Word up, Carl!

Hey Carl,

I thought about you this morning and was praying for you.

When I read your massages on the grouper, I thought it was about time I said something. So I decided to break the silence.

Sounds like there has been a lot of activity over the first part of the year for you with arm surgery and school and faroe island travels. Staying busy, eh?

I think I remember you mentioning something about pursuing teaching of some kind. Is that working out all right for you?

I have taken a break from school for the past two semesters. I am going back to Seminary this summer to start up classes again. I am taking a language and culture learning class this summer that is a part of the multi-cultural program. I have tried learning German a "million times" before, but never came out with much more than incoherent child babble. Maybe I will get it down one of these days.

During the time I have been off from school I have been discovering many things about myself.

I went to see the doctor a few months ago and he said that I was suffering from depression, so I decided to start taking anti-depressants. I feel a lot better now. The challenge now is to remember to take my pills every day.

I have also been reading a book called "Highly Sensitive Person" by Elaine Aron. A friend of mine, who also has depression, recommended it to me. After glancing through the book, I have realized that I get overwhelmed and over stimulated by chaotic situations in life. I have always wondered why I get tired a lot. Maybe this is the reason.

Anyway, there has been a lot of self-discovery and I am praying that it will result in a more manageable life-style for myself.

I am still living with my parents and working at the bank as a teller. I think this season in my life is simply about waiting. I am involved in my bible study group at church, so that gives me some community to relate to. But for the most part I am waiting. It gets hard sometimes watching the world rush by with busyness. Sometimes I wonder why I can't put more effort into hurrying to get somewhere or why I can't push my circumstances towards resolution faster. But then I realize that I don't have the energy for all that.

Mostly, I am trying to overcome the mindgames of worry. Trusting that God has not left the picture and that life is not always going to be "stuck" is a challenge, but that is my struggle for now. I am just trying to stay mentally available to do whatever God has planned for today.

I read your comments about having trouble praying and reading the Bible. I just wanted to say: "rest in God." OK. So that isn't so easy, eh? I am trying to do it too. But I want to remind you as well as myself of this: Your his child. He is watching out for you. He won't lose you. He knows your heart. Somehow, he will see you through. Just listen for him throughout your day and you'll be fine.

Anyway, I hope your doing well.

God's blessings to you.

Andrew