Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Paths through out few months
Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.
In life we have tragedy, and celebrations. I have had a few celebrating moments this past year. And also had a few that I had to greave for. In times like that I try to always look at what I do have, and what makes me celebrate.
As many of you know Irina has been greatly sick. Prayers and your support have been greatly appreciated. Please continue to uplift her and the family. We are praying for a miracle, because God is good.
Together this is the happiest path we walked together.
Dancing time!
Her and Arlington had a wonderful celebration on October 28. 2012. There wedding was a wonderful event. I was a huge part of it, as a father figure. I gave Irina away. The two made a commitment in their time of a storm. Was a special day filled with great speeches, dancing and laughter.
My son Chad and daughter Noelle welcomed a healthy, happy baby BOY on November 23. 2012 @ 9 lbs 1 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long. He has brought joy and happiness to our lives. Each day he grows and changes. He lights up our lives with his welcoming smile. He is our JOY.
Introducing: Jackson Gordon Miller
Happy BOY
A bright spot in my Life
Chad Noelle and Jackson
Holiday Photos
Aunt Tanya w/ Jackson
Sleeping in Uncle Clint's Arms
Please continue to pray for Noelle and her family. Her mom Debi Kuring is still recovering. Please uplift them as they travel this path. God is good.
I will no longer be writing my blog. I will narrate and others will write. To difficult for me at this time in my journey. I have been doing well. No illnesses. I have had a steroid shot for my mouth, and this is helping the secretion. I am doing well other then my muscles slowly drifting away. I am looking forward to warmth and spending time out in the sun. Continuing to be blessed by celebrations around me, and praying daily for the ones I love and ones that are in pain.
In life we have tragedy, and celebrations. I have had a few celebrating moments this past year. And also had a few that I had to greave for. In times like that I try to always look at what I do have, and what makes me celebrate.
As many of you know Irina has been greatly sick. Prayers and your support have been greatly appreciated. Please continue to uplift her and the family. We are praying for a miracle, because God is good.
Her and Arlington had a wonderful celebration on October 28. 2012. There wedding was a wonderful event. I was a huge part of it, as a father figure. I gave Irina away. The two made a commitment in their time of a storm. Was a special day filled with great speeches, dancing and laughter.
My son Chad and daughter Noelle welcomed a healthy, happy baby BOY on November 23. 2012 @ 9 lbs 1 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long. He has brought joy and happiness to our lives. Each day he grows and changes. He lights up our lives with his welcoming smile. He is our JOY.
Please continue to pray for Noelle and her family. Her mom Debi Kuring is still recovering. Please uplift them as they travel this path. God is good.
I will no longer be writing my blog. I will narrate and others will write. To difficult for me at this time in my journey. I have been doing well. No illnesses. I have had a steroid shot for my mouth, and this is helping the secretion. I am doing well other then my muscles slowly drifting away. I am looking forward to warmth and spending time out in the sun. Continuing to be blessed by celebrations around me, and praying daily for the ones I love and ones that are in pain.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
October 2012
My previous post was partially inspired by a few dear friends faced with their own battles in life. While their situations are different than mine, they still face with uncertainty, the outcome of the struggles they face. I guess my point is, how will you respond when you are given a life threatening diagnosis? Will you become bitter or angry towards God? Will it change the way you feel about God? How can a God who loves us allow this to happen to me?
For me, I am confident that God loves me as I am, with or without ALS. God loved Job, yet he allowed Satan to destroy his health and strip him of everything he had. Job refused to allow those around him to give up his trust in God. In the end, God restored Job with more than he before. Whether here in this life or after, I know God will restore me with much more than I could even imagine.
But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 NLT)
For me, I am confident that God loves me as I am, with or without ALS. God loved Job, yet he allowed Satan to destroy his health and strip him of everything he had. Job refused to allow those around him to give up his trust in God. In the end, God restored Job with more than he before. Whether here in this life or after, I know God will restore me with much more than I could even imagine.
But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 NLT)
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Imagine
Imagine being a healthy person like many of you reading this
Imagine beginning to feel that something isn't right but you have no idea what could be wrong
Imagine after nearly a year undergoing tests to figure out what is happening to your body and they tell you have ALS
Imagine the heartbreak you feel on the trip home after that, knowing you've basically been given a death sentence
Imagine eight months later being confined to a wheelchair
Imagine losing motor skills in your hands and fingers
Imagine your speech beginning to slur
Imagine choking on food and drinks losing the ability to eat
Imagine losing your ability to speak altogether
Imagine relying on others to provide your personal hygiene, toileting, etc
Imagine lying in bed unable to move or change positions
Imagine trying to engage in conversation and not being able to speak what's on your mind
Imagine typing with fingers that twitch and constantly having to fix mistakes because of it
Imagine the only muscles that work are my arms, which are getting weaker and you worry what will happen if they fail
Imagine having a sound mind trapped in a body that won't respond to my brains commands
I've had ALS now for six years and though my mind is still the same, I look in the mirror and see a man wasting away, that was once a strong, confident, and self sufficient man. Nothing like my former self. :( But I will still put my trust God and believe he has a plan and purpose in all this. The only consolation I have in all this, is the fact that what lies ahead for me will be way better than anything this world has to offer.
Imagine beginning to feel that something isn't right but you have no idea what could be wrong
Imagine after nearly a year undergoing tests to figure out what is happening to your body and they tell you have ALS
Imagine the heartbreak you feel on the trip home after that, knowing you've basically been given a death sentence
Imagine eight months later being confined to a wheelchair
Imagine losing motor skills in your hands and fingers
Imagine your speech beginning to slur
Imagine choking on food and drinks losing the ability to eat
Imagine losing your ability to speak altogether
Imagine relying on others to provide your personal hygiene, toileting, etc
Imagine lying in bed unable to move or change positions
Imagine trying to engage in conversation and not being able to speak what's on your mind
Imagine typing with fingers that twitch and constantly having to fix mistakes because of it
Imagine the only muscles that work are my arms, which are getting weaker and you worry what will happen if they fail
Imagine having a sound mind trapped in a body that won't respond to my brains commands
I've had ALS now for six years and though my mind is still the same, I look in the mirror and see a man wasting away, that was once a strong, confident, and self sufficient man. Nothing like my former self. :( But I will still put my trust God and believe he has a plan and purpose in all this. The only consolation I have in all this, is the fact that what lies ahead for me will be way better than anything this world has to offer.
The words of C. S. Lewis "Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind"
Imagine taking two hours to write this post
Thursday, July 12, 2012
July 2021
This summer has been hotter usual. This makes it hard to breathe. I don't spend much time outdoors because it irritates my eyes and breathing is difficult for me. I usually enjoy being outside but it makes me so miserable. However, we did go to Virginia to visit some close friends of ours and had a good time despite the heat. I think it was the hottest weekend of the month.
Due typing difficulty, I am keeping my blog entries short.
On another note, we had a gender party to find out if we are having a granddaughter or a grandson. Guess what, I am going to have a grandson! How exciting is that?
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
2012 Hershey Walk To Defeat ALS
Thanks for another good turn out for this years walk. Together we raised over $12,000 and had 99 walkers. Your support is greatly appreciated. The link is to a speech I did at the walk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6OKpER1Zkw&feature=youtube_gdata_player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6OKpER1Zkw&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Thursday, May 31, 2012
May 2012
May has been a month filled with mixed emotions. Lately I've been struggling with a feeling I just can't seem to shake. Two friends of mine are fighting cancer. I must admit, it has left me wondering about God's love for us. It's like the devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other, having a war of words with my mind. How can God love you and allow disease to destroy your life, the little devil asks. Then the angel says, God loves you and has a plan for your life, do you trust him with that? In my heart I want to believe that but the other voice keeps taunting me, you can't really believe that do you? Look at you and your friends, how could you possibly believe that?
While my faith may have been tested, I still believe God has a plan and purpose for each one of us. The following is taken from my friend Shawn Smucker's blog.
"The fire rages in our lives, and in its wake we are left feeling disappointed, bitter, angry or depressed. Or all four. Or something else. The landscape of our life begins to feel charred and dead. Worthless. Mordor-like."
Sometimes it takes the fire to purge our lives so new new life can begin to flourish. As I process what God's trying to show me through all this, I'm reminded once again that God does care and love us despite our inability to accept what we experience in this life on earth. So, go to hell you little devil, because I refuse to listen to you anymore.
If you would like to read more of Shawn's blog go to http://wp.me/p1AFbN-1gH
While my faith may have been tested, I still believe God has a plan and purpose for each one of us. The following is taken from my friend Shawn Smucker's blog.
"The fire rages in our lives, and in its wake we are left feeling disappointed, bitter, angry or depressed. Or all four. Or something else. The landscape of our life begins to feel charred and dead. Worthless. Mordor-like."
Sometimes it takes the fire to purge our lives so new new life can begin to flourish. As I process what God's trying to show me through all this, I'm reminded once again that God does care and love us despite our inability to accept what we experience in this life on earth. So, go to hell you little devil, because I refuse to listen to you anymore.
If you would like to read more of Shawn's blog go to http://wp.me/p1AFbN-1gH
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