Outside, Inside, Within
We moved onto our “farmette” nearly thirty years ago. Our well was new at that time. My husband, Thomas The Big Guy, has been saying we need a new well. Why? “The old one will give out soon. It’s too shallow. Etc.” In July, 2019, I called a well driller; he came right out, investigated, looked us up on the county website, and called back – they’d be here soon.
They finally showed up to begin drilling at the end of August. It was a rainy August that year, but they drilled – deeper, and deeper. Finally, they decided there was no water there – we must choose a different location. They drilled the second well during a somewhat rainy October. At last! We had a new well!
July, 2020 brought us stinky, smelly water with a blackish discoloration. It was most unpleasant. We had an analysis of our water by the County. With results in hand, Thomas began researching our problem online. He found a filter to buy online; he could do the plumbing himself. (Thomas knows how to do everything – electrical, construction, plumbing – you name it.)
Thomas The Big Guy is 79 years old! I wanted him to just take it easy and hire it done. He agreed to have a water treatment company assess our situation. That occurred on August 22. It would have cost us over $6,000! Thomas told me – in great detail – how he could be Mr. DIY! (I heard not a word; fear closed my ears.)
I never really committed. I let him know that our savings could cover the cost to have the professionals do it. Then I kept quiet.
After a few trips to Menard’s, and “power tool sounds” coming from the basement, I knew — this was a DIY Project.
He had said he would need my help to get the heavy treatment filter into the basement, and told me its ETA. There was some mix-up and the delivery was delayed locally (i.e. not in shipping, but in delivering). The day it arrived, September 23, I was not home! He did it himself!! He’s a master at physics, using leverage, fulcrums, etc.
I’m so proud of him!! He took everything step-by-step, using great forethought and caution. The new and improved water system went “live” September 30th! Showers were good! Laundry turned out well. We added salt to the regular softener over the weekend and cleaned the “crusties” out of all the faucet screens. My dish soap makes bubbles again! Showers have no odor!! Shower stall slime-free!! Great water pressure from our “de-crustied” shower head!
Our drinking water has been RO (reverse osmosis) since we first moved in. There was no significant effect on our RO system. I’m going to take Thomas The Big Guy out for a Special Steak Dinner!!
Whenever we lose power, regardless of the season, we lose water – no electricity to pump it from the well. It’s always scary to be reminded of how much I use water. Yes, a human body is 60 to 70% water. We should consume “sufficient amounts of water” each day (the 8 x 8 is being debunked). Water gives and maintains life.
This past week, Holy Spirit has been reminding me of just HOW precious water is – THE LIFE WATER FROM OUR LORD. The Scriptures and texts in my devotionals have centered around The Woman At The Well, the Samaritan Woman. Our Human Needs for water may (or may not) be 8, 8oz glasses a day, but our Spiritual Needs for The Water of Life span 24/7.
Jesus offers us “living water” (John 4:10), “a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). Jesus The Lord IS “the spring of living water” (Jeremiah 17:13)
When we believe in Him, “rivers of living water will flow from within” (John 7:38). That’s exactly what happened to me in the minutes following my Baptism. (See “Bubbles in My Belly” under Faith) Jesus invites us to “Come!…take the free gift of the water of life” (Rev. 22:17)
Yes, we truly cannot life without it – water on the outside, water on the inside, and The Living Water Within.
10/07/20