Hello there. How are you doing today? Our natural inclination is to say “I’m ok” or “fine.” Not many people want to hear that you aren’t ok or fine. Is it a sign of weakness to be honest? Is it a sign that you don’t want to burden others with your troubles knowing that others have problems too? It’s not wanting to be a burden that keeps me in the fine and ok space when interacting with others. I don’t want people to dread talking to me!
Today I forced myself to join ladies from church for our twice a month coffee. I was late but that didn’t matter. As always I’m glad I went. I got to share how I’m doing and they prayed for me. I didn’t stay long as I don’t do well standing for long periods of time. I continue to experience the Weeble wobbles when I turn a certain way. They were packaging up pillowcases that were sewn for women and children with cancer.
Ladies helping todayPillow cases for children
Prayer I found that resonated with me:
For Strength & Courage
Heavenly Father, I come before You seeking Your divine strength. Lord, You are my refuge and my fortress. I surrender my fears, anxieties, and uncertainties to You. Fill me with unwavering courage and remind me that I can do all things through You. Let Your peace settle my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Hello to you. It’s Sunday again! The week flew by didn’t it?! I forced myself to go to church despite having some slight vertigo. I’m so glad I did as I got to see my church fam – especially Jeannie, Terry, Cecil, Mark and Brenda. I love getting and giving hugs! Today was Communion Sunday which is always meaningful. Pastor Jason’s message today resonated with me. Feeling the way I did today, the weeble wobbles, makes it hard for me to commit more of myself to our churches needs. Some days it’s all I can do to get to church like today. We are growing and there are so many spaces that need to be filled! I am glad to be part of a prayer group that meets on Thursdays and when I’m able I go to a Monday coffee with women of Grace.
Today is my Dads heavenly birthday, he would be 83 today. I feel bad that I didn’t know my dad better. He didn’t ever really talk about his past. I’m ashamed to say that today is the first time I have read his obituary! I still haven’t fully grieved and or accepted that he’s gone. I miss the dad that dad was so much of his life. I miss his hugs that could make the world stand still. I miss his laughter and his smile. He had such a fun sense of humor. I miss him calling me and leaving voice messages – “hi Jackie this is your dad.” I miss him asking me to get him quarters from the bank. I miss decorating the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving with him. I just miss him alot! There are so many little things. I was proud of my dad for everything he did. I can remember when I would visit him and mom how many people that knew my dad and would say hello. He was kind of a local celebrity!
Part of his life is missing from his obituary and that is being married to my birth mom Jeannie and her subsequent suicide. This painful part of his past changed the course of both of our lives. Suicide does that so I’m not surprised for the omission. I only ever heard him speak of what happened when he told Dianne when he thought I was asleep in the backseat. I have never forgotten that! It was a horrible thing he went through! I feel bad that I put him through so much with my mental health issues during the latter years of his life.
Larry Schmidt, Sioux Falls, SD, passed away Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Avera Prince of Peace. He was 80.
Larry Jay Schmidt was born May 31, 1943, in Marion, SD, to Elias and Irene (Wipf) Schmidt. The family lived in Freeman, SD prior to moving to Sioux Falls when Larry was five years old. He attended Sioux Falls Washington Senior High School and then joined the US Navy. Following his honorable discharge from service, he sold insurance for Physicians Mutual. Larry served as a police officer in Freeman, SD, then later moved to Rapid City, SD where he continued in security.
On July 7, 1973, he was united in marriage to Dianne Warrington in Tea, SD. The couple made their home in Sioux Falls. Larry continued his career with security in Sioux Falls. In 1987, he and Dianne purchased Velvet Uniforms serving the Sioux Falls community and the law enforcement community in the area. He retired in 2008.
Larry was a member of St. Michael Parish, the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and VFW Honor Guards, and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Associate Lodge #1, where he had served as board member and president.
In his free time, Larry enjoyed genealogy and collecting coins.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Dianne Schmidt, Sioux Falls, SD; daughter, Jackie Wygant, Middleton, ID; son, Jerry (Robin) Lemme, Dell Rapids, SD; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his brother, Eli (LaVonne) Schmidt, of Sioux Falls, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, LaVerne Wipf, Gene Schmidt, and John Schmidt.
Hello to you on this beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon. Today began with going to church. My friend Jeannie was there but was sitting in the back with Roy that despite falling twice insisted on being there. I feel bad for her as she doesn’t say no and he has no one else living close by to help him. We had a baby dedication today and got to hear wonderful news about Pastor Jason’s daughter Harper being miraculously healed after a laying of hands on her. Today we were in Luke 15:11-32:
Verse 1 Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness, Opened my eyes, let me see Beauty that made this heart adore You, Hope of a life spent with You.
Chorus So, here I am to worship, Here I am to bow down Here I am to say that You’re my God! You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy, Altogether wonderful to me!
Verse 2 King of all days, Oh so highly exalted, Glorious in Heaven above, Humbly You came to the earth You created, All for love’s sake became poor.
Chorus So, here I am to worship, Here I am to bow down Here I am to say that You’re my God You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy Altogether wonderful to me!
Bridge I’ll never know how much it cost To see my sin upon that cross! I’ll never know how much it cost To see my sin upon that cross!
Chorus So, here I am to worship, Here I am to bow down Here I am to say that You’re my God You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy Altogether wonderful to me!
After service I went to the busy Sunrise. I sat at my little table for two that I usually sit at. After I finished and went to pay I got a blessing. Someone had paid for my meal! I think I saw who it was as they went out of their way to greet me as they were leaving. I have paid for others before and now I was on the receiving end! What a nice feeling!
Hello to you. I am writing to you early today! Last night I had the most wonderful dream. I dreamt about being with my soul dog Sam who passed on 27 April 2011. In the dream he was healthy and energetic but there was a catch. It was like he was made in China and was the finest dog they had ever made. There was a man from China in the dream wearing a white lab coat talking to me. The only catch was that we couldn’t afford to buy Sam. I woke up after this dream feeling all warm inside – what a wonderful visit with my boy! It’s been a long time since I’ve had such a vivid dream with Sam! It’s hard to believe he’s been gone so long now – 15 years.
does china clone dogs – I was curious!
+7
Yes, China actively clones dogs, with companies like Beijing-based Sinogene Biotechnology leading a growing commercial industry. The industry serves grieving pet owners and specialized needs, with cloning services costing up to $50,000+. While Sinogene has produced over 60 cloned dogs and offers commercial services, the practice raises significant ethical concerns regarding animal welfare
Hello to you. I am writing from the Sunrise Cafe. I walked over as I couldn’t stand my own company any longer. My ear condition is real bad today too. I got what I needed even before my meal – a big hug from Emma the manager! She is such a joy! Sometimes that’s all we need is a big hug and a warm hello and Emma does just that. When I left I thanked her for the hug and she thanked me back! She needed the hug too that’s why she did it.
Their slogan is so true! I feel like family when I go here.
When you live alone like I do physical contact is rare. I cherish every hug I get! I’m grateful for Link but he can only do so much.
Dear Jesus thank you for Emma and the staff at the Sunrise. Thank you for them being your body that comforts people like me in the world. I pray for all those in the parts of the country experiencing extreme cold – may there be warmth, food, clothing and shelter. I pray the same for any homeless and wild animals. I pray for any and all regions of this country and world experiencing unrest. Lastly I pray for my cousin Heidi and all who love her as she will be having surgery on her brain Monday. Guide her surgeon and staff and grant her a speedy and complete recovery. Amen.
John 15:1-8New International Version
The Vine and the Branches
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Hello to you on this warm and sunny Thursday morning. I’m just back from Thursday prayer with Lois and Pastors Jason and Jim and breakfast at the Sunrise Cafe.
Today we prayed for the needs of the church, our town, country, individual prayers and the world. My prayer request is usually the same – for my Uncles Bill and John. I also pray for my friends Jeannie who can no longer attend because of her work schedule and her brother-in-law Roy who has trouble getting to church without Jeannie’s help. Our little group is lead by Lois Tupyi and sometimes it’s only been her and I. It’s nice to now have Pastor Jim added to our numbers. We keep praying for more people to join us but that doesn’t seem to be Gods plan right now. Our church is really growing and we pray about that – we pray for volunteers to step up to the various needs we are experiencing.
Lois Tupyi during prayer – we go around the room praying for person on our leftPrayer sheet Lois prepares each week it summarizes prayers and praises for the churchEmma taking an order. She is the heart of the Sunrise Cafe here in town. I always feel at home when I go there! Ring I bought with baptism gift money – it symbolizes my mom and dad both born in May that are in heaven. I hope they are proud of me!
Mark 10:45New International Version
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 6:9-13New International Version
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation,[a] but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’
Hello to you. I hope you are well in spite of everything going on in the news these days! I had a really neat dream last night of Princess Diana. I was taking pictures of her and they were never seen before images of her. She looked so beautiful! One of the outfits she was wearing as she stepped out of a car was a lavender purple outfit. Her eyes were so incredibly blue as she looked at me and my old school camera. The dream went from that to people who were trying to look like her but weren’t even close to being as beautiful as she was. I have always had a soft spot for her! I watched her get married and watched her funeral. I really mourned her passing for a long time. I even signed a digital book for William and Harry sending them my condolences. I have dreamt of her a couple times since her death. She was a kindred soul! The world needs more people like her right now.
I found this picture searching the internet and it’s pretty close to what she was wearing in the dream
Princess Diana’s famous quotes reveal her humanitarian spirit, love for her sons, and unique approach to royal life, including phrases like “I lead from the heart, not the head,”“Family is the most important thing in the world,”“Hugs can do great amounts of good,” and her wish to be “a queen in people’s hearts”.
Here are some of her most notable quotes:
On Kindness and Humanity
“Anywhere I see suffering, that is where I want to be, doing what I can”.
“The biggest disease in this day and age is that of people feeling unloved”.
“Hugs can do great amounts of good – especially for children”.
“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you”.
If you could host a dinner and anyone you invite was sure to come, who would you invite?
Hello to you. How is your weekend going? I’m writing to you from the porch, it’s nice out yet. Link and I went for a walk last night after it cooled down. I think that’s the best time to go for our walk. The sun is so intense during the early morning and daylight hours.
Yesterdays appointment went well with meeting my new intern doctor – Dr. Browning. He had a lot of questions for me and I had some for him. He’s going to call me this next Friday to see how I’m doing with the increased dosage of Abilify. We are trying to isolate what is causing me to feel the increased vertigo – spinning stuff. He thinks it could be the Zyprexa but the increase in the side effects only have started since taking the Abilify. It was nice having Tawna along as she had questions I had forgotten to ask.
So who do I want to invite to dinner?! This question is like a thing my Mom and Dad used to do – Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner! Oh boy do I have a list! After an invite to all my immediate family and friends I miss, there would be invites to people like Pope Francis, John Stewart, Ru Paul, the Dali Lama, Benedict Cumberbatch, Lady Gaga for some living people and people like Jesus Christ, Nikola Tesla, Wilhelm Reich, Maya Angelou, Saint Therese Lisieux, Saint Francis, Princess Diana, David Bowie, Prince in the unalive category. There are so many amazing people that have come and gone! It’s hard to list them all and it would be fun to share a meal with them!
Matthew 14:13-21New International Version
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
To be 