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!!!
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