Update

This is something I read recently in my book "Confessions of a Grieving Christian" by Zig Ziglar. An illustration of losing a loved one. Called "Gone From My Sight":

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says, "There, she is gone!" Gone where? Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined ports.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says "There, she is gone!" there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!" --- And that is dying.
I am doing great with the encouragement of God's word, daily. But also with encouragement of those of you that are praying, visiting us and just thinking about me and the family. I thank you. I thank the Lord for friends and family like you. I continue to miss Susan dearly. Today, Mary, Laura and Kayla went with Uncle Rick and family to meet up with other relatives at Lake Chelan in Washington State for camping. So tonight, it was very quiet and yes lonely around the house. I put together a puzzle but it was comforting. This was a puzzle of Susan and I when I was back in Officer Candidate School. Hannah made a puzzle out of a picture of us two and gave it to me for Father's Day. So pray for the three girls as they are away from us and probably having very much fun. They will return on Wednesday.

Here is a picture of Leah fighting fires. She is currently down in Redding CA fighting the many fires caused by lightning strikes.



Here is a picture of the Family Reunion over near Elliston Montana over this past weekend. A glorious weekend full of games, square dancing, eating, sitting around the campfire. We are already planning another one, 3 years from now, over near Red Lodge MT. We always have a great time together. Always laughter.

Ironman Weekend

This past weekend, Nathan, Aaron, Hannah along with me, all volunteered for the 2008 Ironman Triathlon in Coeur d'Alene. We worked in the Transition area for the Swim to Bike transition. This is very exciting because the athletes come in to the change tent all at once for about an hour. We help them change from their wet suits to their biking clothing. This race starts out with a 2.4 mile swim in the cold water of Coeur d'Alene Lake (about 56 deg), then a 112 mile bike ride through the city and country side, then a full marathon run (26.2 miles). We knew several people but the one that captured our attention is Monica Suitter. She just returned from missionary work in China about three weeks ago and competed in the Ironman competition. She had no problem, doing very well at about 12hrs 52 minutes. Way to go Monica!!!!
"...and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1
This is a very appropriate verse for me because God has set my course before me and it started with Susan and our large family. God has had a plan for us all along. With Susan going to be with Jesus, God has left me in charge of our large family and He has a plan for me, and all the kids. He will not let me wander off course but if I keep my focus on Jesus, I can run with endurance. Not a sprint, but a full marathon plus. And it is exciting to say the least. Never a dull moment. Seeing Monica and the other athletes finish the Ironman, makes me think of our walk with Jesus and when we see Him we will have finished a pretty tough race. Susan has finished and did so with grace, stamina, faith and love for everyone around her. We are running with endurance with God's grace.


And the big news is yes we have a nanny!! Her name is Teresa and she is doing a fantastic job. The girls have really taken a liking to Teresa as you can tell from their big smiles in the picture. She has been cooking the evening meals with the young girls for that day. Also, doing chores with the young girls around the house, so the house is staying clean. I am appreciative of the structured care for the family for the two days a week that Teresa works right now. It will only be for the summer. This was definitely an answer to pray. Thank you Lord!
Praises:
1) For Teresa, our nanny, who is a believer as well
2) Aaron found a job, at Jamba Juice in CDA. He has been riding his bike to work, saving gas, and making some money. He really likes it.
3) I am sleeping better. I just need to get to bed earlier.
4) Work has been very understanding of my situation.
Prayer
1) Leah is working for the Forest Service fighting fires in Oregon. Well today, she called and she has been picked to go down to CA to help battle recent fires in Redding, CA. These fires have just started up due to lightening strikes. She was the only female to be picked and had to run 1.5 miles in less than 12 minutes to qualify. She ran in 11min 6 seconds. I will include a picture of Leah in action next time.
2) Our trip this weekend to Helena Montana, for the Vetsch family reunion. Will last three days through Sunday. Pray for safe travels and camp safety, fun and good fellowship.

Leah's Graduation

Yesterday, June 14th, was Leah's Graduation Day from Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA. It has been a rainy Spring/Summer so far, but as of Friday, the weather has been great. Yesterday was 67 deg during the morning event. We are so proud of her. On Monday, she will leave to work for the forest service again in Oregon, fighting fires where needed. She loved the work last year and makes good money. Then in the Fall, she will live back here in Coeur d'Alene doing her internship at Dalton Elementary School, a 1/2 mile away where Laura and Kayla go to school. So that will be nice for me and the girls to have Leah close. Pray for Leah's plans this year as it entails a lot of energy and danger.


Here is Koko and Leah. Koko is a friend that Leah met at EWU.

A video of Leah getting her diploma. I missed capturing the announcement of her name. Fiddling with the camera and not know exactly where she was in the sea of grads, took my attention away. And then a group picture.

Abiding in Him!

Hello Friends,
Check out the devotional "My Utmost for His Highest" for June 11(to the right, click on the hyperlink, then on the calendar, click the 11th). "Come to Me..." Matthew 11:28. It says, "Our Lord's words are not 'Do this or don't do that', But, "Come to Me". If I will simply come to Jesus, my real life will be brought into harmony with my real desires. I will actually cease from sin, and will find the song of the Lord beginning in my life." I encourage you to read the whole thing. Abide in Him. I am learning that very thing. When I give everything to Him, I see the desires that Jesus has for my life, and that is true freedom through my faith.

Aaron had a birthday with some of his friends. Here is a picture, in the rain, of the guys playing 4 square (newly painted on the driveway). Always kids at heart. We love the game.

Here is Jason and Leah, at their graduation party on Monday night. About 50 guests came by for food and fellowship with the kids to celebrate graduations. The cake was delicious. Lisa Dreckman provided the cake, thanks Lisa! Jason leaves for Maui this Saturday with Danny & family, to kick back after graduation. Thanks to the Fisher family for taking Jason. Aloha!

And of course it rained on Monday night, sometimes hard. But the sun poked out several times. So people went out to play volleyball. Here are some of Jason's friends gathering for a picture between games. The rain didn't dampen the fun at the graduation party. Thanks to all that were able to come. We treasure your friendships. This coming Saturday is Leah's graduation at E. Washington U.
Here is a poem that I recently read, and of course it is about the rainy times in our life (how appropriate since it has been raining here soo much).
Is it raining, little flower?
Be glad of rain;
Too much sun would wither one;
It will shine again.
The clouds are very dark, it's true;
But just behind them shines the blue.
Are you weary; tender heart?
Be glad of pain;
In sorrow, sweetest virtues grow,
As flowers in rain.
God watches, and you will have sun,
When clouds their perfect work have done.

Prayer requests:
1) Leah's graduation this Saturday. Also she will be fighting fires again this summer for the Forest Service in Oregon. Pray for safety.
2) My sleep is better, but I still need prayer. Many have told me that this is part of the grieving process.
3) We are all still grieving and healing. All different, in our own way. Our fun family events certainly help to keep the precious memories of Susan going. We learn to Abide in Him daily!

The Plans I have for you.....

"For I know the plans that I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29: 11-13 (This is Susan's favorite verse)

A lot of plans/events of late. And for each, the Lord has been there for us. Each event has been special, memorable, and hopefully glorifying to our Lord Jesus. First, I forgot to put in something about the Relay for Life in Coeur d'Alene. This is an event for Breast Cancer awareness and research fund raising. There was entertainment, booths (games, food, activities), walking (laps around a track for fund raising). Also luminaries that were be purchased for loved one who have passed or are dealing with cancer. Here are some pictures of the event.

On the hillside, luminaries spell out "HOPE"

Luminaries for SUSAN by the kids.

All of the family was there but this was a picture later on after dark when some had already departed for home.
It's getting late and I will definitely get more pictures in about Aaron's birthday party on Saturday and Leah/Jason's graduation party on Monday. Good Night!

Jason's Graduation

Here is a video of Jason receiving his diploma!!! Just press the arrow button. It was a momentous occasion.

We serve an Everlasting God, Amen!

28 Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The LORD is the Everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of His understanding.
29 He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
30 Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40: 28-31

Wow! What an incredible truth in the Bible. The very Creator of this vast, vast world/universe, loves us and takes care of us. The Vetsch family embraces that truth each day. We do become weak and tired, near exhaustion sometimes, BUT we do TRUST in the Lord for all of our needs. We are blessed each day. I thank God for each day because it is a blessing in itself.

Praises:
1) Theresa will be our nanny starting June 9th. She will work Mondays and Tuesdays watching Mary, Laura and Kayla, and keeping an eye on all the functions of the house.
She is a 45 year old Christian mom who has met the three young girls already. Theresa will be a very good influence on our family.
2) Sarah went to her hand specialist this morning and she had her bandage wrap taken off her left hand after her surgery. Everything looks good. There are some scars. So pray that the scaring is minimal. Anyone have ideas on what to put on scars to heal cleaner/faster.
3) Jason started working at Tomato Street restaurant last night. He loved it and they seemed to love him. That has been an answer to prayer.
4) Jason and Leah finishing up there studies prior to graduations on June 6th and 14th, respectively.

Prayer:
1) For Jason and Leah, as they do go beyond school and their choices now for the future, that they trust in the Lord for their decisions.
2) Getting the chore list and routine down, for the summer schedule (with school out).
3) Aaron is still looking for a summer job. He put in about 4 applications yesterday, so pray the Lord would honor his diligence in finding a job.
4) Pray for me. Sleep of late as been difficult. I wake up and can't get back to sleep at various time of the night. Being an engineer, I try and analyze why and can't figure it out.
5) Mary and Laura got their lambs on Sunday for 4H projects this summer. Pray for dedication to their projects, that they would alone do all the work associated with the care and training of the animals. They usually do, but prayer anyway.

Lastly, to those who are weary (and I know a lot are) keep looking upward. The Everlasting God, who does not grow weak or weary, will keep you strong.