Category: Veteran Affairs

1 Apr 2026 Artemis II

by saymber, posted in history, In the News, Science (Keshe Foundation and other innovations), space, Spirituality and Religion, technology, Veteran Affairs

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well. Today marked an exciting event:

https://www.youtube.com/live/Tf_UjBMIzNo?si=sSQoBzRJc0Uet34r – NASA Artemis II Lunar Mission

https://time.com/article/2026/04/01/watch-nasa-artemis-ii-lunar-mission-launch/

I found myself feeling quite anxious and reminded of the space shuttle Challenger explosion back in 1986. I am so glad everything went well!

Paul Baloche God of Wonders: https://youtu.be/TTXBLspw_Z0?si=7dm_uk9De6FP1NN_

God of Wonders

Song by Third Day ‧ 2003

OverviewLyrics

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
Our brother Michael Jay

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.

30 Mar 2026 Palm Sunday and The One With The Pool

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

Hello to you. How are you? I was up early after a night of lots of dreams. Dreamt a lot of shadow people but didn’t get scared this time. I had an appointment with the VA first thing this morning. I was there for a weight and ears check up. I gained a pound since my last visit which was disappointing and as I’ve mentioned before my ears didn’t respond to the antibiotic. We are going to try Flonase nasal spray and Claritin. She suspects my Eustachian tubes may be clogged and antihistamine treatment may clear them. My Aunt said she uses Flonase every night. We have similar allergy problems. She had me take a blood pressure cuff home to do a daily blood pressure check as my blood pressure was a little high. I am really disappointed we aren’t keeping her! Now I have to start over again with a new doctor next visit.

This past Sunday was Palm Sunday. We were in John 5:1-15:

John 5:1-15New International Version

The Healing at the Pool

5 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda[a] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. [4] [b] 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

The day on which this took place was a Sabbath,10 and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.”

11 But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ”

12 So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?”

13 The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.

14 Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well.

Whenever I hear “Do you want to be healed?” My resounding answer is “YES!” I can imagine Jesus laying his hands on me and my being completely healed.

https://youtu.be/kf6K3NbOOyg?si=kghCMC40nQllvQ2B – The Chosen – Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem – Palm Sunday

https://youtu.be/JMj1ggINLe4?si=w2V8GPwp37mUN8A6 – The Chosen – Jesus Heals At The Pool

https://youtu.be/Qg7SQeASmMQ?si=AiaKwzBLlgONKXep – The One With The Pool – Pastor Jason Boyd

28 Mar 2026 Reaching Out

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

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well. Today was good. I woke up with my usual problem – anxiety and I didn’t want to be alone. I reached out to my Aunt and she had Link and I come over. She helped me make a delicious cup of coffee and made me a toasted blueberry bagel. She gave me a much needed hug. She just knows what I need! Almost every day I have anxiety in the morning and instead of fighting my way through it today I reached out. I am so blessed to have an understanding Aunt and Uncle! At times I really don’t like living alone. Thank God for Link! Am I going to be alone for the rest of my life? Sometimes I think so! The dating scene for my age group is pretty dismal. I always said that if I couldn’t make my second marriage work that I was destined to be alone. There is a large void in my life not being married. I will just have to let God have the final word on this.

My blessings

Favorite song before bed: https://youtu.be/h9hILKB9qZQ?si=8gwxivXqomrWUX7j – Vangelis – Come to Me

John 16:33New International Version

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

27 Mar 2026 Blooms

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

Hello to you. How are you doing? I hope well. Today is day three of taking the Oregano oil – no real change yet. I am in the supposed clean out phase but don’t feel it yet. My Aunt recommended my talking to my doctor about a drug called wegovy. It can help with weight loss. I’m not happy with the side effects I read about- it supposedly slows down digestion which could affect the effectiveness of Depakote I take for being Bipolar. I am pretty sure I would have to pay out of pocket for it too but can’t hurt to ask about it. When I was prescribed a multi vitamin and vitamin D3 through the VA and had to pay out of pocket for both of them.

During the walk today I noticed lots of flowers – especially dandelions. I learned a while back that dandelions are not weeds but natural medicine. Also the bees rely on dandelion as an early food source. I saw but couldn’t capture actual images of bees visiting the yellow flowers. I am grateful to my neighbors who just let them bloom and don’t spray poison on them.

Dear Jesus I pray for this world and all the life within it. May there be peace in the war ravaged regions. I pray especially for the innocent children in these places- shield them from harm. I pray for you to make your presence known – illuminate the dark places. Please be with those dealing with the destruction of their homes after natural and man made disasters. I pray you be with all those who are suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. I pray for your presence with the sick, healing, recovering and the poor. Please be with all animals that are suffering needlessly. Amen.

Romans 15:13New International Version

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peaceas you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

22 Mar 2026 The Leper

by saymber, posted in history, human rights, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well but if this message finds you in some sort of struggle or pain I hope to bring you some comfort. This world is in a lot of turmoil and things happening that don’t make sense. As the late great Fred Rogers would say, “look for the helpers!” If you can, be one of those. There are things happening that require us to reach out and love one another- less hate – more love. My prayers go out to all of you! Don’t lose hope that things are going to get better.

Today at church we were in Matthew when Jesus heals a leper:

Matthew 8:1-4New International Version

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

8 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy[a]came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

https://youtu.be/VL8DThllZAY?si=XoC5283UtfdMHHkc – The Chosen Jesus Heals Leper

This account of Jesus reaching out to such a person shows us that we have to make our tables longer and our fences shorter! In these divisive times it can be difficult. How many of us would have done what Jesus did for this man? Would we reach out or recoil? Our natural inclination is to avoid or turn away. By doing what he did, he traded places with the man. He showed those who bore witness that we need to love the unloveable. It’s so easy to pray for and love those like us – those we call loved ones and friends!

Here is the link to today’s sermon: https://youtu.be/HfLh6tAiTlI?si=x3QOiV9JLh7x4zIm – The Walking Dead – Pastor Jason Boyd

Dear Jesus I pray for this world and all the life within it. Please be with all those who are in war ravaged conditions… let there be peace. I pray for the people of Oahu Hawaii that are suffering flooding. I ask you to wrap your loving arms around the sick, poor, the addicted, those trying to heal and unhoused. Thank you Lord. Amen.

5 Mar 2026 World

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

Hello and good evening to you. I tried going to sleep a couple hours ago but my mind just won’t be quiet! I should be used to this by now. So here I am writing to you. Today I went to Thursday prayer at Grace House which is always good. We had a lot to pray about! Pastor Jason’s daughter Harper is really having a hard time. So many people in our church are having health issues. Afterwards I went to the Sunrise. I wasn’t going to go but changed my mind. Going there is like home away from home for me now. I look forward to seeing and hearing Emma and her staff.

As I lay here in the quiet and dark my mind is thinking of the world. What is happening?!! It feels like everything is unraveling. I keep thinking of the children and the world they are inheriting. So many children are dying or are suffering in some way. My nightly prayers are for divine intervention. Our world leaders need to back up their nice words with action!

Dear Jesus I pray for this fragile blue dot we call home. Please be with all the children and most vulnerable – cover them with your love. Please give leaders at all levels of government and influence wisdom in their governance. May the Holy Spirit guide them in all their ways. Please be with those who care for the unhoused, poor and sick. Please protect all those who are in service and who serve others. Amen.

https://youtu.be/Zrxdgat3y9c?si=NtVKuWk8k4D12v3r – Lotus by Secret Garden

https://youtu.be/L6zulqXLPUw?si=chgcQrbs1IH8KLI8 – Hello from the children of planet earth

3 Mar 2026 Peace

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

Hello to you. How are you doing in your corner of existence? Another day has passed and I got through it. I got a couple walks in and did a 9 minute Tai Chi exercise instructed by Don Fiore: https://youtu.be/ZxcNBejxlzs?si=Vfdsr0L8dnd-1fJH – 9 min session

Dear Jesus I pray for world peace in the midst of escalating global conflicts. Please guide our world leaders to peace and not war. I pray for the families who lost several school children in Iran. So many innocent souls needlessly taken. I pray for the service men and women who have died because of this conflict. Violence begets violence and you tried to teach us this lesson! I pray for all life on this fragile planet earth. Please be present with us in these dark days. Amen,

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/names-us-service-members-killed-iran-war-kuwait/

1 Mar 2026 Humility and Birthday

by saymber, posted in Food, Health, human rights, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Politics and Government, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Hello to you. I hope there is love and peace in your corner of the world. There is a lot going on in this world that needs our prayers! I am not happy with what is going on. It’s like we don’t even have a Congress! Thank God for my church and blood family!

Today Pastor Jason was in Matthew 18:

Matthew 18:21-35New International Version

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[a]

23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[b] was brought to him.25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[c] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

https://youtu.be/50mzUwYBsTk?si=ktuc9aFiugADmptK – Unforgiven Pastor Jason Boyd

He gave a quote from C. S Lewis that really resonated with me: True humility is not thinking less of self but thinking of yourself less.

The root of forgiveness is love:

1 Corinthians 13:5New International Version

5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

After church I drove over to my Aunt and Uncles to ride with them to Olive Garden in Nampa to celebrate my cousins wife’s birthday. It was very busy and we waited about 35 minutes but it was worth it. The best part of the meal was us being together to celebrate my beautiful friend! We are the same age but she is the more mature of the two of us. She had good news about her work situation – fewer hours and getting to work from home one day a week. They were going to lose her so they worked out this deal. We are so happy for her!

My Aunt and I had chicken Alfredo and everyone else had soup and salad. Our waitress wasn’t the most attentive but it was very busy so we tried to be understanding. Everyone is excited for me and the healing journey I am currently on with giving Tai Chi a try. It means a lot to have their encouragement and support. We are happy that my cousin Heidi is home now. She is on a big healing journey and we are so proud of her! My Uncle John is doing really well from his knee surgery and it was wonderful that he joined us today. He was happy to actually be able to wear regular pants for the first time since his surgery!

Dear Jesus I pray for this world and all the life within it. Please be with the leaders of this world in these trying times – let them seek peace not wars that never end. I ask you to put a hedge of protection around all those who serve. I pray that you would wrap your loving arms around the sick, those trying to heal, the poor and the hungry. Thank you Lord. Amen.

27 Feb 2026 Holy Spirit – Surrender

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

Hello to you. I went to bed with the intention of going to sleep but alas as soon as I turned off the light, my eyes popped open like one of those spooky antique dolls! This is normal for me. So where are my thoughts and why are they so loud?! They are on the Holy Spirit and surrender. The last time I surrendered to the Holy Spirit a bunch of really big things happened. I got sober and quit smoking which are really difficult things to deal with on your own.

I’m currently on a healing journey with the Holy Spirit and I can feel slight changes. I keep asking God to heal me of what afflicts me and I can tell that I am being lead on a path. The latest thing is Tai Chi. It’s everywhere I look online! I followed a beginners YouTube video today and could really feel it:https://youtu.be/cEvSqHZIj8w?si=_h8_XwBwlUTiJuhj – Tai Chi for beginners 7 min workout. My back didn’t hurt and I was able to get a mile walk in today. I want to get better and get back into shape. I’m tired of being overweight and without purpose.

Dear Jesus I thank you for this beautiful day. I am grateful for being allowed the privilege to get another chance to walk with you where I feel you are leading me. I pray for all my family and friends on this side of the veil. I pray for this entire planet and all the lives dependent on her well being. Thank you Lord. Amen.

26 Feb 2026 Favorite People

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

Who are your favorite people to be around?

Hello there. How are you doing today? I’m doing better. My back pain is gone for now. I’m trying something out in addition to walking each day. I’m trying Tai Chi movements. I’ve been seeing Tai Chi all over the place lately so last night I couldn’t sleep and I got up and did Tai Chi movements to a song called Lotus: https://youtu.be/Zrxdgat3y9c?si=D5hLG5XoqUVdIDoU and in those approximately 4 and a half minutes I felt better! I could feel the circulation moving in my body. I did it again today with similar results. I want to work up to more time but this is a good start. Tai Chi is very gentle on the body and feels like dancing to me. From what I’ve heard it’s good exercise for the back and may be help me lose weight! I am hoping doing it will help restore my balance also.

The prompt for today makes me think of the sunshine people in my life. The people who laugh easily. Give big hugs. Sing along with their favorite songs. Whistle. People who always seem to have a smile on their face even when things aren’t going so well in their lives. I like the company of people who have a sense of humor. I like being around kind people. I am blessed to have the people I’m describing as blood family, friends I’ve made through the years and my church family. I try to be one of these kind of people but as I’ve mentioned before, I have become a serious person as I’ve gotten older! I used to be a person that always “kept the lights on.” It’s easier to be around other people who do that also than being around serious people.

Dear Jesus I pray for everyone two legged and four. With skin, fur, feathers and scales. I pray especially for the countries and people experiencing war and upheaval in the world. I pray for leaders at all levels of government throughout this world – guide them to being peacemakers. I pray for all experiencing health issues that there would be restorative healing and comfort only found in you. Amen.