Father's Day & Shopping

Our family celebrated Father's Day today. It was a Twins Father's Day. Both Bill and Dad received MN Twins gifts. Mom was thrilled to see Dad liked the shirts she had Sandy pick up for her. We had a very nice time.

We went shopping too. The guys stayed home while Sandy and I took Mom to Kohl's. She seldom gets out shopping and really enjoyed the trip to the store. She was all smiles and thumbs up.

Mom is considerably weaker now, having lost most of her ability to move her legs making moving her harder. She's also in considerable pain most of the time. Quartasone injections are only providing very temporary relief. Please keep this in prayer.

The message at church today was "God is Certain" -- when situations seem uncertain we can count on God to be certain. I can't think of any situation I've ever known with more uncertainty; yet I do know God is with us. It's hard to explain. But I know it's true.

It was a good day. I love you, Mom. You are beyond brave and courageous.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

In celebration of their anniversary Mom and Dad went to Como Zoo. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Teamwork

It's all about teamwork now. Last weekend (see pictures below) Sandy, Debbie, and I were all helping mom sew. I was feeding the material for her. Debbie put her foot up on the peddle and sew we did. Sandy does much of the finishing work.

Sandy and I work together on everything now.

Communication has gotten very difficult now that mom can not write on her white board. It takes both of us working together to guess what mom is trying to tell us. We had an incident at ALS Support Group on Tuesday when we just couldn't figure out what mom was trying to tell us.

Having lost all strength in her legs, it also takes us both to get her to the bathroom. Every operation is an opportunity for teamwork.

Still Sewing - Sewing up a Storm

Mom, you are so amazing. You are still sewing. Sure you need a little more help, but that's okay. You're still doing it. You are an example of NEVER GIVE UP.

We sewed up a storm today. Debbie and Sandy think you are going to make a quilter out of me yet. You might.

You are remarkable. I love you lots.

Love Delivery

Thanks to all of those who asked me to bring my mom a hug. I delivered them all!

I continue to update my mom on all of you who are praying for her, many who are praying for her everyday. You are all remarkable. What a difference praying friends make. We love you all so much and are so grateful for your support.

We joined Mom and Dad for the 5:17 service at King of Kings last night. As the pastor spoke from Romans, sitting there next to my mom, I knew that this verse was true and that nothing ever could or will separate us from the love of Christ.

More Than Conquerors

Romans

²⁸And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

³¹What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³²He 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? ³³Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴Who 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. ³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." ³⁷No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither 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.

Thanks for the good message Pastor Ralph.

Friends and Family

Thank God for friends and family.

Even though ALS continues to cause more physical challenges every day, Mom's spirit remains high. Mom's Never GIve Up attitude remains resolute, and she is buoyed by the love and prayers of our friends and family.

I love going to Mom's during the week. There's something really great about being there during work hours that bring me great joy. When I come over during the work day I often come in the afternoon. Last week I went over on a Wed. morning. It was a beautiful day. When I got there, as always, Mom was so glad to see me. I love that about her. Her eyes dance with that beautiful light we've all seen.

Wed. is Friend's Day. Mom has beautiful friends who visit her every week. This week I had an opportunity to see Betty and Cathy. It was great to see them. I just missed Debbie. I stayed for awhile, not long enough though as time goes so quickly, and then it was off to Brainerd for our annual trip with Curt and Sylvia.

I'd like to thank all of Mom's wonderful friends for being such a blessing to us all.

Mom and Dad traveled to WI on Sat. for Phil and Neeta's wedding. Dad said they had a good trip. The pictures of the wedding are very nice.

God is good. He sends us wonderful support through this very difficult ALS part of our journey. I don't know what we would do without all our wonderful family and friends.

God bless you all.

Horse Love

Today was Horse Day! We met at the Stillwater ranch with Anne from Wisdom Ranch. Oh, but let me back up a moment first... When I got to my mom's early Saturday morning she was ready - she had on her cowboy clothes and cowboy boots. Dad said it was really almost impossible to get them on her feet; but, he did it. Mom was ready. Mom was excited. It showed in her face.

It was a very pleasant sunny and seventy-something day for our Horse Visit. After a short drive to Stillwater, we were greeted warmly by Anne.

When I had asked who the horse would be in earlier conversation with Anne, she had explained on the morning of the visit she would go out to the pasture and see who wanted to meet mom. When we got there Bradey was in the barn. We also got a warm welcome from Bradey. Upon introductions we were immediately friends. Mom loved seeing and being able to touch the horse. Bradey was quite friendly, actually a bit too friendly. He began chewing on the wheelchair, proceeded to chew Mom's boot, and moved to trying to take a bite out of Mom's knee. Anne stopped the chewing by producing treats. Bradey ate peppermint candies from Mom's hand. Mom had the idea of putting her cowboy hat on Bradey's head. After some coaxing, the horse allowed it. Mom laughed and we all laughed with her.

Anne said, "Look there's someone peeking through the window." Sure enough, in the next stall there was a horse watching through the window. We wheeled Mom over to meet the next caller. The next horse was Digby, who was startled by the wheelchair. His heavy breathing alerted us to his fear. He also seemed to be afraid of the cowboy hat on Mom's lap. It was treat time again. A round of horse treats seemed to relax Digby and we made a connection with him. Maggie and Collin also stopped by to say hello. I had predicted all the horses would like to meet Mom and is exactly what happened.

In the meantime, Bradey had been calling to us to come back, and we decided to visit with him again before saying our goodbyes. It was a love fest this time. He kissed Mom and kissed her (he sneezed on me, again bringing laughter to mom). In the middle of loving her he got Mom's thumb in his mouth and bit down, startling us all. (Hopefully Mom's thumb is okay now. Although it looked fine it was sore and required ice when we got back home.)

Mom loved the visit and had a wonderful time.