To say that I am more comfortable this evening than I was this morning would be an understatement.  I got the tube out of my nose and so far no nausea, which was the hope (and prayer!) I will have way more empathy now for people whom I see in the hospital in the days ahead.

Thanks for “praying at a distance” today.  Nobody in the shape I was in needed company today.  After we get home, we’d love so have you stop by for short visits. 

The kids at church made me homemade cards during children’s church.  Those were pretty special.  The prayers of children have great power.

We spoke with the doctor at Mayo this afternoon.  I don’t think they were all that surprised with the events of the last several days.  The doc said that I was so inflamed that it may be a couple of weeks before things calm down.  He wants us to do everything possible to not have any additional surgery—here or there.  That means clear liquids for a couple of days and then a couple of weeks on very soft foods.  I wonder how Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets taste pureed?  Sure wish I had joined some Biggest Loser challenge a couple of weeks ago.  We don’t know how long I will be in the hospital.

Megan came over after early church and played some music on the computer for me.  One thing I learned this morning was that anyone who tells me that they just stay home from church and watch some religious program on TV sure isn’t watching what was on the cable at the hospital.  Couldn’t find a thing that moved my heart.  Maybe I was looking on the wrong stations.  Then again, do you think maybe I missed being at Daybreak?

Small victory today in the whole scheme of things, but a big victory for someone who was praying for victory.  Isn’t that the way God works?  God usually comes in the small victories long before He comes in the big ones.

Margaret Carter’s favorite verses were 1 Thess 5:16-18

16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Sometimes we find it hard to give thanks in all circumstances.  As I struggled the last few hours of having the hose in my nose, giving thanks came to my mind.  Surely not for the hose, but that I didn’t have a cold or a sinus infection. 

I ought to live that way far more than I do.  Give thanks to God within whatever circumstances.  Even with a nose hose things could have been worse. 

However, I must admit that there was a greater thanks when the nurse removed it!

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