Slow going

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.

Blessings, Pat

Waiting

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.

Hope all of you are having a blessed day!

In His Arm's,

Pat

No more bag!

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!

In His Caring Arm's,

Pat

Two more days

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 :-)

God has been so good to me! He has seen me thru a tough year and I know He will hold me thru whatever is ahead. Just got to try not to wiggle out of His grip!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Yuma

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.

Blessings!

Pat

On Track

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. 

In His Arm's,

Pat

catching my breath

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.

It's hard to grasp sometimes that a whole year has passed since Joyce went home - and even harder to think that it's been nearly 5 years since the whole battle with her cancer started. For most of those 5 years I have been out of sinc with the pattern of ministry I was used to. I'm so grateful for the patience and support of the church family, my staff and the elders of our church during these uncertain years.

New things are ahead and I am eager to see and be a part of what God has next. I'm meeting this week with another pastor friend who is in a similar position as me. He has turned his church over to his son and is desiring, as I am, to be an encouragement, resource, and help to other pastors and churches in the Calvary Chapel family. So we're meeting to brainstorm how we can work together, along with a couple other guys, to more effectively minister to those needs. Appreciate your prayer concerning that!

In the weeks following my surgery, I'll be posting my speaking/teaching/travel schedule here on this blog - and on a new website my technically challenged brain is trying to develop :-)

May our Lord continue to bless and use each of you for His glory!

In His Arm's,

Pat