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Duane Poling, my favorite oatmeal eatin', Sunday School teachin' kind of guy, has
been home on Phillip's Run for several days recovering from open heart surgery at
Charleston Area Medical Center.
Facing unexpected complications from what promised to be a quick surgery,
Duane's health went down hill, causing a hospital stay of 20 days. His physicians
said it was a reaction to medication.
"They called me to the hospital on President's Day. You remember what happened
that day? Trees were down all over the ridge, new snow was falling and the ice
storm had struck in force," he said.
Duane reports his energy level is returning, and Sunday he returned to services at
the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.
He sends this message of appreciation:
 I would like to say thank you to all our friends,
neighbors and members of the Christian community for their cards, phone calls,
food, flowers, visits and their prayers during my recent illness.
I will not attempt to name names, because it would be impossible to do, without
missing someone.
I especially want to say thank you to the Christian community for their prayers.
There is no doubt in my mind, if it were not for them, I would not be here today. I
have no idea how many people prayed for me. For example a man and his wife,
whom I had not seen for 30 years and do not even know where they live, came into
my room one night just to tell me they were praying for me.
I have been told the normal hospital stay for this kind of heart surgery is six days. I
had several complications and had to stay 20 days.
Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
That verse means more to me today, than ever before. On two different occasions
there is no doubt I walked through the valley of the shadow of death. I had excellent
doctors and great nurses, but the Great Physician of all Physicians, was one step
ahead of everybody, leading the way. As I walked through that valley. The prayers of
the Christian people and God's guidance allowed me to survive the walk through
that valley.
Isaiah 40:28-31 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the
everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and
increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men
stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will
soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not
be faint.
May God bless each and every one of you who helped in any way. | 
