A Tribute to our Creator

"Blessed be the Lord. Because He has heard the voice of my supplication. The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall Thank Him." Psalm 28:6-7


I so love my children. I thank the Lord everyday for them all. They are special to me. I see Susan in each and every one of my children. And that is extra special to me. We continue to do well only because we trust in Jesus and make it a priority in all we do. It would be hard in our grieving process to do this without our saving salvation in Jesus Christ. The Lord is our Shepherd, there is nothing we shall want..... We had a great time at this years Creation Festival at the Gorge in George, Washington. And it usually gets well over a 100 degrees F, but this year, it was comfortable, even a little cool at night. But what a great time with three of my daughters, praising and glorifying our Lord Jesus. It was definitely a Tribute to our Creator. That is a theme each year as we celebrate Creation. We even had friends (Tom and Carrie) with us at times through the week. Hannah, Mary, Laura and I worked as volunteers in the Music Store. This is actually a tent with CD's and DVD's of the festival artists/bands. Worked with great people that made the 4 1/2 hours daily go by pretty fast and made it fun. Here is a picture of the white team.



Here is a picture of the three girls posing with the main stage and the Columbia Gorge in the background. This is a wonderful place for such an event. It really has beauty in such a dry and desolate place. We have been doing Creation Fest as a family for eight years. It has become a part of the summer.

Creation Bound

Last Tuesday, Hannah, my brother John and I, went out and rode the Hiawatha trail on the Idaho/Montana border. This is the first tunnel that is 1.7 miles long. This is a favorite trail of ours. Last fall, Susan and I did it. So there are a lot of memories. I rode Susan's beach bike, that has gears so I can get back up the hill without straining myself too much. What a cruiser though. What a Glorious day, enjoying what God has provided to us soo abundantly around here.

And Sunday night, we took in a Spokane Indians baseball game. The game wasn't very exciting for the home team fans, but we all had a great time on a beautiful summer evening. What a great time we have had with my brother John. He will be coming back at Christmas with his son Francesco. Pray that John survives the bus trip over to Billings for the next two weeks of his vacation.
On Tuesday morning, Hannah, Mary, Laura and I go to Creation Festival over at the Gorge Amphitheater on the Columbia River. This is the big Christian Music Festival on the West Coast, where us fans camp out for 4 nights and endure the extreme heat of Eastern Washington. We all will be working in the Music Tent during the festivals, so for those that plan on going, stop by and say hi to the Vetsch's.
Updates:

1. Sarah's hand is healing properly. It is still in a splint and she will stay away from the Physical Therapist, at least for a while. She won't be going to Creation because of her hand and she will need to take it easy in comfort back at home.
2. Aaron is off on a Youth group camp. Pray that the Holy Spirit will move in his heart this week. He returns this weekend.
3. Our time at Creation will be devoted to doing the will of our Lord Jesus. We are open to the calling. Pray that we step up and make a difference in the lives around us.
4. Pray for the home front here. Sarah and Jason will be at home working and taking care of the animals along with Diane.
5. Kayla will be at Kelly Murray's home for the week.

God's Faithfulness

"Thy loving kindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Thy faithfulness reaches to the skies. Thy righteousness is like the mountains of God; Thy judgements are like a great deep. O Lord, Thou preservest man and beast. How precious is Thy loving kindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings." Psalm 36: 5-7
It has been a while since the last blog entry. It has been busy but in my busyness I find going back to God's word to be very comforting and encouraging. This morning on my way to work, 30 minutes away, I was reminded of God's Faithfulness. Through all the craziness of life, all the distractions of life, God's unconditional love for us extends to the heavens, His Faithfulness stretches to the skies. God never changes in this busy world and I can Trust in Him to always care for me and the family. No matter what we go through, He is faithful. Overall we are doing well.

Since the last entry, my brother John came in from Houston to stay with us awhile. It has been a very fun visit. John has been able to relax after his busy time teaching at a university this summer. We went camping last week at Farragut State Park. Nice and relaxing, fished, hiked and the kids swam in cold, cold water. Only the younger girls were able to make the entire camping time. The others had work but Nathan and Hannah were able to come up on Sunday and Tuesday.

Hannah also participated in the Valley Girl Triathlon in Liberty Lake WA. This is an all female competition. Hannah did a great job and completed the 1/3 mile swim, 11 mile bike and 3 mile run in 1 hour 42 minutes. Hannah did this race in honor of Susan. This is the race that Susan was training for last summer but did not compete because she couldn't swim in the dark lake waters. She practiced in the lakes around here but the choppy, dark waters with some moss, just was too much for her. Hannah finished what Susan started last year. Sarah said she wants to compete next year with Hannah also. So that was exciting. Here is a picture of Hannah with friend Hope just before starting the swim. It was a beautiful morning.
And here is a video of her finish. What excitement when she crossed the finish line. We were all there to gather round her. God is faithful.

Praises:

1. Teresa our nanny is working out great. The girls went to Silverwood Theme park last week for the two days. So they are having a great time together. The kids really like Teresa.
2. Johnny's visit from Houston, very relaxing for him. We all are having good times together. Last night went to Snakepit restaurant in Enaville and played in the river. Today, we are riding the Hiawatha trail with Johnny and Hannah on our bikes.
3. Hannah's outstanding race on Sunday. What an encouragement to us all.
4. Leah is back from fighting fires in CA. Long days, 16 hours ususally, for two weeks. But now is back at home camp in Oregon, somewhat normal hours.
5. Jason and Aaron are working very hard at their jobs this summer.

Prayers:

1. Sarah's hand. The tendon that was operated on weeks ago, ruptured. She had to go back into surgery yesterday, Monday, to have another tendon surgically attached for her thumb. We think that Sarah went into Physical Therapy too soon last time and the tendon ruptured. She is in pain but has medicine and is resting for the next couple of days, at least. Pray that she heals properly and the surgery was successful.
2. The everyday grind around here. Pray for our focus to be on Jesus and not on ourselves. Pray for all the family and our daily walk with Him, that we would totally surrender to Him and trust Him. He is faithful to us, we just need to rest in that. "The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing that I want....."
3. Hannah, Mary, Laura and I go to Creation Festival at the Gorge in George WA next week. Pray that we would be used by God at this Christian Music Festival. We are on staff all week out there. Pray also for cooler weather.
4. Pray for Gail Smith and Gene Bailey who are going through their own Cancer Journey's. Pray that they would be filled with Joy and Peace, and be encouraged by those around them.

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!