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!!

Family Retreat

This week-end we spent time with family at a retreat north of Reinholds, Pa. We had so much fun fellow shipping with one another, watching the little ones play, and eating. It made me realize once again how important family is and bond we share with one another. I pray that we can pass on the legacy of how important family is to our children as they grow up and have families of their own. I rely on my families more than ever now that I have ALS. There are so many things we take for granted. Not that we intentually take things for granted, I just think that's how our human nature is. Every now and then God allows things to happen in our live to remind us of everything he has blessed us with. Even now as I deal with ALS, I see where I have been incredibly blessed. I would like to say thanks to all of my family Moms and Dads, my wife, sons, daughter-in-law, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, and in-laws for their support and prayers on my behalf. Family certainly is one thing I hope I'll never take for granted. I love you all!

Virginia

This past weekend we were in Virginia with our friends Aaron and Becky Stoltzfus. It rained most of the time but we had fun anyway playing games and hanging out on the farm. It does me good to get away from the daily routine of home.

There's not much new happening right now other than I am so ready for spring and warmer weather so I can get outside during the day. All in all I can say God is good.

I posted some pictures of Aaron's barn and his miniture horses that he is so proud of.

In Like a Lion

Well here it is March already and the snow is coming down hard and fast. Tonight the temperature will be a balmy 11 degrees. Brrr!
Today is my wife's birthday! I wish her the best and pray her day will be special for her. I am so blessed to have her for my wife and mother to my two awesome sons.
As I am sitting here watching the snow come down and covering the ground with a white blanket of snow, I can't help but think about the blood of Jesus that was shed to wash away our sins and make us white as snow. No matter what storms in life come our way, we can trust God to give us the grace and courage to whether the storm.
Living with ALS sometimes feels like I'm in a rowboat in the middle of a lake with no paddles and a huge storm looming on the horizon. But then I sense the presense of God and the peace I feel brings me comfort knowing he will be there for me through this particular storm.
I'm hoping March goes out like a lamb!!

Another Wedding

February 21st we had another wedding to attend. This time it was my nephew Conrad who was married to Vicky. It's just another reminder that i"m getting old with my son and nephews getting married. I pray that they will have a long and happy marriage. Sunday my father-in-law had his 80th birthday so we as a family celebrated his special day with him. Later we had some of their close friends drop in to surprise him. It was a busy week-end but it was fun. Here are some pictures of this week-ends events.

Wedding

Febuary 7th was a big day for all of us. Clint and Tanya got married at Pequea Baptist Church and the reception was at the Shady Maple Banquet Hall. It was quite an exciting day for everyone. They had a live band at the reception and it was a high energy atmosphere filled with fun and dancing. Although I am extremely happy for both of them as they start their life together, I have mixed feelings not having Clint here at home with us but I know they will be happy together and I have inherited a daughter that I love very much. She will be a wonderful addition to our family. Here are some pictures of the wedding. Enjoy!

Febuary 2009

This week was filled with a whole range of emotions for me. As my progression keeps robbing me of my physical capabilities the process of getting adaptive equipment to make life easier can seem overwhelming at times. I struggle with the thought of becoming more and more reliant on others to help me with activities of daily living. But with God's help I am learning to accept the reality of it all. I am signed up with United Disability Services that will provide an aid to assist me with range of motion exercises, meal preparation and whatever I need help with while they are here.
Clint is getting married this Saturday and I am very excited for him and wish him and Tanya many happy years together. But this means he will no longer be here with us and I will miss his presence here in our home even though he's not here that much right now with the wedding coming up. He has been working at the home he bought in Ephrata just about every night this month.

My Mom who was very sick over the holidays and nearly died is doing so much better. She is doing very well and is in good spirits. It is nothing short of amazing the way she rebounded.

Please pray for Emy and I as we continue to face new challenges in our lives. Knowing that we have your support and prayers makes life much easier for us. We thank God for each one of you all and pray God's blessing on your lives.

ALS Clinic Visit

Wednesday January 14th I had my clinic visit at Hershey Medical Center. Everything was pretty much as expected with my legs and arms. I can still bear weight for a short period but I'm not able to walk. My arms and hands are much weaker than last visit but still functional. My speech is somewhat slower and sometimes have difficulty pronouncing words. The most exciting thing is my breathing function is still very good. My FVC is at 94% which is very good. The range of motion exercises I'm doing is keeping my legs more flexible and not as spastic.
Some recommendations from the clinic included a better mattress to reduce pressure sores, range of motion on a daily basis, and maybe a lift to aid with transfers.
When we where leaving I met a fellow PAL (people with als) that I've communicated with through the web site Patients Like Me. It was nice to chatting with him.

January 13/2009

Time sure flies, here we are, halfway through January already. January 10th my nephew Ryan Dagen got married to Janae Harnish. If you're like me you probably wonder why anyone would want to get married in January. I guess weather isn't a factor when you are in love. The weather was questionable but the snow held off. It was a fun wedding. My son Clint is getting married Febuary 7th to Tanya Smucker. It will be a fun time but I'm going to miss him here at home. they will be living in Epharata where Clint bought a house. He is working at the house after work painting, tearing out walls, putting up support beams, getting it ready to move into. I wish I could help him with it but unfortunately all I can do is provide moral support and advice. He seems to be doing a good job with it though.

A New Year

2009 is here and we face a new year with many challenges. Anything from economic problems worldwide, wars, new president, unemployment, and personal challenges. How will we cope? Will we put our trust and faith in God or will we live in fear of the uncertainty of what we cannot control?
For me, having ALS, I have learned not to look too far ahead and focus more on the present. One day at a time is my motto.
The Saturday before Christmas our family had our Christmas dinner. We had a good time together. Then Monday morning my Mom was rushed to the hospital with intestinal bleeding. She nearly died several times due to blood loss. She was moved to Hospice and has recovered somewhat and this morning she is being transferred to my sisters house where hospice will continue care for her. It is yet another reminder that we are not here forever but at some point in our lives we will be called home. We as a family spent alot of time together at the hospice center bonding with each other. The last several weeks have been a blurr.
I don't know what 2009 has in store for me but I know God does and that is all that matters to me right now. Hope and pray this year will be a blessed one for all!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all! I pray that your day will be blessed and most importantly, lets not forget what this day is all about. Thank you Lord for sending your son for our redemption.

Philadelphia ALS Chapter Holiday Party

December 7th, we went to King of Prussia to the annual holiday party courtesy of the Philadelphia ALS chapter. We invited Buck and Verna to go with us along with Chad, Clint, and Tanya. We had a buffet style meal and afterwards they had entertainment provided by Hot Hot Entertainment. Although we didn't stay to the end, we were there long enough to be greeted by the Phillies mascot, you know, that big ugly green whatever it's supposed be. Here are some pictures from the event. As you can see, the Phanatic got a little friendly with me. LOL!

December 2008

Well here we are a week away from Christmas. Where did this year go, it seems like the year just flew by. All in all it has been a good year. I can look back and say I've been blessed. As far as my ALS, progression has been fairly slow although there have been some significant changes that have taken place. I can still bear weight on my legs but walking even a few steps is next to impossible. My left shoulder is weaker and my hands seem much stiffer and weak. I cannot write and eating has become more difficult because holding unto a fork or spoon is hard to do. I can tell my upper body is being effected although some of the changes are somewhat subtle.

I consider of myself blessed in spite of everything that has happened to me physically. I have a loving God who loves me regardless of my condition. When I think why would God even care about me I am reminded that he gave us the greatest gift anyone could give, his son. Isn't this what the Christmas season is all about? If Jesus could give up his life on the cross for me, surely I can endure a little suffering while passing through this life.

I wish you all a blessed Christmas season!

Holiday Season

Here we are again at the beginning of another Holiday Season. Have you ever thought about what we put ourselves through during the holidays? We start off with Thanksgiving when we stuff ourselves with turkey and pumpkin pie. Then we turn our focus to buying Christmas gifts where we torture ourselves with the dilemma will this person like that or that person always spends more money, so I should too. At the close of the season we have a big party to bring in the New Year where we make resolutions to lose the weight we put on while stuffing ourselves, to cut back on our spending because we over spent our budget trying to impress our friends and family with great gifts.
This may not be true for everyone, but I am sure something about it resonates with most of us.
The best gift you can give someone this Christmas is the gift of yourself. Remember, we only have one life to live and only what's done for Christ will last.

So what are you really thankful for?
The obvious things we are thankful for always include children, spouse, family, friends and love. Those are great things to be thankful for, but life is not that simple. Especially the past couple years I have learned to appreciate the things most of us take for granted. I am thankful for the strength God grants me every day, physical and emotional, as that very day is a gift from God. I am thankful that I have been blessed to realize these things and so many others are gifts, not to be taken for granted. I am thankful that no matter how long or short this life may be, God blessed me by allowing me the opportunity to experience his love in ways I never thought were possible.

Wishing you all joy, love, happiness and peace for this holiday season.

Thanksgiving

Well here it is November already and Thanksgiving day is fast approaching. I am reminded once again that we have so much to be thankful for. Living here in the US we don't realize how blessed we are compared to some other countries around the globe. There is so much that we take for granted and yet we complain about things we don't have or think we deserve. Here is a list of things I am thankful for this holiday season. I'm sure I'll think of more reasons to be thankful after I post this but here are some of the things that come to mind at the moment.

Some things I'm thankful for,

My caring wife Emy, Chad, Clint, and soon to be daughter-in-law Tonya

My family and friends

Everyone who helped with modifications to our house such as painting, drywall work, minor repairs, installation of new shower, etc.

My Tuesday night buddies who give up their evening to spend time with me.

Gap Community Church for all the support they provide. (fundraisers, meals, prayers)

God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ

God's promise of heaven for those that remain faithful

God's amazing grace

11/07/08

After a week of dreary weather the sun is shining brightly this morning. The leaves are falling and very colorful. Fall is a beautiful time of year and soon the winter months will be here and I will be longing for spring.

Our new shower is completed and Buck is here painting the bathroom. I am so thankful for every ones help no matter what it is. It is quite humbling to have to rely on others to do the things I used to be able to do for myself. But I thank God for those who give of there time so generously and so willingly. We certainly couldn't do it alone. Thank you all!

In spite of life's challenges, God promises to never leave or forsake us. We can trust him with our lives and know we are in his plan and purpose no matter what comes our way. Praise God!
This life is just a stepping stone to our eternal home for those who remain faithful.

Well, enough of my ramblings. I pray God's blessing in your lives as you continue to serve him.