Thursday, August 18, 2011

Dont get so focused on the problem that you lose focus

Do you have a physical problem right now that will not let you enjoy your life? Is there an emotional issue that is draining your energy? Are these concerns occupying your mind day and night? Do you toss things around in your mind and play the what If game? You know the game What if this pain turns out to be? What if I end up alone? What if I lose everything? on and on and on until you feel you are going crazy. If you answered yes to these questions I want to share something that might help you. Take this paper and bring it up to your eye level. Now press it against your nose. Read what it says. Could you read it? Why not? Wasnt it because everything was out of focus? Well, thats exactly what happens when we focus too closely on our problems. Whenever we are emotionally entangled in a problem it is

Faith & Family

The Gonzales Cannon

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Love, Eloise
Eloise Estes
almost impossible to see things objectively. We cant find the solution to our dilemma because when our emotions are rattled they affect our ability to be objective. It took a while for me to get into the habit of taking myself out of the picture when trying to solve my problems. Stepping back from the situation lets us get a different perspective on what is going on. Stepping back helps us see things clearer and helps us to recognize the things we can change, and the things we have no control over. Next time you are having trouble coming up with the answer to your problem just consider how you would help someone

else with the same situation. You would probably give them advice from an objective and detached viewpoint. That is exactly what we must do when we are trying to solve our own problems. It takes discipline not to focus on what affects us personally, but it can be done. There are times when trying not to focus on the problem causes you to think more about it because the mind is unable to process two things at the same time. Anytime you concentrate on not worrying about your pain, the pain is the only thing you are going to think about. That is why the Bible tells us to reflect on what is good, about those things that encourage and uplift us. The best way to get a negative thought out of your mind and stop worrying is to replace it with a positive one. Get involved in a fun activity. Find someone to help.

Activities make for busy July for Normas House

Cannon News Services
newseditor@gonzalescannon.com

Take a break from the mental gymnastics and stop scrutinizing your predicament. Whenever Ive continually kept an eye on a concern to see if it is improving I cant focus on anything else. This finally hit me Faith does not monitor. Doubt monitors. Once we have turned over our problems to God we have to let go of the reins and let Him take over. Weve got to stop looking to see if the problem is getting better and get it out of our mind, get on with our life- without stopping to check for a pulse. Worry doesnt change anything but the quality of our life. There are some things that are totally out of our control. Figuring out the things that are ours to handle and those that are beyond our capabilities is a good way to relieve ourselves of a lot of stress. Letting go of whatever you cant do anything about and allowing God to handle the rest is highly recommended.

Worrying about things that are beyond your control will wear you out physically and emotionally. Our bodies need rest to function efficiently. Anxiety is not a good prescription for a peaceful nights sleep. We cant manage the activities of our hectic days as we should when anxiety keeps us awake all night. A troubled heart and weary mind tend to view the world through blurred vision, and good judgment is adversely affected when the body and mind are fatigued. From now on, right before you go to bed, whisper a little prayer of thanks to remind yourself that when you give your troubles to God your life is in the best of hands. Do not be concerned. Do not be afraid. Lay your head on your pillow and close your eyes knowing that you have a faithful watchman who never sleeps. love, eloise

Thanks to all the sponsors of annual backpack giveaway

Faith Family Church would like to thank everyone for investing in this project and making a difference in the lives of the students who received back packs and school supplies. Here is a list of all the individuals and businesses who generously gave to make the Back Pack Give Away a success: AC Collision Center, Buddys Natural Chicken, Dr. Vaz Clinic, E-Barr Feeds, Edwards Furniture Company, David and Casie Ehrig, Fehrner and Son Grain Co., Oaks at Winding Way, Gonzales Food Market, Gonzales Livestock, Guerras Grill, H.E.B., Holiday Finance, James Short/ Acero, Jim and Cecilia Singleton, Sisters In Christ Sunday School Class-Methodist Church, Kitchen Pride Mushroom Farms, David & Cindy Ackman, Los Auto Sales, Mr. Taco, Soncrest Eggs, Blooming Creations, Gonzales Elementary School, Merle Norman, Hoopla, Persons Flowers, Steven & Sarah Liberti, J & G Antiques, James & Marilyn Schmidt, Mohrman Drug Store,

Christian Kids, The Gonzales Inquirer, Texan Nursing and Rehab of Gonzales, A G Construction, Michael & Shannon Gill, The Gonzales Cannon, Steve & Cheryl Turner, Kenneth & Sherry Poe, Betty Shows, Storey Jewelers, Dianes Splitting Image, Walmart, Lone Star Bank, Caraway Ford, Hair It Is, D&D Liquor, Brian and Rebecca Fees, Asset Capital Management, Myrna Patterson McLeroy, William A. Sawyer, Jose J Garcia, Bealls, Victoria Walgreens/Stefanie Porras, Margie Shows, All Seasons Heat & Air, Sage Capital Bank, Ripley & Wolff, Adams Extract & Spice, Norman Burns, John & Kara Williams, Jeffrey Gonzales & Allie Singleton, David & Ruth Gumper, Darryl & Trisha Becker, Bruce & Elaine Baker, Darin & Brenda Kuntschik, Family Dollar, McDonalds, McCoys, Personal Impressions, Munson Office Account, Jean Johnson Peterek, Kates Kleaners, Paige Gass, Hearty Gourmet, and West Motors.

July proved to be a busy month for us at Normas House! With interviews, meetings, and fundraising events, we have had to stay on our toes! We are also welcoming a new staff member, Tiffany Collie. Tiffany will be the Program Coordinator. Tiffany just finished a week of training as Forensic Interviewer at the National Childrens Advocacy Center in Huntsville Alabama. She will be taking over most of the forensic interviewing from Ann, so that Ann can focus more of her time as Executive Director. So stop by sometime when you have a chance and say hello to Tiffany! Another exciting addition to our Team this summer is Sarah Westerfield, LPC-I. She is a therapist who is providing counseling services at Normas House to children and family members. We are very pleased to introduce her to our community. July 7th, Bo Davis of DVS Productions held a Calcutta event at Pardners Dancehall, located at the American Legion. Eighty percent of the funds raised were paid back out as prizes for the top bull riders. The other twenty percent was donated to Normas House. On Saturday at the PBR Bull riding event, the Gonzales County Royal Court

sold 50/50 raffle tickets and Shark Tank tickets for Normas House with 100% of the sales going to Normas House. The Staff and Board of Directors of Normas House worked the gate for the event. The PBR was a great success, and our hats are off to Bo Davis for his support to Normas House and our mission! An exciting new event to benefit Normas House was the Come and Take It Bike Race on July 23rd and 24th. Coordinated by Southern Clay, sixty percent of the money raised from the bike race was donated to Normas House. This was such a neat and successful event for the community that we hope to have every year! Thank you to everyone at Southern Clay who helped to put this event on and for your support of Normas House! Our new fiscal begins August 1. Tiffany is developing our Calendar of Community Events for Fiscal Year 11-12. Events will include training for parents, teachers, youth group leaders, churches, and the general public. She will also schedule speaking engagements for staff, volunteers and board members to address clubs and organizations in Gonzales and Lavaca Counties. She is also coordinating awareness and safety training for children. We really appreciate our de-

voted volunteer trainer, Carolyn Morrow, for helping with these. Watch for more about Darkness 2 Light and Happy Bear! Now, over the spring months we had a Raise the Roof fund drive. Very strong winds on February 2 this year, followed by weeks-on-end of wind, left much of our aging roof on the lawn. But, with an insurance claim, donations from McCoys, the Gonzales Elks Lodge, Kardosz, Inc., and individuals, and a fundraising Plant Sale, we now have a new metal roof which should last long and cut some of our overhead costs! Two of our staff members, Judy and Tiffany, talked last week to the Smiley Neighborhood Watch group. The response was wonderful and Normas House has gained some very good friends. At the meeting, very good questions were asked that allowed staff to give important information and clear up misconceptions about what a Childrens Advocacy Center does and how it operates. Several people came away saying things like, Wow, I never thought of it that way. This was in response to Judy saying, When a child victim of abuse steps through our door, it is their first step to recovery. Its our hope that the worst is then behind them.

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