What do you do when you are stressed? Do you scream at your friends or family? (That isn't advised). Do you exercise? Count to ten? Pray? Do you throw things? (Another bad idea). Or do you inhale large, I mean, LARGE amounts of chocolate? (Yummy)!
When I experience stress, the first thing I want to do is eat 5 million chocolate bars. But, I have recently decided that inhaling large amounts of chocolate may not be a healthy stress relieving activity. It has taken me a long time to come to this conclusion, but I have decided I should take it easy on the chocolate consumption. So, what do I do to relieve my stress now?
Of course, I pray, and try to think rationally about the situation causing my stress, but that doesn't always work. Sometimes I need a tangible stress relieving activity. What to do? What to do? I am slightly limited with stress relieving options here on the ship. It isn't like I can hop in my car and drive down the freeway at high speeds with the music blaring. I cannot go for a peaceful walk in the woods. I cannot have some alone time...lying on my bed quietly, (I have 3 roommates, they are great, but...).... What to do? What to do? A number of us on the ship have been working on this issue and we have come up with a new therapy technique.... It is called Baby Therapy. You may wonder what Baby Therapy involves... Well, it involves going to the ward, finding the cutest baby possible, picking them up, and smothering them with kisses and more kisses! The therapy session is stress free because when I am done with the therapy session or if the baby interrupts the session with crying; I just return the baby to their mama and the session is over. The baby's mom takes care of all dirty diapers, crying, spitting, and all that jazz. I get to cuddle a cute baby without any added stress! The little angel pictured with me was my most recent Baby Therapy Friend. Now, don't go thinking I am mean and using the babies... Just check out her face... she loved hanging out with me too!
So, why am I stressed? Well... beyond normal daily stress... I was looking forward to a small vacation within the next few days. But, there has been a huge delay in acquiring my travel visa from the local embassy. My visa may not be available until 10 hours AFTER I was scheduled to depart! Nuts! I am praying for this trip to work... Last year when I was scheduled for a break, I got kidney stones and never got to use a $130 USD visa I had already purchased! This year I am ready and so eager for a break.... but visa trouble... I believe my God is big. He can part the Red Sea, He can mend a broken heart, He can restore life to dry bones, He can make good from bad; He can certainly get me a visa if it is His will... Would you join me in praying for God's will to be done in this situation. Also pray for all those babies enrolled in the Baby Therapy program on the ship. I fear they may get smothered by me within the next few hours! Thanks! I love all of you!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Baby Therapy
What do you do when you are stressed? Do you scream at your friends or family? (That isn't advised). Do you exercise? Count to ten? Pray? Do you throw things? (Another bad idea). Or do you inhale large, I mean, LARGE amounts of chocolate? (Yummy)!
When I experience stress, the first thing I want to do is eat 5 million chocolate bars. But, I have recently decided that inhaling large amounts of chocolate may not be a healthy stress relieving activity. It has taken me a long time to come to this conclusion, but I have decided I should take it easy on the chocolate consumption. So, what do I do to relieve my stress now?
Of course, I pray, and try to think rationally about the situation causing my stress, but that doesn't always work. Sometimes I need a tangible stress relieving activity. What to do? What to do? I am slightly limited with stress relieving options here on the ship. It isn't like I can hop in my car and drive down the freeway at high speeds with the music blaring. I cannot go for a peaceful walk in the woods. I cannot have some alone time...lying on my bed quietly, (I have 3 roommates, they are great, but...).... What to do? What to do? A number of us on the ship have been working on this issue and we have come up with a new therapy technique.... It is called Baby Therapy. You may wonder what Baby Therapy involves... Well, it involves going to the ward, finding the cutest baby possible, picking them up, and smothering them with kisses and more kisses! The therapy session is stress free because when I am done with the therapy session or if the baby interrupts the session with crying; I just return the baby to their mama and the session is over. The baby's mom takes care of all dirty diapers, crying, spitting, and all that jazz. I get to cuddle a cute baby without any added stress! The little angel pictured with me was my most recent Baby Therapy Friend. Now, don't go thinking I am mean and using the babies... Just check out her face... she loved hanging out with me too!
So, why am I stressed? Well... beyond normal daily stress... I was looking forward to a small vacation within the next few days. But, there has been a huge delay in acquiring my travel visa from the local embassy. My visa may not be available until 10 hours AFTER I was scheduled to depart! Nuts! I am praying for this trip to work... Last year when I was scheduled for a break, I got kidney stones and never got to use a $130 USD visa I had already purchased! This year I am ready and so eager for a break.... but visa trouble... I believe my God is big. He can part the Red Sea, He can mend a broken heart, He can restore life to dry bones, He can make good from bad; He can certainly get me a visa if it is His will... Would you join me in praying for God's will to be done in this situation. Also pray for all those babies enrolled in the Baby Therapy program on the ship. I fear they may get smothered by me within the next few hours! Thanks! I love all of you!
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4 comments:
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD;
he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. Proverbs 21:1
Oh, God, in whose hand is the heart of this government official (king) who is holding up the granting of Laura's visa, please move that heart like a watercourse, directing it as you will to allow Laura this desired time of refreshment and relaxation and the special meeting that she is so looking forward to.
In the hours that she must wait LORD, may her anxiety be stilled by the promise that you are working all things for the good of those who love you and are called by you.
AMEN!
God, we publicly acknowledge your goodness in allowing Laura to be granted the visa, and your provision of safe passage to this point of her journey! YOU ARE AN AWESOME GOD!
AMEN
Hi! Laura We really enjoy your stories. I think your idea of baby therapy is so nice a way of getting rid of stress. I wish I was there helping you. God has blessed you so much. I think you should write a book about your adventures. The Lord has given you a great opportunity to share His love & to help others in need. I think your stories inspire us and could inspire many others by publishing them as a christian missionary adventure book. Your pictures are great. I'm glad to hear you got your visa. We were praying for you, sounds like another adventure.(1Thessalonians 2&3) Take care Laura, Linda & Jerry P.
The following prayer request was on our denomination's email. When I read it, I felt a tug that said, "Send it to Laura." Not sure why, but I am being obedient.
Thinking of you....
Mali
> Pray that God will provide more nurses for the Koutiala Hospital for
> Women and Children who share the hospital's vision for Christian health
> care. Also, pray against burn-out for the missionary staff members who
> are putting in too many hours.
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