Early December found the Wedemeyer entourage in Dallas, Texas, hosed by many wonderful people, including the Will Morris family. Charlie was asked to speak at the Dallas Cowboys’ chapel before the game against the Cleveland Browns. (He had planned to wear his 49er jacket to the chapel, but unfortunately someone forgot to pack it!). As Charlie shared with the team that morning, you could have heard a pin drop. It was one of the largest turnouts they’d ever had.

Later that afternoon, Charlie and Lucy were seated in the wheelchair section at Texas Stadium, watching the Cowboys play. Suddenly, one of Charlie’s machines stopped working. Charlie began choking, and his gag reflexes were nearly causing him to fall right out of his chair. Kale found that a fuse had blown, so while he quickly moved to change it, Carri prayed, and Lucy desperately tried to read Charlie’s lips. In the midst of this chaos, Lucy finally understood what Charlie was saying. “M-o-v-e.” He was telling the poor nurse (who had never traveled with us before) to move so he could see the field! He didn’t want to miss the touchdown! Talk about priorities!

During our ten day visit in Dallas, we spoke at several churches, businesses, and schools. Carri will never forget the woman who approached her after one of the services. With a baby in her arms and two small children at her side, the woman thanked Carri for the Wedemeyers being there that morning. As her eyes filled with tears, she explained that her husband had left her two days earlier, but after hearing the Wedemeyer family’s message, she knew the Lord would be her strength through this. Carri’s eye’s filled with tears as the woman whispered, “That song you sang this morning…that was for me. Thank you!”

Truly, the stories that this family could share are endless. Here at the CWFO, we receive countless calls and letters from people all over the world. Some just need a word of encouragement. Many have a friend or loved one recently diagnosed with ALS. Most have heard the story either by seeing it on television, hearing it on the radio, or reading about it, and they have written to say “Thank you, this story has touched my life, and I will be better for it.” We’ve had so many different stories of people planning to end their lives, then hearing Charlie’s story, and suddenly having a new perspective on the situation.

Hope.

Though it’s often logistically frustrating…physically exhausting…and financially next to impossible, the Wedemeyer family believes that there is no higher honor than presenting the life changing power of hope in Jesus Christ.

Please accept our deepest appreciation for you love, prayers, and support.

Mahalo nui loa. Aloha ke Akua ia oe.