Well, I will see who reads my blog. By this time next week (Sep 9th) I will be in Lancaster General Hospital recovering from gastric bypass surgery. As those of you who know me and have been in my presence -- I am a big man. I have been a big man for years. I was 11lb 4oz at birth! There are probably all kinds of reasons why I am overweight and trust me I have reviewed each one, yet over the past ten years I have tried to have a sustained weight loss and have had little success. Discipline is not my problem, even though I admit having succumbed many times when cheesecake is brought out. The fact is if you have to lose more than 60lbs a conventional diet/exercise routine just does not cut it. I have thought about Biggest Loser, but my ministry would not allow for it. I cannot afford to have a personal trainer/chef move in, my wife would not allow it. The fact is bypass is the best and most effective way to go. The key to it is that it will "trick" my body into thinking that I am not hungry and therefore it will not store fat but use it up. Since March I have been watching what, and how much, I eat and exercising five days a week. By God's grace I have lost 40lbs and the doctors are thrilled. The best case guess, and Dr. Brader is tops in this field, he is predicting another 115-120lbs in a year! I might try out for the Giants as a walk-on as a wide receiver -- I still have great hands! All in all, I will be much more healthy and therefore "extend my days on earth." So why am I doing this? Simple -- I want to see my son graduate from college; be apart of his wedding, hold my grandchildren and get old and cantankerous with my wife! But most importantly I want to bear more fruit...MUCH MORE FRUIT for the Lord. I recognize that God holds my life in His hands and when He wants my life to end -- it will be! But I have the responsibility to NOT shorten my life and living healthy and responsibly. In doing so I get to serve the Lord with my maximum effort and optimum life! So, pray for me next Tuesday....and if you are planning to buy me a Christmas gift - make it cash so I can buy some new clothes!!