Hey, all. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, I've been MIA for awhile. Sorry, about that, but I am at a difficult crossroads in my life. It is not that I am trying to solve the world's problems, or even whom to vote for in the election. It is much smaller than that, yet, much bigger to me. Hence, the title...

     Where do I go from here? Do I close the chapter on the old heart? Do I simply continue the story? Have I pretty much said all there is to say? If you do choose to respond to this, don't blow smoke. I don't need attention, I want to contribute to the future. How best can I accomplish that? If you can't respond, can you at least pray for God to give me direction? To be completely honest, my everyday life is pretty boring. After being "sick" for the last three years, a little boredom is not the worst thing that could happen. The fact is, God has played such a central role in my life, and, I need to grow even closer to him.

     Sadly, though, that is not the case. Since the transplant, I have struggled with my faith. I know, it sounds so silly. I know, that he brought me through what was easily the roughest time of my life. I know that he is real, and that he is waiting for me in heaven. So why am I fighting what I KNOW to be right? What is holding me back? Please don't state the obvious. I know that every day is a struggle against the devil. I know that he can get into my head, and play games with my faith. What I don't know, is, how do I let go? How do I "take my hands off the wheel"? I can sling cliche's with the best of them, and, as I previously stated, I DO believe what I say. I just do not know how to not be afraid. I WANT to give my life completely to God, but how do I do that? Many of you are pastors, and men and women of great faith, so  I am taking the advice of Jesus, and "seeking the council of my elders."

     I am excited to say to you all, that my time in MN has ended. I will  continue to go up there for appointment.  It will be once a month at first, then, once every three months, and eventually once a year. It is kind of like being a kindergartner (yes it is spelled correctly) on that first day. There are no mechanical devices in my body to bail me out if I get into trouble. The safety net is gone. I have anticipated this, since this whole process began, but it is so surreal that but now it is finally here. I am not going home on a weekend pass, or for a visit, but to continue my life. I don't want to go back to my old lifestyle. I have been given something that most people never receive. A second chance.  "Life is not about the destination. It is about the journey."

     Tomorrow, I will travel to Rochester for a full day of appointments on Tuesday, beginning with my RV biopsy. (RV is not a reference to my camper, it means right ventricle.) I will be heading up there tomorrow (Monday) afternoon, and spending the evening in a hotel room. I just can't believe that we have made it to this point. Tuesday will bring my final release, assuming all goes well. Then, it is back home, with no more excuses. It is time to re-start life. Where does this road lead???

    God bless, and I love you folks.

Isaiah 43:11-12
"I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed -- I, and not some foreign God among you. You are my witnesses," declares the Lord, "that I am God."

     Yesterday, I had the perfect opportunity to witness to someone who I thought needed salvation. I had just come from the operating room where I had an Angiogram, a biopsy (Scored another "0" rejection), and an intraveinous ultrasound", when I saw a guy and thought, "this guy could benefit from hearing about the lord."  How arrogant of me! His "look" was that of a shaved bald, earring wearing man, with tattoos. I jumped right in talking about how God had saved me and the medical miracles he had placed in my life. He politely nodded his head as I made my "pitch" and I was becoming bolder by the second. There was another nurse in the room, and I thought maybe I would get a "twofer". How arrogant of me!

    He kindly began telling me what his tattoos meant. You see it was Tweety (his nickname) smiling in his cage, safely, with a golden chain leading to nowhere. Then beside that was Sylvester trying to get at him as usual. (his tail happened to be on fire) He patiently said to me, "Sylvester here, with his tail on fire, represents Satan, trying to get that soul inside that golden cage." Tweety is us, inside that protective place (salvation) and fully safe. The chain on the cage goes into heaven to show that I am anchored to heaven, and it cannot be broken"

      I think I began my witness because I arrogantly thought that I could get extra credit in heaven by "saving" this wayward soul, and ended it by realizing that I had sinned against God by judging that man under the guise of doing the lord's work. I have been changed yet again. for the better. Praise God!

     That was a short letter I wrote to a sister in Christ, and thought I should share it with all. I think it pretty much explains itself while teaching a lesson we learned when we were very young. Didn't we? NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER! Is there a chance, that I maybe missed that day? Did I not judge this man and say "this man needs to hear about God"? What do you suppose he thought about me? I have tattoos, a goatee, ETC. Do I LOOK like a Christian? What exactly does a Christian look like?

     This beautiful Christian lady told me that maybe we were BOTH there with our flawed (by the standards of some) appearances to witness to the other nurse who was in the room. Wow! Do you see how we all fit together to form the body of Christ? We all play a part, and none is more important than another.

     Now for the medical news. All is good, Goodbye, turn out the lights on your way out. See ya all later....

     Okay, okay, you want details. I'll be brief. because most of you are reading this at "work" (in lieu of actually working) Yeah, I know about that. Here Goes. All of my test have ruled out most of everything. The spot on my lung has disappeared, and I Don't appear to have any cancer from my head to my toes. They think that maybe I have some sleep apnea, and some minor heart issue that could hamper breathing. Nothing to get worried about. So far all the news has been very good, and I continue to feel pretty well.

     Yesterday, I had an appointment for what I thought would be another routine biopsy. Boy! was I wrong! I returned home with, at my best count, 5 holes that I am pretty sure I didn't have when I left the camper yesterday morning. They had neglected to inform me that not only would I have a biopsy, I would be treated to an Angiogram, and an intraveinous ultrasound as a bonus prize. HUH? It is funny, they tell me this after I am pretty much committed to being there for awhile. I really don't mind, so much, because they are thourough, and when I leave here, there will be no stone left unturned. I will have a clean bill of health, and that is important. So today, I am sharing this with you, with an agitated heart (which is normal for the day after) and a thankful soul for the spiritual, and medical revelations from yesterday. So far, all is well, and as always, GOD IS GOOD!

    Have a great day, and next time Open that book, there might just be something beautiful inside. God Bless, and all my love.

                                                                                                                                                                Mark