I’ve known Dan and Nicole for a long time now, and they have such servant hearts. They are always looking for where they can serve, and have served Jesus and others faithfully for the several years I’ve known them. At this time, we have the opportunity to come together as a community and show them how much they are loved.

In short, here is Nicole’s story of difficulties along with God’s providence. Nicole went into the hospital on October 28th not knowing fully what awaited her. She had pneumonia and once again had to be intubated. The doctors finally confirmed that Nicole did in fact have muscular dystrophy which was causing her muscles to weaken, leading to a lack of oxygen. The lack of air flow led to Nicole needing a trach in order to continue fighting. For most of her time in the hospital, she remained on a vent. Also, during her hospital stay, Nicole battled pancreatitis from gallstones and needed her gallbladder removed. During the first go around, Nicole was in the hospital until December 1st and then transferred to a rehab facility for 17 days, where she was often neglected. Nicole had to have a feeding tube inserted in order to eat or drink. She was also unable to speak, because her vocal cords were not working properly. Eventually, her feeding tube was dislodged, and she once again had to return to the ER and ended up being admitted to the ICU. Her second hospital stay has been from December 17th to the present. Nicole is now able to eat and speak.

While Dan and Nicole are praising God for her life, they also know that life will look very different for them both even at her young age of 32. They had to be separated from family during birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. The hope is that Nicole will be able to finally go home this week. Nicole and Dan are emotionally and mentally tired. Nicole has made it very clear from the beginning that it’s God who is carrying her through, and, without Him, she isn’t sure how she could’ve lasted this long. Jesus is her rock and her stronghold. Money is one of the last things on their minds, but is one of the ways, as family and friends, that we can help. Insurance only covers so much, and the vent alone will be a large yearly cost on top of all the medical bills. Let’s rise up and help them, so they can focus on what they need in order to help Nicole adjust.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-10