Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

Seasonal Depression in July

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Most people talk about seasonal depression in the winter.  When the days are shorter and the sun is often hidden in the sky.  In some parts of the world, it gets too cold to be outside for more than a few minutes, creating a sense of isolation.  In Texas, it has been way too hot to be outside for more than a few minutes.  My seasonal depression comes in the summer.  I get up in the morning with a spring in my step (okay that may be an exaggeration) and feel productive and active during the first couple of hours.  By lunch time, I am cranky and disheveled.  All I want is my recliner and a fan for the rest of the day.  So here’s what we’ve been doing (mostly indoors) this month.

 

The month started with a visit from my best friend, who lives in Alabama, and her son.  If there is a cure for my seasonal depression, friend time is it!  Another friend from college came over for dinner and games the first night they were in town.  The next day we took in a Texas Rangers game.  My daughter Shelby is a huge fan so it’s always fun to witness her joy and delight.  The Rangers didn’t win, but they are having a great season. seasonal depression

 

seasonal depressionMonday the 3rd we ventured to the golf course.  My friend’s son is quite the golfer so she and I rode around in a cart and watched him school 3 grown men.  On the 4th of July, we toured the Frisco Star, home and practice facility for the Dallas Cowboys.  They are America’s team!  I had taken the tour before and knew my Cowboys loving friend and her sports enthusiast kid would dig it.

 

What Else Can You Do in a Seasonal Depression?

 

After bidding my friends farewell, Allie and I went to her future roommate’s home to talk all things dorm room.  So exciting to plan for the next phase for my girl.  And speaking of the next phase, the hubs and I took Allie down to Waco for her college orientation.  Shelby stayed with my parents, who we met for dinner on the way.  In our spare time we drove Allie all over Waco to show her some of my memorable haunts – including the run-down apartment I lived in on the back side of campus.  Still standing and advertising a move-in special! 

 

The driving around in our air conditioned car was much more pleasant than hot footing it (I mean that literally) all over campus during a heat advisory.  But if you look miserable enough, the university president’s husband and dog will pick you up in his golf cart and escort you to your next location.  Baylor does a great job of making new students and family feel welcome and I’m excited for our girl to embed herself on campus. seasonal depression

 

We left her in Waco for a few more days for what is called “Line Camp”.  She had a blast and met lots of new friends.  When her group ventured down to Independence, Texas to see the original location of the University, she was issued her Baylor Line Jersey and greeted with “Welcome home.”  She said she got a little choked up and I admit, I did too in the telling!

 

A dear friend’s 50th surprise party was a social butterfly’s highlight, and a long talkative lunch with a new church friend filled my soul.  What an embarrassment of riches for me!

 

Thanks to the generosity of Chuck’s parents, Shelby got to go to Camp Blessing for a second week this summer.  This camp is such a special place for both of my girls.  Shelby had a rough start but a good time overall, and Chuck and I got some much needed respite from constant caregiving.

 

Entertainment to Help With the Seasonal Depression

 

The cinema beckoned for the new Indiana Jones movie.  I loved the nostalgia, but thought it could easily have been 30 minutes shorter.  We also took in The Sound of Freedom – a very sobering but important movie.  “God’s children are not for sale!”

 

We watched Jury Duty on Amazon Prime.  Some bad language but a very original premise and laugh out loud awkward funny.  A similar humor to The Office or Parks and Recreation.  Our guilty pleasure?  A documentary on the pop music duo Wham!.  Kinda sad but also fun filled with all the music of my youth.

 

I listened to Cherished:  Shattered Innocence, Restored Hope by Polly Wright.  I can’t say I would recommend this memoir from a former stripper who started a ministry for strippers.  Some parts are pretty graphic and could trigger people, plus I know too much about the post-book story.  On the recommendation of my twin sister, I read Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton.  Since it was her copy and I couldn’t highlight, I took pages of notes.  Highly recommend.

 

And now I must get ready for 2 of my grandkids to visit for a week, followed by the other two for a week.  We have some fun things planned including a drive through animal park and a live production of SpongeBob Squarepants.  I’m sure they will enjoy the later more than me.  Pray for my stamina.  Also, I love you, I thank you, and I hope August is a lot cooler!

 

 

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

 

Donna Reiland gives a good word pertinent to every follower of Jesus today in Serving God in an Anti-Christian Culture.

 

The Link Up

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

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MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
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Joy: A Lesson Learned From My Teenaged Daugher

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Immaturity, selfishness, thoughtlessness and carelessness.  These are the fairly universal traits of an American teenager.  This all seems to come built into the undeveloped prefrontal cortex and raging hormones of the emerging adult.  Now, I will 100% believe you if you tell me your pubescent angel is amazing.  And I believe you without sarcasm.  But I also know that, at times, the aforementioned character traits come out to play.  And they play so hard that it can get easy to focus on those things and the failings of the younger generation.  But I’d like to tell you about a lesson learned in my life, and the credit goes to my 18 year old daughter. 

 

 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:11-12 NIV

 

A few weeks ago, a staff member at our church asked me to consider a challenging ministry opportunity.  For the sake of privacy and the dignity of others, I won’t get much more descriptive than that.  I didn’t even have to think about it.  With my Allie moving out and moving on to college I needed a new challenge and something to throw my extra emotional energy into.  But after dipping my first toe in, I immediately started to regret this commitment.

 

All the doubts I carry about myself crept back in.  Am I strong enough?  Do I know enough?  Will I be effective?  Can I handle it?  And to be honest, my selfishness came to the table as well (it’s not just for teenagers!).  It felt hard and I didn’t want to be bothered or sacrifice my time.  Really Christ-like thoughts.  But then I saw more pictures on social media from Camp Blessing.a lesson learned

 

My daughter Allie served on staff at Camp Blessing, a sleep-away camp for children and adults with special needs, for the first 6 weeks of the summer.  She did wheelchair transfers and changed adult diapers and bathed those who couldn’t shower themselves.  Allie (camp name Birdie) dealt with severe behavior issues and stayed up countless hours at night tending her flock of campers.  She oversaw hygiene routines and feeding challenges of the mildly to severely physically and mentally handicapped.  And she pushed wheelchairs all over campground terrain in the 100+ degree Texas heat.

 

 

A Lesson Learned From a Joy Observed

 

I have one at home with severe impairment.  And it’s tough.  Allie served 100’s during her tenure at camp.  And that is how my teen daughter challenged and motivated me.  I found myself thinking, if she can do all of that, I can certainly do this thing that won’t be nearly as physically and emotionally draining.  I could sacrifice my time and love others well, just as my girl was doing.  And do you know what?  She did it with such joy.a lesson learned

 

Birdie radiated a God given joy and Christ-like love in every picture posted.  In our weekend conversations she would tell me about some of the issues she faced and times she was pushed to her limit.  My response was, “I’m sorry it wasn’t a good week.”  Her response, “I didn’t say that.  It was hard, but every week is a good week.”  And she meant it.  This is what it means to have true joy in serving the Lord.  Even when the times or tasks are really tough.  And I’m so grateful for a lesson learned through this extraordinary girl.  God is so good, and when I grow up (spiritually) I want to be just like her.a lesson learned

 

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!  There was a lesson learned for me here, too!

 

Grace and Truth’s own Tammy Kennington gave me the scriptural basis to handle a troubling circumstance right now.  Maybe you could use it too.  How to Find Peace in Troubled Times.  Thank you, Tammy.

 

The Link Up

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

 Now Let’s Link Up!

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!  Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

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