Tuesday afternoon I had lunch with John Seybert at Taqueria el Grullense on El Camino in Redwood City. By 2:00, I was really uncomfortable. I was getting all bloated and gassy... I couldn't get in a postition that would make me comfortable. By 5:00, I was miserable, and by 7:30, I was doubled over on the couch, positive that my appendix had exploded.

Laura Kostrikin graciously agreed to come watch the kids so Luanne could take me to the hospital. I spent two hours in the Kaiser waiting room in excruciating pain. Every time I moved, I would have pain that was unlike anything I had ever experienced. I was running a low-grade fever. The pain was generally in the center and toward the right side of my stomach. I had all the classic signs of appendicitis.

Finally I was put in a bed in the ER. They tried to make me comfortable, but I was so sick. I would grab the sheets and moan as these pains would come... like contractions or something. (I have a whole new respect for women who've had children.) The doctor examined me around 10:00 and said he couldn't tell what was wrong. I would have to have a CT scan; he also agreed to give me something for the pain.

The scan was scheduled for 12:30, and my lovely nurse, Janelle, came and hooked me up to an IV. Then I got to experience my first morphine. Nice; very nice. I got three doses as I waited for the scan and then for the results. I dozed a little but. It really took the edge off. The second nurse I had, Marvin, said it was like a margarita right into the bloodstream.

So, the CT scan came and went. I got in a wheelchair, rather dizzy and somewhat groggy at this point, and the took me to Radiology. About an hour or so later, the doctor woke me with the results.

I had bad gas.

Yes, dear reader, I had nothing more than a bad case of gas. Let me tell you, when you're convinced you need surgery and they come back with news like "bad gas," you just want to disappear. I nearly asked them if they would just go ahead and take the appendix out anyway... just so my pain would be somehow validated and I wouldn't be humiliated!

I'm better today. A little gurgly in the tummy, perhaps, but that's about it. No pain, no drama. I guess it made a good story...

A few weeks ago, and unbeknownst to me, Luanne entered a contest co-sponsored by Bethany University and KFAX Radio. The winner would receive two free semesters out of a three-semester degree completion program. The total prize value is approximately $14,000. She wrote an essay about why she deserved the prize, emailed it to the radio station, and only told me about it after it was all said and done, .

On Thursday she got a call saying she was a finalist and asking whether she’d be home Friday night for the announcement of the winner “just in case” she were to win.

Friday night came and we were listening to the radio down in our bedroom. They spent a lot of time talking about the program and hyping up the announcement. Then, about three minutes before they made the announcement, our phone rang. Sure enough, it was for Luanne. Pretty soon they were reading the following essay on the air:

“I expected to graduate in 1995 with my husband. Instead I have been blessed with four amazing kids. I’ve been a partner with my husband in full time ministry, and I continue to see how God is using all the circumstances of my life to continue to grow me into the woman He intended for me to be.

God’s plan and purpose for my life is still being fulfilled, and I believe that completing my degree is part of the process. I have seen first hand the brokenness that consumes our lives. I have seen addictions tear marriages and families apart. I have seen guilt and shame leave people without hope. There is a great need in our communities for trained counselors to help individuals, couples and families walk through the process of recovery and restoration. Completing my degree now is even more important to me then it was ten years ago. It’s not about getting a job or a diploma that demands a higher salary. For me, it’s about being equipped with the necessary education to give hope to those who feel like they are in hopeless situations. People need to know that there is a way out.”

Luanne was so excited! She got to talk on the radio for a little while, and then they wanted to talk to me too… It’s just a great gift, an affirmation from God. I’m grateful and excited for her. I always knew I married a winner. Now everybody else does too.