Greetings,
Once again, it is time to look back through the year to recognize how much our family has changed and grown. I actually enjoy looking back through past letters to remember all that we have been through. This year has seen the Story family through much trial, but we can’t help think about all the blessings we have received despite the obvious difficulties. That’s right, I said blessings. God has forced us to reprioritize what is important in our lives. Through the daily struggles of life with ALS, we have learned to lean on God for provision, build relationship with Him, obey Him more; and because of this, have received many blessings. We appreciate the everyday miracles that most people would miss.
One of the blessings we have received is the ability to be together as a family on a daily basis since Tad is no longer working. Tad can still drive and he takes the kids to school and picks them up everyday. We have been able to travel this year as well. We went to Disneyland in March and met up with another family from church. We also ran into some really great former students while there—it really is a Small World! At the end of June we went on our second cruise, this time to the Caribbean. Our ports were in Honduras, Belize, and Cozumel.
When Tad was first diagnosed with ALS, he declared that he would become an advocate for the disease. This May we were able to attend the ALS Conference in Washington, D. C. with about 500 delegates from around the nation. We met so many great people dealing with this disease or caring for people with ALS. We met with staff from each of our state senators and representatives asking for money for research and continued support for existing programs. We also participated again in the ALS walk in Tucson. It was so great to be supported by many friends and family members while Tad walked the course. He was the only one with ALS at our event who walked it and didn’t use a scooter or power chair. It took him a long time, but he wanted to accomplish this feat.
This summer we were able to attend many Diamondbacks games and also bless many others with the opportunity because one of our friends nominated Tad for a special season ticket scholarship program from Derrick Hall. This was a great chance for our family to bond and share our love of baseball with our children. Tad and Jonah also had the opportunity to travel to Dallas in November with Tad’s cousin to attend a Cowboys home game.
The kids continue to blossom and grow. Both of them are enjoying scouts this year and Karen leads both the Cub Scout bear den and Hannah’s Daisy/Brownie troop. It keeps us busy, but the kids love it. Hannah attempted piano lessons this year, but we are currently taking a break. Jonah wants to join her when we pick it back up after the year begins. Jonah played baseball again this past summer. He was so excited when his coach put him in to pitch an inning. Even parents on the other team cheered him on because his enthusiasm was contagious. He may be small, but he is fast and mighty! Hannah enjoyed a tap/ballet/tumbling combo class at the beginning of the year, but wanted to take a break from it for this school year. They have so much energy; it is hard to keep up with them.
Karen made a job switch in August. She is now working for an alternative school in the Safford district called Mt. Graham High School. She is able to have a more flexible schedule, work one-on-one with students, and doesn’t have to take grading or lesson planning home. She struggled with the decision because it meant leaving behind the yearbook program and students she had grown to love, but it has turned out to be a wonderful life change
We hope 2013 brings your family and ours many more blessings–remember to look for the small miracles that happen everyday.
Merry Christmas,
The Story Family
The Sunday Girl 