Category: Mental Health

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

25 Sept 2026 Karma

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

Do you believe in karma?

Hello to you. How are you? I’m feeling pretty good today. I have had some relief in the pressure in my ears which is very welcome! I did 13 minutes of Tai Chi today and a half mile walk. Tomorrow morning I’m going with Missy and some other ladies from church to the Choate Farm for some herbs and oils. I have wanted to go so this will be nice. Brenda Choate is such a talented and beautiful spirit!

So do I believe in karma – I would say yes. The biggest examples I’ve seen is in traffic. When a car races to get ahead and ends up getting blocked or not making it very far. I believe in what you sow is what you reap. I will say though that sometimes you will try to do good in the world and bad things will still happen. The phrase “no good deed goes unpunished” comes to mind.

I want to say thank you to all who visit me here. I love seeing new areas of the world map light up! I am hopefully planting good seed!

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

Lord, take me where You want me to go;
Let me meet who You want me to meet;
Tell me what You want me to say; and
Keep me out of your way.

father mychal judge – FDNY – died 9/11/01

23 Sept 2026 Truth Adorned

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

Hello to you. It’s afternoon as I write to you. I am fighting cravings for pizza. I have already gone over 2,000 calories for today so ordering a pizza is out of the question!

Today was bible study and there was a great turnout. I think we had 12-13 ladies. There were many I hadn’t met before. We are using the Truth Adorned book. We spent time in Titus. The phrase I had to read came from Titus 2:13 :

Titus 2:13New International Version

13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearingof the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The focus of the “Truth Adorned” or “Adorned” style Bible study (frequently based on Titus 2) is living out the beauty of the gospel together through intentional, cross-generational Christian community and mentoring. [1, 2, 3]

The central idea is drawn from Titus 2:10, which states that believers should “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” in everything they do. Rather than reducing the Christian life to a rigid list of rules or trying harder on one’s own, the study emphasizes how God’s grace transforms character, behavior, and relationships.

Today was special. Taking and actually opening my Bible – using my Bible – was a first in a long time! During my last manic episode I was using my Bible practically everyday. I would read passages out loud and different voices came out as I read.

My friend Jeannie was with us. She’s been having a hard time with Roy’s two daughters. They keep dragging her into the middle of everything! They haven’t been very nice to her. We were going to get together and eat at the Sunrise but she can’t now. It’s ok and I understand! I wish things were easier for her.

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

God, I offer myself to Thee –
to build with me
and to do with me as Thou wilt.
Relieve me of the bondage of self,
that I may better do Thy will.
Take away my difficulties,
that victory over them may bear witness
to those I would help of Thy Power,
Thy Love, and Thy Way of life.
May I do Thy will always!

alcoholics anonymous – the big book – third step prayer – 1939

22 Sept 2026 Self-Care

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

How do you make time for self-care?

Hello to you. It’s evening as I write to you. Today marks the end of summer and you can tell fall is here as it’s getting dark earlier! Some of the trees are changing into their autumn dresses. Such a beautiful time of year.

Self-care?! What’s that?! I don’t do much these days! The older I get the less I care about how I look. About the only things I do is trim my nails, color my hair and put lotion on my ever drying skin. I am doing the Tai Chi each day and try to get out and walk. As I get older I have resigned myself that I want to age gracefully.

Tomorrow I am going to Bible study at Grace House. It will be good for me to have something to look forward to each week. I will get to see friends outside of church – enrich friendship. I am not doing the book but just going for fellowship. I have been asking God what he wants from me and some of the answer has been getting out of the house and have fellowship with others. I hate leaving Link by himself but he’s a good boy while I’m gone. Even if he does his business in the house I have floors for it. Easy to clean up.

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

Dance as though no one is watching you,
Love as though you have never been hurt before,
Sing as though no one can hear you,
Live as though heaven is on earth.

source unknown

20 Sept 2026 Tragedy and 10 Years Anniversary

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Health, history, In the News, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion

Today was both a celebration and a time of sorrow. Middleton Grace Bible church celebrated 10 years and we mourned the loss of 14 year old Carson Chrapkowski from a hit and run accident near Middleton High School:

https://idahonews.com/news/local/middleton-teen-dies-after-bicycle-vs-vehicle-crash-driver-arrested

https://youtu.be/LsmhcMgFhZs?is=G4LgrCoVIjB7PYcx – Hope In The Midst of Grief – Pastor Jason Boyd

Jason chose Psalm 57 at the reading for today:

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.[b] When he had fled from Saul into the cave.

1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
    for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
    until the disaster has passed.

2 I cry out to God Most High,
    to God, who vindicates me.
3 He sends from heaven and saves me,
    rebuking those who hotly pursue me—[c]
    God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

4 I am in the midst of lions;
    I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
    whose tongues are sharp swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.

6 They spread a net for my feet—
    I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
    but they have fallen into it themselves.

7 My heart, O God, is steadfast,
    my heart is steadfast;
    I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul!
    Awake, harp and lyre!
    I will awaken the dawn.

9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.

I have been praying about what Jesus wants for me – what should I be doing. Well he is working that out for me through one of my friends from church. Today Missy invited me to go to her bible study starting this Wednesday. I didn’t have an excuse to say no and sometimes the answer is yes! Missy makes it so easy to say yes – no excuses. I told her I don’t do books but come to listen and have fellowship. I have to remind myself about this life that it’s not what I can’t do but what I can. What else am I doing?!!

Drawing I did today

13 Sept 2026 Fishers of Men

by saymber, posted in animals, Health, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well. Today at church we were in Matthew 4::18-22:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%204%3A%2018-22&version=NIV

https://youtu.be/9h6Z-xYM_1I?is=_wM9HPVNGVIxwwRP – Fishers of Men – Pastor Jason Boyd

It was good to see everyone. Jeannie said she almost didn’t come – just feeling so sad. She is having to say goodbye to Roy’s dog Pepper as she is being rehomed. She doesn’t get along with Jeannie’s dog otherwise she’d keep her. We were going to go to breakfast together but she had to go and get Peppers things together. I went to the Sunrise anyways. It was good as always. I also got to see Missy Burke whose husband has been in the hospital for bleeding on his brain. She said he’s doing better. So many to keep in prayer!

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

Each day is a blessing
of epic proportions.
I give thanks for
what might seem meager comforts:
real cream in my coffee,
a day without a bill in the mail,
the Paso Doble.
Sometimes life is a dance
a woman has to do backwards
pushing against the wind
and obstacles in the way.
Thank You for being the partner
who always leads.

paso doble – ruth williams

11 Sept 2026 Armor of God and 25 Years

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

Hello to you, Today has been good. I went with my Aunt to the Sisters of Grace gathering in Nampa. There was a good turnout and lots of delicious food. I helped with a skit my Aunt put together called Fashion of a Lifetime- putting on the full armor of God – from Ephesians 6:11-18 :

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

I was the helmet of salvation in the skit. My Aunt gave me a gray felt hat to put on. There were no pictures taken but that’s ok. We all were in the moment which is rare these days.

Today is a good day to remember this passage with the 25th anniversary of 9/11. It’s one of the darkest days of world history. I will never forget it! I was sleeping after a 12 hour shift and was called by my coworkers and I went and turned on the tv and couldn’t believe what I was seeing! It just didn’t seem real!

Something happened that day – we were all united in a way that only such horror can do. We were all Americans and grieved together. We are living in a time of such division in this country. It’s like we have forgotten – we need to remember we are one.

What is a powerful quote for 9/11?

AI Overview

Powerful 9/11 Quotes For Remembering September 11, 2001 ...

One of the most powerful and enduring quotes for 9/11 is inscribed on the wall of the National September 11 Memorial Museum: “No day shall erase you from the memory of time.” 

This line comes from Book IX of the epic Latin poem The Aeneid by the ancient Roman poet Virgil. At the 9/11 Museum, the letters were forged by artist Tom Joyce using pieces of steel recovered from the World Trade Center site. It honors the lives lost and promises eternal remembrance.

 

6 Sept 2026 Followers Not Fans

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Health, history, Home, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Television

Today has been a good day. I’m just home from spending some time with my Aunt and Uncle. We had spaghetti and almost finished watching all of the Little House on the Prairie reboot. They did a really good job with it. My Aunt must have known I was thinking of them and hoping to be invited over! I like spending my Sundays with them!

The day began with church and I got to see and talk to Jeannie. She wasn’t sure she was going to make it to church with Roy’s passing. She shared that before he went he seemed to be reaching into the sky for something or someone that no one else could see. I have heard it said that we are not alone when we pass. I hope whomever or whatever comforted him. I think next Sunday Jeannie wants to go to breakfast with me at the Sunrise. She just needs someone to talk to after all she’s been through lately!

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%209%3A23-26&version=NIV – Luke 9:23-26

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.22.34-40 – Matthew 22:34-40 Niv

https://youtu.be/kD1LGPiCby4?is=al6dYEKO2Gn6lMW4 – Followers Not Fans – Pastor Jason Boyd

Religions are different roads converging upon the same point.

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

What does it matter that we take different roads
so long as we reach the same goal.

mahatma gandhi

5 Sept 2026 Farewell

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

Hello to you. Today’s post is dedicated to a friend who passed away yesterday – Roy. I had posted about him here before. He kept falling and getting hurt towards the end. My friend Jeannie, his sister-in-law, had been taking care of him. I’m glad he’s free of everything now and will miss him, I’m glad for Jeannie as caring for him had began to take its toll on her. His two daughters kind of left everything about his care on her,

Rainbow booties Roy made for me last year

Dear Jesus thank you for taking Roy into your loving arms where he is free from pain. No more suffering. I pray for your comfort of Jeannie and the family to include his dog Pepper he leaves behind. Amen.

3 Sept 2026 Different

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

What’s something you do completely differently from how you were raised?

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well. So much bad news in the headlines right now, I don’t think we were designed to process so much “news” all in one sitting everyday.

In answer today’s prompt I would say the thing I do different from how I was raised is how I practice my faith – religion. As a child I was raised Roman Catholic. In addition to Mass were the Sacraments like Confession- there were rules. As an adult I fell away from Catholicism because the church wouldn’t honor my first marriage. I went for a bit when I was with my second husband but we stopped going because going to Mass was like going to a funeral. We were surrounded by people who didn’t seem to want to be there. Then I was a Pagan for most of my second marriage which was like 12 years.

In my current life I go to church on Sundays in an high school auditorium versus a brick and mortar church like I used to. My current church, Grace Bible Church Middleton, has given me a church family that I know and love. People know me by name. Each Sunday there are warm hellos and hugs! I feel like I belong to this church. I was even baptized last September which was a big step for me in my walk with Jesus.

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel;

The angels dance in your wake
The sun rises for your glory
Stars illume in your light
Magnificent and eternal
My Lord Jesus
My timeless love

justina m. pernetter

https://youtu.be/zSif77IVQdY?is=TvVuxgFvt1vQL-_z – Alison Kraus – Down to the River to Pray