Small Victories
I haven’t posted in a while, so I thought I would share this short word of encouragement with my friends in the blogosphere.
For the last year or so, I’ve needed to wear my breathing mask 24/7. The last month or so has been more difficult. Even removing the mask to transfer in and out of my wheelchair left me gasping for air. (That’s obviously not the encouraging part:-)
But a strange thing happened to me a few days ago. Mary removed my breathing mask to get me out of bed around 6:30 that morning. After plopping me in the wheelchair, she then pulled the breathing machine over and started to put the mask on me. I stopped her. I was breathing just fine on my own. It felt so good to breathe without the assistance of a machine. I made it to 11:30 without my breathing mask – five hours!
I’m thankful for life’s victories, even the relatively small victories like breathing on my own for five hours. It’s the small victories that give us the confidence to believe for bigger victories. It’s the small victories that build our faith and hope. It’s the small victories that give us the strength to press on.
I’ve had ALS for 24 years, but I’m still believing God for small and BIG victories. I hope that you are, too.
He’s a big God!
“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Posted on September 14, 2020, in Uncategorized and tagged ALS, Bible, Cancer, Christian, Christianity, Depression, encouragement, God, Hope, Jesus, MND. Bookmark the permalink. 177 Comments.
Unshakable Hope 
Warm hugs to you, Bill for your unwavering faith & commitment to share the optimistic reality our lives always have to offer us. 💕
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Thank you, Dawn Marie. My outlook is only the grace of God.
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Small bricks are more like bricks, we sometimes need them to build towers.
Every victory is significant in their own way. 👍 More wins for you Bill.
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That’s good, Adeleke. Thank you.
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You are welcome, Bill. 👍
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Bill, thanks for the reminder to look at the small victories in life. Your attitude encourages me so much. You could give in to discouragement. Instead you are dedicated to encouraging others. I’ve learned that bringing encouragement to others results in joy–sometimes for them, but always for me. You are in my thoughts and prayers as you continue to journey forward with your earthly limitations. But oh, how your spiritual life seems more and more vibrant.
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Thank you, Elaine. You figured out one of the secrets to overcoming despair – encouraging or otherwise helping others helps us. Your comments encouraged me 🙂
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Dear Bill, You came to mind this week, now I know why. Your powerful post brought tears to me eyes. For one reason, because it was wonderful to hear from you and your news, and for the second, for your encouragement. I do believe God wanted me to read your words to remind me to keep my eyes and heart attuned to the small victories that I can so easily ignore. What a blessing on both levels—your breath, the Breath of Life in us, and for God’s victory!
I haven’t been posting as regularly either but all the special people God has brought into my life through this space (this precious place He has allowed us to connect with our brothers and sisters throughout the world) are always with me. A family brought together by our Amazing God who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, our Amazing Savior. 🙂 May His Righteousness, Peace and Joy (Romans 14:17) continue to reign in your life and rule in your heart, and in your beautiful wife, Mary. Your sister, Deb
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Thank you, Deb. I am also thankful for this blogging neighborhood, especially during this pandemic. Regardless of where we live in the world, there’s no social distancing here 🙂 It’s good to hear from you. Your brother, Bill
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I will do that and your encouragement is appreciated. My husband lost a sister to ALS in ’97. A very difficult battle for her. I would help with all day Wednesday and she would ask me to sew something for her. Shorten a curtain, fix a blouse, or whatever she needed completed. She also asked me to finish a quilt that she had started for her youngest daughter. All the other children she had were given their quilts and she could not finish the last one. I managed to get it completed for her wedding day as it was all hand done. A big request but it was granted to my sister-in-law. Also my dad’s lady friend after my mother passed was a courageous lady with ALS and a cousin. So I am very aware of this disease. God Bless you.
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You know a lot about ALS. I’m sorry for your loss. I’m glad that you were a big help to your sister-in-law.
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It is so amazing that when I need to hear of your patience and perseverance the most it is there. I get so discouraged with my limitations that I just have to work so hard to keep positive. My polio for 72 1/2 years has really slowed me down. I am usually not in pain so I am so thankful for that. I simply can not get around very good and it takes me forever to accomplish a small task. With just reading your posts I am grateful for your success in breathing better and I am encouraged to just keep going. Have a wonderful day and enjoy this awesome fall weather.
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Thank you, Linda. I relate to everything you said. I am so slow at typing… Let’s agree to keep pressing on.
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What a tremendous blessing! I’m so glad for you. Thank you for sharing. God cares about the little things that are important to us! Never despise the day of small beginnings, right? Praying for more breath for you!
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Thank you, Laura. I am thankful for small beginnings.
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Eventhough we’ve never met, you and your wife have touched my heart and soul with your wonderful and uplifting blog posts. You truly are beautiful people. ❤️
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Very nice of you to say. Thank you.
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That is wonderful news, Bill. My uncle died with ALS back in 1952. I was only 7 years old at the time, so do not remember anything about his symptoms, but have since learned quite a bit about it. I am so pleased for you for this not-so-small victory. God bless you abundantly with ever-increasing victories.
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Thank you, Diane. “Ever-increasing victories,” I like that.
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Hi Bill,
Each day is another victory over our Earthly struggles.
Praise the Lord!
Gary
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I agree, Gary. Thank you.
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Love your testimony, Bill! And we think wearing a face mask is distressing! Love and blessings from Marla and Walt
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Thank you, Marla.
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Amen! Praise the Lord, that is so awesome and such amazing good news!!
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Thank you, Michael.
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“It’s the small victories that give us the confidence to believe for bigger victories.” Amen, my friend. Thank you for living it, sharing it, and being it, Bill.
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Thank you, Mitch.
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So glad for your “small” victory Bill and your continued presence here. Nothing the Lord does is small and of little consequence but I know you know that already. 😉
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Amen, Tricia. Thank you.
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Glory to be to the only true and living God. I am rejoicing with you. five is the numb of grace. God’s grace is sufficient for you and all of us. Thank you Lord for this BIG victory in Jesus name.
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Thank you, Sheila. His grace is sufficient.
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Praise The Good Lord!!!
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That’s what I said!
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Thanks for taking time to share what it means to be thankful. I forget way too easily. God bless you along your journey. One day we will meet in His presence.
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Thanks, Pastor Pete. I look forward to that day!
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Great news, Bill! And great post! I’ve read through all the comments and have found, once again, that you are exceptionally witty and a great comedian, as marked by a few of my Likes. The number five is the Biblical number of grace, so there’s a little hint. What a blast it must have been to breathe without your mask. But I’m a tad confused. If you could not breathe without it for so long, how were you able to suddenly breathe without it? As Linda said, there are actually no small victories, but there are ongoing victories. As another one of your readers said, many “small” victories or miracles happen in our lives daily. The difference is whether we acknowledge them. When we do, we acknowledge HIM, the Author of such victories and miracles, which means He is in our lives and blessing us always. It is a matter of where we focus. You have mastered this, at least from my perspective. I love your great faith and of course, the great faithfulness of your infinitely better half Mary. (You really married up, Bill.)
It’s also kind of cool that while the rest of us are forced to wear silly masks for no reason (though I will only wear a bandana, and every time I do I must look like some cowboy dude about to hold up a stage), you get to go without a mask for a while. Here’s hoping that keeps up.
Blessing to you guys. Thanks for your incredibly awesome witness.
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Thank you, RJ. I do agree with you and Linda that there are no small victories. It was actually a big victory to me, but I didn’t think others would rate it that high 🙂 BTW, I went without my mask for two hours this morning.
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Awesome!
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OK, OK, I’ll stop complaining about the face mask. 😉 Bill, you are a breath of fresh air – pun intended. You give us all so much to be thankful for.
A Christian talk show host in Detroit always closed his show by saying, “Remember, if you have air in your lungs today, He’s the One who put it there.” You’re like that man – always reminding us to appreciate the “little” (and big) things.
Blessings,
Annie
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Thanks, Annie. I love that talk show host’s sign off.
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What a testimony you are Bill to the Grace, love and power of God.
And what a treasure Mary is.
I was sharing your story with a friend last week. She was so encouraged by you and Mary.
Love and blessings to you both.
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Thank you, Crissy. Mary is definitely a treasure.
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Sounds like your first pinkie move to me 🙃😉
Celebrating with you, Bill and Mary!! 🥳
Praise the Lord! 💕💕
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I think you’re right, Lori. Thanks for your prayers.
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5 hours was a blessing from God.
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Amen! Thanks for reading.
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Thank you God for even the smallest of blessings, especially those for Bill.
I pray you will have longer periods of breathing on your own as time goes by.
You are such a blessing to all of us.
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Thank you, ann, for your kind words and for your prayers.
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My little niece was living with my parents some years ago when asthma took her to be with Jesus. My Dad has related, with tears, how she had asked him, “Grandaddy, when I get to heaven, will I be able to breathe?” I can imagine her like a newborn baby when it takes that first gasp of life-sustaining oxygen, except that the exhilarating breath of eternal life was the climax of her spectacular second birth into the waiting arms of Jesus! Thanks for sharing, Bill. Bryan
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Wow, Bryan, so sad. A few years ago, I posted about a near-death experience I had. The best part was no breathing problems!
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Thanks, Bill, great to read your encouraging messages. Know God is using you and this is the reason He has kept you on this corrupt earth for these last 24 years. You will certainly get a well done good and faithful servant. Blessings, Ron
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Thank you, Ron. I can’t wait for that day!
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Dear Bill, I cant add to all the accolades here but I will say that the Lord really blessed us, those who love you. It may seem selfish but we so appreciate you in Christ’s body here.
Because you are broken, you are a valuable vessel to the Lord and us.
Sending warm embrace to you and beloved Mary…❤
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Thank you, Lisa. You and so many others make me feel valuable.
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“Valuable”? My brother, you are irreplaceable.
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It was so good to see your post! Thank you for sharing your victory. ❤️
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Thank you, Teri.
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Your a great man Bill! Blessing to you and your family!
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Thank you, Doug.
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Bill, I loved hearing that you could breathe without your mask! Breathing on your own is a huge victory and I know it had to feel so good. I’m praying for more and bigger victories for you as well. Thank you for acknowledging God’s’ work in your life and sharing it with us. It is an encouragement to me and I know you encourage SO MANY others as well! Love you & Mary so much and pray for you both all the time. (I had to laugh at the part about Mary “plopping” you in the wheelchair.)
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Thank you for your kind words. We have used a transfer lift for the last twenty years, and it’s kind of like a dump truck 🙂
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Bill, I have so much respect for you. I could not endure as you have. I am not in your league. Shoot, I’m not even in your universe!
Blessings, My Brother.
Walt
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You could handle it, but I sure hope you don’t ever find out. You’d have to teach Marla to drive the RV 🙂
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Hey Bill. After all those days with your breathing mask in, what freedom you must have felt, immediately, and for the five hours. God does give us little miracles, little breaks at times, I do believe.
He is a wonderful Father, Who gave His Son for our Salvation, Who gave Holy Spirit to each Christ follower, to empower us to live through all trials that come our way.
The Triune God enables us, and empowers us, until we meet Him in Glory.
George.
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So true, George. Salvation through Christ is by far the greatest miracle of all.
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Actually two weeks ago now, so sorry, my days are all jumbled up.
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I can relate 🙂
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🙏🙏
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Whoa Bill, 5 hours!? That’s Awesome! God bless you and Mary always dear friend. I needed this….my mama had a Stroke last week. She’s ok but her speech took a hit. My dad is her caretaker and needs prayer too. 🙏👍
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Thank you, Vivian. I’m sorry to hear about your mom. Other than her speech, I am glad to hear she’s okay.
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Thanks Bill. Here’s a few pics of my visit with her a week before her stroke. Bless you.
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It was good to see a post from you, Bill! What wonderful news about your small victory.
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Thank you, Liz.
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You’re welcome, Bill.
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Oh I have been wondering about you. I am so very happy to hear that you are doing fine. I stand in agreement with your for your victories. As I know personally that God can and does heal us. I would dance with joy for you.
So very lovely to hear from you. Be blessed!!!
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Thank you so much for standing in faith with me. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! He is still a miracle-working God.
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Amen, Amen and Amen! May God continue to bless you and work great miracles through you. Lots of love to you…from a sister that loves God!
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Awesome! What a victory! Thanks for sharing, and God bless!
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Thank you, Amber.
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Oh wow Bill! Yay! We celebrate small beginnings 👏👏👏
And we ask more Lord please, more 🔥😀
A big hug to you and Mary ❤️❤️
Beth 🌷
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Thank you, Beth. Yes, I’m ready for more!
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Agreed!!!!
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Amen! ♥️
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I love the way you can celebrate the small victories, Bill. You don’t let them bypass you while waiting for something grander. You are such a blessing to us all, and this is one of the reasons–your unstoppable attitude of gratitude!
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Thank you, Nancy. It’s been a long and difficult trial, but God has been blessing us. Still, I am seeking those grander blessings. After all, He’s a big God.
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Amen, my friend, AMEN!!
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Bill- I was missing your posts full of Encouragement & then today I open my email & there you are on a day that is sad for me..Terry passed away 2 years ago today. Your blog has gotten me through many rough days! Your Spiritual Giving & Sharing is beyond wonderful! I am so happy to read your breathing is easier! You are the strongest & most positive human I know. Xoxo Pamela (Young)
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Thank you, Pam. It’s hard to believe that Terry has been gone for two years. I’m sorry for your loss, I know how close you were. Sad. Thank you for your comments, cousin.
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Praise the Lord! Bill, the Lord makes you a fresh breath of air to us. Much love and blessings.
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Yes. Thank you, Fran.
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Wow. I am glad you were able to. All thanks to God. I pray for perfect healing and recovery. 🙏
Do take care. Hugs
God loves you. ❤
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Thank you, Mercy. I am ready!
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Such an awesome testimony of God’s hand upon you! May God continue to keep and bless you!
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Ame, Sharon. Thank you.
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Blessed by your testimony. If anyone deserved this little touch from God. You did….
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Thank you. I am ready for another much longer break 🙂
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Bill, you and Mary are such an amazing inspiration! Hearing from you is a balm to my soul and boon to my spirit. I am hoping WordPress has finally fixed my ability to post comments and that you will actually see this. I am thankful for each and every post you write. Thank you for your love for Jesus it is beautiful!
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Thank you, Mandy. I am glad that this simple post encouraged you. I am also glad to see that your WordPress issues have been resolved.
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Dear Bill, Thank you for posting. You won’t feel it, but I kiss your feetsies! Gratitude comin’ at you.
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Thank you 🙂
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Ha Ha, Bill, I suddenly thought my message was inappropriate! Oh, no. I am 87, have 10 children, 36 grandkids, 22 greatgrands and often accused of being silly. I was thinking of Jesus kissing your feet and thought, oh I can too. Excuse the offense, if taken.
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I thought it funny, definitely not inappropriate. Great job being fruitful and multiplying 🙂
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Just goes to show you Bill that the Lord knows just what we need and when we need it. I believe the Lord knew you needed something to latch onto that would bring hope alive in you. Isn’t that just like our Heavenly Father to show up when we aren’t expecting Him to?
God is so good to us that even the small victories are worth shouting from the mountain top!
Praying for more good things to come your way my Brother.
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Thank you, Ron. This small victory did strengthen my hope. God gives us what we need just when we need it. Thanks for your prayers.
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You are such an encouragement! Thank you for your post. My daddy passed away from ALS January 2010. He was sick for a year but Doctors could not diagnose him with anything until he was in the latter stages. He died 8 days after his diagnosis. I miss him every day. But I know he is with Jesus now and i will see him again one day. I will be praying you have many more hours without your mask!
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Wow! I’m so sorry for your loss. I know you can relate. You will see him again. Thank you for your encouragement and for your prayers.
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What an amazing thing! God has the most awesome ways of letting us know He’s here with us!
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Yes, I love those little reminders. Thank you.
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Reblogged this on The End Game Counts and commented:
A worthwhile read … when life seems hard
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Thank you so much for the reblog, Glen.
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In one word: AWESOME!
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Amen! Thank you, Glen.
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Bill, the fact that you see the Lord in the small victories, as well as the large, is a testimony to you being a man full of faith and faithful. Someone who can see God even when He doesn’t seem clear. Thank you so much for this reminder. It’s a true holy pause to consider how our very big God works in the smallest of details for our good and our growth.
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Thank you, Dayle. God does work in the smallest of details.
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I’m echoing all these great comments Bill. God does delight in our delight over the little things that are really big things
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Amen, Gary. Thank you.
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He is a big and great God! Glad to hear of your small victory, praying that your victories continue.
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Thank you, Jeanne.
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Thank you for that encouragement. Sure puts perspective on any challenges I think I have. I love that the Lord is at the center of your encouragement. Praying for more such miracles.
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Thank you, Shelly. I’m praying for more miracles, too.
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I remember back in 2013 when I was just coming off the ventilator and how freeing it felt to breathe without it for several hours at a time! What an incredible accomplishment, a great feeling of freedom, and a huge miracle and kiss from our God. Thank you for sharing, Bill.
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Thank you, Terri. I forgot how good it felt. It was an endorphin rush 🙂
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Praising God for this victory!! What a great encouragement for all of us to keep asking, to keep believing. God bless you Bill!
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Amen, Meghan. Thanks.
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AWESOME!!
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Thanks, Allan.
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….And here I am, complaining that I have to don a simple Covid mask every time I enter a shop! Thank you for sharing Bill, we have so much to be thankful for! Big and small things that we often take for granted. When I looked at that picture you posted, I saw you – whether it’s here or in heaven, doesn’t matter- it will be a miracle either way – Salvation is a miracle just like any other- but it’s the best one yet!
I started reading your blogs when my friend and Co-worker was diagnosed with ALS at 75yrs old. Meleney was a fit and active lady. She passed away within a year of her diagnosis, sept 2019, and I believe she’s now safe in the Fathers arms and in her new heavenly body.
I can’t imagine how long & trying your journey has been – for both you and Mary. I pray for strength, hope and courage as you continue faithfully on the road ahead🙏❤️
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Thank you, Janet. I’m sorry you lost your friend. You’re right, salvation is by far the greatest miracle. It’s one that we should never take for granted. Our twenty-four-year journey with ALS has been long and difficult. But God’s grace has been sufficient – barely 🙂
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Bill, you are such an encouragement to all of us … every time you write, you speak to our hearts. This morning, when I read your words, I sensed a conviction in my heart that I don’t always look at the small victories in my life/family. When finished reading, I told the Lord how grateful I was for this amazing thing that happened this weekend … I had almost forgotten about it … because it was “too small” to mention. But the Lord brought it back to mind. THANK YOU!!!!! We take whatever we can from you, Bill!!!!! Praying!
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Thank you for your always encouraging comments, Heidi
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How wonderful, Bill!
I remember reading about the “lost boys” (some 20,000 children between the ages of 8-12, orphaned by the brutal Sudanese civil war). In small groups, w/o adult help or supervision, w/o defenses, they walked 1000 miles through the African bush to safety in Ethiopia, then a refugee camp in Kenya. Many died along the way. Roughly 4000 eventually emigrated to the US.
When asked by sponsors to explain how their journey was even possible, one of them responded to the effect that “In Africa, God is big.” Truly, God is greater than our adversity. May He continue to watch over you and Mary both.
Your friend,
A.
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Thank you, Anna. I remember seeing an interview with some of the “lost boys.” What an inspiration.
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Praise the Lord
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Amen!
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What a wonderful gift from God!!!!
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Amen, Elaine. Thank you.
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How wonderful to not have to use your mask for 5 hours! Small victories are very special. I am thanking God for your time without the mask. Thank you for encouraging and inspiring us. Have a blessed week!
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Thank you, Mimi.
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What encouraging news! God is answering prayers. I pray you have more and more days of breathing on your own and for longer and longer time. You and Mary are continually in my prayers. ♥♥♥
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Yes, Lynda, I am believing for greater miracles. Thank you for your prayers.
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Victorious is our Lord! Keep sharing! So much hope in this post! God bless you! 💜
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Amen, Lisa. Thank you.
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What a blessing to read of your “small” victory — it is a wonderful gift to breath on your own. Whether it was one minute or several hours and whether it was machine-aided or on our own, each breath that we take is a gift from God. Blessings to you and your beloved wife. God is Great and He is Good!
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Amen, Linda. I am thankful for this breathing machine. Thank you.
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Hi Bill, that is so great to hear! Actually any time that we hear from you is great but rejoicing with you is always a plus. I’m so glad you shared that with us and five hours is a considerable amount of time! May our gracious Lord continue to grant you and yours His grace, peace, joy and blessings!
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Thank you, Bruce. I am going to try and post more often. I am also going to try and read more of my friend’ posts. The days pass so quickly. I hope you and Peggy are well.
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Hi Bill, we’re hanging in there. You’re right about the days passing way too quickly! I’m thinking the older you get the faster time seems to go. It’s getting to be a bit of a blur about now!
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A small victory is a HUGE MIRACLE. God loves to surprise us. You are in my thoughts and prayers every day.
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Mary said the exact same words, Carol. Thank you for your prayers.
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🤗😀
Sent from my iPhone
>
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God is in the miracle making business 🙂 Praise to him for your hours of easy breathing!
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Amen, Tammy. Thank you.
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🙂🙂Now pick up that chair and walk.
-2we1ve
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AMEN!
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God bless you and continued prayers for many more victories, large, medium or small!!!!
Sally Cecil…..
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Thank you, Sally. I’ll take any size victories 🙂
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Bill, when I take time to think about it… and I do from time to time, I realize just how many ‘small’ and ‘not so small’ miracles take place in our lives. Take care… think of you often. Diane
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I agree, Diane. Thank you. I am praying for you guys. One day at a time, my friend.
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Thanks Bill….
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Your messages always remind me of so many lessons all in one swoop! So happy for your 5 hours! Praying for Many more miracles like that for you!
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Yes, Diane, we should always be looking for miracles. Thank you for your prayers.
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Brother Bill – your words have a way of dispersing my personal pity parties so quickly! Thank you, thank you, thank you sir for sharing and for always deepening my perspective and challenging my thinking in godly ways. And to Mary – you are AMAZING. Together, your journey exemplifies what God intended marriage to look like, through thicks and thins, highs and lows, ups and downs, in sickness and in health. Love y’all and you’re in in my prayers.
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Thank you for your encouraging comments, Kenneth, and for your prayers. I don’t know how Mary does it. Marrying her was a HUGE victory for me 🙂
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There is no such thing as a “small” victory 🙂
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You’re right, Linda. #wiselady 🙂
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Yes, small victories do encourage and build us up.
Blessings to you Bill.
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Amen! Thank you.
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Its amazing what we take for granted. Little victories are some time the biggest of all!
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Yes, we all take so much for granted. Have a good week, Vin.
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iloveyouwithmywholeheart ♥️
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Loveyoutoo 🙂
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That is awesome to hear, Bill! I pray for you daily and ask the Lord to give you strength and take away pain. I am encouraged and blessed by your words, your faith, and your testimony of love for the Lord through all the suffering. Asking the Lord to continue blessing you and your family with great victories! God bless you all!
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Thank you, Ryan. I greatly appreciate your prayers. Your faith in suffering encourages me.
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Bill, every day you are one of God’s miracles. Thank the Lord; you had some unassisted breathing time. My prayer is for those times to extend for you to days, not just hours. Many blessings to you and your wife. Richard.
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Thank you, Richard, for your encouragement and for your prayers.
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How wonderful ! Praises to our God for blessing you .
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Thank you.
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