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"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 NIV
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Angel Co-Op Newsletter
Dear Sister,
Outside my morning window the sky is overcast,
pregnant with impending snow, and all the trees are laden with it. It
is apparently -32 degrees Celsius with wind-chill. Our son Phil emails
us from Manila saying that he misses the "milder temperatures" of
Vancouver. Fortunately, there are worse woes in life than being in a
temperature-controlled environment (car, office, home) while extremes
rage outside. Carla Mae Ashby (now on vacation in Florida) sends along
these tips about the "Winter Blues:"
Who would have thought that a change in the seasons could
affect your mood? As strange as this may seem, the “winter blues”
affects hundreds of thousands of people. Also called Seasonal Affective
Disorder (SAD), the further you live from the equator, the more likely
you will suffer from this malady. Women over the age of thirty are
more likely to be affected.Doctors attribute a lack of light as the number one cause of SAD. That would explain why SAD is far more common in colder climates. The main symptoms are depression, sleep disorders and lethargy, though some people also suffer joint pain and lowered resistance to infection. Studies reveal that light stimulates profound biological changes in the brain cells. Light actually functions as a nutrient to the brain, especially to the important glands that control hormone and chemical secretions in the body. Light therapy is the most popular treatment for SAD sufferers. Simply sitting under a light for an hour each day can noticeably improve your mood. I am reminded of another form of light that also does wonders for combating depression. The Bible says that “God is light”, and that in His presence there is “fullness of joy”. I am thoroughly convinced we need more than sunlight to feel our best – we need the spiritual light that comes from spending time in God’s presence on a daily basis. He is the greatest mood lifter I know! Here are some ways to beat the Blues:
In a recent newsletter
I asked what ministry you are involved in. My friend, Pat
Germsheid, who lives in Macon, Georgia, writes:
In the fall we started two Bible study groups for the woman of our church. The one meeting on Monday mornings has "temporarily" disbanded. The one on Thursday afternoons is thriving and we are having some real fellowship. We are starting a small "mission" project of ministry to our church's shut-ins. Also, in the fall I began volunteering at our school twice a week. I do not feel like I do a lot but the teachers feel that I am really helping. For a couple of years I have been visiting a young woman who is in the state prison for killing an abusive spouse. She is now at a transitional center (half way house) which is even more stressful. She will have served her sentence within the next nine months and I know that too is stressful. Will she be able to make it on the outside? She has 12- and 13- year old daughters, too. Her name is Katherine and I know she would appreciate your prayers. For many years our church has had a small Sabbath School for "young adults" and, as is not unusual, it was attended by folks who had not been young for many years. I for one spoke out and said if this continues, no young adults will come. I was quite verbal about this. Finally we had a volunteer to teach. She is one of our church school teachers-- married and under thirty. Perfect. And I have been asked to co-teach. I do not feel young and I do not feel young at heart. I am being challenged!! The Lord is blessing.
Thank you Pat, for
sharing and inspiring us with your willingness to serve. I hope that
others will also want to share in future newsletters! Some of us need
ideas and encouragement to step out. What are you doing to minister?
Let me know at
angelco_op@hotmail.com
 Well, my husband is bundled up and headed with his sports bag over to do some sort of workout. It's time for me to give my parents a call to see how they are faring as shut-ins in this weekend's cold spell. May God bless you as you serve him in the coming week!
In Christ,
Cynthia.
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