Church Stuff
Our new pastor came in June and we've had five great weeks with him so far. He's a great guy and cares so much about the people in our congregation. He loves all ages and really spends time listening to people without a pre-planned agenda. I'm enjoying his teaching, his leadership and his family. He's on a mission trip to India right now and we are anxious to have him back and kick off the fall.

Sunday we brought the elementary kids in with some horns and marched around the "walls of Jericho" and reenacted that bible story. It was such fun and the kids really enjoyed being part of the morning.

VBS ended last week and was spectacular. There weren't tons of kids but the ones that were there had a blast. We had a team of teens and colleg age young adults to do our VBS for us. They were the best! They came in and loved the kids, perservered through some adversity and long days. 8 kids said they wanted to know Jesus and Family Night was awesome! Non-stop craziness is over but I'm blessed to have spent the week with the team from First Baptist, Ozark, Missouri!

Depression Is a Sneaky Thing
A few months ago I was at a place in my life that I felt hopeless, helpless and didn't care about much of anything. I was struggling every day to just get through it until I could go to sleep again. I was angry and irritable all the time, I hurt physically and was weepy all the time. I went to my doctor for a growth on my tonsil and basically broke down while I was talking with her. We began to explore some mood and tendancies - completing a sort of inventory and describing how I'd been feeling.

She asked if I would consider trying some medication that might help. If I'd been asked that question two years ago I would have said that I need to get things under control myself. However, I've known several folks who have benefitted from medications, so I decided to give the medication a try.

Six weeks later I feel like a new "me". I'm not different personality wise, but I am more focused, more patient, more content, more energetic, less angry, less irritable and just really enjoying life again.

I look back and realize that I've probably struggled with this for several years. I've shared all this with Jon and the boys and we've talked about how I've been in the past and how I am now. They all agree that I'm a better me now and we are certainly enjoying each other more.

If any of this sounds familiar, talk with your physician and check into some things that could help - Depression is serious and can really hurt the ones we love.

Catching Up
Wow! I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted any updates. Lot's has been going on and it's all good!

A few more days and my boys are off to Texas for visits with uncles, grandparents and great-grandparents. They are very excited and looking forward to swimming, shooting BB guns and driving the golf cart. I think fishing is on the agenda too!

Jon and I will try to survive without them and I think we may even have a date or two during the time we are alone. Alone - what a thought. Can't imagine life without the boys though.