2014/2015

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year. 2015 is going to be awesome, just watch this space.

Monday

You have to smile at everyone and with everyone. Then make  someone smile which in turn will make you smile. Happy Monday.

Super Hero Buddy

This is the face of 2014. My new Super Hero Buddy. Michael Culp Jr you inspire me and you are thank goodness on the road to recovery.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1034995773193315&l=4fd42641ef

Angels are everywhere.

Every good man has a even better good woman behind them. This is my good woman. She stands behind everything I do, she saved my life, literally, she guides me, protects me and loves me. She is my rock and my soul mate. Thank you Tracey Sandy for being there, for another tough but easier year. 

You hear me talk about what I have achieved but here's something that this year Tracey has achieved. She started a giving tree facebook group and came across a young girl with a child and one on the way. The child that was due was unfortunately going to have health issues. She was asking for kids clothes, so Tracey went and bought her some, even though we are financially struggling ourselves. To date, Maggie, the young girl she first helped has now got a whole bunch of baby stuff from her baby shower and she now has an apartment. All of the woman at the Circleville Nazarene, Stephanie and Allison are amazing as they have changed this young girls life. All started by my awesome wife.

Thumbs Up

So there goes another week. The week started with 101 tests at Cleveland Clinic, today I was back at Cardio Therapy and loved it. Tomorrow I have lots of medical updates and then we move into Christmas week. Today my mum told me that last Christmas was so relaxing because I think she got to put her feet up and didn't have to worry about me. As long as Christmas day brings my kids together and makes them smile then it's all worth it. 2015 is going to be an awesome year, whether I get a new heart or not I am not going to struggle with it. I am going to do everything I can to change the little world I live in for the better. Donate Life, Project H2O Uganda and many many more projects. Happy Friday Eve and be safe in the coming snow storms.

 

Cleveland

On my way to Cleveland again for  heart transplant testing. Fingers crosses that everthing is ok.

New website look!

So hopefully the new website looks good and is easy to navigate. Still plenty of updates but I think it looks awesome.g

My New LVAD Video Blog Channel

Come and check out my channel on youtube.com

Share it, like it and SUBSCRIBE to it.

It's basically for LVADers but it might allow you to see into a bit of my world.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClOPJZpPsXRF_bWFk58YSGg

Mark

Cardio

First day back to cardio therapy was pretty good. A little short of breath, crunchy knees due to the degenerative affects of critically low calcium. But overall I feel good. Still very drained and honestly the cold air this morning took my breath away. Hopefully I can relax and get a good nights sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a good day.

Hump Day

So it was a bit of a hump day, I felt drained, my driveline exit has a slight infection and it's cold. Tomorrow I start cardio therapy again and I have to start focusing on my future. Mentally it's tough but I have a lot of people supporting me.

Just made my first LVAD STRONG youtube video blog so hopefully that'll keep me busy.

Last night I was honored to receive an award for the time I've put in this year with Donate Life but really it's about you, you could need a donor tomorrow, so any awards or dinners or t-shirts can't mend the lacking support that the word has for Donating Life! It's a tough thing to ask.

I missed Feed the Flocks appreciation dinner tonight but I really didn't have the energy. For now it's time to do some updates and get to bed.  Mark

Bloody nose

So my nose wouldn't stop bleeding and I had to go to the hospital just to make sure I didn't bleed out.
Home now but my nose is full of dry blood.

Rainy day

On my way to Cleveland clinic just to make sure all is ok. Miserable wet drive but thanks to my wife Tracey Bowling Sandy and Lori Bowling McClarren for making the day a little less stressful.
Pray for my little best friend joshua as he had tears this morning because he didn't want his dad to go and he was worried that I would be kept in hospital. I left the school with tears in my eyes.

I have so many things to worry about but why stress myself with worry when it'll all be resolved by patience, faith and hope.

The lord has got me this far and with his guidance he'll get me even further.

Have a safe day everyone.

Mark

Pumpkins

Here's my new pumpkin. Isn't it awesome.

Happy donate life halloween

http://youtu.be/1TxZRSpZpp8

Click to watch my happy Halloween message...

Halloween

Another downtown circleville trick or treat.

Getting wet

Getting wet sounds very dull and soggy but in my life it is not refreshing but dangerous. Two years of not walking in the rain is to most a wonderful thing. For me I dream of rain, oceans, pools and a proper refreshing non hindered shower.
Thank you lord for the courage to walk in the rain shower with a very thin poncho on.

Photo bomb

This is what happens when you take a photo at the zoo, a gorilla will photo bomb the photo!

October 2nd.....

The trees are turning from rich greens to oranges, reds and brown. The leaves are fluttering down to earth with such grace and the branches now are naked and exposed.

For the first time I look at every tree that God has put in front of me. The life it brings, the sounds it creates and the beauty of its presence lives amongst us in a type of silence. They are everywhere and they are part of our life. The lord as created an amazing growing organism, right here, right now. We tend to miss them, not notice them until you get to realise that all this is not promised. I find beauty in everything, especially gods creations. 

Happy Thursday and enjoy the times of changing seasons.

#love #faith #hope

Just a simple conversation with a stranger may change their day for the better. Make someone feel goos about themselves.  We are all beautiful,  we all have a soul and we all need a hug. Change someones life today.
#lvadstrong

Summer

Who ever said summer was over lied. It's a gorgeous evening and I am loving life. God bless my lvad, my family and friends and my awesome faith. Wishing you as much happiness.

Church speech

If you think your church congregation would be inspired by my story please send me an email. Here's my speech if you'd like to listen. http://youtu.be/Pu8Z1GYCDdQ

Global t-shirt sales

It's awesome to get an email from a happy t-shirt customer, but even more awesome when they live abroad, in Germany.

I got a thank you email this morning which was great because there's nothing better than knowing you've made someone smile. My t-shirt designer Brad Osting sent the package and we took a loss to get it there by air mail but it wasn't really a loss. This is the point of my shirts. What money we do make it goes to the charity, what money we need to help some one embrace their LVAD is priceless.

Have LVAD day......oh and it's national cheese burger day, just saying!

Sunday

Hoping that this coming week is full of energy for me. Felt sluggish and yucky today. 

So I am sitting out on my back porch watching the birds catch the last of the bugs as the sun sets at 7.56pm. It's cool, it's pretty awesome because I hear the bugs and frogs and other little creatures calling out their dusk sounds. 

So this weekend has been strange as we as a couple feel like we get judged or we do things that others don't approve of. Myself and Tracey are very hard nosed people and tend to do what we thinks right. I apologize if we offend or have offended anyone before. We don't do things annoy, upset or make arguments, it's just the way we are and I guess that's why we married each other.

On that note, be safe and love one another.

Website

Just finish a total update on the website. It's very frustrating when my laptop shuts down half way through updates but when you have no other options, The Lord looks down and tells me to be patient.

INR

In for a blood check up. Didn't help that I had nose bleeds all morning.

Hospital

The cool thing about being sick is you get to learn about your body. Good and the bad!

Bucket challenge

Check out Joshua's ice bucket challenge and my #donatelife awareness in the background http://youtu.be/WYikiPYEUYM

Me on stage

Check this video out of me on stage http://youtu.be/04oAfIbiNA8

Hospital again!

Prayers please

Check out @DonateLifeOH's Tweet: https://twitter.com/DonateLifeOH/status/495206093099122688

Uganda

On the 27th of July 2014, my good friend Brenda Palm is leaving for Uganda. She will be surveying the well site, meeting the villagers and basically living a simple life for 10 days. This trip is being paid for by herself and she's not staying in any kind of hotel, motel or bed and breakfast. This is the real deal and I take my hat off to her. Doing something like this on your own is either crazy or you have a passion to see the goodness in life. Before she leaves I am going to set her up with a blog page and it will be viewed from heartofmark.com 

Stay tuned.

Lvad

If only I could spend five minutes in there

Be back soon

Currently on vacation making memories. Tomorrow isn't promised so live for today.

American Clothes

You've got to read this. 

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/12/10/247362140/the-afterlife-of-american-clothes

Train

I hate getting caught by the train in circleville.  Being a circle youll always get stuck

Pumpkin

You always know when you're In circleville!

Sick

I've been sick, nothing serious,  just a cold but a cold with an LVAD is so much worse. Hoping its near the end.

Project Uganda

Project H2O Uganda update. We need your help. www…: http://youtu.be/etiZ0NvhK78

Go England

I love the USA but I have to support my home team England in  this 2014 World Cup. I pray they do well but the world football giants are going to play awesome this year. Go England.

Blog

I wish I had a more reliable laptop to keep my website updated. But for now, this will do.

Sunday

Happy Sunday has brought happiness.

Donate life

Proud to be wearing this t-shirt. If you're not a donor then I can help you decide.

Monday appointments

On our way to my columbus dr appointments. Raining and storming.

Church

What an honor to stand in front of a congregation and spread the word of The Lord. Thank you to Real Joy Community Fellowshilp, Chillicothe. 

Buddies

Last day of school photo. How life changes from when he used to look forward to this day, now he dreads it because he'll miss all his friends.

Church

Today I get to speak at a church. Wish me luck.

Saturday

Its been a good day celebrating graduations,  family in town and good old chit chat with awesome friends.  God is great.

FB update

I am no disciple, I am not selfless I am just like anyone else that would be put it that same situation. I have a wife that is 100 times more patient, giving, wonderful than I'll ever be. I was the blessed one that went through a miracle of life and change but she was the one that had to sit and watch a tragic tale. Walk in our shoes every day and it's not perfect, live my wife's struggle of health and family and I know you'll want to go back to your life. I still have to stop myself being judge mental and have to learn more about the bible. I am at the very start of chapter two. Our marriage is a hard and for Tracey a very trying time. We argue and disagree but eventually we see eye to eye. I couldn't do this without Tracey in my life. I am blessed to have her as one of the pieces in my puzzle of life.

I didn't step down because I had to, I stepped down because it's not my time and myself and Tracey agreed that our decision is what any Christian would do. Thank you to everyone that has prayed for this situation and please pray for the families of both the donors and recipients that are part of this story. Mark.

Friday

Just because your Friday is payday, or it's the end of your week, it's not everyone's happy day. So make it a happy day for a stranger.

Heart transplant

I have stepped down for a couple of weeks allowing another heart recipient to have a chance. It's all in gods hands.

A heart

Another eventful day. More heart transplant news coming soon.

Hot weather

Is it really that hot? Imagine being thirsty and hot.

Praise

Church or not, just rejoice something this weekend. Preferably Jesus. 

Happy Friday

Food poisoning

When something doesn't smell or look good before cooking. Don't eat it.

Amen

The t-shirts look awesome. Now all we have to do is sell them.

T-shirt

After some glitches I think we have a fully functional store.

LVAD

Love our new LVAD shirts. Now I can sell them and raise some money for some awesome causes. 

Praying

Wishing I could find a high paying fundee for H2O Uganda. I feel like I'm letting Francis down.

T-shirts

T-shirts are ready to purchase from me & online

Video

Making a new video

T-shirts

Excited to see the shirts arrive and be able to start raising funds.

Christ has risen

Blessings to you all in this time of rejoicing

H2O Uganda t-shirts

Proceeds of the shirts will go to building a well in Uganda. Look out for order forms. Coming very soon.

Donate Life

Don't forget that April is Donate Life month.

T shirts

LVAD t-shirts available soon. Profit goes to the H2O fund.

Peace

Today I found peace. I hope you can.

Journey

My journey so far is awesome. Chapter 2 of life is very awakening.

Happy Friday

Everyday should be as happy as a Friday.

Harmony

Live in harmony and sing in harmony.

Waiting

There's nothing worse than waiting, but it will be worth the wait.

Not alone

You're never alone when you have The Lord in your life.

Saying goodbye

Today a family friend is remembered and his family can say goodbye. Rest in paradise Bill

Day after Day

It's a scary thought to know that someone has to die to be able to save my life.

Great News

Scientists say they can take a pigs heart, clean it, add the patients stem cells and create a beating human heart

Ireland

Happy st Patrick day Eve

Weather

What ever the weather, it's just weather!

Wednesday

Happy hump day.

Join FB

Come and join my Facebook group by clicking the Facebook button.

Smiles

If you haven't done it this week, make someone smile.

Steps

When you take a step, don't forget to step in front of the next step.

Sunshine

Always make the most of sunny days because you'll need the memories on rainy days.

Life

Life looks so much brighter with your eyes open.

Monday

Happy Monday to you. May you share your riches on this pay it forward day.

Uganda vs OHIO

Sunday

A time to rejoice and thank The Lord.

Happy Valentines day

Remember those less fortunate than you, but still manage to share incredible love.

Cardio therapy.....

Missed two sessions so today's session was like a marathon run!

Check out the project page with new Uganda photos.

feed the Flock returns

Back to Feed the Flock this afternoon. The last two weeks were snow days, so it's nice to get back into it with the kids. 

I felt yucky this morning and really didn't want to do this, but when I think of the kids and hear their voices, well they inspire me. 

Got an awesome letter and photos from Uganda today which I will be posting on my website tonight. There are so many photos that I have to design a whole new page and you'll going to love Francis and three others doing the O.H.I.O

Have a wonderful rest of Hump Day. 

Mark 

Feed the Flock

An awesome program of education and mentoring. Every Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran.

Kid President

Do a google on Kid President. He is awesome.......

Inspiration

Who have you inspired lately?

Awesome

Tell someone tomorrow that they are awesome. High five someone just to make them smile. 

Thoughts?

How's your day going? 

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Faith

Faith chose me and now my journey begins.