CROWN POINT | Penny Crnkovich met her future husband, Mike Sirbas, at Omni 41 Health and Fitness Connection more than 20 years ago. Not surprisingly, the Hammond native taught the lady from Crown Point how to play racquetball.

"He's always been interested in sports," Penny said. "He's always wanted to teach people games."

Their love grew into a family of three. James, a son from a previous marriage for Mike, was joined by Penny Jo, now 17. Then, along came April, who is a 12-year-old pitcher in the Crown Point Girls Softball League.

The C.P.G.S.L. was the family's second home after they moved from Lansing to C.P. about seven years ago.

Penny and Mike celebrated their 20th anniversary last October. But their lives completely changed in January, when Mike was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. He was given a year to live.

"If we didn't have faith it would be unbearable trying to get through some of life's situations," Penny said. "God is good all of the time. He has a plan for everything he gives us. We have had a lot of good come from this. The love of our family and friends. We have a lot of people praying for our family. We are so thankful."

The illness has caused Sirbas to stop coaching the countless teams in the league. But he still umpires about eight games a week, just to be close to the game and his girls.

"Sometimes when he's feeling sick, I wish he wasn't out there," April said. "I feel like he should stay home, but he won't. I don't want something to happen to him when he's out there. When he feels better next year, I'll feel so much better."

April is proud when he walks into her room and she's cleaned it. It makes her feel better, she said. And when they watch television programs that are tough for a youngster to understand, like CSI, he connects the dots for her. Every Sunday, Mike picks April up from her classroom in the basement of their church.

These things make her smile, even in a storm.

"He's involved in church and I like that about him," April said.

For Penny Jo, it was teaching her to take care of herself. Because of his leadership, she can change the oil in her car and fix a flat tire. She also recently changed the brakes in her car, thanks mainly to knowledge imparted by her dad.

"He's taught me about responsibility and self-respect," said Penny Jo, who played softball for Crown Point High for two years. "He still goes out and does so much. And he never complains. Never."

Mike still works as a maintenance superintendent in Lowell, after doing the same job in Chicago for 20 years.

His son James made Mike a grandfather on June 1, when Kaley was born.

"He wanted to be here and be healthy," Penny said. "He was very happy to hold that baby girl and spend time with her.

"We are all very glad he's still here and that he is still in God's hands."