Simply Amazing!

What an unbelievable service today! Jesus is alive and we celebrated his resurrection this morning at FBC Hayden. The words to Holly Stewart's song, "My Redeemer Lives" have been playing over and over again in my head since I left.

I was whisked away from Hayden before the service was over and made it to the airport in time to catch my plane to Maryland. Since then, all of the family has arrived safely, and they have left me at the NIH Clinical Center for the night so they can go to the Family Lodge to eat dinner.

Tomorrow at 10am they are supposed to do the surgery to remove this fungal infection from my lung. It is so amazing, but I have very little anxiety. I know that no matter what the outcome is, God is going to be glorified, and that is giving me a greater peace than I can explain. Not only that, but God has continued to put people in my path to assure me that tomorrow's operation will go smoothly. Let me share with you one such affirmation.

After September 11, 2001 security was beefed up at every government institution. What this means for people visiting the NIH is that they have to stop at a security checkpoint and have their bags scanned before they can enter campus. As usual, my cab driver pulled up to the entrance to the NIH and we got out so we could be scanned. There was a large African American gentleman that began the screening process. He saw my ID and recognized that many of my family members had already been through security that day. I shared with him that they were moral support and that I was having a "procedure" done on Monday morning.

I cannot explain it. He stopped what he was doing; he looked me in the eye; and he said, "Everything is going to be OK." Then he smiled at me. As he handed me my visitor's pass to the campus, he caught my eye again and said, "Happy Easter." He may have not meant anything by it, but somehow, I'm certain that my God was using him as a megaphone for His Words. Everything will be fine. God will use my life, my illness, and one day my death to make Jesus famous. What more can I ask for? I just pray I don't get in the way.

Pray for Jodi, Emma, Richard (Jodi's father), Danny (my father), Cindy (his wife), Rachel (My sis-in-law) and Jason (My Bro-in-law) as they are here taking care of each other and supporting me throughout tomorrow. Pray that they will not annoy one another, but will lovingly support and care for each other. Pray that Jodi won't kill anyone!! ;o)

Pray for the Drs tomorrow (Monday) as they perform the operation. Pray that they will be able to do the laproscopic procedure. This procedure is less invasive and requires less recovery time. If they cannot do the laproscopy, then pray that God will guide their hands as they surgically remove the infection by cutting into my back and side.

Pray that God's name would be praised and that Drs and nurses would be amazed. They need Jesus here badly. Pray that we may be His missionaries to Bethesda, MD over the next few days.

Pray for rest for me and a speedy recovery.

I cannot wait to see you all again. I love you all, and hope to touch base tomorrow (Monday).

Happy Easter! He is Alive, that's worth getting up for in the morning!