There are many helpful websites to get info about ALS. Here's a simple and clear site that helps children understand the disease - might help some adults, too! www.kidshealth.org/kid/grownup/conditions/als.html
Here's what I shared in CMC services yesterday, June 8:
"I face a bit of a challenge today. I don't want to come across as cold and I don't want to be a bumbling, crying heap. I've asked the Lord to help me and I know you'll give me a lot of space.
A letter was mailed First Class this week to 1500 active CMC families - about 3,500 people.
If you did not receive the letter, you can get a copy today as you leave and you can read it on my blog. The letter gives an update on my medical challenge and my plans for the future.
It explained that I have been diagnosed with ALS, commonly called Lou Gehrig's Disease, that I'm in the very early stages, and that I plan to continue serving this congregation for years to come.
Carol and I thank you for all your emails, calls, cards and prayers. Your understanding, love and support have been overwhelming.
You have shared this prayer need with your family and friends, and with prayer chains and churches all over the world. How can we thank you enough!
This isn't something I'm dealing with alone. Carol and our entire family are facing this thing together. We've gone to medical appointments together, cried together, prayed together, laughed together, and lifted each other up. And, we know it's challenging and even painful for many of you as we walk through this together.
Here are a few key points I want to emphasize today:
1. Some may not know what to say to us and will feel uncomfortable being around us - we understand that.
No one should feel they need to make a detailed statement to us, or feel you need to give us medical advice. All you need to say is that you're praying for us and you love us. We just hope you won't avoid us because you're not sure what to say or how to act. Please, just be yourself.
2. Please - let's not make this the major focus of our church.
We have a healthy, vibrant, and Christ-honoring church - let's keep it that way. We enjoy a lot of laughter and fun around here - let's keep it that way. Laughter is great medicine for all of us!
Let's keep exuding a positive and faith-filled spirit in all we do. People need hope and encouragement. They need to be lifted up when they come here. Let's all do everything we can to make that happen.
3. I feel very good. I am physically strong. I plan to move ahead with my life and I hope you will, too. And, I hope we will as an entire church.
THE LORD HAS A VERY BRIGHT FUTURE FOR CHRIST MEMORIAL CHURCH. I plan to be part of that future and I hope you do, too."
Marc
2 comments:
Marc -
Kerri and I have been praying for you and your family and we will continue to do so. For some reason when I read your post just now I felt like I should be sharing with you what a great influence you were on me, how much I learned from you - real sappy stuff - almost talk to you as if you were about to keel over or something. Of course, all of that is just silly though because we have many years of friendship and ministry left so you will just have to come up with something much better than this before I spill all the good stuff! OK - all kidding aside, I do actually wish I could just go down the hall to your office and give you a hug and tell you how much Kerri and I love you - but this will have to do for now. (In case you are wondering why I never did wander down the hall and gave you a big hug and told you that I loved you when I worked there, it is of course because Tom would have gotten jealous!)
Much Love and Prayers,
Del and Kerri Chittim
Pastor Marc,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Luke(our 6 year old)prayed for you at bedtime tonight. He prayed that you would be strong, "but not stronger than God because God is the strongest." He prayed that you would be "normal strong."
We love you,
Toby and Rhonda Weston and family
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