Vetsch Family
This blog is in honor of my wonderful, beautiful, loving wife of 27 years who on April 3rd, 2008, went before us to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Susan's journey through cancer is documented here on this blog and is available for reading in the archive section. The JOY in the journey continues. Susan has left us a legacy of strong FAITH and a challenge to live our lives for JESUS. It is daily and not always easy. “The Lord is our Strength, our Song and our Salvation” Exodus 15:2
Monday, June 24, 2013
Introducing my new Grandson - Cameron John Hoy
Friday, December 28, 2012
Introducing my new grandson: Jack Nolan Vetsch
Sunday, September 2, 2012
"Teach me to do Thy will....."
This has been a good verse for me of late. I never thought that His Will had to be taught to me. But I am believing that it does. What God wants for my life is not dropped into my lap, handed to me on a piece of paper from the church bulletin or even shown to me in a dream.... The Spirit inside me, teaches me through my comings and goings, through my relationships, through my children.... what His perfect will for my life is. I must abide in HIM.
I have been reading "WHEN I RELAX, I FEEL GUILTY" by Tim Hansel. Tim also wrote 'YOU GOTTA KEEP DANCIN" which just happens to be one of Susan's most favorite books. The Dancin' book's theme is In the midst of life's hurts, you can choose JOY!!! Susan did just that.......
So my new book on relaxing is good. It starts out with this:
Go outside and look around,
See what you can see.
If you are unable to see anything beautiful,
anything that brings you peace,
a deep sense of joy and God's presence,
anything that delights you
with the magic of color and aliveness....
If you are not reminded that today is special,
a unique, once-in-a-lifetime gift from the Creator...
Then you need to spend more time outside,
and you need to read this book.
Basically, you have to 'stop and smell the roses along the way'. Action words but not busy words. We live in a hustle bustle busy crazy world. And God wants us to enjoy Him and His creation. So the book is good and an easy read......
SO, this summer, which has gone by too fast, has been a full summer. To wrap up with the IRONMAN focus, Nathan and Jason did AWESOME!! I am sooo proud of them for working through such a grueling training schedule, keeping their focus amongst their busy schedules and for FINISHING as an IRONMAN. Inspiring to say the least..... Nathan came in second place overall of the people in Coeur d'Alene. He finished in 11 hours and 45 seconds. Jason finished at about 12 hours and 47 minutes. We all had our TEAM VETSCH shirts on and were the cheerleaders for these guys along the way. We had a lot of fun. Here is a link to a local TV coverage of the IRONMAN and features US, TEAM VETSCH. Watch it... TEAM VETSCH TV COVERAGE
In early July, we headed over to the Vetsch Family Reunion at a church camp near Chico Hot Springs just outside of Yellowstone Park. What a great weekend of family activities. I had aunts and cousins from Minnesota, cousins from Seattle, cousins from Billings, too many to list. My sister Jane was the main planner for the reunion. We plan on having a reunion every three years like we have had now for the past six years. Here are some of the pictures from that time.
The main lodge where we ate, played games, mingled. |
The overall group of about 55 people |
The Harn family from Seattle area |
My cousins from Minnesota and my sister Kathy on right. |
Saturday, June 23, 2012
"I press on toward the goal..." Phil 3:14
This is the TEAM VETSCH Bible Verse for the IRONMAN. Nathan and Jason will be pressing toward the goal of being called an IRONMAN.
Well Ironman Coeur d' Alene is on Sunday the 24th, and if anyone would like to follow Nathan and Jason as they compete on race day, you can track them all day using the following link. The first one is for Nathan and second one is for Jason:
(Nathan) http://track.myathletelive.com/VEmap.aspx?name=247333
(Jason) http://track.myathletelive.com/vemap.aspx?name=264189
Unfortunately the tracker does not work in the water, but they will be wearing it on the bike course and on the run!!!! The tracker reports their location, speed, distance, and elevation. You can log on using any smart phone, tablet or computer to track me. So if you are in Coeur d' Alene this weekend, come on down and cheer on TEAM VETSCH!! They would really appreciate the support. If you are not in town, you can still follow them throughout the day using the links above. Thanks!!!!
We went down with Nathan and Jason today to check in their bikes in the transition area. Downtown CDA was a buzz with 3000 competitors, their family and friends and a bunch of locals that just like to mingle with some pretty fit people. Here are some pics of the day....
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
The Big Event
Jason and Nathan trying out the 52 degree water. Brrrrrrrrr......... |
Luke is saying "GO DAD!! GO IRONMAN DAD!!" |
In Luke's backyard having fun on a nice day! |
One of our Illuminarys! |
Me! |
Hannah, Lincoln and Dawn at Relay for Life |
The Group at Relay for Life 2012 |
My family, I really love them!! |
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart....
"I asked for strength
and
God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for wisdom
and God gave me problems to solve.
I asked for prosperity
and God gave me brawn and brain to work.
I asked for courage
and God gave me dangers to overcome.
I asked for love
and God gave me troubled people to help...
My prayers were answered."
God gives us what we need, not always obvious at the moment, but later on you see His hands in the midst of it all. We don't always know WHY God does things the way He does, but in the end we have a stronger faith. This past September 16, 2011, Nathan and Michelle's baby in the womb went on to be with her Creator in heaven. MADELYN GRACE VETSCH was in her 7th month of life in the womb when God called her home. She had been diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) earlier in the pregnancy. Here is a link if you want to read more about it. HLHS Basically, the left ventricle is underdeveloped and has to work harder to pump oxygen enriched blood back to the body. This syndrome is correctable after birth with surgery. And that was our hope. But Madelyn's heart gave out in the womb. She now is back home in heaven with Jesus, Grandma Susan and Auntie Elizabeth (and a whole lot of other relatives, friends). Nathan and Michelle are healing through this all and can still use your prayers. Here is a picture tribute to Nathan, Michelle, Luke and Maddy:
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Lincoln Edward Hoy born June 30th, 2011!!!!!!!
Have been experiencing laptop issues and been unable to access and update. But I was able to upload pictures and will update what has been going on. We are celebrating the birth of Lincoln Edward Hoy!!! He was born on June 30th (now almost a month old) and is doing great. Hannah has been doing just wonderful. Lincoln has been a very good first baby. He has light colored hair and blue eyes. I see a lot of Jake in his facial features. Good looking boy.
Aunties Laura, Mary and Kayla getting to hold little Lincoln.
Leah came home too and was in the delivery room with Hannah!
Another grandson to hold. I am soo blessed to now be holding another grandson.
The family also took part in the Coeur d'Alene Marathon events this year. Nathan, Jason and I did the CDA Marathon, Sarah did the Half Marathon and Michelle did the 5K. We all finished and did awesome. Nathan really burned up the field and finished at 3 hrs 27 minutes. Wow!
Michelle made a cake for the after race party at Hannah and Jakes house.
Out front of Jake and Hannah's house!
We also went on a hike up to St Regis Lakes at the Lookout Pass area. There was still plenty of snow even in June when we went for the 5 mile hike. We were crossing big streams of melt off and still traversing large snow fields. It was an awesome day, in the 80's that day but it felt so good being up in the mountains and crossing icy cold water and walking the snow. Kaiser absolutely loved the snow. He was like a kid running around in the snow and eating it and throwing it up in the air. He was a good hiker that day. Sarah, Laura, Kayla and I had a great time.