The Monster named Depression

Depression- A mental disorder characterized by extreme gloom, feelings of inadequacy, and inability to concentrate.


What Causes Depression?


Depression is caused by bullies at school. A few mean words over chat or texting. A secret told that was never meant to get out. Cruel jokes about someone’s weight or outside appearances. Parents downing their own children and siblings being mean. Parents never being home, or involved with their children. Depression is not a sign of personal weakness it is a serious condition that has to be treated by a doctor.

Who Gets Depression?

33 to 35 million people are likely to experience depression at some point in their lives. Depression affects men and women of all ages. Women have a greater risk than men to develop major depression.

The letter below was written shortly before the writer took an overdose of pills to kill herself. We have not changed incorrect spelling or punctuation. It is indicative of the state she was in and makes this note more valuable.

Why did he do this to me? He said he loved me and wanted to marry me. How could he spend so much time with her and not care how I feel. I can not handle this with classes and moms problem. The classes are getting to much for me to copy with. I wish I could just die, then I wouldn't be a problem to everyone. Moms drinking is getting worse and I can not handle it. She is showing Bob & Patty that it is okay to drink a lot but also to drink and drive. I'm so confused all we do is fight. Whenever I'm in the house it is always fighting. I want out of all of it. Please make it all stop. Take the confusion away.
I'm all a lone, nobody cares whether I live or die. All I ever do is cause problems for everyone. How can I get him back. That bastard doesn't know how much he means to me and my life. I don't have a life without him.
Mom and Patty have left me. Can't they see how bad I am. Don't they care. Please God do something for me and make this my time to go. I can not make the grades like Bob and I'm so ugly nobody wants to care for me. I'm so stupid to think that he could've cared for me.
I can't make it through school, I cause my family problems and I can't keep a man in my life. I'm a failure in everything that is important to me. The only way out of this is to die.
How can I trust anyone? I want to say goodbye to mom, Patty & Bob. You are my family and mean more to me than my life. I'm sorry I have caused you so many problems and fights.
Mom I wish I could've been the person you and Dad wanted me to be. But I'm not smart, pretty, athletic, or skinny. I know that you and Dad never wanted me when I was born and I wish like hell that I never was born. I can't do anything right and all I do is cause the rest of the family to fight.
Why can't I have a talk with anyone. You're all so busy and here I sit. Please someone do something so I can't feel the hurt anymore. I hurt so bad, what can I do?
I'm trying to watch TV but I don't know what I'm watching. It's so lonely here. I want to sleep but it just won't come. I'm so tired of hurting and being a lone. I keep thinking about the pills in the cabinet but I'm scared. My head hurts so much from crying but if I take anything for it I'm scared I won't stop and I would want to stop.
Nobody cares why should I? I cause problems for everyone I care about so why should I stay. Why am I such a terrible person. Nothing I do is right. I don't understand.
I don't have any choice in the matter. To make everything better I have to die. I can't make it right by living. I'm so scared I want out but oh I don't know.
I wish he would call to say everything is all right. I've lost the most important thing in my life. I'm so very tired of being alone, and making everyone miserable.
I'm so fat, ugly and stupid, how can I expect me to be able to do anything right? I've failed at everything. There is nothing for me here. I don't want to go on. I didn't mean to hurt anyone. Please believe me. I love you all so very much, and I don't want to hurt you anymore.
I'm so cold, please do something. I can't stand this empty feeling that I'm having. My head is horrible. Stop the pounding it hurts so much. I have no control over anything in my life. I'm breaking into pieces.
Somebody do something.

The obvious hopelessness and pain reach out to us. It is reprinted here to give you a glimpse into the thoughts and feelings of any individual who has reached the end of hope.
The writer of this note survived the attempt and has moved forward with her life. She now views suicide with a different outlook. She realizes it is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. She realizes also that she may feel that way again. And she lives on--a testament to courage and to life.
We thank her for sharing this very private pain with us, knowing that she did so hoping that it would help us to help others.Depression is diagnosed when five or more of the following symptoms of depression are present for most of the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks.
Symptoms of Depression:

·         Constant sadness

·         Irritability

·         Hopelessness

·         Trouble Sleeping

·         Low energy or fatigue

·         Feeling worthless or guilty for no reason

·         Significant weight change

·         Difficulty concentrating

·         Loss of interest in favorite activities

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Treatments for Depression: Prescription medications Psychotherapy- Also known as “talk therapy” which can be very helpful to be people with some forms of depression. Healthy Living- 1.  Maintain proper sleep hygein as advised by your health care professional. 2. Eat a well-balanced diet 3. Manage anxiety as advised by your health care professional. 4. Participate in a structured and supervised excersice program as advised by your health care professional. 5. Set realistic goals for yourself. 6. Create small and mangeable tasks for yourself. 7. Let your family and friends help you! I hope this post has been informational and helpful if you are going through depression, know someone who is going through depression, or if you aren't sure if you have depression.

The 5 Most Important Traits in a Boyfriend or Husband

Spiritual Status

The number one thing I would look for in a husband is what their spiritual status is. I want someone who goes to church regularly and has a close relationship with God. The men in my family go to church and live for God and I see a huge difference in the way they act and the way non- believers act.

The second important thing to me is a hard worker. I want someone who is going to get the harder work done around the house and even if they don’t like doing it they will do the work because it needs to be done or because I ask him to. My dad is a hard worker and our house and outside area is in such great condition because he does fixes what needs to be fixed or cleaned up.

The third most important thing to me is someone who enjoys children. I don’t want to have a lot of kids but I want someone who is going to be patient and loving. I want someone who won’t mind playing with them if I’m busy or watching them if I have something I need to get done.

The fourth most important thing to me is someone who is good with money. I’m not very good with money and I would rather trust in someone else to take care of it. I want someone who is good at balancing a checkbook and doing the taxes.

The fourth most important thing is someone who doesn’t like to grocery shop and will let me get whatever I need to. I have a blast grocery shopping and I always look for the best prices. I want someone who is going to trust me to get the best prices and not buy too much. I also want someone who doesn’t like to cook that much but won’t mind helping if I need help.

Honesty and Trust

The fifth most important thing to me is someone who is honest and trusting. I want someone who will tell me if they don’t like something. I also want someone who trusts me to make the right decisions and trusts me to not be with other guys! Which I would never do, because if I marry someone I’m going to love them and why would I want to be with anyone else?!

I hope all of my most important things in a guy help you think through what is most important to you. I have never thought about any of this and it was very interesting to think through what I think are some of the most important characteristics in a husband, or even just a boyfriend.          

Two Simple Ways to Save and Make Money

Make some Money!

How many of you like money?! I love money and always need more of it. Here is a way you can make some money. Sign up for Google’s AdSense and you get a commission if someone clicks on your AdSense ad. HINT HINT!

When you sign up for Google AdSense, Google assesses your site and decides which ads would match the content on your blog. Then it feeds ads to your site that would be of interest to your readers. Here are the 5 easiest steps to make a Google AdSense account.

Step 1- Click the Monetize link on the Dashboard, or the Monetize tab within your blog.

Step 2- Choose whichever one of the four options.

Step 3- Click the Create a new AdSense account button.

Step 4- Then click next.

Step 5- Fill out all of the electronic paperwork until you see that AdSence has been enabled for your blog. It usually takes 48 hours.

Saving Money

I know we all like to make money but what about saving money? If you like to save money but have a hard time finding low prices check out amazon.com! Amazon.com is an online site where you can find some of the lowest prices and it’s easy and convenient. I have an Amazon account and so does everyone in my family and it is one of our favorite sites. One of the coolest things about Amazon is they have a lot of things for Free Super Saver Shipping. Here is how to set up an account so YOU can save money just like I do!

1.        Go to amazon.com, you will then arrive at Amazon’s homepage. Look to the right of the top of the screen and click on the new customers “start here” button.

2.       You will then be asked to enter your email address, make sure you check off that you are a new customer and you do not already have a password. Use your primary email address so that you can receive shipping updates and notifications!

3.       Once you have entered, you will be brought to a page to enter in your email address twice to confirm, fill out your date of birth, and choose a password. Enter your email address, fill out your date of birth, and then choose your password. When you pick a password pick something that no one would guess, NOT your child’s name, your pets name, your favorite food… I always try to put some numbers in it. Write down your password and put it in a secure place so you won’t lose it. Then click the yellow continue button.

4.       YOU ARE FINISHED!! Good job:D I hope it wasn’t too hard to do and now you can take a deep breath and relax. You have just saved a lot of money by choosing to buy from Amazon!

“If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as getting.”

-          Benjamin Franklin            

The Real History of Pizza

History of Pizza

Most people think that Pizza is an Italian creation, but that’s not true. The foundations for pizza were laid by the early Greeks who first baked large, round and flat breads which they spruced up with oil, herbs, spices, and dates. Tomatoes weren’t discovered then or I’m sure they would have used them.

In the 18^th century the idea of the flat bread found its way to Italy, where they were called “Pizzas” and sold on the streets on in the markets. They weren’t topped with anything but people liked to eat them plain. In 1889, Queen Margherita took an inspection tour of her Italian Kingdom. During her outings she saw many people eating large, flat, loafs of bread. Curious, the queen ordered her guards to bring her one of the Pizza breads.

The Queen loved the bread and summoned Chef Rafaelle Esposito from his pizzeria to the Royal Palace to bake a selection of pizzas for her pleasure. To honor Queen Margherita, Rafael decided tomake a special Pizza just for her. He baked a Pizza topped with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil (to represent the colors of the Italian flag: red, white, and green).

This became Queen Margherita’s favorite Pizza. After that variations began to be made in different parts of the country. In Bologna, meat began to be added into the topping mix. Neapolitan Pizza became popular and it brought garlic and crumbly Neapolitan cheeses into the mixture as well as herbs, fresh vegetables, and other spices and flavorings.

About this time the idea of baking in special brick ovens came into existence and the bread, like it is today was a simple combination of flour, oil, salt and yeast. Pizza spread to America, France, England, and Spain, were it wasn’t really known about until after World War 2. While occupying Italian territories many American and European soldiers tasted Pizza for the first time and LOVED it!

Italian immigrants had been selling Pizza in their American stores for a while but it was the returning soldiers who loved the saucy pizza that drew pizza into city life all over the continent.

Different Pizzas

Pizzas can be either healthy or fatty; it just depends on what you put on it. They come in many forms such as Calzones (a large half moon Pizza Pocket which is then baked). Pizza also comes in various forms like breads, rolls, pan pizza, stuffed crust pizza, thin crust pizza and thick crust pizza, whole-wheat crust, and bagel crust.

The concept of Pizza has taken on many forms such as Mexican Pizza (a pizza topped with chili or taco filling, shredded Cheddar cheese, chopped onions, tomatoes, and Jalapeno peppers), Ice Cream Pizza, Candy Pizza, and even Pizza Cake as well as pizza flavored items.

   

Neapolitan Pizza

The authentic way to make a Neapolitan pizza is in a special brick oven. The pizza produced in a brick oven is crisp, not oily and soggy. Neapolitans don't overload pizza with oil, and they don't use mozzarella when it is very liquid.If you get good mozzarella, wait a day or two before using it on pizza.  If you love pizza, invest in a pizza stone and a peel- they are inexpensive and will reward you with use.

• prepared pizza dough
• 1 (14 ounce) can Italian peeled tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large cloves garlic, finely sliced
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1/2 cup grated parmigiano or roman cheese (or combination of both)
• 1/ 1/2 cups sliced mozzarella cheese

 

METHOD

Preheat oven to 450°F.

Spread dough in pizza pans.

Remove whole tomatoes from can, and place in bowl. Mash lightly with a potato masher. Reserve liquid from tomatoes for another use.

 Using a pastry brush, lightly oil top of pizza dough.

Press garlic into dough in pizza pan or pans. Spoon mashed tomatoes over oiled dough.

Sprinkle dough lightly with oregano and grated cheese. Place mozzarella around the dough.

If baking on a pizza stone, be sure oven has preheated for 30 minutes. If not using a stone, place pan on oven floor for direct heat for 7 - 10 minutes. Check bottom of pizza for coloring. When it has darkened, move to upper shelf of oven to cook the top. When top is bubbling, pizza is done (about 10 - 15minutes),

Yield: One large or two medium pizzas

The tools:  The pizza stone approximates the radiant heat of the brick-lined ovens in professional bakeries.  It is preheated so that the pizza is immediately cooking without rising.  The peel is that long-handled spatula (a very large one!) that professionals use to slide the unbaked dough onto the preheated pizza stone.  Both a pizza peel and the stone are excellent tools.

My Mom’s AMAZING Homemade Pizza Recipe

Cheesy Crust- Makes two 12 inch pizzas or 1 full sheet pizza

2 ¼ to 2 ½ cups all- purpose flour

1 package Red Star Active Dry Yeast or Quick Rise yeast

½ cup grated parmesan cheese

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

1 cup water

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

In medium mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour, yeast, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper; mix well. Add very warm water (120-130 degrees) to flour mixture. Mix by hand until almost smooth. Gradually stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on floured surface, 2 to 3 minutes. Cover dough, let rest 5 to 10 min.

Divide dough into 2 parts. With well-floured or greased fingers, press each half into greased 12in. pizza pan, forming a rim around edge. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 to 25 min. until edge is crisp and golden brown.

 Mom’s Yummy Pizza Sauce

1 can (8 ounce) tomato sauce

2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves

1 ¼ teaspoon salt

1/8^th teaspoon garlic powder or 1 clove of garlic

1/8^th teaspoon pepper

1/4^th cup grated parmesan cheese

Mix tomato sauce, oregano, salt, garlic and pepper. Spread sauce over 12in. pans of Pizza dough. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and stick in the oven for 425 degrees for 20 to 25 min.

Millennium Soldier: Wearer of Gold

I have always thought that science fiction is weird and hard to understand.  Until now science fiction would have been the last thing I would pick up to read.  Voyle Glover’s book Millennium Warrior: Wearer of Gold is what I would call a breakthrough in Christian science fiction.  His book is easy to understand, entertaining, and interesting.  I think the thing that is most interesting about Glover’s book is how he came up with the idea.  He got the idea for his book from the Bible verse Obadiah 1:4- “Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.

About the book

This futuristic sci-fi book is about a warrior named Cubal.  He was created for the sole purpose to fight. Cubal is trained in the ways of D’vru and doesn’t believe in gods or devils, nor does he bow down to anyone.  He wanders around earth waiting to fight, but there aren’t any wars… until now.  He is about to be a part of a war for his very soul.  It is a war between God and Lucian (also known as Satan) for all the heavens and the earth.

Cubal lives after the Millennium, after Messiah had ruled the Earth in peace and perfection.  He lives after humanity made great advances in the scientific and technological fields.  Now there is space travel and other cool devices.  He is recruited by the Ancient Ones and Lucian to help fight in the war for the heavens and the earth, but God is also working to recruit him.

Key characters

I thought that the main characters were very descriptive.  I hate it when I’m reading a book and I can’t picture what a character looks like.  That is not how it is with Glover’s characters.  You get an incredibly descriptive yet simple picture of what they look like.  Here is a little bit about each key character.  

Cubal- A designed human-a creation of DNA genetic manipulation.  He was created for the sole purpose to fight in wars.  He has no fear, he bows to no one, and he is deadly.

Jules- The best hunter of his village, and well respected.  He becomes a friend of Cubal.

Antal- Known for his strength and endurance, also respected in their village.  He becomes a friend of Cubal also.

Blythe the Seeker- A Christian whom you will find out more about when you read the book.  He is also a friend of Cubal.

Nathan- Father of Blythe.  Also a Christian.

Michael- The chief angel in charge of the spiritual wars.

Lucian (also known as Satan)-  A great pretender, liar, and charmer.  He wages war against God for all humanity and the heavens.

God- The great I AM.  King over all.  Ruler of the heavens and the earth.  The Messiah.

Justin- A Christian and a teacher of God’s word.

I think that the most interesting thing about Cubal is the fact that he won’t believe in God.  He won’t believe in God yet he fights for good causes.  He doesn’t believe in God yet during God’s reign everything was peaceful and perfect.  Then when it’s time for Lucian to reign on earth there is war, destruction, and pain.  The good thing about Cubal is that he starts to rethink his unbelief after he is saved by Michael the archangel.

I can’t wait for the second book in the series to come out!  I think you will like Voyle Glover’s amazing book as much as I do.  Millennium Warrior: Wearer of Gold is truly a Christian science fiction book worth reading.