Team Fig Needs Your Help

Hello Friends,

As many of you know on August 8th I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. While my initial reaction was normal, "why?" I quickly shed that thought to "Why not?" I know God is in control and I also feel He is going to do something really awesome with this situation. I just want to make sure I am here to see what it is. 

I also made a quick decision to try and show others how Christians handle adversity while at the same time helping others with this disease. Research, education and financial help for those who can't afford medicines are the main needs. The disease is incurable and most people just think about an old person shaking real bad when they think of Parkinson's. My gut reaction says you had a mental image of Muhammed Ali or maybe Michael J Fox. Well, Michael J Fox has a rather successful foundation (Michael J Fox Foundation) that is working in the needed areas I mentioned. So I decided rather than try to go through the process of starting some type of charity myself, I would join the grassroots movement sponsored by the MJFF called Team Fox. 100% of the money raised by Team Fox members goes to the MJFF. My team is...surprise! Team Fig. 

There are several ways you can help Team Fig. The link below will take you to my personal Team Fox web page. We are just now in the beginning stages so there are no events listed as of yet. But many of my friends in the world of radio both Sports and Bluegrass have already come up with a Hoops for Parkinson's Fund Raiser and A Pickin For Parkinson's Fund raiser later this year or early next. I am open to any type of event that will help raise awareness. 
 
I am not one to ask for money for anything. Never preached a sermon on giving in my life. But I've also never had Parkinson's. Team Fox allows me to have people join Team Fig in many ways, but by far the easiest right now is through my web page. For a $50 donation you are a part of Team Fig and helping me help others. I know that is a lot of money for some people, with my medical expenses for medicine alone its a lot for me, but I got the ball rolling with the first donation. If you can't do it alone, join forces with people at work or just pray and perhaps help at function down the road. Again, I am somewhat uncomfortable at this asking fo money thing so please know that I will not at all be offended if you decline for whatever reason.

My life verse through the days that I struggle with Parkinson's has and will be Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." 

Whatever I have to go through with this disease I am confident it will be nothing compared to the joy and splendor of heaven that awaits me. Of that I have no doubt whatsoever. In all things, I give God praise and honor. He made a promise to never leave me nor forsake me and I know He is carrying me some days and I so thankful for that. I plan to keep on doing what I do. Tomorrow night I will be in the booth as East Carter opens their season verses Raceland. Next Thursday I will be driving to Cookeville, TN as the KCU Knights open their season vs Tennessee Tech and then drive back so I can be in the booth Friday night as the West Comets face Bath Co. My doctor says those are lofty goals, but my doctor is just a doctor, I have the Great Physician on my side.

Again, the link is at the bottom of this message above the Team Fig logo. And please understand while I am reluctant to contact anyone and ask for money, it is not for me directly. But I would love to help find a cure for this disease in my lifetime if not for me, for those who suffer much more than I do. I also know that some just can't give, but you can pray! I covet those on a daily basis. It has taken me about an hour to type this. But I just wanted to do something.

God bless each of you today.


http://www2.michaeljfox.org/site/TR/TeamFox/TeamFox?px=1974271&pg=personal&fr_id=1461

A Message from Dean Rob and Dean Fig

I know many of you have seen Dean Fig mention me a few times asking for prayer for both of us. On May 22 I had to go to the ER because the left half of my body went numb. I assumed I was having a stroke, since that’s the only thing I knew that would cause that. After running various tests, scans and blood work, I was referred to the Cleveland Clinic and spent two days there a couple weeks before camp. After more tests and more blood work, they scheduled me for an MRI of my brain and spine, which I did on Thursday morning during camp. The day after camp ended I received the final diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. As of this week, the doctors have started me on some medication to help me not be so tired all the time, although I did love my naps , and are running some more scans in the next week to check a few other things before I start my long-term treatment plan.

For those of you that were at camp 2 years ago when I spoke about my dad’s health problems, this is the verse that I have relied on during those hard times. It has been a continued comfort over the last few months:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. -2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Whether my symptoms stay the same, go away, or I end up progressing further in to the disease; I am confident that God has a plan in all of this. I am already blessed with a great supportive family, which includes my camp family. Thanks for everyone’s prayers. Love you all!

-Rob

I would like to follow up on Dean Rob's post by saying just a few words. I admire Dean Rob and his dedication to you, me and the Lord so much. I am glad he shared his situation with all of you, I've known for some time, but wanted Rob to share his news in his time. I pray everyday for my dear brother. Many of you know that Rob and I are pretty close. We don't get to see each other a great deal, but when we do it's very special. I consider Rob more than just a brother inChrist, he is like family to me, a true little brother. In family, when one hurts we all hurt, when one rejoices we all rejoice. Rob and I share hurt for each other right now, but we also share in little victories like medication that is helping cope with disease.

I have no idea what the future holds for either one of us. But this I can tell you. Satan can do a lot of things to our bodies, but he will never take away our desire to be your deans. And Rob and I have discussed this, if we have to crawl to camp in the summer of 2015 we are going to be there! Heck, with the staff we have, they could prop me and Rob up in the corner and things would go off without a hitch!

I guess in a real sense, here is what Dean Rob and I both want you all to know. Life isn't fair. Nobody ever said it would be. But we play the hand we are dealt. As Dean Rob pointed out, Paul said that the grace of God is enough. And in our weaknesses Christ's power is seen that much more! So don't let life's set back take you out of the game! We want you to see that in times like this we don't sit back and whine and complain and "Woe is me!" We look at our situations and think about what cool stuff God is gonna do with our lives now!

Rob shared his "life" verse with you and here is mine, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18

Whatever junk I have to go through here on earth is nothing compared to how awesome heaven in going to be!!

Dean Rob and I love you guys so much! And we are going to be at HMCA next summer and you better find your way there as well! Continue your prayers for us as we keep you in our prayers daily.

Always remember and don't ever forget that Dean Fig AND Dean Rob loves you!!!

Yes, You Heard Right, I Have Parkinson's Disease....But...

I want to share something with those of you who wish to read this post. I am sorry if you feel this "impersonal" but I have so many friends and calling or telling each one individually is just overwhelming at this point.

I have not felt real well for several months. About a month ago I finally went to see a doctor (those who know me know if I went on my own to see a doctor I wasn't feeling well) and we discussed a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease. That diagnosis was confirmed yesterday by my neurologists. I began immediate treatment to slow the progression of this disease and treat the symptoms. When I was first was told "you have Parkinson's Disease" I was a taken aback briefly. But then decided there was really nothing I can do about it except follow the doctors' directions and do my best to keep a positive attitude. I know God has something really cool planned for this situation and I am actually excited to see what He will do in this so that He will be glorified.

I am confident that God is in control and He will do something with this that will bring Him glory. My prayer through this whole situation has been and continues to be that His will be done and I be able to accept His will. I am determined that this will NOT, in any way, keep me from doing what I love to do. I fully intend on being in the pulpit at every opportunity.

I have NO plans of letting this keep me out of the radio booth either. I plan on being at East Carter on Aug 22, in Cookeville, TN on Aug 28 and at West Carter on Aug 29. Some have said this might be a bit ambitious, but they don't know me. I don't miss games.

I also would like the chance at some point in the future to educate people about Parkinson's. I think many of you, like myself, first thought of a shaking older person when you first read those words (Parkinson's Disease) in this post. And that is a very stereotypical view. But far from an accurate picture of what PD truly is. I am learning more and more about the disease and want others to know more as well in the future.

I have an awesome support system in place that will help me get through this, of that I have no doubt. Parkinson's isn't something you die from, it's just something you die with and I planning on living with it for many years to come if God allows. I don't want your pity or to be treated any differently. I am going to preach every Sunday and go to work every day. I will just have to alter how I do certain things.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18

Thanks for your time. God bless you and have a great weekend.

A Letter to My Grandson Mason

I have no idea if there will be such a thing as Facebook when you are old enough to read.  It might go the way of MySpace.  You are still a few weeks from being born, but I feel the need to tell you a few things now because we never know what life has in store.  I saw your heart today, I saw your lungs and your feet and your head.  It was amazing.  God is still forming you in Pudd’s (your Mommy’s) body and He is knitting together a masterpiece.  Here are some things I want you to know son:

1.  Always remember to trust God.  Even when difficult times come along (and they will) God promised to never leave us nor forsake us.  Others may stray from their faith, they may try to sway you as well.  But keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

2.  Laugh every day.  In life you have to look for the humor.  Nobody wants to hang out with a sour puss.  Keep a sense of humor.  Find the trivial and mundane things in life something to amuse you.  The Bible says that a merry heart does good, like a medicine.  Laugh!  It’s OK!

3.  Respect others and yourself.  I don’t even know if this word will exist when you are old enough to read it.  If not, “Google” it.  Respect is both a noun and a verb.  It is a thing and an action.  Just treat others the way you want to be treated.  Respect yourself.  You are a creation of God, fearfully and wonderfully made in His image. 

4.  Boxer Briefs are the greatest invention ever.

5.  Try sports.  Pick one or two or five and try them.  Sports teach so many life lessons.   Plus most girls dig a guy in a sports uniform or letterman’s jacket.

6.  Pizza….nuf said

7.  Don’t be a rule breaker.  Life just works better when you follow the rules no matter how insane they might seem to you.  If everyone followed the rules, this world would be a better place for sure.

8.  Your actions bring rewards or consequences.  When you do something awesome (and I suspect you will do that many times) you will be rewarded in some way.  It may not be with money or gifts, it may be a smile or a “thank you” but you will be rewarded.  When you make a mistake, there are consequences.  While forgiveness will be given we still must face the consequences for bad choices and poor decision making.

9.  Learn.  Knowledge is awesome.  Don’t take shortcuts in this area.  The movie is never as good as the book.  Cliff notes might get you by on a test but won’t properly prepare you.  Soak up all the information you can.  Learn.  But don’t just learn from books.   Get out and learn by living.  Don’t be afraid to fail.  Try new stuff.  You gain knowledge from failing too.  Use the knowledge you gain, that is called wisdom. 

10.  Be a friend.  That sounds simple, but being a friend can be very complicated.  A true friend is always there no matter what.  When everyone else is leaving, a true friend is going in to help.  Sometimes being a friend means just being there and listening.  God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason son.  Listen twice as much as you talk. 

11.  Start and end each day with scripture and prayer.  When you are old enough to read this and comprehend it, you will be old enough to have the discipline to read your Bible and pray.  Take time for God each day!  The world is a busy place and will try to eat your time.  Don’t let it take your time away from God.

12.  Family.  It’s so important.  No matter what happens, no matter where you are or what you are doing,  you always have a bond with your family that can never be broken.  You may fight, you may get upset and think your family is the dumbest bunch of people ever, but when push comes to shove, it’s your family that will always be there for you and have your back.

13.  Music is amazing.  I am sure our taste in music will not always be the same.  I will introduce you to bluegrass and southern gospel.  You may like them and you may not.  You will introduce me to something that you will call music and I will call noise.  But if it makes you feel good, listen to it.  Just turn it down if Poppy is taking a nap.

14.  At Howell’s Mill, Poppy becomes a guy known as Dean Fig.  It’s an awesome place with awesome kids and you will love it there.  It’s where you will learn a valuable lesson in serving others and making lasting relationships.  Maybe you can even learn how to be a Dean.

There is so much more that I want to tell you.  And I pray we have a lot of time so I can teach you a lot more stuff like how to throw a baseball, how to bait a hook, how to pretend you’re asleep when it’s time to clean the house, where the cookies will be hid at our house, how to tie your shoe and tie a tie, oh Mason there is so much you need to learn.  And you will.

The last thing for now that I want you to know is that no matter what, Poppy will always love you.  You are going to make mistakes, Poppy will still love you.  You are going to make bad decisions, Poppy will still love you.  You are going to some stupid stuff, Poppy will still love you.  But even better than that?  God will still love you!  And that’s the greatest lesson I could ever teach you.  God’s grace and mercy and love is unconditional.  Always remember and don’t ever forget, Poppy loves you!!!!