at Faith Hospice Trillium Woods where they named a fund the Eric Fox ALS fund which will be used for people with ALS who need hospice care that can't afford it. The way this came about is kind of a long story so I will try to summarize it. Back in November, Eric and Linda Cnossen of the ALS Association were asked to come to a Hudsonville High classroom along with 8 other organizations where Kerkstra Precast had set up a fund to teach the students about philanthrapy and giving to a cause. They had each of these organizations speak and invited Eric and Linda back along with Faith Hospice and Youth for Christ. After hearing them all speak again, they chose ALS association to award $10,000 (this will go to respite care for ALSA). Then Kerkstra Precast surprised everyone and also awarded Faith Hospice and Youth for Christ with $5,000 as well. Faith Hospice decided to create a fund for people with ALS and named the fund after Eric because they were touched by meeting Eric through this school project. I have to say, I was so proud of Eric today. His name will be on a plaque with his picture with the students and teacher and Kerkstra Precast. It just reminds me how God has continued to give Eric purpose despite this disease. We took the kids with us to share the day with us. The facility is abolutely amazing. The rooms are not like hospital rooms and are very home like and spacious. They gave us a tour when we arrived and when we were done with the ceremony, Maddie said OK lets go to our room now. She thought it was like a hotel and we were staying there. She is so innocently cute sometimes! We went shopping for a lift chair for Eric today too and want to check a few more places. He just sinks into the couch we have and a nice big lift chair would be very helpful to have. They don't make them very big and he needs a big chair cuz he is a big guy! Not to mention, his kids are going to want to cuddle up with him on it. Hopefully we can find the right one.
Tomorrow morning, we have a followup visit at the ALS clinic at Mary Freebed on his BiPAP machine and we plan to ask about the surgery for the diaphraghm pacemeker.
Hope you all are well!
Grace for the day! ( I stole this from a dear teacher , Mrs. Weaver)

Lori and Eric

P.S. If you want to view the pictures my dad took in DC, you can go to www.ezsite.com/ericwashington and view them all by clicking on pictures and then choosing slideshow. They turned out really great!

We're home safe!

Well,
we got home last night safely and are so glad to be home. Tuesday was a great day and very busy. It started with a phone call at 7:15am from the VP of Goverment relations for ALS association in DC asking if Eric would be willing to speak at the breakfast at 7:45. Of course you know Eric said he would while laying in bed not realizing that was a half hour away! We quickly scrambled to get Eric showered, shaved, dressed in a suit with a crazy looking tie (not my strongest skill) and out to breakfast as I finished getting dressed and dried my hair. I was praying they would be running behind as I took the elevator down at 7:55 and as I walked in the ballroom, they introduced Eric as I cheered from the back! Whewwww! He did a great job as he motivated everyone there before they headed out to their meetings on Capital hill! Pretty ironic since we didn't even know what to expect ourselves but none the less enthusiastic because Eric was pumped up to be there. We headed out with our group on a bus and met my parents and met with reps for Vern Ehlers, Fred Upton, Carl Levin, Tim Walberg and Pete Hoekstra. Our reason for being there representing the ALS Association was to ask for support on the ALS Registry, which will centralize data for all people with ALS which will help research by leaps and bounds to have all of the info in one place. Second, to support HR 5454 which would help veterans who are diagnosed with ALS receive benefits regardless of when and where served since they are twice as likely to be diagnosed with AlS from military service. Lastly, we asked for 5 million from the department of defense for research specifically for ALS due to the strong tie to military service. We were pumped up and really not nervous because it was a personal environment and everyone was very receptive and supportive to ALS and our causes. It was a great day, but very tiring since we had to bounce back and forth between buildings. Our last visit had a tour of the capital scheduled with Hoekstra's office so we went with my parents to that and they got Eric a wheelchair to keep him from tiring out completely. The capital was beautiful. We had never been inside it before. This was about the only sight seeing we had time for. We ate in Georgetown with my parents for dinner at Papa Razzi an Italian resteraunt and got back to the hotel and crashed after I packed everything up. My parents were able to take pictures in the meetings and video some so we will post pictures when we get them from them. They headed south to the Smokey mountains to camp from DC and it is my Mom's birthday today! Happy Birthday Mom!! We are showing our house tomorrow morning and Sat morning to two different people so we are back to craziness. One good thing I wanted to share with you all as well is that the VA covers respite care for Eric and we have gotten that into place and someone from Angel Care will come out on Wed and Friday for 6 hours to help Eric with anything he needs and I can leave the house to get things done or work at my brothers with no worries! They actually help clean while they are here so I am estatic about this! This will be such a blessing for us so pray that the relationship is a comfortable one for Eric! Thank you to Brian for coming out to mow and trim our lawn tonight before our showing since Zach had a game. What a blessing that was as I know it was a sacrifice of his evening. Sometimes I just wish we could stop time to catch up, but we'll get there. Have a great evening and sleep tight!
Lori and Eric