I had an enlightening time today as I recounted the past six weeks with my therapist. One key element he asked me to recount was how the doctors and nurses responded to me while I was in the hospital. First, there was the way that I faced the ups and downs with a faith and resilience that was evident. Second was the way I handled the ups and downs with grace and acceptance. 

As I faced a long delay in going home, I was so encouraged at how the nurses and doctors began rooting for me to get the keys to leave the hospital. At the same time, they didn’t want me to leave. In fact, a couple of nurses took extra shifts in order to be “my” nurse. One nurse actually worked five nights in a row so that she could give me her individual attention. Another nurse gave me a hug when I was released, and we both cried to know I was FREE and able to go home. They told me that I was a kind, courteous, and caring patient, and in a place like a hospital where people can be uncomfortable, angry, and out of control, that I was a bright light. 

I’m not trying to toot my horn, but my therapist wanted me to hear the positive in what they were saying to me through their words and actions. He said, “What they were witnessing was the years of soul-work you’ve done in spiritual formation to let Jesus transform you.” Did you know that our circumstances do not automatically lead us to maturity, but they reveal our spirituality?

Folks, this was what God did in me even though I was suffering from pain, inconvenience, and being out of control. I was not hearing from God. I felt that He was distant or absent. And yet inside I knew His assurance – as we talk about so often – that God is near. He never leaves our side.

I am excited to say that I am moving onward to the other side of the valley in my recovery from all I have been through. I do get to have one more procedure on Tuesday, December 14, in San Francisco to remove a stent that was placed in my “new” esophagus during one complication they encountered during my surgery. Please pray that all goes well, and that I am able to complete my recovery regimen. I love you and am so grateful for your prayers, care, and support. One last thing, I hear through the prayer channel that there are many people in our church who are dealing with cancer. Will you join me in bringing all of these to the Father in prayer? Especially Linda Wilbur, who will have surgery on December 22nd.

Here are some upcoming opportunities to SHARE LIFE and SPREAD HOPE to our family and community. 

HOLIDAY SERVE OPPS are in full swing. Let me encourage you to go to our website and look at all the ways we’re serving our community this holiday season. Even though the baskets and stockings are all due this week, our community has many places where we can serve and help. People tell us with deep appreciation that our engagement really boosts the hopes and spirits of those who are in desperate situations in these challenging times. 

It’s YEAR-END GIFT time and I want to encourage you to give a special gift to our church as an act of worship and appreciation to God for how He has used TCC in your life over the past year. The beauty of this giving opportunity is that it allows us to generously serve even more people throughout the year. You can get more information on our website. 

Our next BABES WHO BRUNCH, for young adult women, is December 18, in the church lobby. This group is just one example of how we continue to work to engage the next generation in the life of our church. Will you please pray with me for the success of this group? We are committed to seeing God use us to reach the young adults of our community. 

THIS SUNDAY we continue our Advent series by focusing on a really cool aspect of this series – GIVE MORE. I think you will be surprised at the application of this series and how the best gift we can give to others is the gift of ourselves. 

Here are the links you’ll need to prepare for Sunday’s Service: 

• Message Notes and Study Guide
• Weekly Spotify Playlist
• Children's Ministry
• Student Ministry 

Joyfully living everyday life on mission in intimacy with Jesus and others,

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