Those who practice the Eleventh Step on a regular basis with a morning "Quiet Time," are well aware of the miracles that can occur as the direct result of listening to, writing down, and following Divine guidance. But, sometimes a miracle is so profound and inspirational, that it needs to be shared with the world. This is one of those miracles.

Bob S., a resident of Dallas TX, had his life changed by the Back to Basics Beginners' Meetings eighteen months ago. Prior to Back to Basics, he had been in and out of A.A. for over ten years.

In April 2001, Bob flew to the Wilson House in East Dorset, VT to meet James H. and Wally P. In the course of that weekend, Bob had a conversion experience. Ever since, he has been actively involved in the recovery process by taking newcomers through the Steps. To facilitate his efforts, he even converted his car into a "Twelve Step Mobile."

In September 2001, Bob helped host a Back to Basics seminar in Dallas, TX. During that weekend, Bob noticed that James' health had deteriorated significantly since April.

During a morning "Quiet Time" in mid November, Bob wrote down and shared the following guidance with Wally P., one of his regular sharing partners: "Bring James to Dallas." Wally relayed this piece of guidance to James. His response was that he was too tired and weak to do another seminar anywhere, let alone Dallas.

On November 21, Bob received additional guidance on the subject. This time he wrote down: "Bring James to Dallas for a medical checkup." During their sharing session, Wally also voiced his concern about James' health. Recently, Wally had called James and found him asleep during midday, the time when James was usually most active.

The following day, Bob's guidance was crystal clear: "Bring James to Dallas for a medical checkup, now!" Bob immediately contacted his doctor, Chris Renna, and found that he would only be in Dallas through the following Tuesday. After that, he would be attending to his patients in Hollywood, CA for two weeks. Dr. Renna told Bob that, under the circumstances, James should be seen as soon as possible.

Bob relayed this information to Wally and Wally convinced James to fly to Dallas on Sunday, November 25. Dr. Renna examined him on Monday and Tuesday. His conclusion was that, although James was otherwise very healthy, he had an irregular and slow heart rate that was causing weakness, fatigue, and dizzy spells. He turned James over to a cardiologist for further examination and left for Hollywood.

On Wednesday, Bob flew Wally to Dallas to help take care of James. On Thursday, the cardiologist told Bob that James needed a pacemaker and blood thinner. He was to forward his recommendations to Dr. Renna for approval. On Friday, James slept all day.

Saturday morning Wally received the following guidance: "James is ill. Make sure he gets the medical help he needs." Then, when Wally tried to awaken James, he found him extremely tired and disoriented. Bob put in an emergency call to Dr. Renna, who responded within fifteen minutes. Dr. Renna explained that, although he had not received the results from the cardiologist, this situation needed immediate attention. James was to be taken to the hospital as quickly as possible. He arranged for Dr Rothkopf, a noted cardiologist, to meet them at the Baylor University Medical Center.

Sure enough, by the time they arrived at the emergency room, Dr. Rothkopf had made the preparations to have James admitted. James was in serious condition with atrial fibrillation and an erratic pulse that varied between 20 and 60 beats per minute.

Dr. Rothkopf set James up for a pacemaker implant on Monday. The operation went smoothly and on Wednesday, James was released from the hospital with a new lease on life.

It is incredible that, for a man of 95 years, the only thing physically wrong with James H. was his "battery ran out." This is quite a testimonial for living a life based on two-way prayer and following the principles of Honesty, Purity, Unselfishness and Love.

On Friday, December 7, four days after his surgery, James was back "life-changing." He accompanied Bob and Wally to the Welcome House, a Dallas inner city halfway house. There James took seven of the residents and outside guests individually through a complete and thorough Surrender (Steps One Two and Three) as it was done in the 1930's.

On December 12, James celebrated his 67th sobriety birthday. James got sober just one day after Bill Wilson and six months before Dr. Bob Smith, the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous. With a new "battery," James just might outlive his aunt who passed away at the age of 102. As James likes to tell it, "She never used glasses. She drank right out of the bottle the whole time."

If you have any questions or need more information, contact Wally P. at the office address, fax number or email address listed below.

Faith With Works Publishing Co.
P.O. Box 91648
Tucson, AZ 85752-1648
(520) 297-9348 (TEL)
(520) 297-7230 (FAX)

Email: wally@aabacktobasics.org