Greetings from Austin St.

Happy Saturday! What a wonderful day! Our dear friend, David Russell arrived yesterday and spent the day with Bruce and me along with Bruce’s brother and our sister-in-law from Memphis. Bruce laughed for the first time this week. It was such a great day for family. Suffice it to say that we were the loudest, rowdiest group in the hall. That is no great surprise. He received several cards from friends and a lovely plant for the window sill. Bruce walked three times today for further distances and at his request. The plan is still to come home on Monday.

What can happen in just a few days is so amazing. Just a few short days ago Bruce was in surgery to replace a valve defective from birth and completely entubated. Today he is walking around the hospital floor unassisted (with the exception of his giant heart pillow) and a parade of family following him and cheering him on. I love watching the faces of the staff on the floor as they see Bruce walk by. The smiles and encouraging words are so sincere and genuine. The cool part is that they see this each day and they seem to never tire of watching the miracle of life extended. As Pastor Joel said as he prayed with us just prior to the surgery, this surgery extended Bruce’s life by many years.

It is sort of like a rebirth. When Bruce surrendered to this procedure he agreed to place his faith in the hands of those skilled in the art of healing believing that through their skills the problem would be corrected. As he slept, hands he could not see the hands that were taking away the part of Bruce that was holding him back from living a long and healthy life and replacing it with a new part that is working perfectly that will extend his life for many years to come. Bruce will have to leave some of his life before surgery behind to live this new healthy life.

Our rebirth in Christ is much like this procedure. We, in faith, surrender ourselves over to a God we cannot see and yet trust to heal us of the parts of ourselves that keep us from leading the lives we were meant to lead. We offer our sin, our doubt, our fears, our faults, our love, our gifts and talents and all that we are and ask this amazing God, giver of every good and perfect gift and Master Healer for forgiveness with a thankful heart.

God works His miracles each day with every breath we take and with every beat of our heart. Let us open our hearts to receive the gift of God’s breath, His Holy Spirit and allow His heart of love to beat with joy and thanksgiving.

Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes and in Bruce’s room wear a sweater. Count your many blessings and say your prayers. I am thankful to each of you who have offered the ministry of presence in your cards, your visits and especially your prayers for we have experienced the Presence of God. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis