Our good Christian friend Carol York had surgery today on her back. Her doctor at St. Vincent Hospital explained that her spine was out of alignment and was pressing on her sciatic nerve causing her intense pain. Her daughters, Sandra and Sarah, said she has had this pain for years. But in the last year it has worsened. She is a "trooper" though and has battled through the pain for some time. The doc said he would fuse L4 and L5 using the least invasive means...a few slits instead of one large broad incision. They took her to surgery about 1:45 and she came back to recovery at about 6:30p.m. She may remain in the hospital 3 - 4 days then stay there for rehab a bit longer.

They use some "puppy dog" therapy at St. Vincent and before Carol went into surgery she met "Hank," a Cairn Terrier there. Her spirit immediately brightened! She needs our encouragement and prayers as she mends. I don't have a room number for her yet but calls and cards are always welcome. (Call St. Vincent's patient information to check on her progress.)

IHS,

Roger

Well, it is finally here...1-11-11. I have no idea what all the ones might mean but it's the only time it can happen in a very long time. I know this...Each day is precious and it's our job to make the best of every one God gives us.
With the beautiful snow this morning, it was bound to be a great day! I met a dear friend for breakfast...while it snowed. Then I ran into Grant Hampton...while it snowed. Gail Hancock made Harriett Briles day today by calling her. I think it was good for Gail too because she called me and seemed happy and excited to have made Harriett so happy...and it snowed more. I stopped in to see Judy Willetts and while we visited and solved the world's problems...it snowed. Then when I stopped to check on Carolyn Groschelle...well you know...it snowed. It was a great day. Carolyn has had to put off her hip replacement while she had more tests. She really wants to get back to church, but she doesn't get around too well even with her walker...and then there is the SNOW!!!
When I finally got back to church...it snowed some more...and as long as I can keep my truck "shiny side up" I 'll still enjoy it!!!
Tomorrow is 1-2-11 and it will be the first day of the rest of your life. May you take God with you and make the best of it!

From the Upper Room

The January 3 Upper Room reading was so inspirational to me I have to pass it on to those of you who may not read it.

1 Corinthians 12: 25-26

"All the body's different parts have the same concern for one another. If one part is praised, all the other parts share its happiness."

What an apt picture the apostle Paul gave us when he described believers as being the parts of Christ's body! As with a human body, each of us has our own unique part to play. No one else can contribute what God has planned for you or me within Christ's own much loved and valued body. Lately, I've been needing to relearn this. In our church several gifted people younger than I make a fine contribution to the church's ministry. As I watch and listen, seeing the eager response people give them, my mind is filled with If-only-I-could-do-that thoughts. It's easy to become resentful when instead I could be happy because God is at work through these other members of our common body. After all, when an athlete wins a race, his whole body jumps for joy. You never see an arm or a leg resentfully refusing to share in the celebration.
So it's important for me to celebrate because God's work is being done so well by other parts of Christ's body. At the same time, it's important for me to identify my own unique place and responsibility in the body and to experience the pleasure of fitting in with everyone else as, unite, we respond to Christ, our head.
As competitive as I am, this really struck a nerve for me! May God proudly bless each one of our family who serves to help bring others to or keep others close to our Christ!
IHS,
Roger