The First "Lost Story" that didn't make the book!

The first "Sequel Chapter" to Another Second Chance ...God's Story!!

There were many small interesting God stories that didn't make the book. Over the next year I am going to write many of them (and the new ones that continue to happen). So be sure to hit the "Follow" button to be notified every time a new one is posted. And if you haven't gotten the book yet.. What are you waiting for? Hit the "Buy the book" button to the right! (you won't be disappointed)

This is a follow up to chapter 11 with the nurse (Heather) at dialysis. She (in the white coat) just bought a copy of the book and sent me a review. I was blown away...

Another Second Chance - Page 98:

Three nurses stood in front of me, alternating between glances at me and then my numbers. They had something like a coy smirk. It was similar to that of an older sister who understands something her little brother doesn't.

Finally I couldn't take it anymore, and smiling I said, "What!?"

A Woman I later learned was named Heather said, "We are looking at your numbers and we are looking at you. We know that you are still going to work and getting around. By the look of these numbers, you should look a lot worse than you do and be in a bed somewhere."

I just smiled.

Stephanie immediately seized the opening to tell them about the journey we had experienced so far and how we continued to beat the odds-even with the disease's progression...


1-14-2012 - Heather wrote...

"I told you I would read your book in a day! I just got done with it. Awesome! It made me laugh, cry, think, and get inspired! Your writing was great. I loved the verses, as each one was so fitting for that chapter.

That alone was God inspired!

So, I had to let you know that today is the 2nd time your story has touched me personally. Let me explain...

I don't know if you and steph remember this or not, but when you were getting dialysis, I talked to you alot about how I was praying for you two.

Its a little scary to discuss God with my patients because there are so many rules in my line of work. We are never to push our personal beliefs off on to others of course, but also because of the setting there, we have to be careful we don't offend those around us who might be listening.

I felt like at times I was a little bolder than what was allowed, as I talked about how I was praying for a specific day for you to get a transplant and how I also felt an urgency about it.

Dialyzing you was a little nerve wracking! I needed strength and wisdom from God just to do it because you were so sick. I feel honored to have had an opportunity to have met you both, God coordinated me working those evening hours that summer, as I trained a new nurse. If I had worked the hours I usually work(3:30am-4pm) I never would have met you!

Anyway, Steph took the time one evening in the middle of your hard times with dialysis to find my home phone number. She called me and said I was an angel for praying and encouraging you guys. That meant so much to me and I will never forget it!

When you pray for those you don't know super well, it's a bit hard to know if its okay with them or not. I needed that encouragement to know I was doing the right thing and hadn't passed over my professional boundaries! In fact, I still use that call from her to encourage me to pray for others to this day!

Her voice was so sweet and sincere! Thank her for me.

So, today, I was so looking forward to reading your book. I have been in a bit of a spiritual rut lately. I know it and God knows it and He has been patiently waiting for me to get closer again.

I love how single verses can say so much. I used to look up verses every morning and send them to about 35 people on my phone each day. I stopped doing that and my bible reading suffered for it.

There was something so inspiring about the way those verses were woven into each part of your story. I'm feeling a renewed sense of strength tonight I haven't felt in awhile!

So, thank you for sharing this amazing God story! He is so good!! How does He do it?! God bless!"

-Heather


Who could have known that this was going on behind the scenes?? I know that I didn't!

But GOD did!!

I feel that I should write a verse that fits this story. Just for my "Angel" Heather...

1Corinthians 2:9 - "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"

The walk continues...

Confirmation at the Book Store II ...God did it again!

1-8-2012 Confirmation at the Book Store II ...God did it again!

A week ago I wrote about an encounter with Phil Dinovo at the Holy Family Book Store. Well! God went and did it again!

Last week I cold called and spoke with a lady named Jane, from "The Bookshelf II". She's the owner of this new & used book store in Fostoria, OH. I called to ask if she would put "Another Second Chance" in her book store.

"Can you give me a little bit of information?" Jane asked.

"About me or the book?" I said laughing since I wasn't sure.

She laughed "Well, lets start with the book". I began to tell her about the book, myself, and why I wrote the book. How God had worked through the whole experience and that I would be doing an interview in a local publication.

"I would love to sell them here! Bring your books in and a flyer that sais "Another Second Chance Sold Here". I will post your flyers in the front window." She said. Jane informed me that "The Bookshelf II" would be open on Saturday and I could drop them off then.

When this Saturday (Jan. 7) rolled around, I found myself winding down Rt. 12 on a beautiful sunny morning. There was a parking spot rite in front of the store with my name all over it! I opened the passengers side door, grabbed my box of books, flyers for Jane, then walked into the store.

There were 2 ladies standing in the front of the store looking at me as I walked in with looks on their faces of "who are you and what do you want". I smiled and chuckled as I asked "Is Jane here?"

"No. She is in Pennsylvania and I am going to pick her up. That is why we are closing early today" The one lady answered nearest to the cash register. It became obvious to me at that point, she was in charge.

"Oh, I didn't know you were closing early today." I said, not being sure what to say from there.

"What did you need?" She asked. I began to explain who I was and that I had spoken with Jane earlier in the week.

She looked over at the other gal and said "Oh, he's that local author she spoke of." She looked back at me "Yeah she told me you might be coming." She told me to put the books on the counter. Then she went on about how busy her schedule was that day.

It appeared that she was the daughter of Jane (I never did catch her name). She told of her upcoming trip to Pennsylvania and all that she had to do to get ready.

She began to talk about her father and the fact that he was at dialysis. Her story went on about her father. He's around 75. She told of how the doctors had written him off, that he had only a certain amount of time to live. The doctors told the family that dialysis wouldn't help him much longer. Then they got a second opinion and took him to a different dialysis center. That was 3 years ago...

I just looked at her as I struggled to get my box of books open. I finally pulled the lid open as she continued. Her dad was at the Fremont Dialysis Center. The same place that I was at for my dialysis treatment. She went on about how great the staff was. She told of a lady that she deals with all the time that she just loves. She told of how her dad has a goal! He wants to see his granddaughter graduate from high school...

The granddaughter is in the 6th grade ...

She paused...

I just stood there looking at her in disbelief, knowing that God had done it again!

I turned to her, my face expressing my amazement, my voice was almost pleading "Do you have any idea what this book is about?..." I asked. She just stood there shaking her head no slowly with a strong look of compassion on her face. Waiting intensely for my reply.

"This is about a kidney transplant..." I said as we paused for just a moment. I could see the look on her face evolving to amazement. "This is a story about a God directed journey that led to a miraculous kidney transplant. My transplant! That saved not just my life, but my brother's too! We were saved by a stranger who stepped forward to give his kidney to someone he believed needed it. He was led by God! That's why it's called "God's Story".

"Oh, my." She said. "So I need to read this and I'm going to need a box of hankies?" she asked.

"I believe you will." I said.

She then reached across the counter, next to the cash register and grabbed a book off of an easel. Then said "Down goes Glenn Beck's book". Then grabbed my book, smiled at me and said "Up goes "Another Second Chance ...God's Story"

I was just beaming with excitement, shaking my head, as she went on about the new book.

As I got ready to leave, I looked back at her and said "You know that lady you told me about at the Fremont Dialysis Center that you just love?"

"Yeah?"

"That's my sister-in-law Debbie..

God used her in a mighty way during my journey. I wrote about it in the book."

I could tell by the look on her face that God had created another fan of his story. The one that is still being written through the lives of people just like YOU.

I walked out of the store into a beautiful January day, blessed.

Knowing that God had done it once again!

 The walk continues...

It just hit me... I really wrote a book.

It was Saturday morning on December 31st. New Years Eve! I was feeling a little lazy and trying to get enough ambition to drive around and deliver books to some of the book stores that were going to carry "Another Second Chance". The morning was creeping towards noon when the phone rang.

"Hi Troy, this is Cindy Auxter how are you?" she said with the sweetest voice.

I've known Cindi for a long time, but hadn't spoke with her for years. I was friends with her kids in the small town that we grew up in. (Lindsey, OH) My mind began to race, wondering why she was calling me. Cindi began to explain that her husband had just read an article in the LifeStyle monthly publication that is distributed along the north cost of Lake Erie.

"I didn't know that you had a kidney transplant! How are you doing now?" she asked.

"I'm doing great!" I said in a hurry. I was immediately more interested in where and how her husband got ahold of the January publication in December. I was suppose to have the books in the book stores before the publication came out. Here I was sitting in my lazy boy. For the next few minutes, we began to exchange questions and answers.

Then she asked "Troy, I was wondering if you had any extra books that I could sell here at my store "Thingamajigs?"

"Yes I do" I said with out hesitation. "How many would you like?"

"How about 24? I think I could sell quite a few. I have had 3 people come in this morning asking for them." She said.

"Really?!" I said in disbelief. Her store isn't even a book store and it's not listed in the article. Why would people come in asking for it? I wasn't going to continue questioning, what appeared to be a huge blessing, so I told her "I will be over in a little while".

I got off the phone, showered, and got dressed. Then started running through the house like a crazy man, getting ready! I was throwing books into boxes and boxes into my truck. I looked like someone evacuating for some kind of national emergency. When everything was loaded, I leaped into my truck and fled from my house!

I began to make my rounds to each store on my list. I arrived at Thingamajigs in a flash, carried a box of books in, and set them on the counter. Cindi was so excited for me as I pulled the books out of the box. I showed her the cover.

 "Wow! That must be quite a feeling to hold your own book?" she said as more compliment than question.

I had heard this question a number of times. Each time I heard this, I had a hard time replying to it. It isn't that I am not excited, because I am! It's just that I hadn't had "THAT MOMENT". The one that I have always heard about. You know, you open the box and it's like giving birth to your baby. You hold it for the first time. Your so proud, you want to cry. I hadn't had that...

 I worked so hard to produce this book. Then began a race of labor, campaigning through IndieGoGo to help pay for it. Then the books showed up and I was in a hurry to get them signed, delivered, and mailed to the Contributors of the campaign. Then began a search of book stores that would put them on their shelves. Now I am on a race to deliver them. While doing all this through the Christmas season.

There just hasn't been a moment to smell the roses...

Just as I was saying my goodbyes to Cindi, she said "Oh wait! I have that publication of LifeStyle! Let me give it to you!" So she ran back to get it and brought it back to me. "Here it is Troy. It's a great article!"

 "Thanks Cindi!" And off I went.

I threw the article in the passengers seat and began the half hour drive to J & R Gospel Gift Shop in Sandusky, OH where my next stop was. My mind was racing with all of the things I still needed to do. I glanced over at the stack of boxes, as I hit the last stop light exiting Fremont. I sat waiting patiently. It was as if God said "Son, take a breath."

So I did.

I pulled away and drove for a little while. Listening to nothing but the humming of the tires rolling along Rt. 6. I watched the harvested fields on my right and the marshes on the left . There was very little traffic, it felt like I was the only one on the road. I glanced over and the article caught my eye. I picked it up and began to gaze at it. I had written this 3 weeks ago, but that was the last time I had seen it. It looked different in an actual publication.

I just stared at the bold red heading "Local Author Troy Lewis Book Release and Signing" I started to read the article. One paragraph at a time. Then I made it to the part that said "Miracles still happen and there is always "Another Second Chance". Troy Lewis will be having a book signing at Davinci's Gallery & Coffee House (115 S. Front St., Fremont, OH) on Saturday, January 14th from 10:00am-2:00pm.

I glanced back to the books for a moment, then back to the bold red print at the top of the article.. I just stared at it. 

My eyes began to well up. It was happening. That feeling.

It came over me. Much like winning the championship game, when you didn't stand a chance.

A joy, like that of my daughters being born. A pride, like that of my Father in Heaven telling me "Son, I'm proud of you."

My emotions got the best of me as I cried out "I did it. I really did it. Thank you Lord Jesus." 
God had chose that moment to allow me to realize this feeling of victory. When it was just Him and I. On the last day of 2011.

Thats when it hit me... I really wrote a book.

Praise God that I didn't quit!
The walk continues...

Another confirmation at the Book Store!

12-29-11 Another confirmation at the Book store!

 A couple of weekends ago, Stephanie and I began to drive around looking for Book Stores that would put "Another Second Chance" on their shelves.

We had been informed that getting your "self published" book onto a book store shelf is not an easy task. Most stores wont even consider it unless you are an established author with a publisher and distributor behind you. Even when you are able to, the fees will drive your profit margin down to a minimal amount.

 So when we entered Holy Family Books & Gifts in Sandusky, OH to ask if they would be interested in putting my new book onto their shelf, I was a little intimidated. We had already been told previously, that this was a Catholic book store and would only accept Catholic books. And since "Another Second Chance" is a memoir or biography, I thought my chances were slim to none...

You could hear the loud bells jingling together as we opened the front door! The peoples heads turning to see who we are. Then that nervous feeling of "what the heck am I doing hear" running through my body.

 "Hi. May I speak to the manager please. Or owner." I said, to the lady standing in front of the counter; Not being sure if she was "that person".

 "He's right there" she said, pointing to a gentlemen who's head was all you could see sitting behind the counter. He was working on his computer.

 He stood up and said "Hi, how can I help you?"

 I stuck out my hand and introduced myself and Stephanie. I put my book onto the counter as I began to stumble and stammer through what was suppose to be my sales pitch. I told him we were from Fremont and what the book was about. As I talked, he just sifted through the book studying various pages. He made it to the pics of when I played Jesus and began to smile.

 "Wow, that looks very real!" he said.

 At this point his assistant began to look at the pics. Her reaction was the same as the owner. She began to ask Stephanie questions about the pictures and the story within the book.

 As their conversation took off and into a different path, I continued to chat with the owner.

 "My name is Phil, by the way." he said. He began to ask a few questions about the story. How I came to need a kidney? Who I received a kidney from? (That one took a while to answer) And how I wrote the book and published it.

 Phil continued to flip the pages, skimming through the chapters. Asking questions about various portions of the book.

 Finally he asked "So what is it that your wanting to do?"

 "Well, we were hoping to have the book for sale on you shelf in hear." I said. Then it felt like the room went silent for a moment. I looked over to Stephanie and back. Phil just continued to look down at the book, still skimming through it.

 Finally the silence was broken. "I don't normally put biographies and memoirs on our shelves. Our books are generally Catholic based. But I believe that this book can speak on many levels. Just from what I have seen so far, I would be willing to put it on my shelf."

 "What do you have in mind?" Phil said.

 I looked over at Stephanie as she began to say "Well we have a lot of cost in the book and can't give you a lot"

 Then Phil jumped in and said "I wasn't going to charge you. I was just going to let you put'em on the shelf! You keep it all."

I just started to laugh as I looked over at Stephanie. She was busy picking her jaw up off of the floor from her previous statement.

 "OK." I said as I continued to chuckle in disbelief and thankfulness. God had come through once again. But He wasn't finished yet...

What Phil said next, left me picking my jaw up off of his counter...

 " You see, I will more than likely be where you are in this book one day. I have polycistic kidney disease. This is a book that is close to my heart already and needs to be shared." Phil said.

I was discouraged to even go to this book store, But God lead the way. He knew even before this book was written, that Phil would be waiting to accept it into his store and into his life. Phil started this Holy book store on faith alone! He was a school teacher 7 years ago or so, and felt lead to start this store. Many told him that he was crazy and it would never succeed. Years later, Phil and the Holy book store are still there, in busy downtown Sandusky. Now, so is "Another Second Chance ...God's Story".

 Thanks to the faith of my new friend Phil...

The walk continues...

Tell me it's not "God's Story"!

Friday (11-11-11), Stephanie and I went to the annual Food Show at the IX center in Cleveland (like we do every year) sponsored by The Food Network. Friday night we went out for our annual fancy night out to Lolas (Michael Simon's restaurant, in Cleveland- He is the Iron Chef from the Food Network)

While we were waiting to be seated, Steph went to the restroom (downstairs). In the basement was a banquet room where a gathering was taking place.

It was some of the Food Network stars!

My lovely wife spotted one of the stars from a distance and through the crowd. Scrunching down ever so cutely, as to peak through a crack in the wall, she tilted her head, smiled and waved. The star was Robert Irvine (Restaurant Impossible, Kitchen Impossible) the big marine looking fella with the British accent!!

He smiled through the crack in the crowd and started to wave (confused). Laughing, he called her in and the show began. She began to beam with excitement, acting like a school girl at a rock show!! lol She explained that we were huge fans and that we would watch his show all the time before my kidney transplant! So she asked if she could go get me and bring me down to meet him.
"Sure! Go get him!" So she did.

As soon as I walked in the room, Robert greeted me (along with others) with a strong hand shake, big smile and a bold British voice.
"So you had a kidney transplant?" he asked. I began to explain briefly about the journey.
"That sounds like quite a story?!"

"It is, I'm actually writing a book about it!" I said.

"Where's it at?! I want one!" he said. I explained that it wasn't finished yet, I was self publishing it, and that I was still working on financing.

"Where would I go to donate to your project and twitter all of my fans?" After I picked my jaw up off the floor, I began ripping through my pockets searching for a card. Finally after finding it, I gave him a card with the info to the indieGoGo site. Suddenly his agent walked up, took our pictures, then asked for our email address and has promised to send us the pics.

My mind was running wild! I couldn't believe what was happening! Everything was happening so fast! I couldn't keep up with it all!
Then Robert Irvine grabbed my shoulder, looked me square in the eye and said "Troy" then paused "I have polycystic kidney disease" I stood in awe...

I shouldn't be surprised, but I was. These things have happened through out this journey! It is God's Story not mine, I just wrote the things I lived, the things he created! Because I believe that was his will. NOT MINE. I never would have thought about writing a book (not ever). This has been a Leap of Faith that some have not understood (including myself at times)

Why would God create a story that has little funding, no official publisher, no advertising, no literary agent, then have a construction worker by trade who was a slacker in school write it??!
Answer: Because he is God!!
I have heard that this type of book wont sell, there's too much God.
My conclusion: I pray that God is everywhere in this story! Because it is His story !! I will continue to walk by faith as He guides the way!

The walk continues...
Go to the www.indiegogo.com site and search "Another Second Chance"
Go to the "Contribute Now" button and click it! Then choose your selection! You will have your book before the January Release!!!