As daylight hours lessen, daylight savings time begins and schedules swell, many people may notice a dip in mood and energy. For some, those feelings go beyond the “winter blues.”  Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression linked to reduced daylight during the fall and winter months, when people’s bodies and routines shift.  With awareness, simple daily choices and the right support, whole-person health can be possible throughout every season.  Causes and symptoms of SAD  “The exact cause of SAD isn’t fully understood and can be triggered by different factors for different people,” said Brad Sjostrom, LCSW, MAC, AdventHealth Porter’s director of behavioral health. “But shorter days mean less vitamin D production, which affects serotonin, the brain chemical that helps regulate mood.”  The symptoms often mirror those of major depression, including persistent sadness, loss of interest in enjoyable activities, changes in sleep or appetite, low energy and difficulty concentrating.  “While SAD occurs more often in regions with less daylight, holiday stress can heighten its impact for anyone, regardless of where they live,” he said.  Healing through connection and community  Social connection can also help combat the symptoms of SAD.  “When you’re feeling down, it’s natural to want to stay home or keep to yourself,” said Joe Oria, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and AdventHealth Porter’s behavioral health clinical supervisor. “But being around people who care about you — like friends, family or even coworkers — can be one of the most beneficial ways to support mental health and start feeling better.”  Cultivating mindfulness, gratitude and balance  Alongside connection, mindfulness and gratitude are also meaningful ways to restore balance to the body, mind and spirit.  “Start with simple, mindful practices, like journaling to nurture gratitude and grounding,” Oria said. “Writing down what you are grateful for helps shift your focus toward hope and possibility.”  The holidays can bring about joy and togetherness, but that can also come with hectic schedules, high expectations and emotional strain. Both experts emphasize the importance of balance and self-care, noting that it’s perfectly okay to rest or decline an invitation.  “Healthy boundaries are important for both mental health and whole-person health,” Oria said. “When we rest, we make room for practices that can bring joy and peace.”  Renewing energy through light and movement  In addition to setting boundaries, creating a routine centered on light can be beneficial.  “Spending time outside, even for a short walk, can make a real difference,” Sjostrom said. “Light exposure, regular movement and steady sleep patterns help the body regulate mood and energy. Even something as simple as opening the blinds during the day can help.”  When natural light is limited, light box therapy can signal the body to stay awake and help regulate mood and energy. Used briefly each day, these special lamps safely simulate sunlight and support the body’s natural balance.  “It’s an easy, effective option that works well for many people,” Sjostrom said. “Combined with other healthy habits, this tool can help the body maintain a healthier rhythm through the darker months.”  Embracing wholeness in every season  Additionally, professional counseling or therapy can provide space to process emotions, strengthen mental health and build practical tools for healing; another way to nurture balance in whole-person health.  “A spiritual relationship — whether through prayer, meditation or quiet reflection — can help bring peace and purpose to body, mind and spirit,” Oria said. “Faith and gratitude remind us that even in life’s darker seasons, light and hope can always be found.”  SAD is a reminder of how closely the body, mind and spirit are connected.  “The winter months can challenge energy and mood, but they can also remind us to slow down and care deeply for ourselves and others,” Oria said. “Whether it’s a walk in the sunshine, a moment of reflection or a conversation with someone who listens, each step toward balance can help you feel more whole.”  Shelby Mulholland, media relations communications coordinator at AdventHealth

A high priority for women’s ministries is promoting the North American Division women’s ministries scholarship program, which provides vital support for young women pursuing higher education at Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities.  Eligibility requirements:  Must be members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church  Must be enrolled in an undergraduate program at an NAD institution  Must maintain minimum GPA of 3.0  Applicants are evaluated on their commitment to the church’s mission, leadership skills, community outreach, academic achievement, and financial need  Impact over the last five years:  $84,000 was awarded in scholarship funds  37 recipients were supported  Students from 9 Adventist universities and colleges benefited  Support for this scholarship fund can be offered in two ways: by purchasing the women’s devotional book available through AdventSource (with proceeds directed to the scholarship program), or by contributing directly to the NAD Women’s Ministries Department.  A call to continue the journey  As we look ahead to 2026, our mission remains clear: to honor the legacy of seasoned leaders, empower the next generation, and invest in education that strengthens both faith and community. The Lord is coming soon, and we are preparing women—young and old—for ministry that reflects His love and purpose.  Donna Brown is women’s ministries coordinator for the Mid-America Union.   2025 Scholarship Recipient Hi, I’m Hannah Ikpeama. I graduated with my BSN last December from Union Adventist University. I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, attending Central Seventh-day Adventist Church and Hillcrest Seventh-day Adventist School, before moving on to Sunnydale Adventist Academy, where I discovered a love for mission work and service. I was blessed with opportunities to serve in India, at La Vida Mission in New Mexico, and through various community outreach projects that helped shape my passion for ministry. Over the past several years, I’ve served with Kids Camp and community outreach programs in Kansas City, working with refugee and inner-city families to share the love of Jesus. These experiences have shown me that even when service requires sacrifice, God always makes a way for it to remain a meaningful and consistent part of my life—something I hope to carry into my nursing career as well. During nursing school, I discovered a deep love for maternal and child health. I’m excited to begin my career in Labor & Delivery at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission and look forward to pursuing further education as God leads. I love building relationships, singing and creating meaningful memories and connections. My family, friends and everyone who has walked alongside me have played a huge role in where I am today. I feel incredibly blessed by the people God has placed in my life to encourage and support me on this journey. Most recently, He has added yet another reminder of the power of community through the generous donation I received [through the NAD women’s ministries scholarship]. I’m deeply grateful and hope to be a clear example of what your support can make possible.

Each year, the Mid-America Union Conference’s OUTLOOK magazine invites students from across the region to share their experiences through personal essays that reflect the heart of Adventist education. These authentic stories offer a window into how our schools shape faith, character, resilience and purpose. The following selections highlight just a few of the powerful voices from the Rocky Mountain Conference whose journeys illustrate the profound mission of Adventist education and its enduring impact on students’ lives. Across the Rocky Mountain Conference, students are experiencing Adventist education as more than academics. It is an environment that dignifies their stories, strengthens their faith, and calls them into purpose. Their voices reveal a truth we cannot ignore. When Christ is at the center, lives change. For seventh grader Harper Drane, the impact was immediate. After hearing her friend describe her experience in public school, Harper realized what she had gained. “My teachers care, and they value you and your opinion,” she shares. “They always help, no matter how busy they are.”  In a world where young people often feel unseen, Harper has found belonging and guidance. At Campion Academy, Lillian Resz stepped into a spiritual transformation she didn’t expect. Leaving a public school environment that had pulled her away from church, she discovered a community that brought her back to Jesus. “I now see education as something that helps me grow spiritually and learn real things about life,” she writes. “I view devotion, prayer and my relationship with God as a gift.”  Then there is Max Bicknell, whose journey from skepticism to baptism began with one unexpected moment during Week of Prayer. “I felt like a weight had been lifted off of me,” he remembers. That moment changed the trajectory of his life. “Adventist education helped me realize what I want to do with my life: lead others to Him.” And beyond the classroom, Adventist education continues shaping lives. Luca Lu, a student who entered Youth Rush carrying “fear, anxiety and depression,” found God waiting for him at the door of a stranger’s home. After a long, discouraging day, his simple prayer was answered when he met a woman who spoke his language and bought every book he carried. “It wasn’t a coincidence,” he writes. “God had prepared that door for me.”  Through friendships, worship, and one powerful encounter, Luca discovered that mission is not about numbers. It is about revealing God’s love to people who need it most. These students’ stories converge into one resounding message. Adventist education empowers and shapes students’ lives through Christ-centered learning so they can influence the world and fulfill God’s eternal purpose. Supporting this mission means investing in students who are finding faith, courage, identity and hope. These lives are being transformed. Their future impact will be immeasurable. Diane Harris is education superintendent for the Rocky Mountain Conference.  

History has a way of repeating itself—not because people fail to remember facts, but because they fail to recognize patterns. One of the most enduring and dangerous patterns in both biblical and world history is this: when religion aligns itself with the power of the state, conscience is inevitably compromised. What begins as an effort to preserve morality or unity often ends with coercion, exclusion, and persecution. The tragic irony is that this pattern frequently unfolds in the name of God. A Pattern as Old as Scripture The Bible does not shy away from documenting the failures of God’s people when spiritual authority reaches for political power. In the book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar erects a golden image and issues a law requiring universal worship (Daniel 3). The issue was not the image itself, but the enforcement. Worship compelled by law crossed a boundary God has never authorized. Faithful obedience suddenly carried a death sentence. Centuries later, in the time of Christ, the roles reversed but the pattern remained. Religious leaders, threatened by Jesus’ influence, turned to Roman authority to accomplish what they could not do alone. “It is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people” (John 11:50). Rome provided the power; religion provided the justification. Christ was crucified—not by pagans alone, but through a union of religious pressure and state enforcement. The lesson is sobering: the greatest injustices are often carried out when religion believes it is defending truth by force. Power Over Conscience Conscience is sacred because it is the place where God speaks to the individual soul. Scripture consistently affirms that worship must be voluntary. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15). God invites allegiance; He never compels it. Yet when religion partners with the state, conscience becomes regulated. Laws begin to define devotion. Compliance replaces conviction. What should be an inward response to God becomes an outward requirement of citizenship. The apostle Paul warned of this very dynamic when he described a system that would exalt itself above God and sit “in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4). The issue was not atheism, but misplaced authority—a human power claiming the right to dictate matters of faith. Why This Matters Today For many modern readers, these examples feel distant. We live in an age of religious freedom, constitutional safeguards, and pluralism. Yet history shows that freedoms are often surrendered gradually, especially during times of crisis. When societies face fear—whether from moral decline, social unrest, or global instability—the temptation is strong to seek unity through legislation. Religious language returns to political platforms. Moral concerns are framed as national emergencies. And slowly, the idea that faith should be enforced “for the common good” gains traction. The book of Revelation describes a final crisis that follows this very pattern: religious authority influencing civil power to enforce worship (Revelation 13). The warning is not aimed at a single group of people, but at a recurring system—religion empowered by the state to rule the conscience. The Issue Is Not Belief, but Authority It is important to be clear: the biblical concern is not about sincere believers, nor about moral values influencing society. The issue is who has the right to command worship. Jesus Himself drew a clear line when He said, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). When that line is crossed—when Caesar claims what belongs to God—faith is corrupted, and liberty erodes. Ellen G. White summarized this danger with remarkable clarity: “The union of the church with the state… is the sure precursor of persecution.” (The Great Controversy, p. 297) Her warning was not political, but spiritual. Any system—past, present, or future—that uses civil power to enforce religious observance places itself in opposition to the spirit of Christ. A Call to Vigilance, Not Fear This pattern is not revealed in Scripture to produce anxiety, but discernment. The final conflict described in the Bible is not primarily about dates, events, or personalities. It is about loyalty, authority, and love freely given. God’s kingdom advances through truth, persuasion, and sacrificial love—not legislation. The moment faith reaches for coercive power, it ceases to reflect the character of Christ. As history moves forward, the question for believers is not simply what we believe, but how we defend it. Will we trust truth to stand on its own? Or will we be tempted to secure it through force? The pattern is clear. The warning is ancient. And the choice, as always, remains deeply personal. R Scott Holder writes for OUTLOOK on a variety of topics.