The Hospital & Surgery

To summarize my surgery - My brother Bill, came from Texas to be with Diane and the girls for the surgery. He was a blessing - Amy commented that "he was a real anchor for us today, holding us together." Bill prayed with the family and read scriptures to them on God's provisions. The surgery went well, as Doctors tell you. I had some of my colon removed along with some lymph nodes and a mass in the upper part of the abdominal cavity.

I don't remember much of that day, but was told that every time a nurse came into my room to check on me, I told them that "God is Good and He is taking care of me." Before everyone left that evening, they all stood around my bed and we prayed and sang the song "Jesus Loves Me" with my brother Bill leading. A nurse told Diane later that night that she was out in the hall and heard us singing. She said that was her grandmother's favorite song, so we were being a testimony for God and didn't know it.

Our good friends, David & Susan Ray, were there that evening and Dave later told me he had never been to visit someone in the hospital after surgery to pray for them and to have the patient pray too. God is really good to us, all the time.

I am often reminded why I came to Florida and how the miracle happened. I am thankful for the change that happened in my life- I sold my business in Texas and was moved to Florida by the leading of God. I was called to Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater as associate pastor and felt God's hand on a ministry where many lives were changed. I thank God for the memories of the call and the confirmation of that call by Pastor Bill Anderson and of working with Single Adults and leading the Outreach Ministry - seeing many lives transformed by the power of Christ's love. This was a time of being close to the Lord and of knowing His hand on my life. I have many treasured memories and friendships of these times.

I am trying to learn from this valley in my life - it is an opportunity of change and renewal. It is my opportunity to trust God and to draw close to Him and to learn everything He wants to teach me through this experience. I am trusting God to change me and bring me close again, heal not only the physical but the spiritual and put me back in active duty. Great is Our God!