February Newsletter

Presidency Message by Marty Rozeski
I’ve come to expect a let down after holidays filled with high activity and spirituality. As I visit sisters, I often hear talk of “winter blues”. When daylight hours are short, we (especially women) are affected by the lack of sunlight. Our biological clock, which controls our sleep-wake pattern can be upset. This lack of sunlight can also cause problems with serotonin, a brain chemical, which affects mood. Physical exercise can help my mood. Going outside, especially on a sunny day, also helps me feel better.

With this said, I can’t ignore the fact that depression is a very real malady that affects many of us sisters. The February 2016 Ensign has a great article on page 68 written by Rebecca J. Clayson entitled, “Depression”. Please read this article in entirety to be more understanding of yourself and others.

Rebecca Clayson, who was diagnosed with depression 20 years ago, tells about her experience and discoveries. Some feelings she remembers are: “I felt as if I had no worth and that I was unworthy of my wonderful family and good life. … Because my feelings were so deeply personal and painful, I was ashamed and didn’t share them with anyone. … I prayed constantly for heaven’s help to relieve the heaviness in my heart. When sorrow remained, it seemed as if the Lord had abandoned me and for some reason I didn’t qualify for His love.”

She then discusses her journey learning about depression and finding medical and cognitive help. She also discusses understanding the spiritual affects of depression. “Because our physical bodies and our spirits are necessarily connected (D&C 88:15) it can be common to feel the effects of a physical disorder in a spiritual way.”

Sister Clayson also quotes Elder Holland’s perspective given at the Oct. 2013 general conference: (Also please read this whole address. Click HERE)
“I wish to speak to those who suffer from some form of mental illness or emotional disorder, whether those afflictions are slight or severe, of brief duration or persistent over a lifetime. … These afflictions are some of the realities of mortal life, and there should be no more shame in acknowledging them than in acknowledging a battle with high blood pressure or the sudden appearance of a malignant tumor.”

Sister Clayson’s conclusion: ‘While everyone experiences trials that can lead to feelings of sadness, loneliness, and anxiety, major depressive disorder is different. Major depression is a mental illness that requires professional treatment and medication. Feeling down in the face of challenging life events (as opposed to depressive disorder) may be treated through family support and social supports, finding ways to serve others, and observing proper sleep, diet, and exercise habits. In both circumstances, though, we can seek aid through the healing, enabling, and redemptive powers of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Birthdays
2 Alysa Kersting
2 Jeannette Stone
8 Jenny Maxwell
8 Debra Miskimon
8 Jerry Whiting
9 Jennie Sleight
11 Melyssa Towe
18 Katherine Toone
19 Margaret Agnew
20 Amber Johnson
20 Rachel Mason
21 Darcy Ward
23 Kathy Conley
23 Sabrina Hankal

Lesson Schedule – (Ezra Taft Benson)
Feb 7 Presidency Message by Lisa Lara
Feb 14 #3 “Adversity – Part of God’s Plan for Our Eternal Progress”
Feb 21 #4 “Help from on High”
Feb 28 TFOT “Yielding our Hearts to God” by Neil F Marriott AND “Hold on Thy Way” by Elder Aoyagi

Upcoming Events
Feb 17 Ward Temple Day
Feb 27 Stake Women’s Conference 8:30-2:00
Mar 10 Relief Society Meeting

Other Opportunities
Feb 3 Food Storage Class 7:00 pm at the Quail Building
Feb 9 Lunch Bunch at 11:30 at KFC/Taco Bell (58th & Garrison)
Feb 17 Book Group 7 pm at Kyle Koyle’s “Hope is the thing with Feathers: a Personal Chronicle of Vanished Birds” by Christopher Cokinos
Feb 19 Stake Mexican Night 6 pm at the Stake Center
Feb 20 Ward Multicultural Potluck 6-8
Thursdays 9:00 am playgroup (ask Jan)
Saturdays 8 am basketball Stake Center
Mon & Wed 9 am Aerobics