Check This Out!!

What do you think of my new wheels?!! OK, not mine, but it's what I get to ride to work in every morning. My friend, Eleanor, owns it, lives near me, works at CH, has been kind enough to offer me rides each morning, and we share a common love for racing. She, however, is much further down the speedway than I since she really does race this beautiful little Porsche at High Plains Raceway. I have to be happy with memories of our little Javelin on a straightaway in Wyoming and street drags - oh, yeah, Mom, I forgot to tell you about that. Seriously, I never had a good enough car of my own to race but borrowed Gary's when we were first married a few times - oh, yeah, hon, I also forgot to tell you about that - and then we got our little AMC Javelin and had fun with it for a few years. Anyway, how lucky could I be? I told Eleanor I'm not so sure I even want to drive again! I have to say a shiny little red Porsche convertible is eye-catching, I've never been looked at so much in my life, it's kind of fun. And thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, Eleanor, for all the rides! I really am anxious to drive again, though, only 3 more weeks, I can't wait - there's something very sweetly satisfying about getting back to normal routines again.

So - I missed an entire week on this blog site so I think that means either I'm getting better or getting busier - or quite probably, both. In fact, I have my first week of full time work under the belt and it's going pretty well, even with our move - and it's been great to see so many of my old friends again. We survived another computer crash at home and I should have entitled this "NOTE to SELF - BACK UP COMPUTER!!!" Wouldn't you think it would take just one time to learn that lesson? No, because when our computer is back up again I get busy again, think it will last forever again, etc etc. This time, however, we actually did back up some of our files the night before it crashed so we at least still have our pxs - we lost several years' worth earlier this year and that was heartbreaking.

Well, if anyone is still reading this blog I wish you a good week in every way. Hope it brings good health, happiness, close and good relationships, satisfaction in work and also some fun.

Blessings!

from Val

Red Letter Day!

This was really a turning-point day for me - worked in the office this morning, at home all afternoon, it's 5:10 pm, I had no nap for the FIRST day since my first surgery AND I still have some energy! Wow - I know every day won't be this good but it's wonderful to feel a little more back to normal.

Well, I promised to tell you if the flu kit worked and it did work wonders so here it is:

• Occillococcinum homeopathic granules - an OTC remedy for flu that comes in little tubes of tiny white beads that almost look and taste like candy


• Immu-Guard - a blend of essential oils by Julia Rose Botanicals


• Bio D Mulsion Forte -a suspension that contains 2000 units of Vitamin D per pea-sized drop


• Dried Elderberries - you make a tea out of these

I purchased the kit last winter from Clinix and was using all the remedies at once last Sunday so am not sure what helped the most but I was able to work Monday from home and was back in the office by Tuesday. I've never had a bad flu before that went away that quickly so am just thankful for whatever it was that helped! It was great to see many friends again at CH2M HILL and begin to ease back into my work schedule. I won't have a regular routine until I'm able to drive again, but at least I'm moving in the right direction.

I read something when we were at Creede that I wanted to share with you - again, this is from Chuck Swindoll's book Come Before Winter. In the entry entitled "The Ghost of Ephraim" he speaks of the Ephraimites - those trained in bow and arrow who had all the resources and none of the guts. They looked great but had no substance, no strength. Instead, they ran on the opening day of battle. He writes: "The sons of Ephraim loved Memorial Day and target practice, but as soon as the going got tough, they ran...discipline and guts were nasty words... Their watchword was ease and their slogan was "Make a Good Appearance". Ephraimites live on, you know. They have invaded the ranks...and until difficulty comes, you cannot spot them. (When) the hot rays of hardship beat upon their back they melt like butter on a hot burner...they opt for the easy way out. They want a medicine man with a quick cure, not direct advice to repent, reestablish biblical relationships, and restore God's method for living. ...many of today's citizens would rather...quit... The quitting habit creates a strange undertow which complicates rather than corrects our difficulties. Before long we begin to resemble Rome in its last days - a magnificent mask of outward, impressive stature... devoid of inner strength...desperately lacking in discipline and determination. There is not an achievement worth remembering that isn't stained with the blood of diligence and etched with the scars of disappointment. To run, to quit, to escape, even to hide solves nothing...it only postpones a reckoning with reality. If you don't like the heat, stay in the kitchen and learn to handle it!"

How very true and how applicable to so many situations today. But it was a reminder of something I've struggled with and at the risk of complicating things too much, I'll tell you that my dilemma has sometimes been this question: when is God trying to develop my perseverance and strength of character by allowing setbacks, problems, crises, etc. and when is he, instead, closing the door and telling me to let something go and turn my time, energy, and focus elsewhere? There are some "givens" I think - such as aiming to always give my best at work and taking responsibility for the welfare and well-being of children in my home. There's no question that I'll "keep on keeping on" no matter how many setbacks there are. But where something hangs in the balance or a potentially life-changing decision needs to be made, how can I be so sure of what I think I should do that I won't be deterred by anything that gets in the way? And especially if my husband and I have really prayed about a major decision but are not in agreement? What I experienced in the last case is that God cares far more about the intentions of my heart than exactly which decision we make or direction we take. He always honors a willing, submissive, obedient heart and will bring blessing and good out of either choice. One of our ministers helped, too, by describing the Christian life as a playing field. The Bible establishes the boundaries of the field. Within it, as players, we may each have a different role, but the field is wide open - we can run full force in whatever direction we think we should go, as long as we stay within the boundaries. Granted, there are many things that might change our direction - but we don't need to expend a lot of energy trying to figure out precisely what steps to take, when.

But I'd love to open this question up and get your feedback - if you've experienced a similar problem how have you dealt with it? What has helped you know whether a setback is a character-building play or an indication that you should quit the game and turn your attention elsewhere? I'd love to get your thoughts on that. I know many of you have had trouble posting a response on this blogsite. I think if you click the little envelope on the right side of the window at the end of this post you can send me an email - or, just email directly to: vvwzoet@hotmail.com.

I wish each of you a wonderful week!

Val

Back to Work!

I'm WAY behind on this, not sure anyone is reading it anymore but I did intend to get something posted when we returned from Creede. Had a great time, and I'll attach some pictures from that trip. Motorhome was so nice, that really does make traveling (and camping!) much more pleasant. Now we suddenly we find ourselves nearly at the end of summer, with school starting soon or already in session for some. I can't say it was a summer I enjoyed, but on the plus side, at least I hope to be around to enjoy the next one!

Tomorrow is a big day - back to work half time! At least I hope so, had to leave during the service this morning, got hit hard and suddenly with what seems to be the flu. The psalmist, David, wrote in Ps 22 (this is from the Living Bible, vs 14-15) "My strength has drained away like water, all my bones are out of joint. My heart melts like wax, my strength has dried up like sun baked clay..." I bet he had the flu. Add chills to the point of shivering and I could really relate. But I got out my "flu kit" purchased from Clinix last year, some homeopathic remedies and it really does seem to be helping so much - I'll wait until tomorrow and let you know how it works but the one thing I can recommend without hesitation is an OTC by the name of "Oscillococcinum". My friend at work, Sue Saurber, told me about it last winter so I bought enough for all my family and a couple of others besides and the testimonials just from the people I know are pretty amazing. I'm not sure it would be in the miracle drug category, but it sure does seem to help nasty flu symptoms - this is the first time I've had the flu since I learned about it. Problem is, I gave all mine away - fortunately there were 3 tubes of it in the flu kit, thank God for that. I'll be purchasing some more really soon!

Well, dear friends, in case any of you are still checking in on this blog, I have to say I hope with all my heart I won't need to write every day - maybe a once-a-week update will be enough. There are always fun and interesting things (at least to me) that I love to share, so I'll probably keep this up. How can I thank all of you enough for loving and praying me through this, providing support in so many ways far beyond - truly! - what I would ever have dreamed of. I'm not sure I could have made it without that. Thanks to my dear husband who has put up with so much and been my steady rock, to my kids for their time and love and visits, to friends who helped Gary walk this road, to so many who provided meals and household and yard help, to my beautiful Mom for her constant love, prayers, and practical help, to my sisters and brothers for their love and support in SO many ways, to my friends at CH2M HILL and especially John and Monica, to all of you who have held me up with your friendship and prayers. I am so amazingly, incredibly blessed by all of you.

Our minister at the church I used to attend always said at the end of the service, "Go out and make it a good day." I love that - it's a choice each one of us can make each day. I hope we can all go out and make it a good week! And I hope it is one for all of us.

One more verse to leave with you from Ps 9:9-10

"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you for you, O Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." I give my thanks to Him as well!

Sent with love,

Val

PS - the album pages didn't display the way I wanted them to so I doubt you can read any of the text or captions. If anyone wants to see the full size pages, let me know and I'll email them separately.