Category: history

20 Nov 2024 Positive Thinking in Uncertain Times

by saymber, posted in history, Home, human rights, In the News, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Hello to you. Hope this finds you well. As I write to you I find myself feeling grateful to be living in the United States. In so many regions of this world there is uncertainty. When I see news reports coming from the Middle East and the Ukraine and Russia I feel that gratitude even more. I feel bad for these and other parts of the world not being safe, struggling to get food, drinking water and shelter. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to be a parent in these war torn regions! Every day there are bombs, gun fire and rubbled buildings- bodies of children wrapped in sheets.

I’m trying not to succumb to fear and paranoia of it all but it’s hard. These are uncertain times. Times to take out our gratitude lists and seek the light amongst the growing shadows. I am including all world leaders in my prayers and positive thoughts despite being very disappointed in decisions they have made and are continue to make. There doesn’t seem to be a guard rail for President Biden with his policies regarding the Ukraine.

I am hoping things will get better in January. Until then I hope things don’t escalate to a point of no return! I will try and remain positive. Now is the time to lean heavily on faith in Christ. With everything happening and happening so fast we must lean on our faith!

Matthew 24:6-8King James Version

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

17 Nov 2024 City

by saymber, posted in history, Home, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

What is your favorite place to go in your city?

Hello to you from snowy and wet Idaho! I had snow on my car this morning before heading to church. I wanted to mention my cousin and I ended up going to Applebee’s on Veteran’s Day. They had a wonderful menu just for us veterans! We both had the 6 oz steak, broccoli and garlic mashed potatoes. It was very good. This was the first time I have taken advantage of such a thing. We agreed we would make a tradition out of it!

Today’s prompt is thinking about a city but I live in a town (for now! We are growing fast!). My favorite part of where I live is old town. Middleton was established in the 1860’s and is the oldest settlement in Canyon County. This is where the history is. There isn’t much left of old town Middleton – a lot of vacant buildings. There are a couple churches, the community center, the police station, modern stuff like a gas station and Subway. A couple businesses like a hair salon, a dog groomer, The Chap Wine and Tap, The Original Sunrise Cafe, 208 Burger, Kravs and Tacos El Rancho. Our Grace House is one of the only homes on Main Street. Because of the way Middleton is it is pretty much set the way it is. Growth has only happened to the outskirts not within where the historical buildings are. They built a Jack In The Box and Dairy Queen within the past couple of years. I hope Middleton will stay on the small side but with all the new developments (housing) I doubt it will stay small for long. The town next to us, Star, is experiencing growth we cannot with the way Middleton is laid out.

Today’s message in church came from a couple that was invited to share their stories of trials and tribulations within the past couple of years. They are business owners, home school their children and are active members of Grace Middleton Bible Church. With more commitment to the Lord, they have experienced more trying times but have remained faithful. I have been enjoying the interviews with members of our church. It seems like the more you are devoted to the Lord the bigger target you become for attacks and challenges!

Lamentations 3:22-23English Standard Version

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a]
    his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

6 Nov 2024 He Won

by saymber, posted in history, Home, human rights, In the News, Politics and Government, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Hello to you. Hope this finds you well. I woke up this morning to the news that Donald Trump won the election and not by a little bit either! My prayer before sleep was that Gods will be done with the outcome and I guess that was his answer!

Now we will see what having him re-elected will mean. One concern I have is about him wanting to expand the quest for liquid gold as he calls it- specifically fracking which is toxic to the environment and drinking water. I am excited to see what RFK Jr. will do if Trump follows through with appointing him at the head of government agencies like the EPA and FDA. America is needing some massive changes to get healthy again. I am also curious to see if Trump will follow through with appointing Elon Musk to be in charge of streamlining government agencies.

Overall I am hopeful that things will be less chaotic this go around! I listened to VP Harris’s speech today and felt her concession to Donald was very graceful. Honestly I didn’t expect Donald to win by such a wide margin! So let this next chapter begin!

Matthew 20:25-26 says, “But Jesus called them to himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant”. 

28 June 2024 Debate

by saymber, posted in history, human rights, In the News, Politics and Government, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Hello to you. Hope this finds you well. Yesterday I watched the debate between President Biden and former President Trump. I was not impressed. Is this the best we can do?! I was relieved to see that a third choice is possible with Robert Kennedy Jr! They kept him off the debate stage but he did his own thing answering questions. I would vote for him but fear it would be like other times a third candidate arose and it’s like throwing your vote away. I have voted Green Party before and that was the case. People vote the popular ticket line and other candidates don’t have a chance. I wish we had more choices than the lesser of two evils! President Biden doesn’t seem to have all his marbles and President Trump didn’t have answers to questions – he couldn’t give a yes or no. Very depressing!

Colossians 3:12-13New International Version

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you.

4 April 2024 Olympic Sport

by saymber, posted in history, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What Olympic sports do you enjoy watching the most?

I don’t really have a favorite Olympic sport – I enjoy whatever is being broadcasted on the networks. I feel like whatever is being broadcasted is what they want us to be rooting for. Like when Michael Phelps was going for more gold medals I feel like my favorite sport was watching him with all the hype that was being given to him.

Ephesians 3:20-21New International Version

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

4 Feb 2024 Time

by saymber, posted in animals, history, Home, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

How do significant life events or the passage of time influence your perspective on life?

In my experience the best healer of the wounds of life is time. The further I get along beyond a significant event that has happened the less it hurts. There is no cure for grief but time. My cocker spaniel Sam taught me this after his passing. It took 3 years and getting another dog to get some relief from my grief over Sam’s passing. When we lost Sam we realized nothing of this world could fill the void inside- no food, no drink, no material possessions could heal the pain.

James 4:14New International Version

14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

18 Jan 2024 Un-inventing

by saymber, posted in history, Home, human rights, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

If you could un-invent something, what would it be?

I think if I could in-invent anything in this world it would be guns. I know people including people I love use guns for hunting game but because of a gun I grew up without my birth mother. I lost a cousin. I know people say that if there aren’t guns they would find another way to kill and that’s true. There are other weapons. I just hate the mass carnage guns are capable of specifically automatic rifles.

Exodus 20:13New International Version

13 “You shall not murder.

14 Jan 2024 Snowed In and Fellowship

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

Yesterday the snow just didn’t let up and so we are snowed in. I didn’t go to church this morning as my car was buried and they don’t plow the side roads. My neighbor came and helped me excavate my car. I have an appointment on Tuesday so hopefully we don’t get more snow by then!

Acts 2:42-47New International Version

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their numberdaily those who were being saved.

26 Dec 2023 Favorite Car

by saymber, posted in history, Home, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What is your all time favorite automobile?

I would have to say my all time favorite car is the Sting Ray Corvette. One of my favorite memories is my Dads best friend David letting me drive his. I sat so low in it! I can’t remember the color I think it was green.

Psalm 16:11New International Version

11 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

23 Dec 2023 1968

by saymber, posted in history, human rights, In the News, Politics and Government, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Share what you know about the year you were born.

The biggest thing I know about the year I was born was the death of Martin Luther King on 4 April 1968 and Robert F . Kennedy on June 6 1968. I can only imagine how this must have affected my family who were avid supporters of equal rights. The year I was born was a tumultuous time!

Philippians 4:6-8New International Version

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.