Prayer Request... & Thanks

Original post: 8/25/09

Another prayer request, please, for my stepdaughter this time:

Over the last decade or so, I've learned that "boring" is not a bad thing. Unfortunately, last night was far from boring when Mr. Squirrel's daughter experienced what we believe to be catastrophic brake failure and crashed into (i.e. through) the back wall of the garage. [I was actually beginning to work on my next "movie" post when this event occurred.]

I would like to direct you to Mr. Squirrel's blog for pictures & details: click here. [Note: My car is the little blue one parked along the outside of the garage.] We are all so grateful that there were no injuries.

This could have been so much worse in so many ways, and it reminds me how God shows His mercy even in the bad things that happen to us. My prayer request is that when the wall is shored up and the car towed out, that the repairs to both will be less expensive (and/or extensive) than we imagine.

I also pray that her insurance rates will not be affected... too much.

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Update: 8/27/09

Mr. Squirrel has posted an update on his blog - click here. [There is also speculation of the cause in the comments.] Thanks for the prayers!

P.S. Please add some prayers for me. I've been dealing with significant migraine issues (triggered by fragrances) at the office, because new people have been moving into the area. It's quite a battle. Thanks much.

Update: 8/28/09

Thanks again for the additional prayers. Things have been improving again at the office. It really is like Russian Roulette. You just never know when you get the bullet!

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God Bless & Godspeed

A Time to Rest...

There are days when it suddenly enters my mind that I have not had a chance to "rest". Life has been so busy just trying to keep up that I didn't realize it until I had down-time at the office. All the project work is caught up and I finally have a chance to make backups and do the machine maintenance. I could tell from the dates on the last backups, that I've not done any since this past MARCH. [Hmmm. Are you that way, too? Even when you get a day off, it's spent doing the things that you couldn't do during the week.]

During those times when my machines are churning away, my brain can wander to other things. Today it desperately wants to rest.

Because I had my netbook with me today, I accessed an available yet anonymous internet link (flaky connection and unreliable) so I wouldn't interfere with the company routers & servers. I thought it would be relaxing to Google some pictures for future blog posts. Suddenly I found myself looking at pictures that generated feelings of inner peace. They were mostly landscapes, but they all let something between my brain and my soul "rest" as I looked at them. Some of them reminded me of memories I'd forgotten. Beautiful days as a kid spent with family in the woods (getting firewood or picking huckleberries), or those archaeological-survey days working for the BLM or Forest Service, when I would cross over a ridge and suddenly stand within a vista display of God's creation. [Although I didn't know Him at that time.]

I would like to share one of those pictures with you. The following photo is of Hidden Lake in Montana. I'm not sure if I've actually been to this lake, but I remember being to many mountain/glacial lakes in my lifetime that looked very much like this one. Unfortunately, my memory is so foggy that I can't tell you when it was or who I was with, but this photo brings vividly to mind the smells of the mountain air and the trees. Whether I was alone or with a group, I remember stopping to just take it all in... to just "be" a part of the scenery - nothing needing to be done, no obiligations.

It's good to remember that there is more to life than just work. There is also "rest."

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Godspeed & God Bless!

Praise to be shared...

MR. SQUIRREL IS BACK IN THE WORKFORCE! YIPPEE!

Thanks so much for all the prayers and thoughts!

As of Saturday evening, Mr. Squirrel completed his first "week" and is officially on the work-rolls for the Missoula branch of the Yellow Cab Company!

Happy Dance! Happy Dance!

Prayer Request...

Original post 8/4/09:

Another prayer request, please:

I am hesitant to give details, but let me just say that Mr. Squirrel is THISCLOSE to a new local job opportunity. It is the only positive bite we've gotten since that last "positive"... and we know how quickly that got shot down in flames.

My prayer request is that God's will be done. If it is in His will, please let Mr. Squirrel re-enter the workforce that we might feel the strangle-hold of all that "hope and change" to a lesser degree.

We should know in the next few days. Many thanks!

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Update: 8/6/09:

Yesterday, Mr. Squirrel was invited to do a 'ride along' to see if the job was something that he wanted to do. At the end of a three hour stint, he gave them the thumbs-up and today he's on his first day (12-hours) of training... Note: The "you got the job" papers have not been signed yet, but will be as soon as he is given his own shift, and we should know more about that by the end of the day today.

We are almost there!

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God bless & Godspeed

Prayer Request... Thanks

Original Post - 7/31/09:

This is just a quick prayer request. With all the perfume issues going on recently, I'm heading into a potential "lion's den" of my own.

Tonight and part of tomorrow, I will be participating in Mr. Squirrel's 25-year High School Reunion. It should be fun, but I have some apprehensions about the fragrance levels. I've already mentally prepared for it by reducing my emotional investment in the fear and dread - (practicing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be a wonderful thing) and I'll have my stuff (mask/meds) with me to deal with anything that might crop up. However, I'd just like the event to have more fun than apprehension.

If you could pray for God's sustaining hand and mercy to be upon the event, I would be grateful. Thanks.
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Update 8/3/09 -

Many thanks for the prayers! I survived the weekend with only a few annoying side effects hanging on during the recovery (including something akin to the effects of hayfever).

The reunion was well attended (50+ people) and I only had half-dozen people who I had to avoid or use strong caution around (only one was male). Unfortunately, the good-bye hugs Saturday night ended up being my greatest challenge. With a long drive to get home afterward, I had to "wear" all those scents until I could get into a shower. [I tried an alcohol wash in the car, but it only went so far as it was in my clothing by default.]

I am very pleased to say that the office-move has officially shown it's worth in the improvement in my ability to endure encounters. I can last longer during exposures, but more importantly the after effects are not so debilitating (so far). I did have fairly strong headaches each morning after gatherings (who needs alcohol to experience hangovers), but I only had one strong dizzy spell after the initial "introduction" hugs. I did have some minor dizziness on Sunday, too, but I'm hoping the 'after-shocks' will not be long lasting. [Not all migraine effects happen at the time of the exposure. Sometimes it likes to pounce on me long after the event... when I let my guard down.]

It was a pleasure to meet some of Mr. Squirrel's friends and the event turned out to be a very good experience overall. Thanks again!

God Bless & God speed