Dear Third Order brothers and sisters, Thank you so much for your prayers on my behalf! My open heart surgery went well, but the infection of the chest incision that happened following surgery was serious and became life threatening. It involved a drug-resistant bacteria that I most likely picked up while in the hospital after surgery through one of the IV or arterial lines inserted in me. Even though the last line antibiotics given to me didn't seem to have any effect while I was taking them, the infection began to clear up once the antibiotics were stopped and the incision is almost to the point of closing up and scabbing over once again. Thanks be to God for his loving and kind mercy towards this sinner in need. This whole experience has taught me that I owe God so much more than what I have given to Him in the past, and thanks be to God that I have the third order to help me learn how to do that. On a side note, it's a little funny how God used appearances to bring about a change of heart in my pastor, who initially was against my joining the Third Order. While in the hospital, I had four IVs and two arterial lines in my arms; following surgery, I also had an arterial line in my neck. So one could say that I was pierced through and through. I also had a whopping 86 blood draws during the two weeks in the hospital, so my arms were horribly bruised from the tops of my hands to my elbows. When my pastor visited to give me Extreme Unction the night before my surgery, he was so moved at the sight of my arms. He said that all those IVs and the bruising reminded him of the image on the back of our Third Order scapular, and he now thinks that perhaps I was meant to join the order this year, and he gave me his blessing. 😉 His change of heart alone seems like a miracle to me, so Deo Gratias, Deo Gratias, Deo Gratias, for all and everything. Ave Maria! Pax et bonum, Tammy (Sr. Rose)