85 ~ Caught In The Middle

By Kay Heitsch

At first, I didn't know all that was going on. I did know this child had been taken to another country without her father's consent. I also knew I seemed to be caught in the middle.

I was getting phone calls from both Mom and Dad several times a day. This situation was over my head.

Finally, I found out Mom had accused Dad of Feticide. This would be the first case charged in our county. If convicted, this would be a lengthy prison sentence.

I wasn't sure how to cope mentally and emotionally.

So I decided to go on a fast and pray. I didn't eat any food for 7 days. I did drink. I kept praying the Lord's will would be done.

The church I was attending at the time had made a small prayer room made from an unused closet. I would go over to the prayer room where I could be alone, without the phone or doorbell ringing.

Mom had returned to the United States but did not bring the child back with her. A lot was involved in having the child returned.

Now I needed to find a new job.

The phone and doorbell kept ringing.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

84 ~ What On Earth Is Going On?

By Kay Heitsch

We were thrilled when Mom and Dad visited a few weeks earlier and shared the news that they were expecting a new baby.

Our 3-year lease was up. So we decided to lease an SUV with extra room for now, two car seats.

I didn't notice anything unusual when Mom came to pick up their little girl for lunch on February 6th. The only thing different was that she didn't come to the front door. She looked normal.

A few days passed, and the phone rang. It was from Dad. He wanted to talk to Bill. He told Bill that he had been arrested and was in jail.

I couldn't believe it! I felt sick to my stomach. What had I gotten into, leaving the school job to be their nanny? I sure wasn't expecting anything like this.

Now, Dad said he needed money for bail and a lawyer. He asked Bill to get into his house, find his stocks, etc., and sell them. Dad knew Bill worked in finance and would know what to do.

Now Bill was to give the money to his lawyer. He said the lawyer wouldn't talk to him unless he had $ 100,000 cash upfront. Good grief, this must be serious!

The next thing I knew, detectives were at our door questioning me. My head was in a whirlwind.

What on earth was going on? Life had been going great. Now, suddenly, a traumatic turn of events.

I needed God to help me more than ever.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

83 ~ She's Not Here

By Kay Heitsch

It was another February 6th. This isn't an ordinary day for me. It was on February 6th that my Dad, Todd, plus 2 uncles died.

I was somewhat surprised when the baby's mom called. She was calling to say she wanted to take the baby, now a toddler, out to lunch with a friend and her child.

Since we had shared parts of our lives with each other, I thought she was giving me a break because it was February 6th.

Instead of coming to the front door as usual, she used another door. She looked fine. I had the little girl ready, and away they went. I spent a quiet day alone.

As the day went on, I was expecting Mom to return, but she never did.

I wasn't concerned until Dad came over to pick up their little girl. I told him she's not here.

I explained to him that his wife had stopped by, and she said she was taking her to lunch with a friend.

I could tell by the look on Dad's face that he knew nothing about this.

It was shortly thereafter that we found out both passports were missing. Mom had gone to India and taken the little girl.

I wish I could say everything was fine, but it was anything but fine.

Another tragedy on February 6th. How would God bring a triumph out of what was coming?

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

82 ~ It Was Great Until It Wasn't

By Kay Heitsch

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

I missed working at the schools and even the jewelry rep job, but I was happy to be home. I exercised and stretched daily on the ball. Cindy and I walked the baby in her stroller.

We all enjoyed having a baby around. I'm a detail-oriented person, so I kept track of the baby's schedule and the times they were with us. Usually, a couple of times a week, she also spent the night.

We learned that Mom and Dad were born in another country. They invited us over to eat. It was interesting to try other foods and learn about the culture. We also invited them to eat with us.

Mom and Dad shared a lot about their lives with us. It was nice getting to know them.

Dad shared that he was a US citizen, but Mom wasn't. She asked me if I would write a letter of recommendation for her. I was happy to do it.

Usually, Dad would bring the baby over and pick her up. Mom worked long hours, but they often came together.

It was sweet watching the baby begin to walk, and how she would run to the door, smiling when I told her daddy was coming. I could tell she had a special relationship with her dad.

Everything seemed great! Until it wasn't!

The next few years were among the most stressful periods of my life.

For a fact, I almost lost my faith.

Now, how was God going to bring any good out of this?

* I will not be using any names.

81 ~ Should I Leave My Job?

By Kay Heitsch

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

Working out on the ball was slowly helping my hands, etc., to heal. Cindy and I were on summer break and continued to walk almost every morning.

When we moved into this home, the builder lived across the street. He was getting a divorce, so he put his house up for sale.

It wasn't long before a young couple moved in. One day, I was outside when they came out with a new baby girl. We all introduced ourselves. I, of course, fussed over the baby.

A few weeks went by, and school was about to start. I was happy to be going back and working with Julie.

However, this young couple came over and asked if I would be their nanny. Mom was a doctor, and Dad owned his own business, and he traveled a lot.

Everything would be provided, and I would take care of the baby in our home.

I loved my job at the school. I really did not want to leave there. But I also wanted to do what God had planned for me to do.

I started to pray. I told the Lord if this was His will, I would ask this couple for 2 things. If they agreed, I would quit my job.

My first request was to receive the same amount I was earning at school. Second, that all taxes, etc., would be taken out. I wanted this on the up and up. Nothing under the table.

I wasn't surprised when they both agreed.

This arrangement was working out well. I was home when Brandon came home from school. He enjoyed having a baby around.

My hands were given a break. Cindy and I were now walking, pushing a baby carriage.

God knew I needed a break at this time. Plus, I also needed to be home with Brandon, just like I always was with Todd and Shannon.

80 ~ The Ball

By Kay Heitsch

My hands, etc, were not getting any better even though I had given up the jewelry rep job. Now, just trying to hold a book or turning a page hurts. Bill said I was crying in my sleep in pain.

I took some over-the-counter pain pills, but they didn't seem to help. I began praying regularly that God would help me.

One day, I was surprised when a box arrived at our home. It was addressed to me, but I hadn't ordered anything. I asked Bill if he knew anything about it.

Bill said he had ordered it. It was an exercise ball. My enthusiastic response was, "What? Who is going to be using an exercise ball?"

To be honest, I was irritated. First, I had stayed about the same size all our married life. I didn't need to lose weight. I was working and walking with Cindy. What did he think I needed with an exercise ball?

This ball stayed in the box for some time. I kept praying about my hands, wrists, shoulders, and elbows.

One fine day, I decided to open the box. I'm a frugal person, and I didn't want to see money wasted.

There was a device designed to inflate the ball. Plus, a couple of videos. I blew the ball up and put the video in. It was fun.

I started to use the ball regularly. There were stretching exercises. The more I stretch, I can feel a release beginning in my shoulder, then down my arm to my hands. I couldn't believe it.

I continued working out on the ball. After several months, my pain was gone entirely. I called the number on the box and let them know. I was healed! Plus, I went from a size 6 to a 4.

To this very day, I still stretch and exercise on this ball. The pain has never returned.

I never dreamed this exercise ball would be the answer to my prayer, but it certainly was.

Once again, God turned my pain into something good, a complete healing.

79 ~ Aunt Ruth School Jewelry Rep

By Kay Heitsch

Once we got settled, we started attending a church. I met some great people there.

I was still walking outside in our neighborhood. One of the friends at church started walking with me. We walked year-round. Cindy knew the area, so she knew places we could walk inside if needed.

I began working, as needed, in different public schools in town. I enjoyed working with individual students. I always carried candy, etc. The kids loved treats.

Bill's job at the bank went well for a while, but then they decided to go in another direction. Bill could see it coming, so he had another finance job lined up. I saw that God had opened another door.

I heard that a Charter School was looking for full-time help. I went over and applied. I was hired. This job was a wonderful experience!

I was privileged to work with a first-year teacher. Julie taught First Grade. I've worked with many teachers over the years. But I have to say Julie was the best.

I also took another part-time job as a service representative for a jewelry company. I enjoyed this job, but it seriously messed up both hands. I did this job after working at the charter school.

Aunt Ruth had a stroke. She was no longer at home. Now she was in a nursing home close to one of the stores where I worked as a jewelry rep.

So around 9:30 at night, after work, I would stop in to see her. It was a nightmare! Aunt Ruth couldn't talk. She had a feeding tube, which she hated! She would try to talk, cry, point at the feeding tube, and jerk it out.

I was exhausted after working all day and night, and then trying to deal with Aunt Ruth and this sad situation was very difficult.

One night, I felt I couldn't mentally and emotionally handle it anymore.

Thankfully, God helped me calm her down enough to communicate with her. We came to an agreement that I would remind her of our good times together. Aunt Ruth was happier, and so was I. Aunt Ruth and I were able to laugh, remembering fun times.

It wasn't much longer, and Aunt Ruth died at the nursing home. My hands, wrists, and elbows were so painful that I quit the jewelry rep job soon after she died.

I was happy I could spend time with Aunt Ruth and bring her some happiness. The jewelry rep job allowed me to work close enough to visit.

God once again proved faithful to bring good out of each situation we were going through.