Friends,   

Thanks to all who responded to last week’s e-mail about getting back together outside in the parking lot.  I had good response from both volunteers and friends with MS.  It sounds like people are willing to volunteer and work out.  I was very pleased with the nice responses.  We sure are blessed to have so many amazing people in our MS-Just Keep Moving community.  I’m thankful!

We will not get together this week yet due to the weather being cold and wet.  Hopefully next week will be nicer and we can get together again.  We’ll do this with everyone’s safety in mind and take COVID precautions.  Hopefully, we’ll see you next week!

As we all know, Todd’s MS has affected his walking pretty dramatically.  Has this slowed him down?  Maybe in some ways but certainly not with willpower and grit.  As many of us know, the distances of an Ironman Triathlon are a 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bike ride followed by a full 26.2 mile marathon.  Even though Todd is challenged walking, he broke this up into a three-day challenge and switched the order up a bit.

Keep in mind, today is only September 8th.  Since the first of September, Todd did a 26.2 mile marathon in his wheel chair one day.  Another day, he swam 2.4 miles.  This last Saturday, he rode 115 miles instead of 112 miles with some awesome friends.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to join him. 

Here’s a video of his route and few pictures along the way.  https://www.relive.cc/view/v26M2jmwkEq  Nice job Todd!  Yet another great example of being a little creative on doing an Ironman distance triathlon…even with MS challenges.  Amazing!!  Keep in mind that Todd has been building up to this for the past eight years.  It takes time.  He wasn’t able to do any of these distances 8 years ago.  Persistency and consistency work for many of us living with MS.

Do you want to ride bike with us?  Let’s hope the weather cooperates.  If it’s raining, we will not ride.  Please join us at 7:00am Friday morning at Nettesheim Park on the SE corner of Hwy SS and Oak Street in Pewaukee.  We’ll ride together on Friday mornings until it gets too cold this fall.  If you need me to bring a trike or two, please let me know. 

Let’s keep riding! đŸ˜Š

Our prayer group on Wednesday mornings are a great place to get together virtually, catch up a bit and give thanks.  Even though we can’t get together physically, it’s so nice to see all that joins us virtually and learn how you’re doing and how this pandemic is affecting you.  I really like the good things coming out of this pandemic that are discussed…seeing God’s work as blessings.  It’s awesome seeing so many of you there laughing, listening, sharing, giving thanks and praying!   We have a lot to give thanks for, don’t we?

We’re going to be doing it again tomorrow (Wednesday) @ 11:30am.  We’ll get together either via phone or computer (your choice) and share, talk, listen, give thanks, and pray in however God leads us.  It’s a way for all of us to get together virtually to catch up and be there for each other and with each other.  I hope you’ll join us!

Here’s a link to our Zoom Meeting that Ashley provided for us.  Thanks Ashley!  Just click or call @ 11:30am Wednesday and you’ll be connected.  I hope to “see” you there!  đŸ˜Š

Topic: MS-Just Keep Moving Prayer Group

Time: This is a recurring meeting

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/786859505

Meeting ID: 786 859 505

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Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acej2eGAIM

I hope you’ll join us on Zoom!

My heart goes out to all the people and families of the people that have been affected by COVID-19.  This is really getting serious and close to home.  Whether actually having it, being exposed to it, being affected by businesses being shut down, losing your job, working on the front line, etc.  These are tough times and we really need to take it seriously and do our part of practicing social distancing and all other recommendations.  I hope you and your family are safe.  Let’s keep everyone affected in our prayers and pray we all get through this as safely as we can.

As we all go through this pandemic together, I encourage you to share a smile with someone.  Perhaps you could give someone a call that you haven’t talked with for a while just to see how they’re doing.  This pandemic is tough in many ways.  We all could use a little extra love and encouragement during these times.

Let’s be thankful for all the doctors, nurses and everyone in the health care that are putting themselves at risk every day and every night as they serve those with the Coronavirus.  These are amazing, selfless, courageous people!  Let’s also give thanks to all the people in the world that are working diligently to develop testing equipment and ways to treat this Coronavirus.  Let’s also give thanks for all the people that are working diligently to produce protective gear, respirators, and any other medical equipment to help us get through this pandemic. 

We may be inconvenienced in many ways but others have it much worse.  Let’s be thankful we have each other.  I know I’m thankful for you! 

We will not be getting back together at the gym yet.  We’re going to get through this COVID-19 pandemic before we do.  I love you too much to put you at risk. 

I hope you’re doing your part to â€œkeep moving” and stay healthy during these unprecedented times we’re going through.  I’m hoping and praying that none of us get this virus and have to deal with it.

Let’s stay calm, focused, healthy, flexible, have faith and learn as much as we can about the challenges of each day and make good choices.  Hopefully we’ll be back at the gym together soon.

I love and miss you all!

Dan

P.S.  Please share how you’re doing and what you’re doing to keep moving…pictures and smiles please đŸ˜Š