Jan 24, 2020 Mental Health and Yamashitas

• “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble, and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them”

(Ether 12:27).

I've been alive long enough that I've become aware of more than one personal weakness.  The joy of weakness is that we can learn a new skill and become strong in a new area.  I have a new appreciation for mental illness.   There are many different forms and treated differently.  All of us struggle in some way.  The reality is that there is hope.   We can all work to find peace in our lives.  I'm grateful for the many resources available today.

“Old sailing ships had periods when the wind did not blow. They were ‘dead in the water.’ But the wind will return. The sails will fill. You will come into port.”

Elder Jeffrey Holland

Two of my favorite starting points with helpline links and inspiration: 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/mentalhealth?lang=eng

https://caps.byu.edu/apps-and-websites

Including ways to help and support:

“The world is in need of your help. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save.”

Thomas S. Monson

Stress is real for all of us. Tools to manage and cope are available to everyone.   Some have learned how to use these successfully.   It's amazing how many missionaries struggle with relaxing or sleeping and most of them don't have a clue how to slow down and do focused breathing.

https://caps.byu.edu/relaxation-recordings

https://caps.byu.edu/relaxation-and-meditation

https://www.smilingmind.com.au/smiling-mind-app

We finished a senior Missionary conference this week.   What amazing missionaries our seniors are.  We need each other.   Each come with different talents and strengths.   Some of them are literally sent to the BUSH or wilderness.   Most of them are on their own to fill needs they identify.   I Love the wards we attend.   Many weeks we attend multiple wards.   We love all of them.  

We continue to harvest tomatoes in abundance.  There is more waiting.  It gives us something in hand to deliver to friends.  Thank goodness for good friends and neighbors.   We came home last week and the house alarm started ringing.   The neighbors joined us to verify that all was well.  A contractor had come inside to get a quote to install cool air.   It was installed yesterday and we are alive again!  What joy to feel some cool air when it's hot outside! 

Missionaries stop by regularly and we often provide them with ice cream.  It's a blessing to be with them and hear of their journey.

Wednesday after a doctor appointment and then district council, we dropped off some elders at their flat to find water streaming down the driveway.   They had left their washer running and the hose popped off and sprayed water full force at the ceiling which left pools of water in the detergent, on the shelving unit and running onto the carpet and into the foyer.   What a mess!  Thankfully it was turned off and repairs begun.  Housing Coordinators were called and wet vac purchased, then carpet pulled up and property management notified.   That's one of many missionary Uh-ohs.   So many things to teach and learn.  BUT we have a lifetime.   We keep growing a learning.

Over the next month we're focusing on helping missionaries with knowing the doctrine so they can teach with more confidence.   We love them!   

Two Zone Combo Conference with Elder and Sister Yamashita