Category: Food

25 Oct 2026 Accepting Gods Will

by saymber, posted in Food, Health, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion

Good evening to you. I’m just home from a wonderful family gathering at my Aunt and Uncles. There was good food and lots of prayer. My sweet cousin has been praying for God to restore her to what she was before the aneurysm. She acknowledged if she isn’t completely restored she will have to accept Gods will – accept her body for what it is. It’s so hard! She has come so far in her journey but she wants it to go faster. It’s like what I’ve been dealing with my health. My reliance on God to completely heal me may only go so far. At some point there has to be acceptance. Letting go and letting God – sometimes we get in our own way.

We got to see Pastor Jason today. I could tell he wasn’t all himself but it was good to see him.

Today’s message from Garrett on the beatitudes was really good. It’s one of my favorite messages from Jesus:

https://youtu.be/XHcu7Xe7VKo?is=-Xu-bxl7C49s5cJG – The Beatitudes- Garrett Munger

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you,persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

https://youtu.be/o5OnF3sg0cY?is=4-3FxZaDOTI02jiq – The Beatitudes- The Chosen

Blessed is not happiness. To be blessed means to live the good life in God’s eyes.

21 Oct 2026 ASK – Ask, Seek, Knock

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

Hello to you. I had Bible Study today and it was good. Missy got us caught up with what’s been going on with her husband Ray who is recovering from a brain injury. Missy is always so positive about whatever gets put in her path. There were other prayer intentions to include Pastor Jason and his family. I got to see my friend Jeannie which always makes me happy. There was a good turnout. We have a nice group of ladies. Judy gave us an acronym- ASK – Ask , Seek, Knock. She emphasized we need to be active in our faith not just sit back and wait for things to happen. I got to share about where our thoughts go we take action. The example being from Joyce Meyer about chocolate cake. If you think you want a piece of cake hard enough you will find a way to get it! Where our thoughts go we go soon after.

A powerful prayer for the world asks God for peace, healing, and wisdom:
“Father God, we pray for our world today. Bring peace, hope, and protection to all who suffer from conflict, poverty, and crisis. Give our leaders wisdom and humility, and use us to show your love to everyone. Amen

20 Oct 2026 All the Stars

by saymber, posted in Animal Rights, animals, Bipolar life, Food, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Nature, Short stories, Spirituality and Religion

Hello to you. It’s already dark as I write to you. The sun goes down around 6:50 pm now. Link has been willing to go on walks the past couple of days. He likes to smell things and marks everything so the walk takes longer but I don’t mind.

Tonight I am thinking of a little story I came up with a long time ago. The story is about a group of people standing together under a star filled sky. They are each asked to choose a star. Each person chooses a different star but are reassured that it doesn’t matter that they chose different ones because all the stars are needed to fill the night sky.

This little story illustrates that we are biologically incapable of perceiving this existence in the same way! That’s not a bad thing.

Each perspective is equipped with senses – eyes (sight) are the biggest sense we have in common. Each set of eyes is a way for God to experience existence. Every being with eyes has a life force – emotions. Lately I have been seeing a lot of stories about food animals and how cruelly they are treated. It’s so sad to see the confusion, sadness and fear in their eyes. Some food animals like crab and lobster suffer in silence whilst being boiled alive.

Temple Grandin famously stated: “Nature is cruel, but we don’t have to be.” She also noted: “I think using animals for food is an ethical thing to do, but we’ve got to do it right. We’ve got to give those animals a decent life and we’ve got to give them a painless death. We owe the animal respect.”

From Albert Schweitzer

Dear God, protect and bless all beings that breathe, keep all evil from them, and let them sleep in peace. Amen.

From a Catholic Prayer Book

Hear our humble prayer, O God,
for our friends, the animals,
especially for those who are suffering;
for animals that are overworked,
underfed, and cruelly treated;
for all the wistful creatures in captivity,
that beat their wings against bars;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted,
or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put to death.
We entreat for them all
Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them,
we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves,
to be true friends to animals
and so to share
the blessings of the Merciful.

19 Oct 2026 Stress

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

How do you manage stress?

Hello there! How are you doing from where and when you are? Today was long. I tried the Hydroxyzine out today and I’m not sure it did anything. It may take time to do what it was prescribed for. The script is for a very low dose of the drug – 25 mg capsules. I think that’s why I can take it four times in a day. Today I had to force myself to exercise – doing the 8 min Tai Chi – and walk Link. I have been doing arm exercises with my 5 lb weights and stomach exercises too. I have to quit buying some of the snacks and stick to healthier options. My weakness is Skinny Pop popcorn. It’s suppose to be like 4.5 servings at 150 a serving and I eat the whole bag! I did get more baby carrots so I need to eat those. That MOVE class is getting closer and I want to have lost weight when it starts in January.

Today’s prompt makes me think of how I presently deal with stress. Mostly I take medication and reach out to my support system. I also turn to God and pray for guidance. My Auntie has shown me that prayer can be a powerful way to deal with most anything. I always feel so loved when she prays with and for me. She has a way with knowing just the right words to say!

A Prayer of Praise via Internet:

“Abba, Father, You are the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. You are my Creator, my Counselor, and my Almighty God. [1]

Lord, I praise You for Your great mercy, Your unending faithfulness, and Your boundless love. You are El Roi, the God who sees me, and my refuge in times of trouble. Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise; Your greatness no one can fathom. [1, 2]

Thank You for Your presence in my life, for Your grace that carries me, and for the living hope I have in You. Today, I lift my voice to honor Your holy name, acknowledging that You are good, righteous, and faithful forever. [1, 2, 3, 4]In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

8 Oct 2026 Wish

by saymber, posted in Animal Rights, animals, Bipolar life, Food, Health, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion

The genie grants you a wish. What is it?

Hello there. How are you? Today’ began with the prayer group I go to on Thursdays. Today it was Lois, Jeannie and a new person named Judy and me. We prayed for Pastor Jason and his family to have protection from attacks. We prayed for each other and for the things on the prayer sheet Lois has for us like Leadership and Facilities. We prayed for the elders, volunteers and for a place to go when the lease for Grace House is over in December. There is always lots to pray for and also give praise.

After prayer Jeannie and I went to the Sunrise. It was so nice to have quality time with my friend! I ordered something different – no meat. I want to stop eating meat. I can’t stand the cruelty in the food animal system! Every-time I eat meat I am conscious that more than likely the animals whose flesh I’m eating has experienced trauma and maltreatment. I don’t buy milk or meat anymore. I buy Amy’s frozen dinners and they don’t have meat in them and taste really good. I’m doing what I can by voting with my pocket book.

Today’s question is pretty easy for me to answer. If I had one wish it would be to not bipolar – to have my health restored. So much of my life has been wrecked by this condition. Both of my marriages ended badly because of this diagnosis.

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

Believe more deeply.
Hold your face up to the light,
even though for the moment you do not see.

bill wilson – cofounder alcoholics anonymous

4 Oct 2026 A Manna Mindset

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Food, human rights, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion

Hello to you. Today was good. I was happy to see Pastor Jason up and well after his accident and of course seeing and hugging my friends Jera, Cheryl, Mark, Barbara and Jeannie. I was blessed by interacting with Cheryl’s little sweety girl Eleyana (spelling). She has the most beautiful curly blonde hair!

Toby had a lot of food for us to process. For example “kids become what they see not what we say.” I highly recommend your watching this link:

https://youtu.be/rBbglxV9jKI?is=AAQBv1Aa1hY1dqCQ – A Manna Mindset – Toby Slough

Glad to see Pastor Jason is ok!

After church I decided to buy breakfast at the Sunrise and put off grocery shopping til tomorrow after our ladies gathering. I had a half pumpkin spice waffle – so good! Tasted just like pumpkin pie. I so dread grocery shopping!

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

Dear Jesus, help us to spread your fragrance everywhere we go.
Flood our souls with your spirit and life.
Penetrate and possess our whole being so utterly,
that our lives may only be a radiance of yours.
Shine through us, and be so in us,
that every person we should come in contact with
may feel your presence in our soul.
Let them look up and see no longer us, but only Jesus.
Stay with us, and then we shall begin to shine as you shine;
so to shine as to be a light to others;
the light, Jesus, will be all from you.
None of it will be ours.
It will be you shining on others through us.
Let us thus praise you in the way you love best,
by shining on those around us.
Let us preach you without preaching:
not by words, but by our example,
by the catching force,
the sympathetic influence of what we do,
the evident fullness of the love our hearts bear for you.
Amen.

adapted – favorite prayer of mother teresa

27 Sept 2026 Celebrating Heidi

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Food, Music, Spirituality and Religion

Hello to you. I’m just back from a painful walk with Link. We made it around the short block (1/4 mile) and my lower back is not happy!

Today we celebrated my cousin, the miracle woman’s 61st birthday at Olive Garden. I rode with my Aunt and Uncle – we got there early and reserved a large table. Thankfully it wasn’t real busy so we could do that. Our server, Chris, was amazing and he kept up with everything so well. He said he works weekends to get some social interaction. During the week he does accounting work at Mountain Home and doesn’t get to see people much.

Heidi was so sweet! She said the Lord must have wanted her to be here. So many little miracles went into what happened to her from her getting home and not being on the road to her husband Rod being home when the aneurysm burst happened. She is one of the most grateful souls I know. She said she wants all the glory to go to God. She is an inspiration to us all.

Family dinner at Olive Garden

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

Our God teaches us that
we are to be merciful to the stranger,
for we were once strangers in this land.

May God grant us all the strength and courage
to honor the dignity of every human being,
speak the truth in love, and walk humbly
with one another and our God,
for the good of all the people
of this nation and the world.

mariann edgar budde – inaugural homily

https://youtu.be/y0Jns_wrios?is=d0UtmFZwX-wl-0al – What’s your serve – Jason Boyd

New band:

https://youtu.be/CXmOCB5GjZs?is=G1A7hpZ2Kps2vd4S – see it all – dogmasociety

26 Sept 2026 Choate Farm

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Food, Health, Home, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Nature, photography, Spirituality and Religion

Hello to you. How are you on this chilly Saturday? I’m just back from a wonderful gathering of Grace ladies at Brenda and Lonny Choate’s farm. There was a great turnout! Missy and others brought platters of meat, cheese, cookies and homemade breads. Missy called it loaves and fishes! Food just kept multiplying! it was chilly out – wish I had dressed more warmly! I am grateful to Missy for the ride- it was quite a ways out.

Brenda shared some of her knowledge of how natures home remedies can heal the body. She is a sweet lady – she said her joy comes out through her eyes. I used to be more like that! I call it having your spirit sticking out. We made sugar balms with some oils she had. She had all different Young Living oils – really good stuff.

What a beautiful property they have. They have lots of chickens and goats. I saw two large hawks fly amongst the giant trees. They have bunches of tomato plants and other herbs. I like how Brenda approached natural healing – God is wise and has given us everything we need to heal our bodies.

One of Brenda’s favorite songs she shared with us:

In the Garden

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear
Falling on my ear
The song of God discloses

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am his own
And the joy we share
As we tarry there
None other has ever known

He speaks and the sound
Of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody
That He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am his own
And the joy we share
As we tarry there
None other has ever known

And the joy we share
As we tarry there
None other has ever known

Source: LyricFind

Pictures from the event:

They use to run a donut business
Some of the books Brenda gets her wisdom from
Missy and I

15 August 2026 The Sunrise

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Food, Music, Spirituality and Religion

Which is the best restaurant in your city?

Hello to you. I am hoping this finds you well. Today’s prompt is easy for me. My favorite place to eat out here in town is The Sunrise Cafe. The people there are so nice and know me when I come in. The manager, Emma, is such a dear heart. She has my order committed to memory! Some times I will change my order but for the most part I stick to the same thing,

If I thought I could afford it, I would eat there everyday!

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel today:

How wonderful, O Lord, are the works of your hands!
The heavens declare Your glory,
the arch of the sky displays Your handiwork
In Your love You have given us the power
to behold the beauty of Your world
robed in all its splendor.
The sun and the stars, the valleys and the hills,
the rivers and the lakes all disclose Your presence.
The roaring breakers of the sea tell of Your awesome might,
the beast of the field and the birds of the air
bespeak Your wondrous will.
In Your goodness You have made us able to hear
the music of the world.
The voices of the loved ones
reveal to us that You are in our midst.
A divine voice sings through all creation.

traditional jewish prayer

https://youtu.be/1G4isv_Fylg?is=UlUc7nV5Oco4pL47 – Paradise – Coldplay

20 July 2026 Break For The Brain and Rosary

by saymber, posted in animals, Bipolar life, Food, Movies, Spirituality and Religion

Hello to you. I’m just back from a good walk. The air quality wasn’t too bad. I checked my mailbox and was pleased to see a small package from Bishop James Long on Tik Tok. I won a rosary about a week ago while listening to his page. I had a couple of rosaries but during my last big manic episode I removed the crosses. Some parts of my spiritual path, being raised Roman Catholic, I hold on to. I listen to Bishop Long almost everyday.

Rosary received today and guide on how to pray

This morning I went to coffee at the Grace House. There was a good turnout. We prayed over the 21 days of prayer cards and Missy lead prayer over our personal intentions.

Later in the afternoon I went over to my Aunt and Uncles house for linner of grilled burgers and potato salad. Afterwards we watched a movie that was kind of dumb but gentle on the brain called Sheep Detectives – it’s on Amazon Prime:

Directed by Kyle Balda, the PG-rated animated comedy The Sheep Detectivesfollows a flock of sheep who leave their meadow to solve the mysterious murder of their shepherd, George. The 1-hour and 49-minute film was released in the US on May 8, featuring a voice cast that includes Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Galitzine, and Molly Gordon. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

https://youtu.be/pyZI5oM6hWk?is=ehgsIGgxQo_T_cOW – Sheep Detectives Trailer

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

Prayer is not asking.
Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God,
at his disposition,
and listening to his voice in the depths of our hearts.

mother teresa – in her own words