In a way, the months of November and December were much quieter for me than the previous, rather hectic months when I didn't really have help in the office. Actually, at a point when I couldn't have gone any further, things worked out for me to have at least a temporary help until January, and then as of mid-January, I'm going to have a new colleague who promises to be very nice and competent.
For Thanksgiving, I had another dinner with co-workers at my home. It was a smashing success. They really liked the food, and I was also able to raise some money for my project in Serbia. I'm very thankful for these opportunities.
On Wednesday, I'll be headed towards Puerto Rico, where I'm going to visit a former lifestyle guest with her husband. Sister Ada already wanted me to come visit a couple years ago, but then it didn't work out; and last year I wasn't up to flying overseas already having just returned from the US. But now I really look forward to this sunny break, even though it will be only for a couple weeks. I will also preach there and give some health talks at the weekends. This time, I will have some help from Christine, a former co-worker from Uchee Pines. I pray that the Lord will bless our efforts.
I'm currently transcribing some talks on mental health that I have found insightful. One of them is by Vickie Griffin from Michigan, US. I can highly recommend watching it under this link on Audioverse.
"It is possible to feel wrong and to do right. God gives us the energy, and it’s a miracle. It’s not all about feelings. As a matter of fact, the opposite of depression is not joy. It isn’t. The opposite of depression is resiliency. It’s the ability to tunnel through problems until you get to the lighter side of things, until you get to solutions. God actually uses trials to build character and resiliency into our lives. So we are waiting to get happy when there won’t be any problems anymore, but God allows problems to grow us into resilient people that aren’t depressed."I also appreciate the fact that there are verses in the bible that don't only tell us that God is our helper and comforter right now, but that also contain promises for the future, like Psalms 27:13-14:
“I had almost fainted unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart.”Yes, even if we don't feel like praising the Lord right now, we can believe that we will see His goodness in the future, and that He will make a way out of any darkness we may find ourselves in!
"Why are thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." (Psalms 42:11)
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| My parents on their big day |
