Dear Friends,

Thank you for your many cards and messages of support over the last two months.  I am particularly grateful for the food and support given to Stephanie and our children.  Thank you so much.  It has been wonderful to know that we are being prayed for and loved by so many.

For those who might not be aware, on Maundy Thursday I perforated a diverticulum [part of my bowel] and underwent over a period of six weeks 3 operations as well as a number of procedures.  I am now continuing to recover at home.  Around September, when I'm deemed fit enough, I will go back to hospital for another operation that will incapacitate me until after Christmas.

It has been a very difficult time for me.  I have never known these types of pain before.  I am extremely grateful for Stephanie's constant presence, support, and advocacy.  She's held my soul in her hands.  Stephanie, along with my children, has given me lots of motivation to get better.

Sometime in the future maybe I'll share some of the stories from those weeks - the funny and the not so funny.  Though right now I tend to cry rather than to laugh.

Most days Clay either texted, rang, or visited.  I am very grateful for his friendship and care.  Most nights while I was in hospital my friend Jim came and lead the Night Prayer service from the New Zealand Prayer Book.  Those old-come-reworked prayers meant a lot to me, as did his faithful friendship.  I am also grateful to my extended family for their ongoing support.

I have lots of empathy for those of you who have walked this type of path of pain, tubes, hospitals, etcetera.  I don't know how some of you keep going year in and year out living with it.

My love to all the St Matthew's congregation.  I think of you and pray for you all with much love and fondness.  I have every confidence that Clay and the team will guide and facilitate the common life well over the next 8 months or so.

Every day I feel grateful to be alive, to be loved, and to see, feel and experience all the wonderful things around me.  Family, animals, laughter, hugs, sun, sky, good food, friendships.  Life is a blessing, and I feel blessed.

Glynn