Mental Health Awareness

May is Mental Health Awareness month so this blog is devoted to the previously "taboo" topic. I have mental illness. I've struggled with depression for 40 years. I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and have been on various medications all of this time. Perhaps you know someone else who has a mental disorder. There are many of us.

The topic doesn't usually come up in common conversation though it may be upmost in a person's mind. We just don't usually talk about it. It isn't an easy thing to bring up. "Hi, how are you?" "Oh, I'm depressed today." "Oh, my schizophrenia is acting up." "Well, I'm bipolar."

Before I was diagnosed I was so sad. I cried a lot and I couldn't change how I felt. I hated myself for being a failure at life. The first few medications didn't work and I felt no hope for the future. I finally attempted suicide to end all the terrible pain I felt. I was nearly successful except my husband came home from work early found me and drove me to the hospital. That year I spent many weeks in the mental health ward.

Finally, after many attempts, doctors found the right combination of drugs to help me.  I had many good years and even went to college and got my journalism degree when I was 40. Then I lost my beloved mother and I just couldn't stop grieving her. It was a difficult time, trying to help my dad get through the loss also. His health failed and eventually he could no longer stay at home safely. I faced another crisis at this time and endured ECT treatments that were effective at getting me out of the deep depression.

Though it isn't always easy to find the right treatment and medication combination there is help available and it is always worth striving toward hope. Having faith in God and His saving Son Jesus Christ helped me endure even the worst days.

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever--do not abandon the works of your hands," (Psalm 138:7-8 NIV).

Please seek help if you are in need of counseling or therapy. There are good people who can help.

Respect and Honor

Today we honor all those who have gone before us, in battle and in peace. Those who have stood bravely in service for the protection of our Country and its freedoms, and our rights and liberties that we are so privileged to share.

Today the flags wave in the wind and boldly proclaim the United States of America. There is little more beautiful than a row of flags encircling the cemetery, reminding us of the respect and honor that is due. The white crosses that honor the many soldiers who gave their lives for each citizen of America, humble me. They are the proud and the brave we have lost on battlefields near and far.

Today is for the Veterans who served so faithfully and for the Unknown Soldiers who never returned home but gave all they had to serve their country so completely. Today we remember the times Veterans try to forget.

Today we pause and remember our loved ones who have gone "home" before us. We decorate the graves with flowers and flags and signs of honor and love. Cemeteries become multi-colored carpets of remembrance spread across the landscapes, surrounded by waving flags.

The sound of taps echos through our country, touching each heart with emotion. Twenty-four notes repeat the voice of respect and honor due from us all. May we all remember to honor the Veterans who remain with painful memories of days they experienced. Thank you all who served so selflessly.

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves," (Romans 12:10 NIV).

Note: Today at 3 p.m. Taps Across America invites anyone with a horn to play taps with them, spreading the sound of taps across America. Listen for the sound of broken hearts respectfully honoring our beloved servants of the past.

Eggs in my Basket

When I was a little girl we had chickens, laying hens and a rooster. There was a nice little red chicken house on our farm where the chickens roosted and laid their eggs. One of my jobs involved gathering the eggs in the orange plastic-coated wire basket. I loved gathering eggs and grew to respect the hens.

Some of the hens would allow you to gather the eggs they were sitting on, however, some did not. My childhood arms got pecked fiercely sometimes so I learned to be very cautious. I also helped scatter the feed for the chickens in the barnyard where the chickens were allowed to scavenge all day.

At dusk it was time to shoo the chickens back into their house and close the door securely to keep them safe from a nasty demise. In the dark there were roaming creatures who longed for the taste of the chickens. Foxes, skunks, weasels and more were the chicken house criminals.

The chickens were the first ones up in the morning. The rooster made his cock-a-doodle-doo sound loud enough to jar you from the soundest sleep. I remember how loud he was when my north bedroom window was open.

Once in the middle of the night I heard s loud screaming noice and notified mom and dad. Daddy got his gun and a flashlight and headed to the chicken house where he shot a weasel who was attacking the chickens. I don't remember how many chickens the weasel got but it seems like several were killed that night. The weasel got into the chicken house through a hole in the wall, that promptly got repaired.

Jesus also warned of a coming demise, trying to warn the people of something they couldn't understand.

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,'" (Matthew 23:37-39 NIV).

Let us be aware and alert. Jesus is coming again one day and we are to be ready.

Momentary Troubles

Good Morning!

I hope your morning is blessed by bright moments. It is starting out very gray here. When the skies are gray I feel gray inside. But a friend reminded me there are blue skies and sunshine above the clouds.

I've been redoing my recipe cards using larger 4 by 6 inch cards and I have a new recipe box. When I started this it didn't seem like such a big job. Now I'm wondering if I'll ever get done. I ran out of all the nice new cards I'd purchased so I resorted to cutting my own using some cardstock I had. Now I've gone through the stack I cut and still have more recipes to copy.

My mother was a great cook so I inherited many good recipes from her. I copied some from her before I got married and asked for many more as I became a cook for my family. The recipes from my mother are prized possessions. I especially cherish the ones that are hand written by my mother. I see her face in each one penned by her. I don't think I can throw away any of those special cards; they will have to be stored with the new cards.

This time of the COVID-19 pandemic has made all of us search for different things to fill our time. There are no ballgames to attend or watch on television, unless you want to watch something that happened in the past. No concerts or farmer's markets to attend, and shopping is only beginning to open up for the brave. It's week ten of the shut down on life as we knew it.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all," (2 Corinthians 4:16-17 NIV).

Blessings to you, today.

#600 gds

A Home for the Birds

For several years we fought the homing of swallows under the front porch roof. They made a terrible mess on our front door step so we tried everything we could think of to deter them. I stood out on our front stoop and waved my arms trying to turn the swallows away. We attempted to scrape off the mud nest as it was in progress and they would rebuild it over night. It took a ladder and  bucket of soapy water and a brush to clean it off our white trim. Every time. That got old real fast. Finally one year I bought a caulking tube of bird repellent and it worked.

We deterred the swallows from nesting on our front porch. But the Chinese believe a nest on your house represents life, growth, family stability, beauty and good luck, according to the Web. Nests symbolize good luck for everyone who lives in the house with a nest. Maybe I should have allowed the birds to nest. I hate to admit it but we also deterred a robin from building a next under our deck this year. We aren't very friendly folk.

Last year's robin's nest.

"Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young -- a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you," (Psalm 84:3-4 NIV).

God cares about even the birds. Perhaps He guided our swallows to a new home where they were welcome.

May we dwell in God's house, ever praising Him!

God Gets the Glory

One of the first things I do when I start my blog is pray to God for inspiration. I ask Him to give me a topic that someone needs to hear today. And He does. He always answers me even when I'm not aware of the answer. So all the glory for these blogs goes to God. If God ever speaks to you through this blog, thank Him. He deserves all glory.

That is one of the things I need to work on: giving God the glory. I feel bad that I sometimes seem to take credit for writing something someone appreciates. I often just say "thank you" in response to a comment. When I should say, "Give God the glory."

I feel ashamed of myself for this. I wish I could be like a friend of mine who always responds to a comment of praise: 'to God's glory'. I admire this person for such selfless service and such a pure heart.

Yes, even Jesus gave praise to His Father for hearing His prayers. When He came to Lazarus' grave, a dear friend of His, who died before Jesus arrived. Jesus spoke after having the stone removed from Lazarus' grave.

"Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go", (John 11:41-44 NIV).

John doesn't show us any emotion or even talk about how Martha and Mary reacted to this event. But even Jesus had to feel joy when Lazarus was given life again, Lazarus was his good friend.

Nothing gives me more joy than knowing when you are touched by one of these blogs. May God bless you today.

Spring Cleaning

I haven't done my spring cleaning yet. What am I waiting for? You may ask. What else is there to do when I am sheltering in place during the pandemic of COVID-19? Well, nothing. Absolutely, nothing.

My beloved husband tried to inspire me by washing windows last week. They look wonderful, I will add. I have noticed the dust is getting thicker everywhere but I haven't addressed the issue. I got started by getting the step stool out and dusting the high shelves in my office. I even have been thinking about reorganizing my books by color, as I clean. But, I haven't done it yet. Maybe today. Yes, I think I'll get going today.

Where does the dust come from anyway? Humans must create dust. I noticed that when our basement sat empty for several months it never got dusty. But as we started using it the dust accumulates. Even inside cupboards that have glass doors, the dust filters in and settles on all my little sheep. So I have spring cleaning to do. I feel more like cleaning when the sun is shining. But then I also want to be outside and enjoy the sun. What a dilemma!

Since it is still early, I've decided to definitely work on my office today. I might let you know how I get along. I feel inspired to make progress today. Thanks for encouraging me.

"How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues," (Psalm 31:19-20 NIV).

Playing by the Rules

Day 53: Stay at home. Wash your hands. Use hand sanitizer. Wear masks and observe six foot social distancing, out only for groceries and prescriptions. Work in the yard and take walks for escape. Work at home if possible. No gatherings, no dining out, no haircuts, no church but live-stream, no birthday parties or Easter dinner. No shopping. No dentist appointments. No library visits. No fitness center exercise. Group meetings only by Zoom.

Who could have imagined our lives would change so drastically? Only a few people have gathered on the Iowa Capitol steps to protest the state's closedown. Other states have had a uproar. I'm not the type of person to protest. I'm a rule follower. I try to be good. Maybe it is our agriculture background that makes us freer to accept things the way they are. Farmers plant the seeds and wait for them to sprout. Wait for rains to water the seed and make them grow. They accept the hail and wind and drought as they come. They live with prices so low they give away their produce, their hours of labor on technological equipment that is outrageous to repair.

States or parts of states have begun to open up with some complaint, some delight. Perhaps we will return to normal or to a new normal where we all continue to wash our hands for 20-seconds and use hand sanitizer whenever we see it.

"Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I an saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this...Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory," (2 Timothy 2:3-7, 10 NIV).

Isn't it amazing how God's Word, written so long ago, still is so relevant in our lives every day?

May the Lord keep you safe and well today.