Wonderful Weather

The wonderful weather reminds me of college! Those first days back were bittersweet - starting the year was always exciting. Those of us who would stay for the summer were saying goodbye to some of the best times of our lives, while getting reacquainted to all of the friends who were rejoining us for the regular semester. The best afternoons were spent relaxing on days like this week, gathering at the frat house or beer garden (we didn't have beer garden's in the 80's at Murray, but they looked fun at the other colleges I worked at later). It was a common site to see a couch on the lawn on days like today. Good times indeed. I'm sure I could find an 80's kick-back song to play, but this is a modern song that reminds me of those late summer/early fall days in college. Yahoo says it has been at the top of the charts for 71 weeks, making it a record holder. I can see why. I'm sure that it will have timeless appeal. Enjoy!

Heaven Bound

When I counsel, I can't always show my emotion. But, today, I have felt emotional all day. A woman who I am very fond of has been struggling with cancer. She called me a few times and talked to me about facing the end of her journey as we know it. She spoke to me while at state fair. She was upset and crying. We prayed and I promised to call her when I got home. I did, but was not able to connect. I have called every day. Today, a family member called to tell me that she is hours from her new destination. I felt relief for her, but he said it best when he said that he wanted to be selfish and keep her here. I understood him perfectly. I told him to tell her that I love her.

I have lost several friends to death in the last few years. I have admired them all. It has been my honor to be their confidant - their friend. It is my honor to remember them today. I am emotional, because I feel grief and loss. But, I thank God that I know that they are living now with him in heaven. I know that Mrs. H will be there soon.

The Perfect Song - Wild at Heart

Gloriana

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Cool Things at State Fair

Robert's Fascination: Angora Rabbits













Melissa's Moment: The National Guard Truck


















Madison's Favorite: Fair Rides

The food was outstanding too, but we paid quite a bit for it. Somehow, that reduces the AHHHHH to an OUCH factor. However, the funnel cake was pretty awesome, and the powdered sugar sprinkled on our faces and clothes would have made a great picture! We wouldn't stop eating long enough to snap the shot.

2009 KY State Fair Results

We are home from the 2009 KY State Fair. I can sum it up in 2 words - Goat Show. We arrived on Friday and left late Saturday night. There were over 500 goats and 200 kids showing, making it the largest livestock show at the fair for the second year in a row. Only one kid and goat mattered to the large Kelly family cheering section on Saturday. It was awesome for her to have them there. Even her Dad wore the pink club shirt to support her. She would never say it, but she knows he would not wear pink for just anyone. Madison and Henry did OK - respectively. She placed 4th overall in the Skill-a-thon, getting her name announced and roars from the Kelly section. In showmanship on Friday, however, Henry did not stand still (see video). You'll notice that he even knows when to turn, but he does it too early and goes all the way around to look at the judge. Remember, he's got ADHD in a bad way. Needless to say, our kids (Jr. Team Critters) did not place as high as we had hoped in showmanship. But, it was good for them to get a little taste of humble pie. Sometimes when success comes too quickly, you forget that hard work is required. The fact that Henry did not work as a team was a sign that he was not used to being "worked" as a team. He loves to play as a team, and Madison may have learned a bit of a lesson. Check out her blog to see what she has to say about it. He did place 8th in his weight class, which I thought was good considering the set-back we had with him earlier and the fact that he's grown up instead of out - that's all a testament to Riley women who have fed and cared for him this year. There were probably 22-24 goats in his weight class that included a 3 pound variance. There were 22 classes altogether. He also weighed in at 70 pounds, which is good for market if we go that route. We think we will keep him until the North American show in October and see if he will top out. Madison may redeem herself if she works with him a bit in the next two months. It's up to her. In the meantime, we are planning for next season already. I'm thinking about a part-time venture with goats. Can you even imagine that? I can imagine it, but reality is a different matter all-together. Pray for me.

Jr Showmanship Division - 2009 KY State Fair

Shared - Combat Veterans and Institutions: A Systems Analysis

I found this on a blog I follow, written by Scott Lee. Check it out!

Combat Veterans and Institutions: A Systems Analysis

Shared via AddThis

Mother Guilt

Madison and I had a conversation that baffled me yesterday. At the only goat show that she attended without me, she won a Grand Champion banner - a very special award. I mentioned the irony of her getting her biggest award this season when I wasn't there. She chided that I was insistent that I had to work that weekend and wouldn't come with her. I asked her why she was quick to point out the things I didn't do because of work, but not so quick to notice all of the things I get to do because of the flexibility of being self-employed. She said something about me always working - even when I was at a show. I did take paper-work with me for the hours of down time. She informed me that she hated it that I'd do work at the events. I asked her why she wasn't as upset at my husband or her Dad because they worked and usually didn't even go to the shows. Her reply, "Because goats aren't their thing". The conversation continued for about 3 more minutes until I knew that my logic was clearly no match for hers. I've learned to just shut up before I get mad.

But, I ask you this - What does it all mean? Why are moms (and some dads) so darned if we do and darned if we don't? Granted, I do like the goats. But, it's tedious on show days - long hours. I do have to work, whether she likes it or not. Does she mean to guilt me, or is it just her ego-centric self telling me that your world should revolve around me and only me? Then, I feel myself worrying that she's spoiled and ungrateful. I get ideas that I should do less for her to teach her the lesson of appreciation. It all adds up to a good ole' fashioned dose of Mother Guilt.

I admit that I fantasize about sending her to live with a large, money-thrifty family for about 2 weeks to see how life could really be. But, she'd probably try to make me feel guilty for that too. If I was my own therapist, I'd tell me that the only one who can make me feel guilty is myself. HMMMMM, I wonder what the Henderson's (6 kids) are doing for the next 2 weeks?

4-H Dances

I love to Sally-Down-The-Alley. Isn't life awesome when the greatest thing to look forward to is the dance that night at camp? The neatest thing is that everyone dances with everyone. Don't ask any of us older folks how we felt after a few days of "sally" - athletic people are lying too because they don't use those muscles either. This year the kids did quite a bit of line dancing. Here's one of their favorites.

Expo Ready - KY State Fair here we come

This is the equivalent of Henry's spa treatment! He's getting his hair blown dry before he gets a trim. If I were him, I'd wonder when the humans were getting their trim. HA! What do you think he's thinking?

Our Club!

We got new shirts. They are cool. I wanted to show the design - compliments of our club leaders. The boys in our club got to pick out the color! They think that guys in pink are cool! I have to agree.

Should Christians take psychotropic medication?

I don't write professionally often. But, a close friend of mine recently surprised me with this question. I get it in my office frequently, but I didn't think-which is always the first mistake-that someone of her experience and intelligence would have such a faith-based concern. I was glad that she was open enough to ask. I thought that others might be interested in her question and what I had to say.

Her question:

"I need to ask your advice on something. The church that I have been going to believes that things like depression and other illnesses like that such as bipolar is when you let the devil in to your life. They don't believe in taking medicine for that. I am not sure I agree with that, and I wanted your opinion".

My response:

Let me ask you what the church believes about illness like diabetes and high blood pressure. Those were once thought to be devil-inflicted.

This is what we are taught as Christian counselors (besides my professional training, I am also a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors).

We assess in this order:

Does the disorder have a medical explanation first? Thyroid problems can cause anxiety - panic attacks. People who have had heart problems are almost always prone to a subsequent depression. Heart by-pass patients are prescribed an antidepressant, scheduled out-patient counseling, and visited by a psychiatrist several times before discharge at the best heart hospital in Nashville. If a mother has recently had a baby and falls into a severe depression; that’s post-partum. Has the person taken meth or LSD that is causing their hallucinations? Family history is key too. Likewise, teens and elderly persons are higher risk populations for dysthymia - a form of depression.

Then, we seek an emotional connection. Did the person experience a recent trauma, work stress, death in the family, loss of job, relationship breakup, etc. Were they abused as a child or adult. Was there attachment issues or anger issues? Have they had a deterioration over the past few years or months?

Then we look at spiritual situations? Did they dabble with the occult in the past? Were the victims of religious rituals at other times? Did they play with wigi boards, worship idols, pray to other Gods? Are/were they preoccupied with morose thoughts? Have they had a faith crisis? Are they questioning their salvation? Were they religiously abused?

There is a group of counselors who believe that people can be afflicted by demon oppression and are in need of deliverance. Others believe that demons can’t dwell in the same body as the Holy Spirit. I believe the scripture that says “My grace is sufficient”.

NOW, to answer your question. I think there is medical proof that sufficiently supports that depression and other mental disorders can be chemical imbalances in the brain that benefit from medical treatment including RX intervention just like diabetes and high blood pressure and cholesterol. I think that sometimes a situation causes depression, then an imbalance, or an imbalance can cause a situation. It goes both ways. To say that they are always conditions of lack of faith is ignorance and dangerous. Severe bipolar and schizophrenia require medicine or the person will be delusional and/or hallucinate. I have worked with several people that are "normal" on their meds – “crazy” without them. I believe in divine healing, but I would never advise a person to quit their meds for any medical condition. Many of the folks I work with do not take meds, but many do. Some take them ongoing, but most take them when they need the help. Most psychological problems are episodic and are not continuous. PS. the Greek word for SOUL is psyche - mind, emotions, and will. Psychology is not separate from God, he created it as much as he created science.

I believe that the devil is alive and well in mental illness (many of the people I mentioned above have religious delusions), but he works by fueling the doubts that God is not sufficient to help us through our dark times, that we are not worthy of the love of Christ, and so on. In my opinion, we help him if we say that a person is not a strong Christian if they suffer from mental struggles like depression or bipolar. That’s why we need to use the tools that God gives us in this modern world to help us to be better – each other, prayer, faith, and meds.

Hope this helps you in your exploration.

Love you,

Melissa

Eat Mor Chickin - Diss BK

We ate at Chick-fil-A today! I love the slogan!

More about the cows!

Do not confuse good chicken with that served at a place called Burger King. Besides, why would you order a burger at Chick-fil-A, or chicken at Burger King? Afterall, BK claims to have subservient chicken! He does everything you ask him to do via online command. He's fun to play with, but I like the kind of chicken that you can EAT! I stopped playing with my food a few years ago. "Yeah, it's like the cow says".



For more on subservient chicken, read The Corn Blog, by Bro Ray!