Yup, I came THIS close...

You may remember that while I was in the hospital, I needed a haircut really badly.

So one of my first agenda items back home was a visit to my friend Jason, at Ultimate Barbers in downtown Mandeville.

Jason always does a good job, and this time was no different, except that he had to navigate carefully around my incision.

Another important item on the agenda was resuming our regular exercise program--walking.

In case you haven't met her, I'd like to introduce you to my walking companion, Erlinda. She's my companion in most things I do, actually.
One of my friends, in an e-mail to me recently, referred to her as my "giant of a wife." You probably know that she's not nearly as tall as I am, but she outstrips me in service, self-sacrifice and more. Did I mention that she's a sweetie? I love her.

Before walking, I usually enjoyed a man-sized meal. In the first couple weeks, the meal included items like these.

Great breakfast, huh? Cereal with raisins sprinkled in, a banana or two, and a set of pharmaceuticals.

These were all prescribed medications, let me hasten to add.

At first, I couldn't walk very far, and so Erlinda provided a little folding chair so I could take a break wherever and whenever I wanted to.

Sometimes Mom and Aunt Lydia walked with us. Here Aunt Lydia is giving me a comforting hug after I paused for a breather.

I have a feeling you were waiting to see this shot.

The incision looks quite a bit different from the last time you saw it in the hospital, right? Thank God for healing.

This was taken on June 20, three weeks after my release from the hospital.

When we walked, Erlinda liked taking pix of me beside beautiful sights, like this tree, almost covered with purple blossoms.

In a little while, it would be completely blanketed in purple.

Here's a shot of the group of us on our morning walk.

You'll notice another face among the crowd. It's Avonie, Erlinda's sister, who was visiting from Toronto.

Apparently, she needed sunglasses to guard her tender eyes from the morning sun.

When we got back from our walk, I shot Erlinda and Avonie in Mom's garden.

Then came Sabbath, June 26, and I caught Aunt Lydia and Mom out in the driveway, waiting for Erlinda to crank up the car.

Yes, Erlinda is my official chauffeur right now, since the image from my left eye doesn't line up with the image from my right, and driving would be hazardous.

When we arrived on the University campus, we were greeted by the sight of poincianas in full bloom, a sight Erlinda and I hadn't seen in some years.

I asked Dr. Teran Milford and Mr. Maxwell Smith to pause on their way up the hill to the sanctuary so I could grab this beautiful shot.

This photo may be a little nostalgic for you if you're a former NCU student or teacher.

The good old auditorium is still standing.

There have been a few alterations, like the typing room now being part of the chapel, but essentially it's the same as in years past.

Looking from the auditorium down towards the northern end of the campus, you can see the "White House" on the left.

We used to call it "Old Maids' Cottage," because several single ladies lived there. It's recently been renovated, and is now the location for the President's office.

In the center is Jamaica Hall, the ladies' residence, and on the right is Sorenson Hall, the cafeteria. I think you recognize the lady in the foreground. I never get tired of photographing her.

We asked a passing student on her way to Sabbath School, to take this picture, and she was kind enough to agree.

Notice the palms, pines and poincianas behind us.

Trust me when I tell you that God selected the location for the good old "College on the Hill." There's no place like it.

On the inside, we were treated to the presence of a team from La Sierra University.

They were in the island to carry out an evangelistic series, and to help with the completion of a youth campground in the parish of St. Elizabeth.

The team included a trio that led out in the praise singing for the service.

We enjoyed their singing, as they presented special music during the service.

We also appreciated the message presented by Dr. Dan Smith, pastor of the La Sierra University Church.

This was my first time in church since the incident more than six weeks earlier. It felt great to be back worshiping the Lord again in His sanctuary.