Today, we saw God.

On our way to fully realizing our three and one-half month old miracle this morning, early, we are still amazed at the amount of green in this desert valley.

We are so grateful for the safety the Lord provided for Stephanie, Rick, Taylor and Logan as they traveled here this weekend from Oklahoma.  They were delayed on I-40 by several really bad wrecks and bad weather.

At the Tucson VA Medical Center, we waited for Don's pacemaker battery replacement surgery to be over.  Stephanie reading, Logan playing a game, Taylor listening to music and Rick people-watching.Rick shared a story:  Recently, he traveled to Dallas by commercial plane and the lady sitting next to him, turned to him and announced, "You're McSteamy!!"  He, of course, denied her 'accusation,' but she would not believe him and even had someone take her picture with 'McSteamy.'  If any of her friends ever stumble upon this blog, well... there goes her story.  What do you think?  Was she legit or was she 'hitting on' our son-in-law???  Does he look like McSteamy to you?  (OK, so I took a year or two off McMuffin 'McSteamy' on the left.)

OK, enough of this fantasy.  (Just kidding, Rick.) 

Are you ready to hear the 'rest of the story?'  ... the miracle?

When they (surgery team) took Don into the O.R., the pacemaker tech wanted to see what Don's heart would do totally unhooked from the old pacemaker.  (Don't worry, they had him attached to an external pace-maker, if he needed it.)  So anyway, the tech looked at his monitor and said, "Never mind, his pacemaker is completely dead.  So, we know what his heart will do without the pacemaker.  Mr. Baker, I thought you were totally dependent on your pacemaker, but you have an underlying heart rate."  Don agreed that he thought he was totally dependent, also, and had been for over 20 years.  The surgery went perfect; leads (wires) were good and did not need to be replaced; an hour and a half later Don was in recovery with a new battery successfully in place in his pacemaker.  The surgeon and the pacemaker tech came to tell me the good news and then the pacemaker dropped the bomb on me:  Don's pacemaker has been "dead" since December.  He didn't seem surprised about the pacemaker, just glad that Don had enough heart rate to keep him alive until the battery was replaced.  He did explain that Don's top lobe and bottom lobe had been competing with each other causing Don to feel like his heart was fluttering, thus exhausting him, but still pumping enough to keep the blood flowing.  Another hour and a half later and the pacemaker tech goes in to see Don again and check the pacemaker and to test Don's heart rate.  He turned the pacemaker down... nothing; turned it down more... still nothing.  Finally, he noticed Don's condition and said,  shocked, "You're heart is not beating; you ARE totally dependent on your pace-maker!  Mr. Baker, it's a miracle you are alive."

As Rick said, "Today, we saw God."  I have been living with a miracle for the last 3 1/2 months and this park has been listening to a miracle preach every Sunday, sometimes preaching two sermons, like for almost two months.  God is not through with Don Baker on this earth and I am so thankful that He kept Don alive until the pacemaker people and the VA medical system got things straightened out.  Just proves to us that God is in charge and until He's ready for us to go "Home," He will keep us alive on earth.  God also knows that Don and I are having a wonderful time and would love to have a lot more time together.

Don certainly must be doing something good because Satan tried to get him out of his way, but our God is much bigger than anything Satan can throw at us.

Don's heart is now in perfect rhythm and he feels so much better.  Even his color is back!  Besides the soreness at the incision sight, he's a new man and I will probably have a hard time keeping up with him.  For two weeks, he is not allowed to lift anything or raise his right arm above his shoulder.  After that, it's two more weeks lifting nothing heavier than ten pounds. 

We are so excited to find out what God has in store for us to do for Him!

Tonight, great friend, Jack Gordon, prepared homemade deep dish pizza, salad, melon and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for us for dinner.  Logan said, "This is the BEST pizza I have ever eaten!"  From a seven year old.... now that's a compliment!!!  Thank you so much, Jack.  You are the best!

We also got a special treat from Avril who manages the Welcome Center... she was off today and made a carrot cake for Don, made with freshly grated carrots.  So delicious and was enjoyed with hot coffee tonight.  Thanks, Avril, your cake was a hit with everyone!

When we got home from Tucson, Logan couldn't wait to get in the pool....

while McMuffin walked their dogs, Sam and Rudy.

I made a few stops to give this report to a few folks when I went up to the club house to get water and got the above pictures.

What a day of rejoicing we have had.  It's 10:45 PM and my sweet husband is now sleeping soundly.  I think I shall join him as I praise the awesome God we serve.

Now, to you who have been praying for Don for the past months, do you see how powerful your prayers are?  Thank you so much, with all our hearts... no pun intended.  (You got to smile at that one :-))

Much love and abundant blessings to all.  Consider yourself {{{hugged}}}.