Author Archive for Warren Pfohl
Who is the “Man Behind The Mission?”
#1 Way To Show Love: Wrap it up in a person!
Normal Is Only A Setting On Your Dryer
Caregivers Amnesia
Love, Loss, and Legacy
Combating Loneliness One Meal at a Time
Combating Loneliness One Meal at a Time
Planting Seeds of Hope
Comfort Food & Self Care
What Brings You Joy?
Searching For Self Care
Beautiful People
“Amygdala Hijack”
Advice From a Recreation Therapist
Rory Lawrence: A Compeling Force
Sharing Your Stories
Self-Care Isn’t Selfish
Self Care-Isns’t Selfish
Christmas Is Here. Let Hope In!
Christmas Memories
Nothing Will Rob Our Hope!
Please Tell Me Your Story
Embracing The Unimagined
Dear Kim, Welcome to David’s Refuge
Family Vacation
A Little Help From My Friends
Memory Lane
Thank you, David!
A Lesson I Learned from Birds
Respect!
Moms Make Life Beautiful
Squeezing Joy Out Of Every Day
Celebrating Ten Years
Rare: Exceptional, Outstanding, Matchless!
Let Me Count The Ways…
Where Words Fail, Music Speaks
Never Forget
2022: I’m Ready
Where Words Fail, Music Speaks
HOPE!
Someday Day I’ll See Again
Fingerprints Are Everywhere
Caring = Action
Choose Love!
Is It OK to Ask About David?
The Beauty of Your Life Story
My First Blog: August 26, 2009
Gratitude
Dear Baby Jane,
The Beauty Of My Children’s Mom
The Uninvited Companion
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You
Why Are They Staring?
HOPE
Hope: My Anchor
Let’s Plant a Seed of Peace
2021: What I Know To Be True
Joy To The World
Happy Birthday David!
It Is Still Well With Our Souls
He Gives Power To The Weak
Caregivng Tips Needed
With a Twist
“…and God loves you!”
The Power of Forgiving Yourself
Dignity and Respect
Taming Your Fear
David’s Joy
You are Loved, Valued, Irreplacable
A Chuckle, A Cackle, A Chortle, A Giggle, A Snort
Getting Rid of Stinking Thinking!
There is Always Beauty To Be Found
When This is All Over
I Was Just Thinking of You!
Hey! Over here! Listen to me!
Refreshed, Restored, Renewed
Fundraising: Not a Four Letter Word
Just Dial
Happy New Year!
The Angel Said, “Fear Not!”
The Stocking
Caregiver Becomes Patient
60 Years Young
Tips For Caring While In The Hospital
Happy Birthday Brenda!
8 Years Later: Your Still Not Alone!
Two Scoops Please
Your Child Is Not Normal, But Extraordinary!
This is one of my favorite pictures of David. His devilish smile, his beautiful blue eyes, and his joy of life radiate from every pore of his being.
Read MoreLessons From Millie the Monarch
Change Is Hard!
Prayer
Our New Normal
Sit With Me in the Dark
Have you ever wondered what to say or what to do when someone you love or know has a child with a special need or is fighting for their lives with a life-threatening disease? You fear to say the wrong thing so you say nothing at all.
Read MoreThe Power of Siblings
Wendell, Warren, Wayne, and Walter! Sons of Albert and Ruby Pfohl. Four brothers, each unique in personality, experiences, gifting and calling. One always says he is the better looking! You be the judge.
Read MoreOur Story
A Dream Come True
David’s Refuge is truly a dream come true. It is a dream we longed for and has now been achieved. It was a prayer and a wish we didn’t know if it would ever get off the ground yet this year we will serve 350 families.
Read MorePea Brain Theology
Someday I am going to write a book. I’m not sure if anyone will buy it or read it but I am still going to write it. It’s going to be called Pea Brain Theology by The Highly Esteemed Most Reverend Warren Pfohl. Ok, let’s get rid of the Highly Esteemed Most Reverend part and just say by Warren Pfohl, a self-proclaimed Pea Brain.
Read MoreRenewed! Refreshed! Restored!
Would you do something for me? Two days ago Dan and BrandiLee Schafran, along with their two boys and Dan’s mom landed at Fort Myers airport for a few days of refreshment, renewal, and restoration. Brenda and I have the privilege and honor to host them for a few days. I don’t know why but I feel like I did hosting our first couple at David’s Refuge seven years ago.
Read MoreThe “F” Word
Young man, look at me in the eyes!”
These words often haunt me. David was only eight years old. I don’t remember what he had done wrong, but I wanted him to look at me so I could talk to him, teach him, and discipline him. But no matter how many times I asked him to look at me in my eyes, he continued to look at my forehead. Sadly, I spanked him
Please Share Your Story
Everyone of us has a story that should be shared. I love telling our story. Sometimes I come to the end of our story and I feel as if I have been gutted and beaten, but more often I feel elated and privileged to be one of the protagonist in a story I would have never written or signed up for. I love telling our story.
Read MoreThe Stocking
Putting away our Christmas decorations I found this. David’s stocking. (We named him David after the shepherd boy David who was a man after God’s heart.)
Read MoreHappy 2019
Fear Not! Words of Wisdom from Linus
Finn is now with Jesus
Facetime Live With Warren and Brenda
Just a quick blog to invite you to join Brenda and me tonight (11/7/18) at 8:30 PM EST for a Facebook Live event. November is National Caregiver Month and David’s Refuge will be hosting 4 Empowerment sessions to encourage, teach, and support you in you role as a mom, dad, and caregiver.
Read MoreMake A Memory
It almost feels like it was yesterday. In my mind’s eye I can see my bride, Brenda, walking down the aisle, gorgeous, white dress, veil covering her face, her dad … Continued
Read MoreHijacked Again
“1988, that was the year I was born!” Eight little words, a short sentence spoken with no malice and my heart and emotions were immediately hijacked. Fighting back tears, … Continued
Read MoreOUR NEW NORM
We have a new normal. Here is what it looks like. Sleeping in five different beds over the past 15 days Waking up each morning having to orient yourself to … Continued
Read MoreOOPS
Oops! I accidentally sent out tomorrows blog before it was finished. Please ignore it! Stay tuned for tomorrows blog! Warren
Read MoreNEW NORMAL
We have a new normal. Here is what it looks like. Sleeping in five different beds over the past 15 days Waking up each morning having to orient yourself to … Continued
Read MoreCelebrate, Party! It’s good for you
I love a great party! People laughing, celebrating, eating and drinking, storytelling, dancing, and yelling with arms raised high as your team scores the winning touchdown. Who doesn’t enjoy a … Continued
Read MoreEvery Now And Then You Have To Boast
Would you mind if I took a couple minutes to brag? I know Mom always said no one likes a bragger. Even the Good Book, the Bible, says, “Don’t brag … Continued
Read MoreDefining PROUD
Today’s Blog is brought to you by Sarah Watson – David’s Refuge Event Manager Definition: proud/ adjective 1. Feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one’s own … Continued
Read MoreSleep Deprivation
Yesterday my doctor looked me in the eyes and said, “You have to work on your hygiene!” No, I’m not my talking about my personal hygiene. My appointment was with … Continued
Read MoreDo Something.
I spent this past weekend searching for a missing boy with autism. I was notified early Saturday morning that volunteers were being requested to help search for a 14-year-old child … Continued
Read MoreMy New Habit
I’m working on developing a new habit. It’s going to take time and effort, but I am confident that I will succeed. You see,, for the past five or … Continued
Read MoreDefining a year…
Today’s Blog is brought to you by Sarah Watson Year yir/ noun 1. the time taken by a planet to make one revolution around the sun. 2. the period of … Continued
Read MorePray For The Schafrans
“Hey Warren…wanted to text you…Just talked to doctors…test indicate positive for rhabdomyosarcoma…Finn’s cancer is back.” Come on God! We prayed for the Schafrans. Finn was in recovery. He was getting … Continued
Read MoreLove, Marriage & a Side of Grief
Apart from the occasional humorous anecdote or good-natured jab at his expense, I don’t often write about my husband. Sure, I write a lot about life and family in general, … Continued
Read MoreHELP: It’s Valentine’s Day
I need your help! Last year I dropped the ball big time. I’m sitting in my office, sipping coffee, checking out what’s happening that day on Facebook, and I start … Continued
Read MoreDefining a mother…
Today’s post is brought to you by Sarah Watson – David’s Refuge Events Manager Mom. What does that word mean to you? To me “mom” is pretty much everything. A … Continued
Read MoreTwo Of My Favorite Things!
Yesterday I had the following symptoms: I had this nagging feeling I didn’t belong I was more emotional than usual I had a hard time getting motivated I was a … Continued
Read MoreChange is Good: A New Blog Routine
I’m back! It was good to step back and take a few weeks off. We enjoyed Christmas in New York with our whole family and just sent Dan and Katie … Continued
Read MoreMerry Christmas!
As you are reading this post we will be gathered with our family to celebrate Christmas in New York. I can’t wait! We will all be together on Christmas … Continued
Read MoreOn The First Day of Christmas….
I posted this last year and wanted to share it with you again this! It is a great one to share with folks who ask the question, “What can we … Continued
Read MoreWarren’s Sermon: Beauty from Brokeness
Today will be my final blog entry on the “The Story of David’s Refuge.” It has been fun, therapeutic, and at times difficult to wade through some of the more … Continued
Read More3 Gifts: You are not alone, What you do matters, God loves you!
I am not much of a shopper. The moment I walk into a shopping mall something happens to me physically. My eyes start to dry out. My mind goes numb … Continued
Read MoreI am Thankful!
“How can you say you are grateful for your son’s death?” This father’s anger and grief over his son’s diagnosis was raw. All he could see and feel as we … Continued
Read MoreDavid: A Man After God’s Own Heart
It was 3:02 and our first guests had not yet arrived. Pandora was playing a quiet jazz station. The flower arrangement was placed in the vase in the bedroom. The … Continued
Read MoreThe Story of David’s Refuge
I love telling the story of David’s Refuge. It is a story of hope, a story of redemption, a story that reminds all of us that we are not alone … Continued
Read MoreThe Power of Forgiveness
There is only way to live and never be hurt and that is to choose to never love another person. If you are in a relationship with anyone, you … Continued
Read MoreThe Crazy Cycle
Do you remember the first “stupid” argument you got into with your spouse? I do! It was about whether chili is considered a soup or not. We had only been … Continued
Read MoreMarriage: Overcoming The Challenges
I miss many things about being a pastor, but one of the greatest things I miss is participating in a couple’s wedding ceremony. Months and months of planning and dreaming … Continued
Read MoreAsa Rowan Pfohl
I would like to introduce you to my new grandson, Asa Rowan Pfohl! Asa and his mommy and daddy will be home in about an hour. His brothers, Ezra and … Continued
Read More#AdamsActs
Today I want to introduce you to a fellow blogger, a mom of a child with special needs, a David’s Refuge guest and host, and friend, Lara Capuano. I love … Continued
Read MoreStanding For You
To stand or to kneel, a question that seems to be dividing our country. Turn on your TV, open your Facebook News Feed, or listen to the radio for just … Continued
Read MoreBeauty In The Wake of Irma
Often you will hear me say we live in a beautiful yet broken world. Sadly the brokenness surrounds us here in Bonita Spring, Florida. Hurricane Irma was vicious and destructive. … Continued
Read MorePlease Pray for Us!
I just got off the phone with our pastor in Bonita Springs, Florida. He is kayaking around his neighborhood, his phone is about to die, there is no electricity, all … Continued
Read MoreJust One Taste
Can you remember a time when someone said to you, “Just one taste! I promise you’ll like it.” Slowly they dip a fork into their concoction, twirling the bite size … Continued
Read MoreWe Have Needs Too
Rocky Balboa got it! He didn’t try to hide it; he didn’t pretend; he simply admitted he had “gaps.” In fact, when asked by his brother-in-law Paulie Pennino why he … Continued
Read MoreTogether We Can Help Each Other
More often than not moms and dads who have enjoyed a weekend at David’s Refuge ask the question, “What can I do to give back?” Our normal response is to … Continued
Read MoreWarndell
Without a doubt he is my best friend. We shared a common womb, we were born on the same day, we both came to faith in a God who loved … Continued
Read More“We Know David Was Smiling Down On Us”
I spent sometime this week reading through comments our guests made after their weekend get away with David’s Refuge. As I read them I couldn’t help but think of how … Continued
Read MoreNow What?
Do you realize you were created to make a difference? You are a force to be reckoned with. Out of the 7.5 billion people who call planet earth their home, … Continued
Read MoreA Change of Perspective
A couple weeks ago Brenda started working on a puzzle. She loves the challenge of finding all the flat pieces, forming the frame, gathering all the same colored and patterned … Continued
Read MoreSurvival Skills For The Weary Caregiver
Last week I watched my nephew and my niece’s boyfriend riding a paddleboard on some very wavy water. They balanced and paddled and battled the waves, both enjoying the challenge. … Continued
Read MoreMy Final Letter to David
For the past four weeks I have shared some very personal letters I wrote to David. As Brenda helped edit my posts she would often quietly cry as she was … Continued
Read MoreDear David I Feel Helpless Today
One of the battles I struggled with as we cared for David was a sense of helplessness. I couldn’t stop the disease from progressing, I couldn’t make David’s pain go … Continued
Read MoreDear David, I’m thankful for your Mom!
One of the greatest blessings I have in my life is my wife, Brenda. For 33 years we have enjoyed the highs and lows of living together in this beautiful … Continued
Read MoreDear David…
For the next four weeks I am going to share some letters that I wrote to David near the end of his life. One of the greatest struggles I faced … Continued
Read MoreAre You a “Leaker” Or a “Gusher?”
My daughter-in-law, Brittney is from California. She pronounces apricot as “āprəkät.” I pronounce it as “aprəkät” Who is right? We both are! There is no right way. No matter how … Continued
Read MoreAlajuelita: Costa Rica
As you are sipping your coffee reading this blog Brenda and I are in Alajuelita, Costa Rica with our wonderful church, Turning Point Church on a short term mission trip. … Continued
Read MoreTransitions
Today I am believing in the phrase, “Shorter is Better!” Tomorrow we are returning to Florida so we can pack up and fly to Costa Rica with our church on a … Continued
Read MoreOrdinary People Doing Extraordinary Things
w How do you calculate the value of a volunteer? According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, last year about 63 million Americans gave 8 billion hours of volunteer service … Continued
Read MoreKate Houck: One Year as Executive Director
Last week I was talking on the phone with a potential board member for David’s Refuge who would bring great value to our organization. During our conversation I shared how blessed we … Continued
Read MoreHosts: Recycling Experts!
I want to introduce to you two good friends of mine, Jeff and Bitsy Namy. Jeff and Bitsy have been volunteering with David’s Refuge for the past several years and … Continued
Read MoreHome: A Vessel That Holds Memories
Have you ever heard of the “Bonita Bay Shuffle?” If you had to guess, what do you think it is? If you guessed a new dance move Brenda and I … Continued
Read MoreGrandsons!
My son and his family arrived yesterday for a week of vacation with Nonni and Poppi. For the next seven days we will play with our grandsons at the beach, cook and … Continued
Read MoreHappy Easter!
(WARNING: Warren has his “Pastor” hat on today!) As many of you know I was a pastor for 15 years. I taught, counseled, married, buried, baptized, prayed, encouraged, and helped … Continued
Read MoreThe Power of Saying and Hearing “I Love You.”
Last week I spent a few days in New York visiting family and catching up on some David’s Refuge business. Before leaving I hid a note for Brenda to discover. … Continued
Read MoreMatt Schmidt: 1990-2016
It is hard to believe that this Friday will mark one year since my nephew Matt Schmidt died in a car accident on his way to begin training as a … Continued
Read MoreHow Many Children Do You Have?
“How many children do you have?” It’s a question I ask often as I meet new friends here in Florida, and it’s a question that is often asked of me. … Continued
Read MoreGrief: The Price We Pay For Love
I love and hate this quote on grief. “Grief is not a disorder, a disease or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical and spiritual necessity, the price you … Continued
Read MoreWhy Me?
Like many of you I have a morning routine that helps me enter into the day. I get up, grind my coffee beans and make the coffee. While the coffee … Continued
Read MoreA Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Have you ever had a day like Alexander’s, a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day? From the moment Alexander wakes up everything goes south. He finds gum in his … Continued
Read MoreExhaustion
ex·haus·tion [iɡˈzôsCH(ə)n] noun a state of extreme physical or mental fatigue. the action or state of using something up or of being used up completely drained of one’s physical or … Continued
Read MoreWill You Be Mine?
For the past thirty three years I have had only one Valentine, my beautiful, wonderful, talented, godly, funny, artistic, kind, and generous best friend, Brenda Bell Pfohl. We have lived … Continued
Read MoreGod Has Not Forgotten You
On Sunday I watched a video in our church that told the story of D’Brickashaw and Kirsten Ferguson. D’Brickashaw played left tackle for the NY Jets. Like many of us they … Continued
Read MoreJoy and Sadness Mingled Together
Have you ever been really sad but at the same time filled with a sense of incredible joy? It’s a really a strange feeling. Yesterday an article in the Daily Orange … Continued
Read MoreYou Are What You Eat
One of my personal goals this year is to do a better job of taking care of myself. I am slowly starting to realize that I am no longer a 23 year … Continued
Read MoreTHE POWER OF GRATITUDE
How would you like to experience the following? Improved physical, emotional, and social well-being Greater optimism and happiness Improved feelings of connection in times of loss or crises Increased self-esteem … Continued
Read MoreCan One Weekend Really Make a difference?
Six years ago Brenda and I bought a pound of bacon, a dozen eggs, some fresh fruit and a gift certificate to a local restaurant to prepare for our first … Continued
Read MoreWednesday With Warren
Every Tuesday I sit down at my computer and ask myself the question, “What should I write about this week?” Often I have been chewing or ruminating on a thought all … Continued
Read MoreProblem with last blog
For some reason the video message I posted did not appear in today’s blog. I am going to try and post it again here. Sorry for any confusion!
Read MoreWarren’s Prayer For You
2016 was a year of many changes and transitions for Brenda and me. We are grateful for the many friends who have walked with us through both the good and … Continued
Read MoreWords of wisdom from Linus
Sadly, fear is a part of being human. It is always uninvited, unwanted, and limiting. Ask twenty five people what they fear most and more than likely each one will … Continued
Read MoreOn the first day of Christmas….
Every year a few weeks before Christmas friends and family would begin to call and ask, “What can I get David for Christmas?” Each year David would lose more of … Continued
Read MoreBe Still!
I want to give you a gift. I know you need it and want it. In fact, your health and your ability to be a good parent, husband, wife, or best … Continued
Read MoreThree Stories – One Lesson
It’s story time! So grab a cup of coffee and take just a moment to find a comfortable place to sit and see if you can find the one simple … Continued
Read MoreHis Chair is still empty; yet we choose to be thankful
Thursday will mark the 7th year David will not be joining us for Thanksgiving dinner. Once again I will miss him. I miss his nonstop chatter about girls, the New … Continued
Read MoreWhere’s “Warren and Brenda?”
Where’s Waldo? I’ll be honest I never liked looking for Waldo. I would spend about 45 seconds looking for the little man with his red and white striped shirt, knit pom pom … Continued
Read MoreWe All Need An Encouraging Word
For the past three weeks my pastor in Florida has been preaching a series on the power of encouragement. Isn’t it amazing how one word of praise, an unexpected note … Continued
Read MoreOur Hosts: “Kintsugi Masters”
Have you ever heard of Kintsugi? It is the ancient Japanese art of mending broken objects with gold, silver or platinum. I love the way Kintsugi artists actually embrace the … Continued
Read MoreI Am A Difference Maker!
Have you ever been hijacked by the lie that you are a nobody? You begin to compare yourself to others around you and you think, “What have I ever done … Continued
Read MoreRemind Your Kids They Are Not Alone!
Every summer I went to Boy Scout camp. While I enjoyed the hiking and fire building and working on my merit badges, I often felt a little lonely. Night time was the worst. I … Continued
Read MoreA Siblings Reflections: Words from Chris and Dan
Do you remember the first time you drove a car all by yourself? Do you remember what you were doing and where you were when the planes hit the … Continued
Read MoreMy Three Sons
Brenda and I bought our first real painting for our home in Door County, Wisconsin. It’s entitled “Mischief Afloat” by Pamela Murphy. She is a local artist who collects old … Continued
Read More“Easy Peasy”: Like David’s Refuge
Did you know that the saying “Easy Peasy” comes from the phrase “Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy?” It was coined in the 1950s in a commercial for a Sqezy, a British … Continued
Read MoreYou are loved: No Doubt About It!
I was a very shy boy growing up especially around girls. One word or a question from a member of the opposite sex and my ears would begin to glow … Continued
Read MoreBrenda Pfohl: My Favorite CoFounder
This past Saturday we held our third annual Taste of David’s Refuge. It was an elegant, extravagant, food and fun filled evening celebrating the legacy of David’s life and the … Continued
Read MoreThe Man Behind The Mission
This Friday is The Taste of David’s Refuge. Yes its a fund raising event but it is so much more. It’s a celebration of success, of a life giving mission … Continued
Read MoreFinnsfans
Many of you have asked how Finn is doing. If you are interested in following their journey and want updates please follow them on their new blog at www.finnsfans.wordpress.com. This … Continued
Read MoreGetting the Diagnosis
For the past week many of us have been praying for Finn and his family. Almost daily I think about them sitting down with the doctor and hearing the words, … Continued
Read MoreFinn Needs Our Prayers
Cancer. Just typing the word makes me feel sick. Sadly our dear friends, Dan and BrandiLee Schafran’s little boy, Finn was just diagnosed with a rare malignant cancer called rhabdomyosarcosis. … Continued
Read MoreStress…when things are out of control!
I took a stress test online today and scored 443! When I looked up what this meant it said, “You have a high or very high risk of becoming ill … Continued
Read MoreBecause of you…
I’m sorry but I have to boast about something today. David’s Refuge is where it is today “Because Of” the support, hard work, and dedication of our Board of Directors. … Continued
Read MoreMary’s Meadow B&B: Home Away From Home
Have you ever walked into someones house and thought, “I feel like I’m home?” It smells like home. The stairs creek just like home. The way the table is set … Continued
Read More10 Fitch: Elegance, Tranquility, & Romance
10 Fitch understands. They get it. Everyone needs a little elegance, tranquility, and romance. Ask any guest who has stayed at this beautiful bed and breakfast and they will tell … Continued
Read MoreBitter or Better: It’s Our Choice
Have you ever wondered why it is some people can walk through adversity and actually use it to become better, while others go through a trial and they become bitter? … Continued
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