I Don't Hate My Guts Anymore - Health Update

Rejoice with me!

My surgery on July 29th was a success, and I'm well on the way to recovery.

Today I had my last follow-up visit with my surgeon, and he has cleared me, as I feel able, to go back to work, exercise, and activity.

I still have various post-surgery aches and pains, get tuckered out easily, and need to be careful how I add things to my diet, but I'm feeling much better, have lost 34 pounds, and am happy to have regained a properly working digestive system. (I guess I won't write that book on Resisting Diverticulitis after all).

I have so many things I'm thankful for:

- My remarkable wife who walked with me every step of this difficult Summer.

- Prayerful and caring friends and family. Visits, cards, calls, a load of gravel, help for Heather, and so much more.

- A supportive team of church elders and a congregation that have given me time and space to heal.

- The skillful hands of my surgeon and the expertise of his medical team.

- An amazing set of nurses and aides on the third floor at Dubois Hospital. Today, I dropped off a few dozen donuts to say thanks for their excellent care for me those 11 days I live under their watchcare. They have a difficult job, and they do it with panache.

- Lessons I've learned in the school of affliction. As I begin to feel better, I don't want to forget them.

- These and so much more are my Lord's mercies which are served up fresh and hot each day.

I'm really excited about to getting back into full time active ministry: preaching the word, equipping the saints, shepherding the flock, and making disciples of Jesus Christ.

I know that each day I get is a gift, and I resolve to use them for what really counts--His Kingdom and His righteousness.