Tomorrow (3:16 am) marks 2 years since Richard lost his battle with ALS.  We still pray and wait for a cure.  He is missed immensely!  We celebrated his 52nd birthday on July 18 with key lime pie, one of his favorites.  But, we are beginning to focus more on who Richard was, his memories, and what he taught us instead of the loss and pain as we grieve.   We have peace knowing that he loved God and knew Jesus as His Savior.  Some day we will see Richard again.  I tell myself that today should be like any other day, but the emotions seem to run high for all of us as the "big" days approach.  Appetites can disappear, sleepless nights come, anxiety hits, and tears fall.  I just finished a book/video study by Nicole Unice entitled "The Struggle is Real," and I am trying with all my might to find joy every day without focusing on the struggles, instead using them to build a new story with God as the lead.  Listen to one of my new favorite songs --"God is in This Story" (copy and paste)---https://youtu.be/zW7UN1gNy-8

Enjoy some photos:  top 4 are recent events; bottom one from 2017 with Claire & Richard at Mackinaw Island.

Since my last journal update, we have celebrated many significant moments in 2022.  We attended the 2nd Lou Gehrig ALS day by cheering for the Cubs in June.  The kids and I are looking forward to a vacation in Ocean City, MD at The Plaza, a long-running destination for the Gamble family. 

The empty nest begins in August!  We did it, our kids made it to adulthood.  Claire is 18 and graduated from homeschool high school!  She was diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder and started to wear hearing aids.  We are noticing significant improvements.  She will begin to study Social Work at Taylor University this Fall.  Mollie competed at the NAIA Indoor Track Nationals in March and finished 14th in the 5000 m (big PR 17:52) and 15th at the Outdoor Track Nationals in May in the 3000 m Steeplechase.  We have spent this year getting her healthy, and she will begin her junior year at Taylor University in August.  Arik has one more year at Bethel University and swimming obtaining a degree in Sports Management.  He just missed qualifying for NAIA Swim Nationals and is working hard this summer to improve his personal bests.  Lorraine continues her young adult life while working at Trine University and lives with Georgie, the cat.  I am still teaching online at Indiana Wesleyan University and tutoring at home.  Genesis, the camper, and I have gone on several weekend excursions (including friends and family) at Indiana State Parks with plans to go to Acadia National Park in the Fall.  I sold the Cessna 150 to a local Purdue aviation student this Spring-- it was a chapter that I needed to close, but at the same time, it was incredibly difficult to let it go.  There have been many occasions that I watch planes fly overhead, and I can't help but think that Richard is flying around heaven at that moment.

Overall, we are doing okay.  The 2nd year was challenging, but we are making it one day at a time with God's grace and many prayers.  Grief is strange, and we have learned it is different for each of us.  Not a day goes by that we don't talk about Richard, and I see his personality in the kids.  I love getting phone calls and messages from his friends, students, and colleagues.  It allows us to talk about him and recall memories.  There are several life situations that we wondered why at the time and now we can see how God has worked all of those pieces together to give us exactly what we needed.  Our faith has not waivered, and we can get out of bed daily with God guiding us.  We appreciate your continued prayers and encouragement.  Thank you!  

Love to you!

Rita and family