I was blessed to have our family cleric Reverend Vaka Si'i Loamanu come by to give me my sacrament for my birthday. No gathering, no fuss. Just a quiet prayer of thanks with my little family here in Auckland. And my boys (my lil nephews) sang a quiet happy birthday. Life tends to put things into perspective. This time last year I literally had one foot in the grave and was in hospital in a coma with no great prospects for survival. In fact I died once or twice during and in between my surgeries. But God knew better. He reached down and wrenched me from the grave and said "Not today Satan. Not this beloved son of mine". The prayers of so many and God's healing might. And so here I am today. Still in postop but progressing well healthier and happier than I have ever been with what a new future has to hold for me. Paul said it best: 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Today I just give thanks. #SpartanHard #VolcanoStrong #GodsGotThis #TheKingsWarlords #IndestructibleWithGod (at Wanderer's Bar) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDP5-TcB_Pc/?igshid=1okkpvtxahnjy