September 2025 Update:
Dear Family and Friends,
Thank you so much for the ongoing and generous financial support you’ve been sending our way.
Honestly, thank you does not come close to expressing the depth of our gratitude to each of you. What you provide is not just financial assistance—it is a lifeline. A gift of compassion that has left us humbled, tearful, and deeply moved. We are truly blessed.
Ed continues to live with Parkinson’s Disease, an illness that, while incurable, has not diminished his spirit. However, the impact of the disease has brought noticeable changes—particularly in his physical mobility. Everyday tasks are becoming harder for him, and his ability to move independently continues to decline.
Most days, Ed has a few hours of mobility in the late mornings. As the day progresses, his ability to move and care for himself decreases significantly. It is very difficult for Ed to be home alone as falls are happening more often. As a result, our need for caregiver support has grown. To date, we’ve been paying approximately $1,000 per week for caregivers/helpers for Ed. This amount is expected to increase as a result of symptom progression.
Beginning this school year, I’ve cut back my teaching load by one class period per day in order to be home with Ed during the early mornings. Naturally, this reduction has also impacted my paycheck. Your continued financial support is helping to fill those gaps—and for that, we are deeply thankful.
Still, through it all, Ed tries to stay positive, even when his body doesn’t cooperate. There are moments of laughter, and even some tears of joy. Though the path is not easy, he meets each day with as much gratitude as he can muster.
Your meals, messages, visits, rides to doctor appointments or therapy, and especially your prayers, mean the world to both of us. They remind us—profoundly and powerfully—that we are not on this road alone.
Please continue to hold Ed in your hearts and prayers. If you’d like to send a note or arrange a visit, don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly so we can coordinate what would be best for Ed at this time.
With unending gratitude and love,
Roxanne
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Fall 2023
Ed’s life has been a remarkable journey of unwavering service and selfless love, particularly through his dedicated service to the church. Throughout his lifetime, he has touched the hearts of numerous people with his boundless compassion and care. His story is one of profound kindness and the embodiment of Christian values.
However, Ed’s life has taken a challenging turn due to his battle with Parkinson’s disease. This year, the situation has worsened, causing Ed to retire early from his job as a pastor and necessitating a higher level of medical care. The burden of increasing medical expenses is a heavy one for the Nilsen family to bear.
This is where the community’s support is urgently needed. By contributing to the Nilsen family, we can help alleviate the financial strain associated with the essential medical care that Ed needs.
Ed’s life and the challenges he faces serve as a reminder of the profound impact one individual can have on a community and the importance of coming together to support those in need during their most challenging times.
For those who may not be in a position to provide financial assistance, the power of collective prayer offers a source of hope. Joining together in prayer, we can seek miraculous healing for Ed and entrust his well-being and the welfare of the Nilsen family to the divine care and provision of the Lord. We can specifically be praying for the Lord to provide the right medical care and people to be with Ed while Roxanne is at work.
We so so appreciate any donations and prayers! Please share this link to help us get the word out.
Love,
Ed & Roxanne’s family