Well I'm into day 3 of recovery from my reconnect surgery. I've developed some slight fever and some swelling around the surgery site - which will require some new antibiotics. I'm doing well in the larger areas of attitude and spirit. The drugs are intense but I'm not having many of the nasty side effects like the last time. No set time yet for my return home either. God knows the time - and tho that can drive my controlling mind into a tailspin, I still need to learn to wait - and in due season He will bring it to pass.

Starting my 3rd day in the hospital and things are progressing and the pain isn't too bad. God willing, I'll be back home by Wednesday. My nurses and doc have been great. Still can't eat or drink anything. It can take a few days for the digestive system to wake up after my kind of surgery. That's what I'm waiting for now.

Thanks for all your prayers folks! My ileostomy bag was successfully removed this morning and all the parts are now back together. Now, I just need everything working properly - so please continue to pray!

Less than 48 hours to knife time! Surgery is scheduled for 10:15 Saturday morning. I'm a little nervous about it but over all I'm guardedly optimistic :-)

I'm in Yuma, AZ. for a couple of days, spending some time hanging out with Pastor Chuck Stewart of CC Yuma and his family. Just a neat time talking about his ministry, sharing ideas, and telling lots of stories. Should be back in town late Tuesday to begin my prep for Surgery on Saturday.

Met with my surgeon Wednesday and he said everything looks good for my reconnect surgery next Saturday morning, the 26th. I should expect 3 to 4 days in the hospital with 4 to 6 weeks of recovery time - then rock-n-roll :-) Jesus is my Rock and He rolled my blues away! That's my expectation. 

Hi Folks! Well since last Sunday I've been doing OK - just trying to set a course for the next couple of weeks before my surgery on the 26th. Keeping busy helps the time not drag.

Thanks to all who prayed for my family and I as we scattered Joyce's ashes about a mile out in the ocean, directly west of the end of the Oceanside pier. It was a pretty calm Sunday evening and the two hour journey went well. There were many tears and the ache in all our hearts was still pretty fresh. I shared with my family what I thought might be Joyce's perspective after a year in heaven. What would she say to us who were still on this side of heaven? I'm certain if she could, she would urge each of us to receive Jesus gift of eternal life by putting our trust in His sacrifice for our sins. I could almost hear her say, "You don't want to miss this! It's all more real than you could possibly imagine!"

Today is the one year anniversary of Joyce graduating to heaven! I can't even begin to thank all of you who have lifted up my family and I throughout this tough year. Your prayers and cards and calls and visits have all been the mortar that's held the wall together.

The Lord has been ministering to me out of Psalm 145 the past couple of days. It's a beautiful Psalm about the greatness and majesty of God and the lover of Gods' response to His greatness.