December 8, 2023 – It has been a season of unexpected new paths. Chap Andy began noticeably losing his health over the summer which led us to spending lots of amazing health focused hours with many healthcare specialists. It also reminded us that the Lord has our times in His gracious hands. With on-site campus student ministry not an option, you might imagine, not a day goes by that Chap Andy is not on the phone or in prayer with or for so many dear ones far and wide.

Friends like Greg Zost have enabled him to keep busy and out and about caring for things that are important to Andy and our family. Greg and Andy started the football season off by attending GVSU home games, football coach’s shows and a Moriah fundraiser at Culver’s. Later, Greg and Andy made a road trip South where Andy was able to visit with Tommy and Barbara Demedicis in Birmingham (and watch BAMA football!) They traveled on to Andy’s precious Mississippi family – sister Debbie and Doug Weeks and sister Vicki Weeks and had a wonderful visit. On the way back north our Franklin (TN) family welcomed them with open arms and provided lots of love and care.

Earlier in the year (pre-diagnosis) Andy and Ben made an unforgettable trip to Miami to spend time with our former much-loved staff members, visit with our Miami pastor (Kendall Presbyterian Church) Kent and Heidi Keller (our life long friends) and attend the Miami YFC banquet. Andy served as Executive Director and Campus Life Director there for several our our ministry years. This fall Tennessee friends, Jim and Dawn Taylor visited and encouraged us as we were beginning this new Alpha 1 season. Early November Andy’s brother Danny and his wife Ruth made the trip over from Maryland to visit, watch BAMA win and to watch our Ziah in his starring role as Nemo in a children’s musical. After Thanksgiving, our friend Penny Fourt made the trip up to Michigan from Tuscaloosa to sit together with us for a day remembering stories and people going back all the way to their shared high school years. We are so thankful for all these wonderful moments in our past year as the window of visits is certainly coming to an end with Andy’s strength fading and Alpha 1 creating greater challenges in our day to day living. This season of health challenges for our family has impacted our extended family as my brother and sister-in-law, Jeff and Michelle, care for the many daily responsibilities for our parents.

Our Christmas letter on the main page of this blog includes a wonderful health synopsis regarding Andy’s genetic disease, Alpha 1, provided by our incredible primary care doctor and friend, Wesley Eichorn. Dr. Wes is son-in-law to our dear YFC friends, Mark and Debbie Jevert. I encourage you to read it. We count it a true gift from the Lord that we still have Andy to lead and encourage our family. Andy’s parents passed away in their 50’s, Randy from Alpha 1 in his 60’s and yet this very week, we are celebrating Andy’s 72nd birthday. God is so good.

We will continue to add updates on Andy here for family and friends. Please do pray for each of us, but especially for Andy in the days to come. (family pictures were taken October 11, 2023 by Mindy Leigh Photography)

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