September 19 Gordie's Day

Every year since I was diagnosed with ALS, my wife's sister and husband have a fundraiser for us to help with all the expenses involved with ALS. The fundraiser includes a motorcycle run, car show, and chicken bar-b-que along with other food items that are donated. It was a picture perfect day.

I am truly grateful but I'm humbled by the generosity, kindness and love that I receive from everyone that come out and support us.

As much as I hate this disease, I can say God is good. He has brought people into my life that I would otherwise never had the pleasure of meeting. He has shown me his love and kindness through others, many that I've never known.
I know I am in God's hands and I will trust him with my life.

Thanks to all for your prayers, love, support in this journey.

Tough Times

If you read my previous blog you know the past several weeks have been rather hard to deal with. On top of receiving a not so positive report from Hershey I had to put down my sidekick Daisy. Daisy was my dog, a boxer and has been with me since 2000. She was a loyal companion that never let me out of her sight. When I had to be in the wheelchair fultime she got even more protective with me. She was by far the most intelligent dog I ever had. She possibly had a stroke, cancer or something neurological wrong with her. She could no longer walk without falling or holding herself up by leaning against the wall or furniture. The vet said we did the right thing by putting her down. I still think I hear her or I find myself looking to see where she is when I go to move my chair.

When I received my diagnosis of ALS, I knew it was going to be a tough thing to deal with. Getting the results I got from Hershey really came as no surprise to me because I knew the time would come sooner or later when these types of symptoms accur. But I guess I really wasn't thinking it would happen now since my progression was rather slow to this point. As with each loss I experience, there is a time of denial then eventually acceptance.

I still struggle to make sense of it all, but then I'm reminded that all things work together for the good. God promised never to leave or forsake us. To be honest, there are times when I feel God is nowhere to be found, but I know he is always near me somewhere. I reach out to him and once again I ask him to know that I am in his will and plan he has for my life. Even Jesus felt deserted when hanging on the cross, but he knew that was God's plan for his life so a wretch like me could be saved. When I realize how much he loves me in the sinful state that I'm in, I am forever grateful that he allowed God to use him in that capacity for my salvation. Even though it makes no sense to me why I have ALS, I know God has a plan and a purpose for my life. There are times I think about how Jesus asked God to take this cup from me but not my will but may your will be done. As hard as it is, I want God's purpose for my life. I know he will provide the strength and courage to continue on this journey.

ALS Clinic Vist at Hershey

Well this has been a long day at Hershey. The past couple weeks, we have both noticed changes. We thought we were ready for today knowing the changes since we were in Hershey the end of April, little did we really know. First stop was breathing test and I guess this was the biggest disappointment. Six months ago it was 93%..today 58%. I knew I was getting worse but didn't realize I was that bad. As the day went by it seemed like things went downhill from there. Because my breathing declined to 58%, I will be using a bi-pap at night to help with my breathing. I should experience more energy during the day.

Next came the swallowing and speech evaluation. Not much better news there either. Due to the high risk of aspiration from choking while eating, I will gradually be using thickeners in my drinks and have my food processed to a smooth consistency. Because my breathing function is so low they suggested having a feeding tube put in sometime in the near future. The surgery is too risky when your breathing gets below 50%.

Due to the lengthly process involved in getting some kind of speaking and communication device I will be having a speech evaluation done in near future to see what device is most compatible for me to use.

As you can imagine, our day was a bit overwhelming. Having ALS, I knew these things were going to happen at some point but just wasn't quite ready to deal with this all at once.

I am still believing God will provide me with the strength and courage to go through this journey and find purpose in my life as I face each challenge that will come.

This past weekend we went to Virginia to spend some time with friends. We are blessed to have friends like Beck and Aaron. We had a great time spending most of our time on the farm where they were making salsa and tomato sauce with all the tomatoes from their garden. I couldn't help in any way because I'm in a wheelchair and my arm, leg, and speaking function are very limited these days. I just hung out and watched them doing their thing enjoying the view of the Blue Ridge mountains in the distance. I had to think how awesome God is and his beautiful handiwork. One night we ate hot dogs and watermelon at the campsite and watched the sun go down as we visited. A nice peaceful easy feeling. I posted some pictures of our weekend. Enjoy!

By Bill Izard

Complaining is unbecoming of the true Christian and yet we are proficient at it. The cure is found in these verses. In Christ we are never hopeless or forsaken. Every trial has meaning. Meditate on this cure in order to change both your language and your heart.


1. God commands me never to complain."Do all things without complaining and disputing" (Philippians 2:14, NAS).



2. God commands me to give thanks in every circumstance."In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).


3. God commands me to rejoice always, and especially in times of trial. "Rejoice in the Lord always" (Philippians 4:4); "Rejoice always" (1 Thessalonians 5:16); "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials" (James 1:2).


4. I always deserve much worse than what I am suffering now—in fact, I deserve hell. "Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins?" (Lamentations 3:39)
"Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:2-3).


5. In light of the eternal happiness and glory that I will experience in Heaven, this present trial is extremely brief and insignificant, even if it were to last a lifetime."The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18); "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:19).


6. My suffering is far less than that which Christ suffered, and He did not complain."Who when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when he suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously" (1 Peter 2:23).


7. To complain is to say God is not just."Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25)


8. Faith and prayer exclude complaining. "I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears" (Psalm 34:4).


9. This difficulty is being used by God for my good and it is foolish for me to complain against it."And we know that all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).


10. Those more faithful than I have suffered far worse than I, and did so without complaint. "…and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. All these, having gained approval through their faith…" (Hebrews 11:35-39)


11. Complaining denies that God's grace is entirely sufficient."My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).


12. The greatest suffering, the worst trial or difficulty, can never rob me of that which is of greatest value to me and my greatest joy, namely the love of Christ."Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, 'For Your sake we are killed all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:35-39).

Summer Vacation

Every year we take our summer vacation at Ocean City, Md. We always have lots of fun being together as a family. With me having ALS, it makes things a little bit harder for me but with some adjustments we get by. I love spending time with family and the closeness I feel when we are all together. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful and caring family surrounding me. They are there for me when I am having a hard time and their love and support really does make a difference.

I had a good time even though I couldn't go out on the beach. I listened to music and took cat naps while the others were out playing on the beach and getting sand over everything. Now be are back to our normal routines whatever that may be. God is good!

4th of July Week-end

Saturday evening we went to Chad's apartment for a cookout and had an enjoyable time with Chad and Noelle, Clint and Tanya, Mom and Dad, Noelle's parents Hans and Debbie, and Emy and myself. The food was good thanks to master chef, Chad and all the trimmings provided by the women.

We are grateful for the freedoms we share in this country. They should never be taken for granted and the sacrifices that were made by those who fought for those freedoms.

I thank God every day for the sacrifice Jesus made for my sin. May we never forget the debt that was paid so that we can be free.

Happy Independents Day!

Fathers Day

Sunday is fathers day. What does fathers day mean to me? As a child growing up, the things I remember most about my dad was that he worked very hard to provide for his family. We didn't have much but what we had meant alot to me. I worked with him repairing our vehicles which taught me about mechanics and how to fix things. With his help we rebuilt an engine for a 1956 Ford. He would tell me what to do before he went off to work and together we rebuilt the engine. He taught me the value of hard work. I will never forget the times we spent in the garage fixing our vehicles. Sometimes all I did was hold the flashlight so he could see what he was doing but I was learning something at the same time. I used those skills when I started working.

He was quiet man with a warm smile and a sense of humor. At age 50 he passed away but He gave me many fond memories that I still cherish to this day.

Now I'm a father and have two boys I am so proud of. I followed my fathers footsteps and worked hard to provide the best for them. As they grew up we did many things together and created many memories. We went camping, took day trips, traveled, went to the beach, mountains, and golfed together.

Being a father has helped me see our heavenly father in a whole new perspective. He wants us to experience the best for us as we do for our children. Sometimes we don't always obey him but he still loves and cares for us because we are still his children. I have failed him many times but he still loves me be cause I am his child. That is how I am with my boys. No matter what they do I love them because they are mine and I am there for them.

I am blessed with a beautiful family. I have a great wife and have ( am getting ) two wonderful daughters. I love them dearly and consider myself a blessed father. Even with ALS, God has blessed me above and beyond what I deserve. So this Sunday, fathers day, I'm honored to be called a father.

2009 Harrisburg Walk to Defeat ALS

June 6th we had uor annual walk to defeat ALS. It was a great day with perfect weather and all. our team Gordie's Groupies came in 3rd for fundraising and had about 115 walkers on our team. Thank you to all of you that supported me by donating or walking.

Things I learned since being diagnosed with ALS

No matter what happens God is in control
Learning to trust God is an on going process
Family and friends are precious
Every day is a gift
Live your life like today is your last
Tomorrow may never come
Only what's done for Christ will last
Material things don't really matter
Sometimes suffering is part of God's plan for your life
One day I will walk and run again
Accept help from others
People really do care
I've been blessed dispite my condition
Faith in God does not always garrantee physical healing
I know God is shaping my life in his image
There is power in prayer
Sometimes it feels like God is nowhere near even when he is
Even when things don't make sense, trust God anyway!

Learning to trust

I didn't write this but it expresses pretty much how I feel.

God is trying to help me to see that He is in control. The thing is, that I *know* He is, I just don't *feel* like He is all the time. I know, too, that we are not to go by our feelings, but sometimes that is much easier said than done. I know the right answers, I really do, but sometimes they just seem like nice words on a page. Where is my faith? Why do I doubt? I am not sure I am really doubting, I guess it is more just wondering and waiting. Learning to trust God can be easy at times, and the hardest thing I have to do at other times. Sometimes I "get it" and other times I feel desperate. I know the answer to my own problem here, too. When I feel desperate, it is time to truly intercede before the Lord. Honestly at times I just don't feel like it. I have unmet desires and longings. I do know and trust that God has a purpose for my life. I want those desires and His purpose to be in total harmony. The thing is that maybe my desires are not His desires for my life. Perhaps He is still trying to mold me and teach me things that He wants me to know. I am sure He is desiring me to grow. I am still learning to trust God . . . One Day at a Time, and some of those days are more like . . . one minute at a time.

ALS Clinic Visit

April 22nd I had a clinic visit where I see multiple specialists to evaluate my condition. I see a pastoral counselor, clinic nurse, MDA rep, nurse counselor, ALS neurologist, social worker, OT and PT, respiratory therapist, and a speech therapist. It ends up taking about 4 hours till everyone sees me.
Here are some of the recommendations that they made.

• Add more hours for attendant care as needed. Right now I am receiving 17 hrs/wk.
• Think about attending the support group which I'm not doing at this time. I have thought about going but I keep putting it off due to some reservations I have about going even though it would probably be beneficial to attend. Maybe this month I'll try to make it.
• Because of increased coughing while eating and drinking, I should stick to a soft diet and take small sips and bites. Decrease distractions when I'm eating or drinking and avoid mixed consistencies of food. As the muscles used to swallow and speak weaken, the risk of aspiration increases.
• The OT gave me braces to wear on my wrists to support them due to increased weakness and foam handles to put on eating utensils making them easier to hold.
• My respiratory was down considerably but I think it was because I couldn't form a tight seal with my lips. I don't feel like my breathing has changed all that much so I'm not too worried about it.

My doctor said I'm progressing rather slowly which is a good thing and something to be grateful for. I thank God every day for the time I have and for my wonderful family that support me and love me. I have been blessed with a lovely wife and two wonderful sons and daughter-in-laws. I'm blessed!

Chad and Noelle

I am happy to annouce that Chad and Noelle are engaged to be married. An October wedding is planned and I am so excited for them both. Noelle will be a wonderful addtion to our family. I feel like our family is now complete. I love my new daughters and I'm happy for Chad and Clint. I am incredibly blessed to have such a lovely family.

Easter Sunday

Easter was spent with family and we had agreat time together. After dinner we had an Easter basket hunt, something we did for the boys since they were little. Now we included Tanya and Noelle in the hunt for their baskets. It was a fun time. here are some pictures. Enjoy!!