Still haven’t gotten the cortisol test back.  Now we’re talking about radiation, which will cause failure of the pituitary gland within four to five years.

Excuse me, but how do you live without a pituitary gland?!

And they just look at me sadly, because, of course, I will not live five years anyway.

Whatever….I have much more faith in God’s predictions than the doctors, much more faith in the verse that says that Jesus came to give us life, and life abundantly.  Perhaps not physical life, but if I am to be one of those privileged to dwell in the presence of God early, than I cannot find fault with that.   I don’t know if there really is a Heaven paved with golden streets, and what exactly goes on there.  But what I have complete trust in is that when I am released from this tired, cranky, sick physical body, I will be ushered into the presence of God to dwell forever.   This is what was really lost in Eden; not innocence, not perfection, not warm weather and fruit trees….but a loss of the presence of God.  God came to Adam and Eve, and walked and talked with them in the evening.   I sort of view this as a wonderful friendship, where your best friend comes over in the evenings to sit on your porch and drink lemonade, and suddenly you do something and your best friend doesn’t come anymore.   And yet, through Jesus, in death, we gain back what was broken so long ago. 

So I do not fear death.  But I would, personally, really like to earn my Ph.D. and move to North Carolina first…