From the hills of Northern MI to the mountains of Northern CA…
Crazy, I know, but Paige and I were home from the Winter Advance only long enough to change suitcases and leave piles of laundry for Dena before we headed to the airport.
In case you were unaware, I was born and reared in San Jose, CA. By the age of 16, I had moved across the country; For a few years, I went back to visit regularly; but during my adult life, I have only returned a handful of times. Through the years, my CA relatives have gone to various other places, both in and out of the state. My dad and sisters migrated north, away from the traffic and chaos. Thus, Paige and I flew into Sacramento and headed up to Redding. Parker was unable to come due to his advanced classes and other responsibilities, including the spring play rehearsals. Even though the weather is nicer out here, it’s really not a vacation. It’s a trip of necessity.
Thank you for your prayers for our Winter Advance. God was good (as usual) and we had a great time. I was able to really enjoy the time with the students and actually made it up and down the tubing hill twice! God saw fit to bring two teen girls into His family and many others recommitted their lives to Him. I am so thankful and blessed for another opportunity to serve Him in this way.
One specific thing I am requesting from my Heavenly Father is that my speech would remain clear as long as possible. Right now, it seems to be deteriorating quickly. How the Lord plans to use me for His glory without my speech is beyond me. Yet not my will, but His be done. I need grace daily to say this prayer and mean it.
Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet, I want your will to be done, not mine.” NLT
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Patrick's Story 
thanks for continuing to tell the story! mandi was pleased to be able to spend a few minutes with you… and praise God for His work in your kids’ hearts up at lake ann! praying for you as God brings you to mind!
Thank you for the updates. We are so pleased that the Winter Advance went so well, and that you were even able to enjoy the hill a couple of times. God is good to have blessed you with the opportunity to visit your relatives in California and that Paige was able to accompany you. We have no idea what it is like to be going through what you are experiencing daily as your life changes with the progression of the ALS. But we do want you to know that you and your famil! are daily in our prayers. We are lifting the McGoldrick Family to the throne and we have the assurance that He hears our prayers. God Bless you throughout this journey that God has set your feet upon!
So happy to hear that Winter Advance went so well & that you were able to goup & down the hill twice. We continue to lift you & your family up in prayer daily & we join with you in praying that the Lord allows you to continue serving Him through the preaching of His word as long as He see’s fit. Your life in ministry has had such an impact on hundreds & even after you are no longer able to preach your response to such trying circumstancestances will be a testament to the world that as His child we are still vulnerable to the pains of this life but we will never walk alone.
Overwhelmed by your great need. And this request to be able to speak.
Praying very often and much for you and your closest, intimate loves.
Absolutely loved looking through all the photos of Winter Advance.
Your countenance…
Doing what you love. Our youth. Loving our youth.
Thank you.
Hi patrick and dena. You say you don’t know how God can use you for His glory without your speech. Well I can’t “hear” you speak now, and yet you are encouraging me and I believe glorifying God by sharing your story of trust. Thank you.
Continuing to pray for you and your family. Thanks for your positive outlook on life!
Patrick,
I have enjoyed reading about the journey that you and God are taking now. From what I am reading as your brother in Christ, you truly do love your heavenly father!. You take after your father so much. You have shown great humility along with continuing to show great determination. As your spiritual brother , I want you to know how much I love and admire you. I am praying for you and your wonderful family as you and our heavenly father continue to take this journey together. As I think about the little time we had together with the BBC soccer team my first year there with you, I remember singing our “theme” song, Like A River Glorious. The chorus of that song I trust can be of great encouragement to you now…..”stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed, finding as he promised, PERFECT PEACE and REST. I trust that each day you continue to walk with our wonderful Lord and Savior, you along with your family find “a peace that passes all understanding”.
Love ya, Coach and Mrs. Jacobs
PS. 68:19 “Blessed be the Lord God who DAILY LOADETH us with BENEFITS, even the God of our Salvation.”
Kevin & I have been praying for you and will continue to do so….
Amy
We’re praying for you, Patrick, and that you and Paige will have a productive trip.
Patrick,
Praying daily that God would see fit to allow you to keep your voice and your strength. Your joyful countenance and gracefulness during this great trial have been a great example and encouragement to me.
Patrick,
I’ve been praying for you and will certainly continue. Your humility and grace during this trial is a beautiful inspiration and encouragement.
Dear Patrick,
Praise God for what He has accomplished during winter advance in the lives of the young people. What a blessing that you were able to enjoy going down the hill twice. I pray for you and your family daily. I pray that you will continue to perservere in your faith despite opposition that you might face through ALS. I have been praying for you and Paige through this trip out to California. Praying that while you are there that others will come to know Christ. Keep your eyes fixed on Him my dear brother in Christ!
Janet
It looks like you had a great time with the students. With two girls coming to the Lord is what
it’s all about. AMEN! To bad you didn’t have some “Firehouse” coffee to warm you up when
you came down those hills from tubing. I have some for you on Wednesday morning class.
Russ
Praying that the Lord will give you peace and strength for this journey! You are in our thoughts and prayers daily!
Praying for your speech, Patrick. Whatever happens in this situation, we know that God will use you to glorify him. And praying that he’ll give you his strength and courage in all of us.
Correction to the above last sentence…. courage in all of THIS. God bless you.
Patrick, every time I read “Patrick’s Story”, I am so impressed and praise the Lord for your testimony, and that of your family. This is Jacki’s Mom, by the way. Bless your hearts. We think and pray for you regularly. When I think of you all, the verse from 2 Corinthians 12:9 always comes to mind.
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
We can be assured of the “sufficient grace” of our dear Lord, and we can experience the Power of Jesus Christ upon our lives. We can “rest” in that truth.
We pray for Dena and your dear kids as well. I am so thankful that our God is in control of “all” things, and there are no surprises with Him.
We continue to pray for a complete healing for you.
Also a big thank you for the regular updates with you. Trust you had a safe and inspiring trip.
In Christian love with prayers,
Betty & Ron Tucker
You speak volumes to me each time your write. There is no need for voice to speak to people. I work with children daily who have no voice and I have been listening to and learning from them daily. I trust you will do the same for all those you encounter through your countenance. Sometimes all of us need to learn to slow down and here what people are saying to us without the use of words. I know that God will use you either way. I do pray for you though that your speech will remain clearly understood. Your sister in Christ, Melody Perrin
I concur with Melody. I hear the volumes you speak with each blog entry.
Storming the Throne in Prayer and Praise!
A Prayer Warrior in service to HIM alone!
Del Warbington
Patrick– thank you so much for your willingness to blog about your journey with God and ALS. You really are living many people’s nightmare. Please know that God’s Grace can handle our emotions…I recognize that you may feel pressure to “handle this ‘RIGHT'”, but sorrow and grief and disapointment and even anger are God-given emotional responses to loss. I do honestly admire your ability to see postitives everywhere! I hope you have some strong friends/mentors that you can express the “negative” emotions with, too. I dearly love you and your family, and want God’s Grace dumped on you all in an Overwhelming Tsunami. We’re all cheering for you and lifting you up to Our Shepherd.
Brent (Chefy)