Checking in

[Pepper]

I'm having a hard time negotiating this new Forum format. The older format was more user freindly for me. Anyway. I'm not doing too well today. It's cold, wet, rainy and gloomy outside; it seems my inside has decided to match the weather. :mad: Our van is beyond repair and we are now a one "bean can" family. :( I am grateful to have one good car, at least. :D I am looking for a part time job and the stress of that is weighing in on the depression along with the weather. We are up to our ears in debt and want to get out, a part time job would help with that problem. :confused:

On the good side of the ledger, I became a table leader for our church's Alpha program and the Lord put my enighbors in my group. I was rather amazed about that. One couple is pretty young, 28 & w6 with a 2 1/2 year old boy and another due in May. They are both "babes in Christ" and are looking for relational stability that comes with being a believer. A couple of senior ladies also wound up in my group, who also happen to be neighbors. They are "seasoned veterans" to the faith and I am going to propse that we "adopt" our young family as a group effort. The youngsters could really benefit from all the lovin' they can get.

Well, after keying those thoughts, I am in a better mood. Amazing how well it works to get out of myself and think of others :)

[Emerging]

Pepper, I think you got it figured out - we gotta let ourselves feel our feelings, but not get stuck in them. And one great way to move on is to think about someone else. I know I'm feeling very triggery tonight (like that madeup word better than "vulnerable") and like you said, let it wash over me (and enjoy how I feel *after* it passes) and then look to see how I can reach out to someone and share in God's work and love that way. Thanks for the great reminder! :)