Rev. Michelle's Message June 5, 2025

As many of you know, my husband Paco has been in the hospital for the past week, being treated for an aggressive infection in his foot, made much worse by his diabetes. After surgery and multiple courses of antibiotics, he is finally back home with us and is doing well. He’s exhausted, of course, since everybody knows you can’t sleep in the hospital!

First, I want to thank all of you for your prayers, well wishes, and healing thoughts. I also want to thank everyone who came to visit Paco in the hospital. At one point, we had to get special permission to have more than the allowable four guests, as we had a whole table of us by the koi pond—eating, visiting, laughing, and uplifting Paco’s spirits. I know all the love sent his way really touched him and surely made a huge difference in his healing.

And I have to say that I, myself, have been really impressed by Paco’s positive attitude that he has maintained throughout this whole ordeal. Even when faced with the amputation of his big toe, he remained smiling, upbeat, and in total acceptance of what was happening. I kept asking him, Do you really feel this good? and reminding him that he doesn’t have to be strong with me, his wife. He insisted that he was just glad he had gone to the ER when he did and that everything was going to be all right.

Paco clearly has an inner strength and a reservoir of hope within him that has allowed him to stay positive and upbeat despite what must have been difficult news for him to hear about losing his big toe. His nurses told me he was their best patient and everyone has remarked on what a good attitude he has. I know his positive mindset has helped him heal rapidly and deal emotionally with the loss and the changes he will be facing.

Where does that inner reservoir of strength come from? What allows some people to find hope even in the most challenging times? How can we tap into a hope that is not dependent on outer circumstances but comes from our faith in a loving God? Those questions are what we will be exploring this Sunday (and possibly the following Sunday or two). 

To guide my exploration of this topic, I will be using a wonderful book called Looking for God in Messy Places: A Book About Hope by Jake Owensby. As always, it is not necessary to purchase the book, but if you wish to it can be found on Amazon. The author is Episcopalian Bishop Jake Owensby and he is delightful. I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday!

Hopeful Blessings,

Rev. Michelle