Month: July 2017

Back to School

Sometimes….well…a lot of times….nope…. Most times, God pushes us in directions we never could have imagined.  I am going back to “school”!  Not a physical school, but an online type of school which I have never done before.  I’m starting a one year journey to become certified in animal hospice and palliative care and I cannot tell you how excited I am to get back into school!

What is animal hospice and palliative care?  Well, I used to think it sounded crazy!  Maybe you do too and that’s ok.  I pictured dogs hooked up to IV’s in a small little nursing home scenario while family members stood by waiting for them to pass.  No, that’s not it at all.  It the science of how we, as veterinarians, can use our medical knowledge of behavior, disease processes, medications and apply them specifically to end of life care to alleviate pain and suffering.  It is also about being able to communicate with owners about quality of life and end of life decisions.  I used to think it went against euthanasia and ending suffering, but in all actuality, it is a strong supporter of it and helping pets have the most peaceful passing at the right time.

I have discovered a side of veterinary medicine that I am really passionate about and that is helping these old grey muzzles and feeble whiskers be comfortable and enjoy their final weeks/months for as long as they can and help owners navigate the challenging question of “When is it time?”.

So back to school I go!  Wish me luck!

I have been overwhelmed and overjoyed by the family and friends that have read or are reading my book.  Thank you for your support and kind words!

People have been asking me what it was like to write a book, and honestly….it was one of the best joy rides of my life.  I wanted to share a bit about the writing process because God is so cool and I got to encounter His power in such a new way through writing.

Each time, before sitting at the computer desk, I would feel a message or topic burning in my heart.  Situations at work would line up, my daily readings would fit perfectly with it, topics at church or in my women’s bible study would align with it, and I would know that I was meant to record it.  I would go into my study, kneel on the floor and pray for God to speak to me.  I would ask for Him to guide my words to glorify Him.  Then I would start typing…..and it would flow….some days for hours, some days for minutes.  But there would always come a point where I could feel God say, “that’s enough”.   Then, I’d stop.

Just recently, I was offered an opportunity to write an article for an organization I have been a part of since veterinary school: Christian Veterinary Mission.  It’s an organization of 70 plus missionaries around the world who are vets.  It also holds retreats and training for vets in the states.  I had about 24 hours to write this article, but I knew God created this opportunity and He would make it happen.  So I sat down at my computer and wrote the article.  Then I heard Him say, “What if I asked you to erase everything you just wrote and start over?”.  All these thoughts started racing in my head, “What??? But…no.  I gotta get this done, I only have so much time…”   In not one of my proudest moments, I tabbed down to another page, WITHOUT erasing, and started writing again.  In just about 10 minutes I wrote an article that was 10 times better than the one before, which I soon erased.

I think a lot of times, God makes what He is calling us to do seem impossible so that when it is accomplished, we must look back and say, “it had to be Him because there’s no way I ever could have done that alone.”  That is what I love the most about writing with Him.  He surprises me, He thrills me, and He always comes through.  As Beth Moore stated in the video I’m about to watch with my women’s group this week, “There ain’t no high like THE Most High!”  Jesus is the thrill of my life and I CANNOT wait to learn what He is up to “now” that will be my “next”!

Here is my current status, sitting in my study, pouring over emails and addresses that I have obtained for popular/famous veterinary personalities, and sending out thank you cards and free books.  (And yes, I did a little girly giggle of excitement when I got a personal email back from Dr. Marty Becker!)

When God told me to write a book, I was like…Whoa, what, how, me!?!  But the writing in comparison to publishing, designing, proofreading, business making, and now marketing was like cake!  It has been a great reminder that yes, when God calls you to do something, He provides you with the anointing to do it…but you have to do the work!

It has been amazing seeing family and friends support me in this journey.  SO many of you have bought my book and I am thrilled that you would want to read what I have to say.  I have loved every selfie/picture of my friends who have bought my book (and don’t worry, they are being saved in a special file 🙂

Now God is calling me to go beyond the friend zone, and so far, this: packaging yellow envelops with free books is the best idea I have.  Would you pray with me?  You see, this adventure is not just about selling books.  And this adventure is not about me!  This is about getting this book of hope in the hands of someone who is at the end of their rope in a career that has severely disappointed them and telling them about the life saving, beautiful power of Jesus.  Pray that these little envelops bless those who receive them.  Pray that they share the book with at least one person.  And pray that God’s favor over this book may reach without limit to all veterinarians.

Thank you!  Thank you for your prayers and for reading my book!

Much love,

Heidi