Friends,   

It was a really hard e-mail for me to write last week to put the gym on hold for a while.  I really struggled with whatā€™s the right thing to do.  Fortunately for us, we are learning more about the Coronavirus from China, Italy, etc. since they went through it ahead of us.  As we learn more and how critical the timing is and the severity of it is, I feel I made the right decision by putting the gym on hold for a while. 

At Wisconsin Metal Parts, Inc., weā€™re taking as aggressive of an approach as we can to protect our people.  Weā€™re even trying not to have our own people go from one building to the next.  Weā€™re not allowing any visitors in the buildings, weā€™re wiping down door handles, faucets, etc. daily.  I wouldnā€™t want any of our people or their loved ones to go through having this virus, living in isolation, not being accepted in society, etc.  There are a lot of complications that go along with it. 

We will not be getting together again at the gym until we feel itā€™s safe to do so.  I donā€™t want any of you to go through this.  I love you all too much to put you at risk.  We need to trust that weā€™re being protected for the good of all us and of our fellow mankind.

Personally, Iā€™m not afraid of getting the virus because I feel confident that I have a strong and healthy immune system.  I feel Iā€™d be able to fight it off.  What Iā€™d be more concerned about is if I were a carrier of it and someone I love who canā€™t fight it off would get it from me.  That would be devastating to me.  Iā€™m learning we really can reduce our risk if we do what weā€™re being directed to do. 

So, what can we do together even though weā€™re temporarily not getting together?  Our prayer group has been growing so much lately and weā€™ve witnessed so many prayers being answered.  Iā€™d hate to put on hold if we can avoid it.  Many hearts have truly been touched through this experience.  How can we keep this going virtually, or through phone calls, e-mails, texts, video conferencing, social media, etc.?  Iā€™d like to hear your thoughts on that. I certainly donā€™t know the answers yet, but I believe God wants us to continue it and Heā€™ll show us the way.

If youā€™re interested in exploring this idea, please respond to me and let me know youā€™re interested.  Weā€™ll start a separate e-mail chain and get some communication started that way.  Iā€™m not techy person nor the spiritual leader that could lead this so Iā€™ll need some help with this.  Iā€™m not sure what it will look like and that doesnā€™t matter at this point.  Iā€™m confident the answers will come. 

Speaking of prayers, letā€™s keep Sue Sibinski in our prayers.  She was taken to hospital Saturday evening by ambulance.  They didnā€™t know what was wrong and it ended up being a bad UTI.  Sheā€™s still in the hospital now and starting to make some progress.  Please keep Sue and her family in your prayers.  This has been a tough one for her and her family.  Stay strong Sue.  We love you!

I hope youā€™re doing your part to keep moving and stay healthy during these unprecedented times weā€™re going through.  Iā€™m hoping and praying that none of us get this virus and have to deal with it.

Letā€™s stay calm, focused, healthy, flexible, have faith and learn as much as we can about the challenges of each day.  Hopefully weā€™ll be back at the gym together soon.

I love and miss you all!

Dan