The Storms of Life

Rocklin, CA was rocked in August of 2013 when Dr Peter Vellutini, a beloved veterinarian, suddenly, without explanation, became horribly ill. The community surrounding he and his wife, Ruth, watched and prayed… and waited. Many of you will remember regularly checking Facebook for updates (https://www.facebook.com/petervelluntiniupdates). And then time moved on. We invite you to journey back with us as we enter Ruth’s story.

If you had asked me to share my story a couple of years ago, it would have been quite different than what I count as most significant today.  God used a congenital heart defect to keep me trusting in Him throughout my life.  Valve surgery was inevitable, but the timing was elusive.  I fell in love with an amazing guy who was willing to take the chance in marrying me, knowing that it was unclear if I would be able to have children.  God did indeed bless us with children.  At the age of 33, with 2 children under the age of 3, I had that open heart surgery.

I wrestled with “God’s perfect timing” but afterward I saw the blessing in the boys being too young to appreciate the gravity of the situation.  I naively thought we were going to get our “happily ever after” when our third son was born.

What I failed to recognize is that we probably won’t have “one big storm”, but should anticipate many storms through various seasons of life.

We would be wise to use the “sunny days” so to speak, to grow and strengthen our faith so we are more prepared to weather the storms of life. 

How do we do that?  By studying God’s Word and His promises, so we can have those truths firmly planted in our hearts when we get overwhelmed by our circumstances.  If we allow God to continue to work in our lives, He’ll keep growing us and deepening our character.  John Eldridge writes about how God has a unique love story to write in each of our lives.

I’m beginning to appreciate the fact that love stories have exciting times as well as heartache.

Let me tell you about the most recent chapter of my love story…..

Summer 2013 ended abruptly for my family when my perfectly healthy husband suddenly became critically ill.

On August 1, 2013 Peter got up early and planned out his last big ride. He was training for The Mt. Shasta Summit Century, which was just three days away, so this was his last chance for a long ride before the big event – a 10,000 elevation change across a 100 mile path up Mt Shasta. Today’s ride would be about 35 miles. The final training ride went well and I was confident for Pete that he was prepared for his trip to Mt. Shasta.

On August 2nd Pete woke up with a strange headache and neck ache. He spent most of the day sleeping, and his symptoms gradually progressed to include tingling in his hands and feet, double vision and nausea with any movement. A phone call to the advice nurse and then later a doctor decided he had some sort of vertigo and it would be ok to sleep it off at home.

On August 3rd Pete could not bear weight and I drove him straight to the ER. This is how his horrific illness began.

His neurologic symptoms came on quickly and progressed rapidly.  Every test came back normal.  Within 24 hours he was intubated and in a deep sleep.  For 11 days I sat by his side in the ICU, unsure of what the future would hold and unaware that although he was unable to move or respond, he understood much of what was happening.

All we could do was pray and watch for signs of hope.

I counted 35 medical care providers on his team trying to diagnose him while providing “comfort care”.  No diagnosis meant no prognosis.

The doctors were baffled but I knew God was not.

I was being prepared for the likelihood of a tracheotomy when his signs of alertness began to improve.  He was extubated and the long road of rehabilitation began.  He spent 6 weeks in the hospital, 6 months on medical leave and completed countless hours of speech, physical and occupational therapy.   We did eventually get a diagnosis – Bickerstaff Brainstem Encephalitis, an extremely rare autoimmune response to a virus.

As I drove back and forth from the hospital I gripped the steering wheel tight and tearfully poured my heart out to God.   Confessing my need for Him and declaring my trust in Him I returned to the ICU.  I began to see God work immediately.  First it was simply an old hymn He placed in my heart that first night driving Pete’s truck.  Coincidently, a remake of this song became popular on the radio and I heard it play frequently as I drove to and from the hospital.

As word got out, our community stepped up to support us in countless ways.  Every day I experienced God’s love and presence through tangible means.  Meals, childcare, house/yard work, financial support, letters of encouragement and most importantly, ongoing prayers.  The outpouring was overwhelming.

I believe that it was the faithful prayers of many that protected and sustained us and ultimately led to Pete’s full, miraculous recovery.

Each day I held onto the biblical truths that were planted in my heart.  I meditated on Deuteronomy 31:18 :“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you.  He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.” I studied Romans 5 and was reminded that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope (verse 4).

Sometimes, in pure exhaustion, I ‘d still get overwhelmed.  I remember one day in particular when I had a wave of anxiety over a stack of bills.  I called on dear friends to pray and shortly after there was a knock at my door.  My husband’s boss was there with a check from the donation fund he had started, and the amount was an exact dollar match to the bill I was faced with.  God was clearly at work!

God was being glorified and blessing me through the biggest trial of my life.

            Seasons of life come with storms.  We don’t get to choose the timing, how big the storm or how long it will last, nor can we predict how long it will take to recover. Why did we have to experience this trial?  Why did we receive blessing upon blessing?  Some people get stuck on the Why questions, to which there is no answer.  This is what I know to be true:  I am just an ordinary person but I’m loved by an Extraordinary God.  God understands our heartache through every kind of trial of life.  He experienced it first hand when he walked the earth as Jesus.  Every kind of illness, relational pain, and financial strain – our Heavenly Father is waiting for us to call on Him so he can be glorified and so He can bless his children.  He wants to sustain us through the storms of life.

– Ruth