The Light Still Shines . . . even through the winter blues . . .

Acknowledge emotions but focus on truth--one of the truths we've just celebrated is that the Word became flesh. Jesus was actually born and walked around in the flesh, present physically as well as emotionally and spiritually. We humans are an interconnected bundle of all those different aspects. And sometimes the physical part of us has a direct effect on the emotional. 

Going outside, for example, almost always boosts my mood and clears my head. Ideally for at least 15 minutes (in the morning), since that also helps with getting enough vitamin D and keeping the biological clock on the right time. This can be coupled with . . . 

Exercise. Yes, I'm as lazy as the next person, but going outside for a 15-minute walk helps me. It also gives additional . . .

Light therapy. Just to make sure to get enough, a couple of years ago I invested in one of these special winter lights. Keith is not a fan. Instead, his approach to light therapy is going South. Next week he'll be spending time with our team mates Eddie & Macarena Aldape. The Aldapes live on the sunny coast of southern Spain.  Though Keith does also take . . .

Suppliments like vitamin D. Our teammate Mina Podgaisky who has served in Ukraine and now with Ukrainians from her new home in Poland, takes as much vitamin D as she can. She, like Macarena, was born in Mexico. Her beautiful skin tone just does not absorb as much vitamin D as her much paler husband Gennady. Her dosage was prescribed by her . . . 

Medical professional.  One January a couple of years ago our adult daughter's doctor discovered that a severe vitamin deficiency was the cause of our daughter's lack of energy. She actually needed a series of injections, rather than just a couple of pills from the drugstore shelf. Sometimes we need professional advice. It's worth checking out.

Closing with another truth:  our Creator knows our frame. We honor the Creator and the creation when we acknowledge and care for that frame as well. Psalm 103:14