What a whirlwind the last month has been.  I could have posted much more, but it seems there hasn't been much free time available at all.

Amy and I were rather abruptly nudged to consider moving in August when we discovered our rental company intended to raise our rent by about 25% in one year.  Although they came back a few days later with an offer of a much smaller increase, we had already begun looking at other options.  We found a place we liked in an actual neighborhood and in a duplex, rather than an apartment complex.  Our landlord is a friend of ours and my cousin also lives nearby, so although neither of us like to move, we decided it was a good situation to go to, especially since there was no guarantee from our previous rental company that the rate wouldn't jump next year.

So, the move has been the major factor in my silent blog.  We moved in the first weekend of October and are still working to get settled.  Many boxes still sit unpacked in our parlor (yes, we have a parlor...it's an old house), the basement and in one of the bedrooms - the one that has been designated as my baseball card room.  The rest of the house is mostly settled, so we are already miles ahead of where we were for our previous move last summer.

Amy and I also have been part of a team for a Christian Awakening retreat for Holy Cross High School seniors.  We have been meeting for several weeks and that planning has led us to the retreat this coming weekend, sp please offer up your prayers for us, especially the seniors, that God guide us all and that we all come away with our faith awakened anew.

As for my heart transplant goes, I am waiting still.  I have been feeling well and my checkups have been positive.  My most recent was last week.  During my visit, I was again asked to speak to a potential LVAD recipient about my experience with the heart pump.  Although the first time I was asked to do this, I felt a little awkward meeting someone for the first time and discussing this possibility, I have grown to actually look forward to being able to do this.  It has become a ministry of sorts that I can impart my "wisdom" on these people who are facing the same uncertain future as I was just over a year ago.

The other benefit of this is that I come away with the realization that my situation is very much under control and I am in good hands.  It's not as if I don't look forward to the time I receive my new heart, but I see so many people who have a greater need than I currently have and it makes me count my blessings.

One other note to add.  Last week, I took part in a fundraiser for Team Ohio, which is an organization of people who have been affected by organ transplants.  They also support sending recipients to the Transplant Games of America to compete in various athletic events.  This group is also connected to Life Connection of Ohio, which is a donor advocacy group for people in the Toledo and Dayton areas.  There are other group who do similar work in other parts of the state.

This was a great time for me to connect with other people who have faced similar situations as I


have.  There were several organ recipients, including a heart recipient.  The family of a woman who passed away after her second heart transplant, a bone marrow donor and a heart recipient who recently celebrated 17 years with his new heart.

As always, please continue to pray for Amy and me, but also for my future donor, those in dire need of a transplant, and the families of those who will bring hope to others in the midst of their own grief.