June 23, 2009

Thank you to everyone who came to the party last Saturday.  My family felt loved and blessed.  We enjoyed the conversations.  Thank you to Dave and Karen Robinson for hosting; Kathleen and Bruce Richard for organizing; Kevin Oshiro, Jonathan Moe, and Ed Brinskele for music; Bruce & Ladonna, Father Tom, Dave Cobia, and Mike & Brenda for speaking; to everyone who wrote a name on a stone.

I feel like I’ve taken off my old coat, and put it down, and I’m putting on a new coat. I felt sad going to the party, like I was wearing my old coat, still wanting to do ministry the way I have for 25 years … same old familiar way.  I put my coat down.   It’s a transition to what’s next.

June 1, 2009

From Sunday, May 24, to the following Wednesday, I was in the Hospital.  Testing
showed the presence of bacteria in my blood. Further testing showed that I have  endocarditis, a tiny bit of infection on my heart valve.

I started IV antibiotics, and Valerie and I will continue antibiotics here at home for four weeks.

I have lots of follow-up in the next few weeks with my regular doctor, an infectious disease specialist, and a cardiologist.