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A message for caregivers  dealing with anger
By Patty Scahill

Part Three
As we discussed in previous articles, it is difficult be a caregiver. It can cause us to experience tremendous stress, coupled with anger and frustration. Identifying the emotions we deal with will help us to better understand and cope with those feelings. Most of us are "fixers".  When we are unable to change the situation, we can become frustrated. And frustration eventually leads to anger.  All of these are emotions we will experience as we walk through the daily process of care giving.
What we first must know is this. We are not alone. The Lord does see our situation and he hears our prayers. Psalm 103: 13-14 says, "Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust." What this verse of scripture means is this: The Lord is the God of compassion towards His creation. He created us, He knows us, He understands us, He is aware of what is going on in our lives, and of our shortcomings and mortality. One day this life will be over, but while we are here on this earth His desire is for us to know Him. In knowing Him we will experience His compassion and mercy, even if the situation does not change.
Does He understand our anger and frustration? Well, if He knows our heart and created us, yes He does. Webster's dictionary describes anger as a deep "feeling of great displeasure." When we add frustration into the mix, we will experience additional feelings of discouragement and defeat. As caregivers we are susceptible to anger and frustration simply because we want to see change. We want to see the person we care for becoming better. When it is long term caring and nothing seems to change we will experience these strong emotions. But, we don't have to live in them. We must recognize them and ask the Lord to help us deal with them in order to continue to be effective in our care giving.
This week let's examine our anger with the circumstances. The questions that arise out of the life we now lead. Why did this happen to our family? How could this have happened? This is unfair! It seems as though everyone can move on, but we can't and it's hard to understand! For sure it is and I can understand those questions, simply because I have asked those and many more! However, we must deal with the anger, once recognized and move past it, reaching forward to life that is still ahead. Living every day on this earth is a blessing that has been given to us by a gracious Creator. He can help us get past the anger issues, releasing them to Him.
Here is what helps me. Get alone by yourself for a few minutes. It can be in the basement while putting a load of clothes in the washer, or while taking a shower. You can pull over into a parking lot while running an errand. Take a minute for you! Look at the anger and all that is going on inside of you and talk to the Lord honestly because He already knows it anyway. Make this your prayer, saying, "Lord I am angry, I don't understand why this is happening and I am hurt that it is! I am angry and frustrated. I am asking you to help me. Help me Lord to give you the anger I am feeling and help me to release all of these emotions to you. I don't want to live in anger at the circumstances any longer. I want to live in your power and ask you to help me." Let the tears fall from your eyes and accept the strength of the Lord on your behalf. Believe me, you will feel so much better and there's nothing like a clean heart and tearful eyes before the Lord. And it is such a blessing for us to be free from the anger!  "They that sow in tears shall reap with joy."  Psalm 126:5.

Below are Death Notices that are published free of charge. Full Obituaries are printed for a fee. Consult your funeral director for details.

Dorothy C. Sherman, 92

Warren. Date of death Sunday, March 2, 2008. Arrangements are entrusted to the McFarland and Son Funeral Home.

Waterfowl enthusiasts flock to Westlake

Waterfowl artists, carvers, and collectors will gather in Westlake, at the Holiday Inn West 1100 Crocker Rd.  March 13-16, for the 31st Waterfowl Art Exposition presented by the Ohio Decoy Collectors and Carvers Association.
The exposition is one of the largest gatherings of decoy carvers in the United States and will have a variety of wildlife art on display for the general public.
Many of the bird carvings will be judged in categories ranging from contemporary hunting decoys, antique birds, and decorative bird creations ranging from songbirds to raptors. Rarely will so many excellent carvings, both contemporary and antique, be gathered in one place.
This will be the 31st year for the exhibition, one of the largest events of its kind in the nation. Wildlife artists, collectors, and decoy carvers attend this annual event to exhibit their work and vendors will be on hand to provide carving and artist tools and supplies.
Public admission to the exhibition is just $5 for a four-day pass to all venues.

Terri asked her Sunday School class to draw pictures of their favorite Bible stories. She was puzzled by Kyle's picture, which showed four people on an airplane, so she asked him which story it was meant to represent.
"The flight to Egypt," said Kyle.
"I see ... And that must be Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus," Ms. Terri said.
"But who's the fourth person?"
"Oh, that's Pontius-the Pilot.

NAMI and LifeLines
sponsoring training in April

The Trumbull County Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Trumbull LifeLines the county's alcohol, drug addiction and mental health services board, are sponsoring their fifth Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for law enforcement officers on April 2,3,4,9, and 10.
The training program will be held at the Trumbull Metropolitan Housing Authority (first floor conference room), 4076 Youngstown Rd. in Warren from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. On Friday, April 10 the training will be held at Packard Music Center on Mahoning Ave. in Warren from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. where the Officers will do "Role Playing" with volunteer local actors following with a luncheon and Graduation ceremonies. CIT training is free and open to all county's law enforcement. For more information contact Dr. John Myers, at 330-675-2765, ext. 10.