Every Day A Challenge, Every Day A Victory.

Wow it has been 2 years since I have updated my Blog. Lot's of changes to mind and body, but the Holy Spirit remains constant with in me. May 17, 2011 I had my forth back surgery. The big "F". They removed the 3 lower disks in my lumbar spine and put in 2 rods and 6 pins in, three cages and some chemicals to do the fusion process. I prayed that I would be ale to walk so I could continue doing the work I love the most.
Being a Chaplain and being able to marry couples. The pain remains but I am blessed.

I am a Chaplain at the American Legion Post and County Levels. I have a wife who loves me and I love her.
I have two children who love me and do not live in a constant fear of me. I have not lost my child like wonder of the beauty in nature. I still take many photos of God's most intricate designs. The Bees and Hummingbirds for instance.

An old demon has resurfaced, one I know all to well but still so hard to fight. My fear of sleep is back. A side effect of the pain and medication's to fight off the pain. I dream of things and times where I could do nothing to save my friend, in another dream the rain of bullets and death that I faced and walked away from but at a great cost.  Things I kept buried and locked away in the recesses of my mind. The meds broke down the barrier's and let the demon's out.

I sleep alone now for fear of lashing out in what sleep I do get. So long the night's are. I read The Word and I pray. Two years I did this on my own. Now I am in treatment for these things and I am not doing this alone any more. For the first time since 1987 I am back in a Church that is filed with great people and Love that can only come from Jesus. I am fully back in The Lords great graces.  I have found a whole new family at Victory Church in Rotterdam, NY. Pastor Charlie,Pastor Jim,&  Pastor Marty, thy preach from the heart and The Holy Spirit. I feel so warm and blessed when I just enter the doors. I go early so I can hear the AWESOME band warm up. Brother Chris, Brother Jim, Brother Tom sound so great together. Then you have Sister Sara, who sings so beautifully and she has 3 of the most talented back up singers too. I was very happy to learn that Brother Chris is a Teacher at my kids High School in Guilderland. I was asked by Brother Chris if I played any instruments, I told him I was once a lead guitarist for a heavy metal band and still have my electric guitar. I was invited to go to their next rehearsal and play with them!

I had not played in decades and it showed, but they have invited me back anyway! I am so grateful for all of these things and people. I hope to attend membership classes in January and Bible study. I just feel like a great weight has been removed.

Be well,

Rev. Craig