Most of you know that I have been rather busy with medical procedures over the past few months. It has not been exactly what I would call "fun," but it has not been nearly as bad as the doctors said it might have been either.

Though I have fought back problems since my youth, I had always been able to get over them with a little time. During my last 2 trips to the Philippines in Spring 2008, my right hip and back began giving me severe problems that were getting no better. I had already been told by a doctor that I needed surgery on a hip that was shaped wrong from birth and had been fractured -- though I do not know when or how. My thighs in both legs were also becoming increasingly numb.

When I saw the hip surgeon, he confirmed that I had a bad hip problem, but had MRIs done on my hip and back because he suspected a disc problem from his diagnostic tests. The results came back showing I had a piece of bone sticking into my spinal nerve that was causing the numbness. That doctor referred me to a neuro-surgeon.

The neuro-surgeon confirmed that I would continue to lose feeling in my legs if the bone fragment and stenosis was not corrected surgically. He set me up for surgery as soon as possible in early September -- by that time I could only feel from the balls of my feet to my toes on both sides. The surgery was a complete success and I was able to walk easily by that evening. However, within a few days, the pain came back with greater severity in my hip just as the doctor predicted. The pressure on the nerve causing numbness was also blocking much of the pain.

After healing for 6 weeks, I was able to see the hip surgeon again to schedule the needed procedure for the right hip. To correct the whole problem would have required the breaking of my right femur, rotating it 25 to 35 degrees, pinning it in place, allowing 6 months for it to re-grow, then doing another extensive surgery on the ball and joint. In all, that would have meant 9 months of nothing but surgery and rehab. He suggested a second possibility of arthrescopic reconstruction on the ball and socket which would take about 8 weeks of rehab afterwards. As you might guess, I opted for the second procedure. It cannot correct my gait problem, but it has a good chance of greatly decreasing the pain.

The doctor was able to advance me a full month ahead of his normal schedule because he felt it needed to be done asap. It was done on November 4 (yes, I voted first) and I was able to go home the same day. The pain from the surgery has been very mild as it is far less than the pain I was having from walking before the surgery.

As I write this entry, I am on the passive leg movement machine that I must do 4 hours each day. In addition, I have a little more than 3 hours a day of rehab exercises on my right hip. The visits to the rehab center will be twice a week for about 6 to 8 weeks. I was on a walker for about 5 days, but am now on crutches. Yes, while on a walker, I bore an uncanny resemblance to the old man impressions of Artie Johnson and Tim Conway:-).

I am thankful to God and all of the medical help available here in Oklahoma City. As it turns out, one of the best spinal surgery hospitals is right here and the sports medical center for joints that covered our atheletes in the Olympics is also the one I used here in OKC. Of course, my beautiful Leslie as been the best nurse anyone could ever have! So, by the grace of God and some great medical help, I am very optimistic of gaining a full recovery by the end of this year.

I was able to teach my Wednesday night class on Ecclesiastes from a chair this week and hope to do one of the two sermons on Sunday, the Lord willing. My present plans are to make my next trip to the Philippines in late January or early February 2009.

Thank you all for your prayers and concern. May God bless you all and come see us when passing our way!

Meet the new member of our family, Calli! She came our way as a stray and has fast found her way into our hearts. She has limitless energy and a great fondness for pulling toilet paper off of the roll if allowed access to it. Even so, she is a joy to us and helps fill a the void left by Huey's passing last year. Come she her when you can!

When I joined, I thought this would be an easy way to stay in touch, but it has not exactly worked that way. So, let me try to give a post to catch up on our news.

Ryan moved to our place after living in Lubbock for the past two years or so. He will be going to the University of Oklahoma to finish his degree, the Lord willing. It is great to have the "Jolly Joker" back!

Leslie and I just got back from a trip to Minnesota. We visited Leslie's sister, Carol Jones, and her family. Leslie's parents and aunt were also there. It was great to see them. Carol and Richard have a beautiful home and we really enjoyed our stay. Leslie especially enjoyed her sisterhood time with Carol.

We also went up to Duluth to see Nick and Ruth Krumrei. It was our first time to see their log home and it was beautiful. Ruth seemed to be doing much better and was in great spirits as always. We really enjoyed the time to be with them as they have been such good friends for so many years. They have been and continue to be a great blessing to our lives.

The work here at the 84th Street church in OKC continues to be going great. We have excellent elders and deacons, though the preacher could stand some improvement! The congregation is a very evangelisticly-minded group and we feel blessed to be here. We baptized three last week and are thrilled over their decision. The opportunities for studies keep on growing and are keeping us busy. Our new auditorium is scheduled for completion at the end of August. Until that time, we will continue to be somewhat crowded in our seating. Not such a bad problem!

If you are coming our way for worship, we have changed our meeting times. Due to the gas prices and the long commute made by many of our members, we have consolidated all three periods of worship on Sunday. We meet at 9am for the first assembly. At 10am, we have classes for all ages. At 11am, we have our second assembly. On Wednesday evening, we now meet at 7pm with classes for all ages. Please join us when you can.

The work in the Philippines also continues to show great progress. I have made two trips so far this year and am planning a third trip for the Fall, the Lord willing. My hope is to work in the Visayas as well as two places on Luzon at that time. We continue to have open doors to study with denominational preachers as well as many others. Helping with the training of Filipino preachers is also taking a considerable amount of my time there. If you are interested in reading about the work, please read my blog at http://harryosborne.blogspot.com/ which is updated daily on every trip.

Come see us in the booming metropolis of Tuttle, OK whenever you have the chance!

Guess Leslie and I have now arrived near the current century with opening a blog. (For all of you aware of my total lack of internet savvy, you will not be surprised at my novice blunders.) With more of our friends being on pleonast, we decided it was time to give it a try and attempt to stay in touch a little better.

Our work with 84th Street congregation in Oklahoma City is a joy! It is a very active, evangelistic and loving group. We are thankful and honored to be a part of the congregation.

We have been in our new house for a little over a year now. It is on about 3.6 acres in Tuttle, OK. We did the general contracting on it and are thrilled with the way it turned out! Come see us if you are in the area.