Fighting ALS, Fueled by Faith

So I am now officially retired! I loved my work, my co-workers (at least most of them) and making a difference for the future of the city that has been so good to me and my family. ALS is not exactly how I would have written the story but we are working to trust the story that God is writing is actually better. We do have our house on the market. We have had one offer we accepted and the buyer backed out for reasons unknown to us. Back on the market again!

With this accepted offer, we actually began to move quickly to get a moving strategy, places to live on the other side of the move and took another mental/heart transition step toward Ohio. So when it fell through we were more impacted than I thought we would be. Logic would say we are in a beautiful house; why are we choosing to leave an area we have loved for years. Just wait it out. However, I think when you feel God setting a course for you and directing your steps you become discontent with not following. After prayer and reflection I think we had set the move to be completed when the house was sold and I now believe He wants us to proceed in faith and go now. Please pray alongside us in this. We are very likely going to move towards the end of April and leave the house empty. We will rent in Ohio near the kids and buy a home when ours sells in Nevada.

As I am working to be as strong as possible, the real source of strength in our home (behind God) is my incredible wife. Words cannot describe how amazing she is and how she has supported me in this journey. But on many days where I am feeling poorly, I see it take a toll on her also. With Gods grace we have been able to hold each other up during the challenges. A few nights ago was one of those nights when He showed up.

With all of the house stuff, coming off of a great visit with my daughter and son in law, and me feeling really poorly we were not in a great place. Both of us at the same time, which is not so good. We were going into the Old Testament way of transactional thinking like “what did we do to deserve this?”, “What lesson is God trying to teach us in all of this?” At the bottom of it all – how do we make this go away! Then I spot a letter on the top of the pile of mail I had gotten earlier. It was a handwritten envelope and almost spoke to me to open it. As I read a it, it broke me – in a good way. It was from a longtime friend who had been reading the blog. He wrote of how my story and perspectives had encouraged him in his faith journey. It was a rich letter with personal detail. It arrived just at the right time and encouraged us tremendously. That was no coincidence. It was the Lord, showing up just at the moment when we needed Him most and using a fellow believer to accomplish this blessing.

I am reminded in this that King Jesus is with us always. He is always faithful and knows what we need. He works through obedient hearts that are sensitive to His calling. I also know that we need to be looking for what He is doing and be willing to understand it is Him at work, which requires relationship and dialogue.

I am encouraged. You should be encouraged. Our God is at work and all we need to do is be obedient and pay attention to see it. We have work to do – packing – Ugh! But knowing He is leading and working all things, it makes the work a lot more palatable. If you have the gift of packing, give us a call! Also please be in prayer for our new adventure. We love you all!