October wasn’t finished strangling me…my son J was also having heart issues and we checked that out. Diagnosed as Pre-Ventricular Contractions, which many people have, even without having our family heart defect. J and I were both diagnosed years ago, with the LongQT syndrome. So having racing heart and arrhythmia of any kind is very unnerving. But there were really no answers.

That was finally enough to push us to get my other son, A, genetically tested too. If he was positive for the gene, he should also come with us to Mayo Clinic. Dr. Ackerman is a world wide specialist in LongQT and is published in many books and articles concerning it.

During the Spiritual growth conference, my left upper chest had actual physical pain which I couldn’t explain as my own. It seemed to be in the spiritual realm. Concern for my niece and my J.  As I mentioned to the prayer team, I felt that there were going to be big changes. God was doing mysterious work, and gave me prophecy which I wasn’t sure was good or bad news.

On Monday, two days after the conference was done, a series of events began which seemed to circle on and on for many months. Somebody had pulled a top and it began to spin for months. Suddenly, we had an offer on our home-and a good one. It was Nov. 19. The deal was made, and we were expected to be out of our house by the day after Christmas.

If Cliff didn’t have the dream anymore, then I could no longer enjoy the place either. Too much house, land, and pool. The downsizing decision had been made.

We had looked on-line endlessly with no luck, but this offer could not be passed up and was accepted and sealed. I told Cliff that if he was following God, I could follow him. Then the tension of what to buy, the question of a condo, what to do about my dog, or would we rent? It appeared that almost everything we owned would need to be stored. Being out in the country, cold weather, in a hurry, and many items I wanted to keep.

I was determined not to let this move destroy our last Christmas in this home. Even before Thanksgiving, the house was decorated and the tree up. I asked the boys to make sure they could come one last time.

Day in and day out. Sitting in the middle of three bags or boxes-pack, throw away, and give away. It felt like a bunch of decisions were just thrown into our faces, as if a cold fan was switched on high. Bank meetings, inspections, and looking at houses.

The weather outside had taken a sudden turn in November along with our life. As white began to cover the earth, I tried to pray and calm myself. Keeping perspective on how blessed we really were. Prayed as I packed, for sick and needy friends. It was just a house. It was not easy for this sentimental gal to do.

When the pressure cooker began to scream, we recommitted to each other. Turning away from each other was sometimes our bad habit during times of stress. The hard work and daily decision to stick together through this as we had throughout the last 29 years.

I was determined to stay organized, and the “teacher in me”, color-coded and labeled every box on all four sides. It was time consuming, but I knew it would pay off in the end. No time to peruse, or get sentimental about anything. Renting a storage unit, that we knew would be needed for a time, no matter where we ended up going. We filled up one…then needed two.

My Kinesiologist is a God-send. Dr. J. helped alleviate much of the anxiety and stiff neck, with his adjustments and supplements.

I had five weeks to pack and get every single thing out of our beloved home. The place we dreamed of, planned and had built. Visited every single night of the building process to sweep, paint and help. The yard which Cliff landscaped and installed the sprinkling system. Our boys grew up there from age 7 and 10.  Worked alongside their dad, begging to drive the lawnmower to disc rake the huge yard.

In the middle of all this, my niece had a second surgery which seemed to make her situation improve. Being a communicator, I didn’t feel I was nurturing any of my relationships enough. It seemed that all I did was pack, tape and label.

Thanksgiving Day, we received some words that gave us hope and calm amidst the storm.