My very dear Mark,
I just sent you some cards. I hope you will enjoy them. The practices you are doing now are excellent, the best practice, especially taking and giving (tong-len) and continue with Vajrasattva as much as you can.

It is good if you can recite one mala a day, because all one’s obstacles come from negative karma.

I gave Yamantaka initiation when I was in Canada. I thought at the last minute that maybe you could come, but as it was only one minute before the initiation you might not have been able to come that fast.
With much love and prayers...