Here are good resources for your FYI this week. With love and prayers from your “librarian”.

Hello I just shared these resources with my prayer group ladies. I hope they help you too. I was searching for a document in my laptop and while I was looking I came across these old documents. They are bible verses that I compiled for depression and anxiety. I remember I would carry the print-outs with me in my bag and whip it out whenever I felt sad or anxious. Lately, as life and world events get too overwhelming, I need to carry these print-outs with me again, and read the verses throughout my day. I hope these bible verses help you too. I’ve attached them to this email for you.

Hello! I hope these resources are helpful to you.

1. A friend told me about this new documentary about the antidepressant epidemic in our country. Currently, 1 out of 5 Americans are taking antidepressants. The numbers may be much higher today due to the pandemic, especially in our youth. I hope to watch this documentary when it’s available on PBS. – https://medicatingnormal.com

Here are various resources that may encourage and help you in your ministry work. I shared it with my prayer group ladies today.

The Religious Landscape Study by Pew Research Center, conducted in 2007 and 2014, surveys more than 35,000 Americans from all 50 states about their religious affiliations, beliefs and practices, and social and political views. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/religious-landscape-study/#religions

Summertime is usually a season where I catch up with friends, self-study a Bible book or theme, catch up on books that I’ve been wanting to read and do a good amount of reflection of my past academic year. Just like our children who get their report cards at the end of the year, please carefully and prayerfully look at your grades in relationships and any work done as a follower of Jesus Christ.

This past Monday, Alex’s therapist called me to strongly advise that she gets evaluated by a psychiatrist to take antidepressants. Since her pediatrician also suggested the same, I was ready to pursue this plan immediately. Howard on the other hand was very resistant to this idea. He said he researched a lot about antidepressants on the developing brains of teenagers/young adults as well as it’s side effects and withdrawal symptoms. He told me to do my own research. He said they are mind-altering drugs and we need to be cautious especially for younger people.

After my musing about heaven last week, I looked up and found these older sermons about Heaven. These pastors shared their biblical teachings on heaven and also talked about their children or grandchild who passed away. Because of their tragic event, it made them think and study the scriptures about heaven. As you learn about heaven from these pastors, you will be very encouraged. I forget where I read this but divorce rate is very high amongst couples who lose their children. As you pray for the Uvalde TX families, please pray for their marriages too. 🙏 They have other children and it would be so very tragic if their marriages end due to their overwhelming sorrows. Thank you for praying for their marriages.

There has been two kidnapping attempts in the last two weeks in our area. Because we live in safe and affluent neighborhoods this has been very shocking. After praying much about it, I felt that I needed to share with my prayer group ladies, my church community and parent friends. I hope these resources make you more aware too.

I don’t really know how the Holy Spirit does this but every time I feel like I can’t do this anymore, my inner battery gets recharged. I am reminded of the Energizer Bunny…I’m still going!