Category: Veteran Affairs

3 Dec 2024 Change

by saymber, posted in Art and Poetry, Bipolar life, drawing, Health, Mental Health, photography, space, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What is one thing you would change about yourself?

Hello to you. Hope this finds you well. Today has been uneventful. I am feeling a little better after catching another cold. There was talk about something happening today with regard to space people but of course nothing happened! I am thinking something is brewing with the increase in sightings. I am thinking it has to do with the increasing unrest going on in the world – Sabre rattling about using nukes. If I was a space person watching all of what’s going on I think I would want to intervene too!

My answer to today’s prompt is if I could change one thing about myself I would not be Bipolar. Having this diagnosis has really limited me in so many ways. I have lost two marriages and many friendships and relationships with family. I lost a career because of this condition. The only good thing to ever come of being Bipolar was the wellspring of energy and creativity during the times I was manic. I would hardly sleep and my creative abilities seemed endless. I could draw, paint, sing, write, take awesome photos, dance, tap into the spiritual realms – all of this with little to no effort. Having the mania under control with the medication I’m on – Depakote- I can’t do much of anything anymore. This blog is my only outlet! In addition to Bipolar I have the Mal de barque syndrome where I have trouble with balance. I’m convinced it was triggered by my being tased by police when I was having a manic episode two years ago. It just won’t go away! So I guess there are actually two things I wish I could change!

Since I cannot change what I am, I have to push through with it all. I have to force myself to move forward even if I don’t want to. I pray a lot and ask for healing. I am trying to say yes more often when I would usually say no. One of the side affects of Depakote is weight gain and not feeling full after eating. With the balance challenges it’s hard to exercise to get rid of calories but I force myself to get a walk in with Link each day. I’m trying to lower my calorie count too. I am trying to say no more often to eating sweets which is my favorite type of food! Not all of what I am can be blamed on being Bipolar! I wish I could get back to size 16 jeans again. Obesity runs in my Dads side of the family so my genetics are kind of stacked against me along with my diagnosis.

Some scripture about change:

  • Ecclesiastes 3:1-2“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot”. 
  • Isaiah 43:18-19“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”. 
  • Psalm 30:5“Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning”. 
  • Romans 8:28“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”. 
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”. 
  • Hebrews 13:8“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”. 
  • Malachi 3:6“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed”. 
  • James 1:17“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows”. 
  • Ephesians 4:22-24“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness”. 

24 Nov 2024 Thankful In Pain

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

Good day to you. I hope this finds you well. Today was the last of the I AmThankful series at church today. We got to listen to the inspiring story of John and Kristin who relocated to Middleton from California last year. In the midst of their transition they were thrown a major curve ball. One day Kristin was in severe pain and it turned out she had gall stones. A large one ended up rupturing and caused septics! When all was said and done she ended up losing part of her arms and both hands. She was wearing a prosthetic arm/hand on her right side. She said it was her faith that got her through it! A very inspiring story! It goes to prove something that I’ve said and has proven true in my life that if you think you have troubles just talk to someone else!

Messages from Pastor Jayson included these key points: 1) Contentment is a choice 2) Life rarely goes the way we think it should 3) A Faith that can’t be tested can’t be trusted and The things we focus on will determine our contentment.

Something that comes to mind for me and my experience is God always has a plan even in our suffering and discontent. It’s in his timing not ours! Every trial I have faced has been for my greater good in the end. If I was still living in Texas I would be so much worse off! I don’t think I would have found the church family I have or the relationship with Jesus I have now.

Philippians 4:13New International Version

13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

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.

19 Nov 2024 Adversity

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

Hello to you from the chilly yet sunny state of Idaho. I hope this finds you well – if not I hope you know you are loved and people you have never met are praying for you. I pray for the world and those who think they have no one who cares for them each day. With the latest headlines we are facing great uncertainty and as brothers and sisters need to keep eachother in prayer even more than ever!

This morning I went over to my Aunts house and road with her to meet with some ladies from the last Bible study we did. We tried to meet and have coffee at The Harvesters but it was practically standing room only! So we had a change of plans and went to the Bible study leaders home instead. We each talked about our stories – especially health. Each of us has experienced and continue to experience adversity. What we have in common is leaning on our faith in Jesus to face those trials. I have only recently started to refer to God, my Lord, my savior as Jesus Christ. Growing up Roman Catholic we weren’t really taught that. I only ever believed in God. Since moving here to Idaho I have turned my life, my soul, specifically to Jesus. What’s ironic about that is every single manic episode I’ve had has in some way involved Jesus! It’s refreshing to not be manic and have Jesus in my life.

Adversity strikes us all in one way or another. It is how and to whom we turn to that makes all the difference as we face those trials. In my not so distant past I often tried to face and figure how to navigate troubles on my own. Having a relationship with Christ has helped relieve the burden of life’s adversities and I don’t feel so alone. When I go to church on Sundays I feel so welcome and part of a family apart from my biological family.

Romans 5:3-5New International Version

3 Not only so, but we[a] also glory in our sufferings,because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

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.

11 Nov 2024 Aspire and Veterans Day

by saymber, posted in Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Hello to you and Happy Veterans Day. In a little while my cousin, a fellow veteran is coming to take me to lunch at one of the restaurants offering free meals to veterans. I don’t get to see him that often so looking forward to it! How nice is it that these places do this to appreciate us?!

A long time ago early in my career in the Air Force
From the event

Last night I went with some ladies from church to an event called Aspire at Faith Journey Church. They had Diana Mescher a Bible teacher, KRISTIN WEBER-WITTY a comedian and JAIME JAMGOCHIAN a singer song writer. It was a nice blend of entertainment and a sold out show of 300 women! The women I was with enjoyed Diana’s part the best. The way she explained the following scripture was really powerful:

John 20:19-23

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

It was powerful to hear 300 women singing together! Jaime has a lovely voice! I liked her sparkly boots! https://youtu.be/FZh9fYP5GsI?si=QTNYvHUA2AgR3GJF – Beautiful Story

I normally miss out on things in the latter part of the year because it gets dark so early. Gratefully my friend Penny was willing to pick me up and take me home!

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”. 

11 Oct 2024 Closer

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

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well. It’s starting to feel like fall here in Idaho. The trees are changing color and shedding their leaves. It’s getting darker earlier and the temps are getting lower. Fall is one of my favorite times of year minus having to clean up leaves from the neighbors yard!

My thoughts are turning to seeing the hurricane damage from Helene and Milton. I am thinking about the people and animals that lost their lives. I know when I have been in such circumstances I have drawn closer to God as I understand him. I can remember one of the couple times Kyle and I were almost flooded out of our home and survived a tornado touching down near our house. I was forced to let go and let God because I was truly powerless! I can’t control the weather! Its a very humbling experience to face such fierce occurrences. I can remember watching the waters rise to our front windows making the lawn chairs float. I was so worried but Kyle just kept reassuring me not to worry. Everything ended up being alright. Neither one of us were Christians at the time but I did believe in God. These scary times made me look outside myself for help and it came!

Now that I am a Christian I don’t have to wait for a crisis to believe in Jesus Christ. He is always close and ever present.

James 4:8-10New International Version

8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts,you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

25 Sept 2024 Voting

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

Hello to you. Hope this finds you well. I can’t believe we are almost at the end of September! This year has really flown by.

I recently received my absentee ballot and couldn’t fill it out right away. I had to pray about it! I surprised myself in the direction I went. I was recently swayed by hearing President Trumps input about how he wants to help the American farmers: https://www.youtube.com/live/PUmt1lAOAN4?si=8VdyhrUPTd6lyg8k – Donald Trump meets with farmers in Pennsylvania

His explanation of tariffs and why he wants to impose them made a lot of sense. He’s trying to discourage big businesses from making what we need in other countries cheaply and then turning around and selling to us consumers at higher prices. I am concerned about immigration and our economy. I don’t think we can handle four more years of the same policies. It will be interesting to see how everything works out.

I thought long and hard about voting for Kamala but when it came down to it was this one question – what has she been doing these past three plus years and would voting for her really matter. I live in a very conservative state and chances are even if I voted for Kamala , the electoral process would be for Trump.

Numbers 23:19New International Version

19 God is not human, that he should lie,
    not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
    Does he promise and not fulfill?

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.