Help.

SIGH! So, here we go again. I FELL! I slipped on the ground, turned my ankle, and went down hard. I’m bumped, bruised, and scraped, but I’m thankful to be ok overall. They did a good job checking me out. The manner and position in which I fell, having nothing to brace, and still being too weak from my Leukemia recovery, we had to call 911 for help. Ambulance and Fire showed up within minutes and I was up in a snap. The Smyrna, TN Emergency Service Teams are the very best. While my ego was shattered, they never once made me feel less than human. I can say this with confidence because of several times we had to call them. I cannot say thank you enough.

However, as  I was laying in the driveway, hundreds of thoughts flooded my mind. One was, “here we go again” and two, “I really do need help… STILL!” In mid-2022 I resigned as pastor from the church I loved and I have never been the same. I miss my people, I miss preaching and teaching more than I ever thought I would, but I knew I needed to step away. In my heart of hearts, I knew I could not give to them the pastor they deserved as I was fighting cancer. BOY, DO I STILL MISS MY REJOICE PEOPLE. Having left the pastorate and with ALL that has and is encompasses my recovering, I really haven’t been able to return to normal work – where I could give a solid 9-5 in-office day. There’s still some things I need help with in my recovery. I am, however, looking for a Hybrid/Remote positions that would allow me a decent income. Finding that perfect balance has been difficult. I’ve had 4-5, what I thought were very promising interviews, only to be passed on due to lack of experience in one area or another. Sadly, I think my age and my official disability status may be affecting my search as well. YET, I am thankful. My Case Managers at Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute worked extremely hard in securing some disability income for me. It’s nothing near what I was making before, but it is definitely better than nothing and for that I am very thankful.

Here's where the things get hard for me. It’s a blog post I’ve been and I’m still hesitant about and it makes me anxious. I am realizing more and more that we still need help – financial help. This is so hard for me to say, because there have been so many who have helped up us… more that one… some regular AND I CANNOT SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH. I feel awful for the fact that we are terribly behind on sending out “Thank You” cards to those who have supported us. I’m thankful to those who have given because it has helped us out of many jams, tight months, and special occasions like Christmas or various items my kids are a part of at school and church (i.e. camps and registration fees). I even had one dear friend purchase me a heavy duty Ebike that is helping me with exercise and strength (I’ve lost about 30lbs since March 1).

With that being said, it hurts the times my wife has to say, “we got to take it really easy this week or this month” due to this surprise bill or lack of funds. For example, I needed to start a new medication that my insurance won’t cover and it costing us $500 a month. That’s a hard pill to swallow every 4 weeks. On top of that, there are several items around the house that we need repairs (most notable wall repairs and a wiring job under the kitchen sink) or cleaned up (landscape, patio, etc.), my truck has a few fixes it needs (busted ac belt, a side window, and side mirrors), and things just get tight and as things get tight, many needs (and wants, I confess) get overlooked and sometimes ignored. Being down to one car hasn’t really helped either. (A deer hit my wife’s van and it was a total loss. We did get some insurance money, but it’s been going toward the new prescription medication.)

The last thing I want to do is to offer you a sob story or some guilt trip, because that is not me. For years, Rena and I loved to be the ones who can give a little extra here and there… and we still kind of do when we can (i.e. Like coffee and donuts to the Fire Department and EMT Services, missionary support, a friend or two in need, or fundraiser for kids in need, etc.). We still want to do what we can, but the truth is we simply need help and the “man pride” in me struggles with the ASK. BUT, here it is. Would you be willing to help us. I am not sure how long we’ll be in this condition and there’s not “final” amount that we need. One reason I know this is because my medical bills alone are astronomical, let alone Rena and the kids if and when they have medical issues. We haven’t had a get away or vacation in almost 3 years with the exception of a little road trip or two to Buccees about 1.5 hours away just to get out and make it feel like we did something. Trust me when I say, those little outings do give you a little taste of normalcy.

Some of my friends have asked me why I haven’t put my PayPal and/or Venmo information out there for people to give. The most simple answer is my pride has always stopped me. Not that I’m a prideful person, but I don’t want to be a burden to anyone. But here I am, I NEED HELP. I hate feeling this way. I hate it because it chews at my ego, I question my purpose, and feel like a failure as a provider. That’s just as honest as it gets. I am thankful my wife works for an incredible company who takes great care of her and It’s her income that has kept up from “living in a van down by the river.”

So with that, if you are willing to give and/or continue to support here are 3 ways in which you can help us…

PayPal: @EricPuschmann776

Venmo:@Eric-Puschmann (9258 – last four digits of phone number)

Home Address: 5411 Maple Creek Dr., Smyrna, TN, 37167

The words “thank you” will never be enough, but I hope one day to either be able to give if you are ever in need or bless you in some other way. I know I have been blessed in so many ways – including the cancer diagnosis (which I’ve spoked about countless times), in order to be a blessing to others. That is my prayer.

To those who have yet to receive their “Thank You” Card for past support, my sincerest apologies. You are not forgotten, always thought of, and at some point with get those out to you. It’s the very least we can do.

ALSO, IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO GIVE MONETARILY, would you PLEASE PRAY for me and my family. We need prayer for strength of spirit as well as physical strength. Prayers for wisdom of head and heart as well. By the way, I’d love to hear from you and pray for you if you have needs… feel free to comment on this post, message, or email me at pastorpusch@gmail.com.

As always, YOU ARE LOVED (and those are just. flippant words)! Thank you so much for your continued love and support of me and my family. We could not have made it this far nor continue through this journey without your faithfulness and kindness. THANK YOU!

“Not to us, O Lord,  not to us, but to Your name give glory,

for the sake of Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness!” – Psalm 115:!

FOR HIS GLORY,

Eric Puschmann and Family