Hero Interview from Stress Test by Richard Mabry

This week I’m hosting Richard Mabry with Stress Test (Leave your email address for a chance to win a signed copy of Stress Test (US entrants only). The winner will be asked to post a review on a site of their choice, and let others know about the book via Twitter, Facebook, or their blog.), Stephanie Grace Whitson with The Message on the Quilt, Sharon Srock with Terri: Women of Valley View, and Nancy Herriman by Josiah’s Treasure. If you want to enter the drawings for the books, please leave a comment on one of the post during the week with your email address. I will not enter you without an email address (my way to contact you if you win). If you don’t want to leave an email address, another way you can enter is to email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawings end Sunday (April 28th) evening.

Interview with the hero: Dr. Matt Newman from Stress Test by Richard Mabry:

1. Matt, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

I don’t think I’m interesting at all. I’m just a doctor, until recently practicing surgery and trying to meet the demands of my profession while still spending time with my girlfriend. Then, for no reason, two thugs kidnapped me, and I still don’t know why. Interesting? I don’t think so. Frightened? Yeah, I think you could say that.

2.  What do you do for fun?

When I was in med school, some of us used to play flag football on Saturdays. I thought about taking up golf when I started practice, but soon discarded that idea—no time. Now, after a hard day, I kick off my shoes, watch some TV until I drift off, then go to bed and fall asleep with a book on my chest.

3.  What do you put off doing because you dread it?

That’s easy—domestic stuff. Like most bachelors, I don’t shop for food, clean my home, change my sheets, or buy new underwear until I have to.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

Right now, I’m afraid that those kidnappers will come back after me, although I still don’t know why they’d want to kill me. Before all this started…I guess I was afraid of spending the rest of my life alone.

5.  What do you want out of life?

Early on, I wanted a wife, family, a normal life. But lately, I’ve discovered—mainly through things my missionary brother, Joe, has told me—that the most important thing in life is my relationship with God. I’m still working on that.

6.  What is the most important thing to you?

You mean, other than staying alive? I suppose it’s becoming the man I really should be. For that matter, maybe it’s finding out what that man is really like.

7.  Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?

I haven’t had much time for reading since my second year in med school. When I do read, it’s generally a novel, although it takes me a long time to finish one. I used to prefer adventure stories, but after what’s happened to me I may change to something that doesn’t keep me awake at night.

8.  If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’m not sure. I’ve recently discovered I’m a work in progress, made by a Creator who has great things in mind for me, so I guess I’d just wish for the process to speed up.

9.  Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

I had a dog when I was a kid—a spaniel named Lady—but she died while I was in college. Since then, I haven’t really been in a situation where I could take care of a pet, not even a goldfish. But if I ever settle down with a wife, I’m going to ask her if she’d like a pet: a honey-blonde spaniel named Lady.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?

I’d like to go back to the early 1900’s and study with Dr. Charles Mayo, one of the two brothers who founded the Mayo Clinic. He was not only a great surgeon but a fantastic teacher and dedicated researcher.