Nathan Lake here.  I hope you don't mind me writing; this may be the last time you'll hear from me for a while at least.

Seems I am facing some surgery next week.  Been having problems with my vision; hard for me to see without everything swimming or becoming blurry, making me dizzy, hard to concentrate.  I know I shouldn't be scared; however, you're talking about my eyes.  When it comes to your eyes, people shouldn't mess around.

That's one of my biggest fears:  to become blind, never to see again.  That would just devastate me.  I already have an ugly mug; don't need ruined eyes on top of it.  I mean, I don't want to spend the rest of my life sitting on the street corners, selling pencils or candles, anything to make a fast buck!

I was supposed to have seen the Gaither Vocal Band in concert at our church, but that doesn't look like that will be occurring in my immediate future.  I was also supposed to see the McKameys; they're coming to our church, too, and now I will be home, recovering.  Bummer!

It seems funny but ever since I became saved last year, I have gotten interested in gospel music, particularly southern gospel or black gospel.  Some of the people/acts I've taken an immediate liking to include Albertine Walker, James Cleveland, The McKameys, the Bill Gaither Vocal Band, the Happy Goodman Family, and Donnie McClurkin, among others.  I really have started liking their music!

Now I am faced with the possibility of losing my sight; suddenly the spiritual messages in the songs have taken on a whole new meaning.  I am going to have to rely on God now more than ever!

My family is nervous, too, just like I am, but I think I'm the scaredest of all.  After all, it's MY face, my eyes, they're going to be operating on!  I am scared that they'll find a king-sized tumor sitting there, just waiting to pop or be riddled with cancer; it's one of my worst nightmares I'm currently dealing with, and I'm having a very difficult time right now.

I have been talking to Louisiana and Bill Sandusky; they are on the prayer team, and they've tried to console my fears.  I don't know if I am really listening to them, but I need to.  I shouldn't worry like I am; after all, this isn't the first time I've had surgery on my face.  I've had brain surgery, skull surgery, even mouth and nose surgery, which is probably twenty times worse than what I will be having done on my eyes.  It's not like I've never had surgery before!

Just keep me in your prayers; that's all I ask!  I would write more, but I'm becoming light-headed again due to my darn vision coppin' out on me again, and I need to lie down, try to put my mind at ease!  I don't know when I will write in here again, but hopefully I won't be away for too long! 

Thanks for listening and understanding!

Take care and God bless!  Say some serious prayers for me; I could really use a miracle about now! 

~Nathan Lake.  :(