Dear friends of Vital Signs Ministries, May 2026
I’m writing the draft of this letter on a cool Tuesday morning from Room 610 on the oncology floor of Methodist Hospital. And, if all works as the doctors hope, it will be the day before Claire is discharged from this place. That would make it 6 days that she has been in their care. But, even as I write this, the doctors have expressed concern about an ugly rash that just broke out on her and so, who knows, her exit may end up being yet another day or two.
This all began with the colon surgery itself last Friday (which was much more extensive and complicated than what they were expecting) and then the challenges of her recuperation. There have been some tough times up here, especially one night when she was suffering from intense bloating and nausea — and another night with a terrible stomach pain. It was a bummer that they were never able to find the cause; but even worse, the pain killer they prescribed was a narcotic that created some weird hallucinations. (“Okay, all you clowns, you’re not even supposed to be in here. Get out of my room!”)
Actually the three weeks previous must be added to Claire’s woes too, because her intestinal problems had been growing increasingly worse as the dates of the colonoscopy and surgery approached. Yet amid the trials, God’s peace and provision were wonderfully manifest. Let me give you a few examples. Our dear friend Kathy Garvey was Claire’s pre-op nurse and she skillfully, compassionately helped calm Claire’s spirit in the prelude to her coming ordeal. Then Kathy’s daughter Reagan, also a friend of ours, was providentially assigned Room 610, making her Claire’s first attending nurse. So cool. And, we are delighted to say, they were the first two of what has been a whole lot of very conscientious, patient, and knowledgeable caregivers. We have enjoyed connecting with them, telling stories that reflect our testimonies, giving away cookies and copies of The Christmas Room, and hearing their own stories as well.
Of course, from our established friends and families have come the most heartwarming messages of love and prayers, flowers and cards and texts and phone calls, and delightful personal visits. Thank you each and every one! Also, the Father’s mercies have been abundantly poured out on Claire and I in scores of tender and memorable moments together: earnest prayers, conversations (both light-hearted and intensely serious), listening to music, playing word games of our own invention, holding hands and walking laps around the ward, and the shared tears of suffering. His rich grace also blessed us with many wonderful bursts of hope and joy and thanksgiving whenever we noted a sign of her recovering strength and movement and function. Thank You, dear Lord Jesus.
You’ve heard me say it over and over again. “Life is hard. God is good. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Let me share just one of these moments. It was Sunday night and Claire was in grievous pain. The nurses had done all they could to alleviate it but it was hovering at a Pain Level 6 with frequent streaks across her stomach taking it up to 8 and 9. I sat beside her bed, holding her hand in the darkness. I prayed over her; I prayed with her; she prayed for herself and for me; and we spread our prayers around in behalf of others who we knew were also facing terrible tests. And one of the songs I played on her phone was one I had just shared a few hours before at the Aksarben Village church service, “I’m Gonna’ Make It” by Sisters. It’s a powerful, beautiful song with striking relevance for that evening. We listened, worshipped the Lord Jesus, and zealously prayed for deliverance or, at least, the strength and fortitude to endure the trial with our faith intact. And we cried together even as we cried out to the One Who holds us in His loving, eternal embrace. What a bond we felt with each other and with our compassionate triune God. Despite the pain and fear which so colored that moment, we will forever treasure it. So, Lord, we ask You to please keep us as humble, as aware of our needs, as dependent on Your kindnesses and empowerment, and as close to You as we were on that hard-pressed Sunday night. Amen.
Okay, now. This is, after all, a newsletter, so let me quickly mention some of the other happenings that made up our April. And, keep in mind, though Claire was nowhere near the pink of health in these weeks, she was involved in almost all of what I’ll relate. What a gal!
* The Aksarben Village church services have gone really well this month with our celebration of Easter being particularly meaningful. We are stretched as well as comforted in this every Sunday outreach and we never regret saying “yes” to that invitation offered us over 5 years ago now. Thank You, Father. And thanks to all who help us make that outreach effective Sunday after Sunday, especially the regular “A Team” — Don, Allen, Ruth, Mary, Deb, and Tom.
* Our regular prayer and pro-life witness in front of Planned Parenthood continues apace. And though nowadays it involves only a few saints, we are convinced that our faithful God still uses our persistent, praying presence (and our colorful, winsome signs) to testify to the sacredness of human life, the stark wickedness of abortion, and the genuine offers of practical help we present to people in need. We believe too that our presence there at the very doors of death is, in mysterious and miraculous ways, being used in the spiritual warfare waged in the heavenlies surrounding us. And finally, we know very, very well that participating in this peaceful, winsome, prayer-centered pro-life witness is a grand blessing to us.
* In April we hosted a dinner for the Vital Signs Ministries Governing Board for our quarterly board meeting. It was a good, encouraging evening which included many prayers for the ministry — and for each other and our families. The month also saw us enjoying meals with many other friends at our home, in the homes of others, in hospital rooms, in restaurants and coffee shops, and at such varied events as funeral gatherings, bridal showers, and fundraising banquets.
* We had a full schedule of 12 “When Swing Was King” shows this past month and, no surprise, we had an absolute blast at every one of them! What a delight these shows are for the residents of senior facilities…and for us. However, I will tell you that we decided to drop two of the places from our schedule. The audience numbers were just too low (as has been the support from staff!) and we came to accept that our efforts would be best served elsewhere. So, please pray with us as we seek to find the “absolutely right” senior facilities to replace these two. In fact, we’d actually like three more!
* Due to increased responsibilities in certain areas of the ministry and our personal lives, (which, I guess, are pretty much the same thing!), I recently resigned from the board of the Business and Professional People for Life.
* Along with being busy on social media, sending out the Top 5 Plus and the Sunday Songs every weekend, April saw me write and post on Vital Signs Blog these articles: “‘The Earth Is the Lord’s’ — Arbor Day vs Earth Day,” “Flying Over the Rainbow?,” and “The Monstrous Crime of Abortion: An Old Testament Perspective. (Being a careful look at Exodus 21:22-25)”
* We were delighted to attend with Bev Weis the fundraising dinner of Gabriel’s Corner, the crisis pregnancy center in Council Bluffs that was celebrating 20 years of service. And speaking of celebrations, we were also delighted to attend with our 28 guests the annual fundraising banquet of Assure Women’s Center as they celebrated 40 years of ministry! Way to go, Assure heroes! We were particularly humbled and touched by Assure’s tribute to Claire and I for starting the work all those many years ago. Wow — 40 years!
* In addition to Claire’s health challenges this past month, I have had a couple of minor matters to deal with. For instance, I believe my cataract surgeries went okay, but they can’t seem to find the proper spectacles prescription to deal with my double vision. So, I’m going without glasses altogether except when I’m reading. That’s not the best but what are you gonna’ do? On a more pleasant note, we were overjoyed to learn that I have developed bursitis in my left hip. Why overjoyed? Because we went in thinking I was going to need a hip replacement! They ended up giving me a shot, telling me to continue doing my leg and back exercises and get back to my long walks, and then they gave me a cheerful “Hey, see you around.”
Okay, I will finish this letter up as we have some visitors coming up to see Claire pretty soon. And late tonight, I will use a speech-to-text program to create a second draft of this letter, then proof it and give it a final edit before sending it out to the printers who, in turn, when the thing is done, will send it on to you!
Blessings to each one,
P.S. The next VSM letter-writing parties will be on Monday morning and evening on Tuesday, June 8 and the next Saturday Book Brunch will on June 27 — the book to be announced soon.
P.P.S. This last bit is being written on Wednesday afternoon. It turns out that Methodist Hospital decided to go ahead and let Claire go! Her rash had started to dissipate and they were satisfied with the overall pace of her healing. Thus, I’m thrilled to announce that Claire is back home!
Again, thank you over and again for each prayer and encouragement. But know that they are all still deeply appreciated as she progresses through what the surgeon believes will be about a 2-month recovery season. Thanks in advance.