Category: Veteran Affairs

26 Jan 2024 Tradition

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

Write about a few of your favorite family traditions.

The main tradition we still have in my family is celebrating birthdays and the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. My Aunt doesn’t like to miss an opportunity to celebrate! This next month we are celebrating birthdays from January and February. My cousin will be turning the big 60 so we want to make it special. He and I share the same birthday just 4 years apart. There is usually cake, candles and presents. It’s nice to be together and celebrate.

Yesterday I cleaned at the Grace House for the first time and boy did I get tuckered out! I just don’t have the stamina I used to have. Ever since the fall I had a winter ago I haven’t been the same. I will have to work my way back up and get stronger.

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)”So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

19 Jan 2024 Leadership

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

What makes a good leader?

Good morning. As I write to you I’m full of gratitude. Yesterday my pastor and his son came by with a snow blower and shoveled me out of my driveway! It meant so much to me that they did that!

I think what makes a good leader is someone who won’t ask their people to do what they won’t do themselves. Also a good leader is one of action not just words. My pastor is a good example of leadership in action. As I get to know him better the more I respect him! It’s not easy being in his position but he does it so well.

Proverbs 3:13-18New International Version

13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.

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.

17 Jan 2024 Loved

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

Can you share a positive example of where you’ve felt loved?

A positive example of when I felt loved is when my cousin and his wife came and got me and took me to Idaho from Texas. It was during Covid and they didn’t hesitate to come anyways. It’s been going on 4 years since that happened. So many people were praying for me! I haven’t had someone do that for me before. There have been many other examples of how my family has shown their love for me since then but that was one of the greatest.

As I write to you we are getting more snow – I’m having trouble keeping up with it! I feel so week trying to shovel. I rescheduled my appts to next week in hopes the snow will let up and the roads will be better. It’s crazy out there!

1 Corinthians 13New International Version

13 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faiththat can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poorand give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

2 Jan 2024 Playtime

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

Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?

Playtime is not something I think about much anymore. I used to play during time in the kitchen – I would dance and sing. Ever since I hurt my back last winter I haven’t been able to dance and even walking has been difficult. I have become a very serious person with all that has been going on in my life the past few years. My family wants me to get my back checked so I probably will need to get that done through the VA soon.

Ecclesiastes 3:1New International Version

A Time for Everything

3 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

28 Dec 2023 Political Views

by saymber, posted in Politics and Government, Spirituality and Religion, trust, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

How have your political views changed over time?

I have been a Democrat for quite some time but would like to change to an Independent because I don’t like either Republicans or Democrats! I use to be in alignment with Democrats but not any more. I haven’t been following politics much at all these days because I’m just disgusted with it all.

Matthew 22:15-22New International Version

Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar

15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians.“Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a] to Caesar or not?”

18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.”They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

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.

13 Dec 2023 First Day

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

Tell us about your first day at something — school, work, as a parent, etc.

My first day at work was at Travis Afb and the first person I met was the man I would eventually marry! He was at work early and so was I. He kept me company while I waited to inprocess to the base. He was very handsome and charming.

Hebrews 10:24-25New International Version

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

10 Dec 2023 Admiration

by saymber, posted in Home, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What is something others do that sparks your admiration?

Something that sparks my admiration in others is thoughtfulness. I have people in my life that are extremely thoughtful and pray and look out for others. I used to be a lot more thoughtful than I am now. It takes a lot of energy to be thoughtful. I mostly pray for people now than do or buy things to show I’m thinking of them.

Ephesians 4:32New International Version

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another,forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

7 Dec 2023 Positive

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Home, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What positive events have taken place in your life over the past year?

I would have to say the most positive event that has happened this past year is joining a prayer team at church. We have built a wonderful support system that we pray over the church and pray over eachother. Having this support system has been helping me get through some challenges I have been facing this year. Having this group has encouraged me to get more into the Bible.

The other positive events were spending the holidays with family like my first Thanksgiving with my cousin. There is a lot of family here!

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”