Although I still have the same ALS-like symptoms that I've had before, my symptoms have not progressed or deteriorated (that we've noticed). In fact, either the symptoms are minor, or else I've just gotten so used to them that I function okay (not fine or in A-1 condition, but okay), symptoms notwithstanding.
I still haven't been officially diagnosed by the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center (I know; that's a mouthful so we'll call it the VA Hospital for short). My last neurology appointment with the VA Hospital was November 19. Thankfully, Dr. Cole, the chief neurologist from Loma Linda University Medical Center was there that day and he came in after our neurologist consulted with him. Once Dr. Cole examined me and looked over my records, it turns out that there was another test that had yet to be performed: a DNA test to either confirm or eliminate Kennedy's Disease. Kennedy's Disease has many of the same symptoms as Lou Gehrig's Disease but it is very slow in degenerating and is not life threatening. So, depending upon the results of the blood test, I may either have a rare, slow-degenerative form of ALS or Kennedy's Disease.
I'd like to thank you all for praying for my family and I. We continue to pray that we will have an answer soon as to what this is; nevertheless, we are not anxious and are blessed to have this whole situation in the Lord's mighty hand until He sees, by His grace and in His good providence, to let us know.
In the meantime, despite the weakness, I have been attempting some calisthenics and taking walks. I can do about 6 to 8 push-ups now; and though it's not the 100's that I could do when I was in the Navy, I remind my family that were it not for the grace of God, I could even do as many as 6. Generally, though my physical functioning is okay, I feel exceptional overall and thank God for all He is showing us through this.
MINISTRY UPDATE
Ministry life for the Cardwell's used to be pretty simple: trust in the Lord and when He opens a door, go through it.
Well, since my diagnosis has been at a standstill, in seeking the Lord we've been wondering if we might be able to continue to minister despite the symptoms and the situation; so the Lord has opened up a few preaching and teaching opportunities. I've already preached Christ and Him crucified at the Riverside County Jail to the inmates there, at Moreno Valley Christian School, and we've opened our home to Bible studies on Friday and Sunday evenings. While all that has been happening, we've sent out some ministry packages to churches with empty pulpits and we've had two positive responses.
Despite the symptoms, and despite the possibility that I may have ALS, I have the blessed privilege to be the top pastoral candidate for two churches: (1) Emmanuel Baptist Church in Belleville, Michigan; and (2) Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in Anniston, Alabama. Emmanuel Baptist is a Southern Baptist Convention congregation that holds to the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. Sovereign Grace Baptist is independent, though it has affiliations with several sovereign grace churches among the southern states, and also holds to the 1689 London Baptist Confession. This is difficult to have to decide between the two. As the Pulpit Committee chair in Anniston has said, "We want to see the will of God regardless of which church the Lord sends you to." Likewise, the Pulpit chair in Belleville has said: "Since we know that this isn't a competition, we'll all pray for the Lord's perfect will to be manifested."
How far have these ministry considerations progressed? Well, I'm flying out of Ontario Airport to Atlanta tomorrow, December 9th, and will spend a week in Anniston, Alabama to preach and meet the congregation as a pastoral candidate.
NOTE: I've been writing daily devotionals for the past 2 months and posting them at vayahiydevotional.blogspot.com and on our web page at SermonAudio.com. Because I will be in Alabama until December 16th, I won't be posting devotionals until I return, or possibly until after the holidays.
MAY BE A BLESSING
These links may be a blessing to you. They are sermons, articles, and publications that we have posted at our various pages on the Internet. There are so many that you may just want to visit and browse these links at SermonAudio.com, Vayahiy.com, and Blogger.com
Here are just a few of the links.
You'll want to hear a song written and recorded by our beloved sister Dwayna Litz. Her song is entitled "My Prize."
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