Well, today the battle to save my dad's left leg ended. The leg was removed from below his knee. On the surface it seems like a loss. But in God's grace it is a new beginning. In God's graciousness, as the infection in dad's foot became life threatening, He brought my father to a place of peace in Himself and readiness to have the leg removed. At the beginning of this battle God chose the best surgeon for my dad. This surgeon has encouraged us to prayer and patience all along. And as he was scheduling dad for the inevitable he encouraged him that this is really a positive thing. He was able to keep the knee joint, so with a prosthesis he will be able to walk again--but without the infections and pain. Even before his surgery, the doctor sent in a man from a group that fits people with artificial limbs. Everyone who works for this group is an amputee themselves. They work with the emotional as well as physical aspects of these situations. And so Dad begins a new journey. I'm sure there will be many difficulties ahead. But God has brought dad through so carefully, I am confident He will continue to carry dad through.