Valley Lows

October 1, 2013

Well, first let me report that the blood tests yesterday turned out quite satisfactory! Our veterinarian assured us that their levels were normal, that we didn’t need to worry, but that we should keep our eyes on their food intake, watch for vomiting and also watch urine output for the next couple of days. Based on this morning’s assault on the food bowl, appetite doesn’t appear to be an issue!

I am so thankful for two veterinarians. Our local veterinarian is Melissa Jones, DVM, who happens to be a long time friend of Scott’s. In fact her family are long time friends of the Hays Family in general. Her office is here in town. And also my friend Lorie Huston, DVM, a vet back in the northeast. Lorie and I attended Westside High School in Omaha back in the 70s. We haven’t seen each other since graduation. But between the two, I didn’t feel alone in our attempts to cope on Sunday.

Other than that, not a lot to write about. Our plans for a day trip to Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument are on hold while the government is shut down.

It is rare that I will discuss political issues, even ones as important as what is currently going on. I do not like debate with family and friends. In fact, I do not like debate, with anyone. I can not adequately explain why here in this blog, nor will I attempt to.

Prayer Intention

Prayer “is the root, the fountain, the mother of a thousand blessings.” Chrysostom

Some years ago, for our anniversary, I bought Scott and I an item at our local (in Omaha) bookstore, Soul Desires. This object was a little clay bowl with 10 clay ovals, each with a different picture. This bowl sits on a pad with pictures depicting each clay oval. It is called a “Milestone Blessing Bowl”. There are numerous ways to use this. The idea, in general though, is that you pick up an oval, put it in your pocket, and then pray for whatever the oval represents. The pad with the image of the clay tells you what that representation is.

So it is now October. I picked a new oval today. The description is “Valley Lows”. I wasn’t sure what this meant, at first. I debated taking another oval to represent this week’s prayer intention. But I realized that perhaps this was an appropriate one, after all.

For I really am experiencing personal “valley lows” currently. I am so happy to be living where I am, and my lifestyle here, the daily walks and the hiking and the other things we do thrill me.

But I am feeling really low in other ways. Being without a job, and watching our finances shrink is scary. I knew coming here that God would provide. This is a matter of unshakeable faith for me. But, still I worry.

So, I pray for valley lows, and watch for, and listen for, whatever it is God may be trying to say to me during this time.