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