Sabbath, November 2, 2013

I see that my last post was way back on June 29.  Four months have passed and they have been memorable, to be sure!  Finally, in August, after three months of “trying”, John reluctantly admitted that he could not do his job.  He had not recovered at all since he started back to work in May, had gained no weight, and if anything, had lost energy.  When he finally called Robert Wagley, our Minsterial Director, to tell him he could not do it, Robert was understanding.  Immediately, he started the wheels turning so that John could receive Medical Disability.  Initially, they told us that John would start disability toward the end of October.  

We kept asking ourselves, how are we ever going to survive in this job another few months?  It was a few weeks later that Robert called back and said the following Sabbath (toward the end of August) would be John’s last Sabbath at Rolla and that the next week would be his last at Salem and Waynesville.  They would put him on medical leave until his disability would begin, about November 24.  We were extremely relieved, though somewhat surprised, to say the least.

Becky Vermilyea and Nancy Littrell with us in Branson

Our church leadership was not surprised, though some were extremely disappointed.  Naturally, others were not!  I am quite sure that some also felt abandoned by us.  We hate to LEAVE anywhere but in this circumstance, though we were sad, we also saw the necessity. 

Since the end of August, John has not gained much energy but he has gained weight, so I will have to say THAT is progress!  He walks about 2 miles every day (used to be 2 ½) and he works out almost every day.  How much he works out depends on his energy level.  He has regained muscle and is definitely looking better and more filled out.  He always wears his abdominal band which helps to support him where he has lost his Abdominus Rectus muscle.

Unique mountain community of Eureka Springs

We had planned on an extensive Western trip beginning in late October.But the closer we got to the date, the less John was inclined to go.  I was disappointed, to be sure.   

John and I had made a Labor Day weekend trip down to Branson and over to Arkansas and Oklahoma.  On Sabbath afternoon, Weavers (Winston’s grandparents) invited us to their lake home, where their family was gathered.  We got there around 2 but about 8 am that morning, Winston and Karissa who were also visiting, got engaged!  We were delighted to be part of the celebration and to see the video of the event.  Winston had called us at our hotel the night before to ask John’s permission, which he readily gave, so we had wind of it.  They plan to be married on May 31 in Arkansas.  He’s a great guy and is so good to Karissa.

In late September, we traveled to Chattanooga and spent 5 days with

Seeing Karissa was a highlight!

our kids there. We took care of ourselves during the day, then when the kids were done with work, we’d get together for supper and a walk or tennis.  One day, we went and saw Karissa on her work unit at Erlanger Hospital.  So proud of her!  Saw where Winston works too.  Both Natasha and Jeremy are doing clinicals.  The weekend was all OURS and we hiked at Lula Lake, a beautiful natural area on Lookout Mountain.

My work at Stepping Stones was stressful and it was hard not to talk about it with John.  That only increased HIS stress.  I also felt like we both were suffering from PTSD but not POST Traumatic Stress Sydrome, rather PERSISTENT TSD!  Also, the pastor’s wife does not need to hang around once the pastor is gone, so reluctantly (well, there was some relief, too!) I finished my job as day care director, October 18 being my last day.

So now, what?  Our home has been for sale now for some time.  We are not sure what our next step is, but GOD KNOWS and we are trusting him to open doors for us.  I used to say, like Sound of Music, “When God closes a door, he always opens a window”.  But the reality is that when God closes a door, the hallway can be hell!  We should feel footloose and fancy-free, instead, the way ahead is murky. 

Our Sabbath hike together to Lula Lake

We had wanted to go down and live near our kids who are both in Chattanooga.  Karissa and Winston will be moving from there next summer.  Natasha and Jeremy may be there another six months or so after that.  My perspective was that it would be a temporary stop-over, not a permanent move.  This may be the only time in their lives when they live nearby each other.  Since our home has not sold, however, it just does not seem wise to go that direction. 

We do have an option to live in John’s folks’ old home in Falls City, OR, next door to his sister, Ruth, and her husband, Larry, for low rent.  Right now it is rented.   Though neither of us is keen on living in the Willamette Valley again, it might be that it is the right option for us for now when our home here sells and Ruth assures us she can make it happen.  Guess time will tell.