From Cindy's Heart

It is FALL! Woohoo!  Ready for a PERFECT Fall Tea? This is my pick! This is one of our family favorites. I make it up in a huge container and just warm it as we want more! It is perfect for taking to parties or get-togethers OR for taking to a shut-in so you can have a tea time on the go. Ready? Here it is:

 

¼ cup instant tea

¼ tsp. ground cloves

1 quart water

1 quart ginger ale

½ cup brown sugar

¼ tsp. ground cinnamon

1 quart cranberry juice

 

Combine sugar, tea, cinnamon, cloves, water, and juices. Heat thoroughly, but do not boil…stirring occasionally. Add ginger ale before

serving.

Oh!

 

My heart just pours out for you! I have been EXACTLY where you are!

 

I agree with Lisa (there are more tips at our Mom-2-Mom Discussion Board) that some of this may be hormones...repeatedly! (GRIN!) And...some of it may be the pressures that you are sharing here to be "perfect" all of the time. And...all of it sounds like the enemy has hit your spirit and mind at this time.

I know that I am not there to really be able to talk with you and discern if this is truly depression. What do you think here? Do you think that you are depressed? Has this gone on for a while? Is it more than pregnancy?

 

I was in the grips of depression for a long time before I realized that the reason that the problems had gone on and on and on and on was that I was IN the depths of depression and not treating it or fighting to defeat it. I use the term depression very lightly because the rest of the world uses it very flippant and yet when you are there, you really need more help and fast! It will not just go away. It requires a battle for your mind and body and spirit!

 

I agree with Lisa that all of those things that she recommends can minister to your heart. You NEED that at this time. Forget that house for now--it is probably MUCH better than our home would be on its cleanest day! Instead, take a bit to take care of yourself, let God restore your spirit, and enjoy your children and husband. Trust me, the benefits are immeasurable!

It is inevitable that many of us will crash. God warns us over and over and over that we are weak within ourselves. He tells us over and over about our limitations and how HE, alone, can help us. Yet, there is something in us that DOES feel sooo invincible.

You would not believe the stats on depression. They are much higher than the studies show--they are not able to get one on one with those that do not go for help...and most do not go for help! As we have traveled, almost 4 out of 5 moms admit that they regularly battle with depression (I think the fifth moms lie--they are probably the ones who are the great pretenders and in the deepest pits of depression!). This is not just in one place...nor is it with a certain family size...nor is it with a certain socio-economic bracket...nor is it with a certain bit of circumstances. As I have thought about it, those who admit it DO have sooo much in common. They are all very precious moms who really have a vision for all that God has called them to be and do. They are NOT lazy gals. Rather, they are the ones who are busy, productive, and normally very upbeat! For real!

 

So, what to do?

Well, when God healed me of depression, it was after years of battling it on my own and subsequently getting so weak and sick physically and mentally that I had to be on medication for a year. I cried out to God over and over to take that illness away. Finally, one night He asked me, "Do you want to be healed?" Of course, my cry to Him was YES! I wanted nothing in the world more than to be free from the clutches of depression--those who have been there know this one very well! He then told me, "Are you willing to do whatever it takes to not go back here again?" Now...that was a bit harder. You see, I KNEW what had taken me down this path. I was not good at staying away from the edge--I work too hard, work too many hours, try to be a superwoman, think no one else can do it the way *I* want, push every personal limitation that I have, on and on. (UGH! STILL BATTLE THIS STUFF) I was SO desperate for Him and for His healing that I made the commitment to not go back where I was.

So, what happened? He instantly healed me! It was a complete miracle! My family saw it! He chose to heal me to bring Him glory! Only HE could have healed me as sick as I had gotten!

Since then, there have been times that I have felt myself slipping. I have to guard that for the rest of my life. There are a few things that wear me down. I have had to commit to stay away from them so I can stay away from that edge. Here are a few:

--> Taking it easy on myself! I am SO hard on myself! Actually, I am MY OWN worst enemy! I cannot be pleased with one thing without feeling disappointed about ten other things! I have had to really DISCIPLINE myself to go easy on myself! My personal expectations must be guarded against--I am much too hard on myself! I have had to learn to sit back and enjoy things along the way--every single detail! I have had to remember that I am not a "super-woman" and that I have very big limitations that are human! This has been one of the hardest lessons that I have ever learned. I tried for so long to be perfect. Finally, I realized that you cannot be perfect enough--only perfected by Jesus! Anything less is idolatry--looking to have the perfect house, the perfect curriculum, the perfect schedule, the perfect children, the perfect number of children, the perfect clothes, the perfect Bible version...all of this is bondage! I had to simply give up! Until that point, I could never have enough. I always felt bad when others had more or thought I didn't do enough. It was exhausting! Now, I have a repulsion for that lifestyle and for those that try to put their rules and regulations on me. I bask in just pleasing my Heavenly Father. The peace is immeasurable! Beloved, this sounds like the first thing that you DESPERATELY need too! The pressures are immense. Especially, just looking at what you have written here, I see many pressure points that will wear you down: pregnancy, pressure to be perfect, family picture of what a woman MUST do, fears of what others will think, fear of crashing and never being able to get back up, etc. Take it easy on yourself. Jesus is gently calling to you to COME TO HIM. You are definitely weary and heavy laden. He wants to carry the load for you and teach you how to have rest. He wants to give you relief, ease, and precious rest. So, first, give yourself a break! Crawl up in His big comfy arms and just bask in Him a bit!

 

--> Guard against stress! This was the next thing that is a big trigger for me! I get very sick now when I get very stressed. I almost have an allergy to getting stressed to a certain point--it is odd. My body and mind simply do not allow it any more. God moved on my heart to look at what REALLY stresses me out. On those things that I COULD remove or alter in my life, I had to get rid of those stresses. On others, I had to re-learn how to deal with them. For the stresses of life that are there to stay, I have found ways to destress REGULARLY that help me to have the ability to press through the stress and stay focused on the prize before me. My whole life is different than it was 10 years ago. I am very particular about what I allow myself to do. I am very particular about the hours that I do it. And...regardless of what others think about how I should live and what THEY want for me to do, I simply do what I am supposed to do and stay the course. This is not saying that it is easy. It is just living a lifestyle in which I can endure and be all that I am called to be for the long-haul. What about you? This may not be a hot-spot for you like it is me. But, I agree with Lisa that those things that will help you to relax are GOOD for you. You really do need to take time to enjoy those things. It will be great for YOU and for all who love you!

 

--> Watch your diet! I have to really watch what I eat and drink. I realized earlier this year that caffeine was really dragging me down physically and making me very nervous and irritable. I never had this problem when I was younger, but in the last 10 years, my body (and mind) just shuts down over things like caffeine and unhealthy food. I am not a legalist about what we eat or drink around here, and I am hardly healthy like I hope to be in the future, but I can see a direct correlation between the way that I feel and what I have used to nourish my body. My brain just feels clearer (and studies show that it is clearer!) when I drink lots of fresh, safe water! I have more energy and more stamina when I eat well-rounded meals. It is easier to exercise and really feel good during and after exercise. When I junk it a while, I get terribly sick! Even this year, I have compared how I have felt on trips when we have traveled with the business or on mission trips. On those trips with lots of water and fresh fruit/veges and good, solid meals with protein and healthy carbs/fats, I have gone home feeling top notch--even rested when I have served many hours on the go during those events. However, on those that there was a lot of junk food, long hours between meals, not enough water...on those, I have come home very sick and stayed sick for weeks afterward. I know that you are very sick at this time with nausea and exhaustion. Those are very good things--signs of a healthy baby (on my pregnancies that I was not sick, inevitably the babies were dying---sooo, praise God for each time you are sick!!!! I know I sound SICK!). Try to really take in lots of nutrients when you are not sooo sick. Maybe that will help a bit with the sickness. Beware of those things like caffeine and sugar--those will make the pregnancy much harder and you will be much more sick too!

 

--> Get LOTS of rest! For me, this is a biggie! I love to get a lot done. It is like cleaning was for your grandmother. However, I have also learned to embrace rest and love it just as much! I work very hard for a set number of hours each day. If it does not get done during that time, I pick it up the next day. I try to be finished with my work when Harold is finished with his so I can relax and rest with him. I love just cutting loose with my family to make sweet memories. Those usually come when we are resting together. So, this is another thing that I have learned to "plan" into my life. The difference from where I was and where I am is that I am much more productive now when I set limits on my day and my life than when I thought that I could not break free for a minute--and, I am healthier than I was! Let your little ones help you work hard for a bit when your energy is at its peak. Then, give yourself permission to rest with them. Work hard then cuddle up for a movie with them. Work hard then get outside and let them play and just watch them! Your body is going to need a lot of rest at this time. It sounds like you already know that. So, NOW you have permission to rest!

 

--> Let God Fill Your Cup Back Up! Not that this is least because it is last, this is very, very important! All of the rest will not matter if our relationship with God is not on target. When I was battling depression, there was a never-ending need for more and more of God. I thought something was wrong with me until I realized that even when the Israelites were given manna, in the heat they had to pick up more. In the HEAT of our fiery trials, we are going to need MORE of God! Does that set you free like it does me? I have been very convicted lately to really expand my quiet time with the Lord each day. I had simplified it for years when I had little ones and never went back to what I had before. Now, I am active in two studies at church--one is a book study and the other is a Beth Moore Bible Study. I am also following a regular plan to read through the Bible each day. Plus, I have recommitted to using my Discipleship Journal. I cannot tell you how much more prepared I am for each day and what it holds. I find myself having the perfect word planted in me long before I need it--and usually I need it before the day is up! The Word is essential when we are battling. The enemy will plant all sorts of lies in our minds. We may not be able to put our finger on what is really bothering us, but as we are in the Word, it will dig that back out of our minds and correct it. The Word will refresh and renew us. It will bring healing and hope. It will restore us. So, maybe find some time that you can just snuggle up with Jesus each day. Make a deeper commitment than where you are today. See if He doesn't do a mighty work in your life! He did in mine when I was all messed up! I know He can and will work a miracle in yours!

Well, I need to get running. However, I want for you to know that you did touch the pulse of my heart today and I will be surrounding you in prayer. I love you! DO keep us posted on how we can pray for you!

 

With Much Love,
Cindy

NEW POLL! TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!

What is YOUR Idea of a Fun Way to Refresh???

We are planning some new outreaches for our ministry. I would LOVE your help? What is YOUR idea of a fun way to refresh as a homeschool mom??? Vote for YOUR idea in our poll at this link:

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/CindyRushton/33422/

 

JOIN US THIS WEEK IN FLORENCE, AL!

Our very first Mom-to-Mom is TUESDAY!!!! Worth the drive!

READY FOR SOME MOM-TIME??? Counting Down! ONLY 5 DAYS!!! Woohoo!

Tuesday Night is our very first Mom-to-Mom meeting! I am SOooo excited!

Are you close by??? You simply MUST join us! This is going to be a blast! Are you in need a bit of support? A BIG dose of encouragement? Ready for some MOM-TIME???? Join us each month for Mom-to-Mom!

Mom-to-Mom is a new monthly mom's meeting with the purpose of encouraging your heart, equipping you for your call, and inspiring
you to keep on keeping on! Join homeschooling veterans and newbies for a group of moms who will become Titus 2 encouragers in your
mothering journey!

Our FREE meeting each month will include a devotion, hands-on workshop or craft class, and lots of mom-to-mom fellowship! You will
LOVE IT! Just mark your calendar and tell ALL your friends!

This month, our devotion is entitled, "Come Away, Beloved" which will be led by Cindy Rushton. Our hands-on class will be led by Melissa Carter, local artist, who will show us how to make our own decorated designer journals.  If you are needing a great gift idea for those that you love...maybe a journal of your own...a cute business idea...or a sweet ministry idea, this project is perfect! AND...all you need to make your own journal will be provided for you! Mark your calendar TODAY! And...bring a friend!

 

Mom-to-Mom is scheduled for the 3rd Tuesday Night of every month at Highland Baptist Church in Florence, Alabama. We will have a very
special evening every month JUST FOR MOMS! The evening will feature a devotion, hands-on workshop/craft, and fellowship or tea! Ready?
Oh! This is JUST FOR YOU! We want for you to join us!

Our FIRST MOM-TO-MOM will be October 18, 2005 from 6-9 PM. The meeting is FREE for you and your friends! Just bring a snack and a
friend for our fellowship time! We will have a short devotion and we will welcome local artist, Melissa Carter for a wonderful
workshop. Plus! We will have plenty of time to fellowship over tea! You will not want to miss it!

Sooo, ready for a fun evening with YOU in mind? Join us!

Here are the details again:

MOM-TO-MOM!

• Highland Baptist Church CLC (Fireside Room), Florence, Alabama
• 3rd Tuesday of every month (Beginning Oct. 18, 2005)
• 6-9 PM
• Topic: Come Away, Beloved by Cindy Rushton; Make Your Own Decorated Journal with Melissa Carter
• FREE! Just bring a snack to share!
• Contact: Cindy Rushton (Cindy@...)
• Open to the public (all denominations, cover schools, etc.)
• Bring: Bible, journal, small snack for tea time, and a good friend!

See Ya There!