Category: Bipolar life

11 July 2025 Answered Prayers

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Health, Home, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Hello to you. Hope this finds you well. I just wanted to give out a praise for answered prayers and God showing me his love through my family the past couple of days. As I mentioned in my previous blog I ran out of Olanzapine and it had been a couple of weeks. I was starting to have a real hard time using Benadryl to get me through. Well after some phone calls today my beautiful friend (my cousins wife) Tawna offered to drive me to the Boise VA to get lab work and pick up refills. Wow! That meant everything! Tawna is another person in my life that God works through and has for quite some time. We enjoyed having time to visit as with her busy life we don’t get to see eachother as much as we would like. The visit to the VA in Boise went really smoothly and took no time at all. Very friendly people there! We got a dose in me and went to our new Dairy Queen for lunch which was really nice and took a little walk. She visited with Link and I for a bit on my porch before she left. I love being with her!

I found out the reason my Dr. has been reluctant to up the dose of Olanzapine is because there are a lot of negative side effects the higher the dosage like weight gain and blood sugar for example. He upped my daily dose by taking it two times a day instead of just once which isn’t too much. I noticed today that it relaxed me quite a bit. With being Bipolar there is a fine line between being high and being low. Without the Olanzapine I was running fast and it’s very uncomfortable!

Bottom line today – God hears our prayers and uses us to help eachother! So blessed!

From my Aunt Ruth today:

“He remembered us in our weakness. His faithful love endures forever.”

Psalm 136:23 (NLT)

Lord, I am so grateful that nothing is impossible for You. Even when I feel overwhelmed by events going on around me. When I feel weak, defeated, helpless, or hurting I am not alone. You already knew I would be here and You continue to show me that You can handle anything. Nothing is a surprise to You! Today, please forgive me for the time that I have not trusted in You. Give me the courage to do Your will and show me how I can glorify Your Name. Thank You for always being there especially when I need You most! Jesus’ Name, my Lord, my God, Amen.

10 July 2025 Olanzapine

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Health, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Hello to you. It’s a nice cool morning after a late afternoon thunderstorm yesterday. I got one walk in already! Sparklight, my WiFi provider, is down this morning. Apparently it’s a big outage with no word when it will be back up. Bummer!

This morning is another morning without Olanzapine (the generic for Zyprexa). What happened is I ran out before the next scheduled refill and have been taking Benadryl to get me through. Benadryl is a poor substitute and it wears off quickly plus it gives me the jitters sometimes! My next call with my psychiatrist I need to talk to him about the refill schedule and find out why it’s on a schedule like it is. I don’t have the same problem with refills for the Depakote I’m also taking for my Bipolar condition.

Philippians 4:13. “For I can do everything through Christ Jesus, who gives me strength.”.

19 June 2025 A Psalm For World Peace

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, history, Home, human rights, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Hello to you. As I write to you this evening I wanted to find a psalm of peace. There is so much going on – every day it’s something. It’s hard to find comfort anywhere but in God. I hope this psalm I found helps you find some comfort!

Life is fragile handle with prayer

Psalm 46New International Version

Psalm 46[a]

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.[b] A song.

1 God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

12 June 2025 Laying Our Troubles At The Cross

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Music, Nature, photography, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging
Tiger Lillies in bloom at Grace House

Good morning to you. I hope this finds you well. Today’s prayer meeting was just Jeannie and I. The rest of the regulars had stuff going on so we made the best of it. Jeannie had a lot of prayer petitions to lay at the cross for her family especially Roy who fell and cracked his head open recently. He is elderly and lives alone and relies on Jeannie a lot. He needs more than she can give so we are praying his doctor recommends rehab for him. We prayed for our church and the world. What we also prayed for is what’s going on in my head with the pressure and balance in my ears. Everyone has been praying for me about this.

One of my favorite church songs:

God of Wonders

Song by Third Day ‧ 2003

When we finished we agreed that it felt good to lay all our troubles down at the feet of Jesus. Now the challenge is to not pick those things back up and let Jesus do his thing. That’s something my Aunt and Niki talked about yesterday too! I wonder is it a woman thing to want to try and do it ourselves?! Now is the time for faith – believing in the unseen which can be quite a challenge sometimes.

Overview

Lyrics

Other recordings

Lord of all creation
Lord of water, earth and sky
The heavens are your Tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on high

And God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth

So early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
As I stumble in the darkness
I will call your name by night

God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy

Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth

Hallelujah! To the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah! To the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah! To the Lord of heaven and earth

The God of wonders beyond our galaxy (You)
You are holy, holy
Precious Lord, reveal Your heart to me
Father, holy, holy (Lord God Almighty)

The universe declares Your majesty (You are holy)
You are holy (yes you are), holy (holy You are)
Holy (Jesus saves), holy

Hallelujah! To the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah! To the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah! To the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah! To the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah! To the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah! To the Lord of heaven and earth

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Steve J. Hindalong / Marc Byrd

God of Wonders lyrics © New Spring Publishing Inc., Never Say Never Songs, Meaux Mercy Publishing, Storm Boy Music, Meaux Mercy, New Spring Publishing Inc.

9 June 2025 Pushing Through

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Nature, photography, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging
Beautiful little roses surrounded by gravel

This scripture is a good reminder for me with the current things I’m dealing with physically:

The scripture passage 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 encourages pushing through weakness, stating that God’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness. It also emphasizes rejoicing in weakness because that’s when the power of Christ can be experienced more fully. 

Here’s a more detailed look at this scripture and its implications: 

  • 2 Corinthians 12:9:“And he has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 
  • 2 Corinthians 12:10:“Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

29 May 2025 Taking Advice

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Home, photography, Politics and Government, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Hello to you. How are you? I’m back from my walk alone – got Link around once. He didn’t want to go but we made it! I followed my Aunt Ruth’s advice to take my phone with me. Because I did I got a couple pictures!

Lots of roses in my neighborhood
“Stop and smell the roses”
Peonies are blooming now too and smell so good!

You wouldn’t know by just driving through my neighborhood that there is so much beauty. Many of my neighbors take great pride in their yards. I encourage you to take a walk if you can and take your phone not just for safety but to see with new eyes! Oh and use that nose of yours to smell the beauty!

Song of Solomon 2:1King James Version

2 I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

We had our Thursday prayer meeting at Grace House – there were four of us. It’s always good to pray together! We have personal intentions we pray about and a prayer sheet Lois and Pastor Jason put together with the prayer needs for the church. I included the wars in Gaza, Ukraine and Russia today. It has been tearing me up to see the effect war is having on the children in Gaza – so malnourished and afraid! No child should have to go through what they are.

6 May 2025 Praise

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Health, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Good evening to you. I hope you are well and if you are not I hope you have the support you need. We are living in trying times! I hope you know if you are reading this and are struggling in any way that I and many others are praying for you. You may feel alone but I assure you you’re not. Reach out to Jesus and see him go to work in your life!

I wanted to post a praise. It’s good to have recognition when God answers our pleas for help. In these times it’s good to read good news! My Aunt Ruth just came through a health crisis and there was the possibility she was going to need surgery. She was diagnosed with diverticulitis but there was the possibility she would need surgery to remove infected parts of her intestine. We had been praying for a miracle for her not to need surgery and sure enough she found out today – NO SURGERY! Praise God! Through our faith Jesus is still very much alive and at work!

Here are some examples of Jesus healing in the NIV:

  • Matthew 8:2-4:Jesus cleanses a man with leprosy by saying, “I am willing. Be clean!” and the man is instantly healed. 
  • Matthew 9:20-22:A woman with a hemorrhage, having touched Jesus’s cloak, is immediately healed and told that her faith has healed her. 
  • Luke 5:17-26:Jesus forgives and heals a paralyzed man who is lowered down from the roof. 
  • John 9:Jesus heals a man who was born blind, restoring his sight. 

These are just a few examples, and many other instances of Jesus healing can be found throughout the Gospels in the New Testament. 

5 May 2025 Being a Spring

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Hello to you on this windy Monday afternoon. There has been some things happening the past couple of days that have been good for me and good for my church. On Sunday I went to church and got to hear from the inspirational representatives from a mission our church supports – Missions of Hope International or MOHI.

https://youtu.be/4jeA6wW9H5Y?si=AhGhYXA7QFyMeBoG – Be a Spring – Pastor Jason Boyd Grace Bible Church Middleton ID – includes interview with representatives from Missions of Hope International (MOHI)

https://give.mohiafrica.org/give

Linda with one of the arrangements we made

This morning I was asked to join some ladies at Grace House for coffee and to help assemble some Mothers Day gifts for residents at our local assisted living home called The Cottages. We will be taking them over on Thursday. They really appreciated the Easter baskets we made and asked if we would come back! I didn’t get to deliver the baskets but this time I will be involved in this delivery. Our women’s ministry leader Sandy has a lot of ideas for our little group to include may be making care kits for women at a homeless shelter. She was inspired by the message from MOHI – how can we reach out to those in need in our own communities? We have been known in the past as the “hot dog church” but with how much we are growing it’s possible we can be much more!

1 May 2025 Praying Together

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Hello to you! Can you believe it’s May already?!!

I just got off the phone with my friend Jeannie. Normally we would be together today but it didn’t work out. So we decided to pray from home and she asked if we could pray via a telephone call. I’m so happy we did! She has such a talent for prayer. The words seem to come to her so easily! We prayed for the people who normally join our little group, our family members, the town and schools of Middleton and this country and world. I felt it was important to share this today. Anyone reading this who feels alone – doesn’t have a support system like a church – a dear friend – know that there are people like Jeannie and I praying for you. You matter! There is so much power in prayer and it doesn’t matter how it occurs be it in person or on the phone. God hears our petitions!

James 5:16New International Version

16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

27 April 2025 Legacy – Who Is Your Paul?

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging
Today was Baptism Sunday
He was baptized jeans and all! I almost went up myself! Not ready yet

Today we were in 2 Timothy 1:1-7. The message from Brad was a lot about legacy. His family wasn’t rich when he was growing up but they left him a loving legacy in Christ. He asked us who is your Paul and my mind immediately thought of my Aunt Ruth. She is such a good role model as is my cousin Tony and his wife my dear friend Tawna. It is through their example that they can count me and my drawing nearer to Christ as part of their legacy. I have been blessed throughout my life to have had loved ones and friends leading by their example in their faith. Today was baptism Sunday – I almost went up! I’m almost ready!

2 Timothy 1:1-7New International Version

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy, my dear son:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thanksgiving

3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

https://youtu.be/X3y1CXlrAC8?si=_YXogVC2Z4YG-uEH