Tag: Bipolar life

30 May 2025 Yellow Rose

by saymber, posted in Animal Rights, animals, history, Home, Nature, photography, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Hello to you! Hope this finds you well. I’m just back from my daily walk. I didn’t even try to take Link as he hasn’t been wanting to go. We went to the vet today for a follow up on his ears and it was good news! No more inflammation and discharge. I was kind of irritated to be told now the next step is getting his teeth cleaned which cost me a small fortune last time! I try to get Link to the vet once a year but as he’s getting older they keep finding ways to nickel and dime me! It’s not cheap to have a pet these days. He’s worth it so I continue to do my best.

One of my neighbors lovely yellow roses

St Francis Prayer For Pets

Blessed are you, Lord God, 
maker of all living creatures. 
You called forth fish in the sea, 
birds in the air and animals on the land.

You inspired Saint Francis to call all of them
his brothers and sisters. 
We ask you to bless this pet. 
By the power of your love, 
enable it to live according to your plan. 
May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation.

Blessed are you, Lord our God,
in all your creatures!

Amen.

29 May 2025 Taking Advice

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Home, photography, Politics and Government, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Hello to you. How are you? I’m back from my walk alone – got Link around once. He didn’t want to go but we made it! I followed my Aunt Ruth’s advice to take my phone with me. Because I did I got a couple pictures!

Lots of roses in my neighborhood
“Stop and smell the roses”
Peonies are blooming now too and smell so good!

You wouldn’t know by just driving through my neighborhood that there is so much beauty. Many of my neighbors take great pride in their yards. I encourage you to take a walk if you can and take your phone not just for safety but to see with new eyes! Oh and use that nose of yours to smell the beauty!

Song of Solomon 2:1King James Version

2 I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

We had our Thursday prayer meeting at Grace House – there were four of us. It’s always good to pray together! We have personal intentions we pray about and a prayer sheet Lois and Pastor Jason put together with the prayer needs for the church. I included the wars in Gaza, Ukraine and Russia today. It has been tearing me up to see the effect war is having on the children in Gaza – so malnourished and afraid! No child should have to go through what they are.

23 May 2025 Outing and Flowers

by saymber, posted in Home, Nature, photography, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Hello to you. Hope this finds you well today. Today was a good day. I joined several ladies from church at Idaho Pizza in Caldwell. We met at Grace House and carpooled over there. Most of us got the buffet that included various pizzas and salad. I had cheese pizza I think – that’s my favorite. It kind of tasted like a pretzel! There was enough seating for all of us. My friend Charlotte treated me to the meal – she is so kind. She gives such great hugs! I rode with Missy and Linda and I’m glad I did – that place was really busy for the lunch hour! It was good for me to get out with such a nice group of ladies. It helps me not feel so isolated and alone.

I decided to bring my phone on the walk tonight so I could get a couple pictures of the blooms on the walk. Link actually made it all around the block! He’s not been wanting to this past week.

These roses on the walk smell so good!
An unusual Iris in neighbor Diana’s yard
A rose bush in full bloom across the street

2 Corinthians 4:15New International Version

15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

1 May 2025 Praying Together

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

Hello to you! Can you believe it’s May already?!!

I just got off the phone with my friend Jeannie. Normally we would be together today but it didn’t work out. So we decided to pray from home and she asked if we could pray via a telephone call. I’m so happy we did! She has such a talent for prayer. The words seem to come to her so easily! We prayed for the people who normally join our little group, our family members, the town and schools of Middleton and this country and world. I felt it was important to share this today. Anyone reading this who feels alone – doesn’t have a support system like a church – a dear friend – know that there are people like Jeannie and I praying for you. You matter! There is so much power in prayer and it doesn’t matter how it occurs be it in person or on the phone. God hears our petitions!

James 5:16New International Version

16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

13 April 2025 Going and Lies We Are Told

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, history, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Hello to you this beautiful and breezy spring Palm Sunday day. I’m home from church and breakfast at the Sunrise Cafe. I almost didn’t go this morning. I set and reset my alarm a couple of times! I’m glad I went. There was a good turnout. My flesh can be so weak sometimes!

Matthew 21:1-3

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

Today we were in John 11 which is about Jesus delaying visiting his sick friend Lazarus. The message was about divine timing. The message was also about the difference between physical and spiritual death. Jesus waited until his friend physically died so he could raise him from the dead. From this Pastor Jayson was given two points that were not in our sermon guide. The points were about lies we are told in this life. Lie #1 – being loved means meeting all our needs or getting what we want when we want it. Lie #2 – if it’s hard or hurts it must be bad. I can relate to them both. I struggle with a couple of health issues I have been praying to be healed from and God remains unmoved. I have to remind myself that if and when God is moved does not mean I am loved or unloved in the meantime. Gods calendar is not our calendar! My spirit must remain strong. Nothing is impossible through Jesus!

John 11:11

11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

10 April 2025 Unseen and Positive Change

by saymber, posted in dreams, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Describe one positive change you have made in your life.

Hello to you. It’s Thursday already! The weeks fly by so fast. Last night I had a dream that startled me awake. I was in my bedroom and all the sudden the lights came on. I hadn’t flipped the switch. I saw Link on the bed and was scared that the lights came on without me turning them on. I looked towards the bedroom door and made a strange sound of fear at something I couldn’t see. Then an unseen hand grabbed my throat and pushed me to the bedroom floor. This force held me until I startled awake! I have dreams like this from time to time!

The most positive change I’ve made in my life thus far is choosing to become a Christian. I have been able to overcome a lot of things that some would find nearly impossible to overcome by choosing Christ. I am still learning and growing in my faith and Jesus has been patient with me. I have a lot of “body” issues I have been praying to be delivered from and I have been fighting impatience. I am constantly reminded that may be I may be exactly how I am because I am of the greatest use the way I am. If I was perfectly healthy would I lean into Jesus as much? When we are healthy and don’t have any troubles we tend not to lean – least wise that’s been the case with me! When I am doing well in body I am not always well in spirit. Being a believer in the power of Jesus helps me face my limitations as a human being.

  • Acknowledging Human Weakness:The Bible recognizes that humans have limitations in knowledge, understanding, and ability.
    • For example, 1 Corinthians 8:2 states, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know”. 
    • Psalm 119:96 says, “I have learned that everything has limits”. 

8 April 2025 Grandma’s Hands

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, dreams, Spirituality and Religion

Hello there. Just wanted to share a neat dream I had this past night. I dreamt I was massaging an elderly woman’s hands using an energy healing method called Quantum Touch. I could tell she was suffering from severe arthritis. It’s when I asked her where it hurt that I knew it was my Grandma Schmidt. She said “in the middle.” I recognized her voice and got a brief glimpse of her face. Then there was something about Pennie’s and two wooden boxes as remembrance of her and Grandpa. They were boxes like the ones we got all our pets ashes in after cremation. I was about to label the boxes when I woke up. Almost every night before bed I say good night to all my deceased loved ones to include pets. Sometimes that’s means dreams of them. One night I even had a dream of Prince!

I also wanted to mention something positive happened on Monday. A friend from church invited me to join some other ladies from church in making Easter baskets for residents at the assisted living home here in town. There was a great turnout and the baskets came out great! I got to write loving messages on the cards we included with each basket. The women at Grace are so welcoming and loving. I’m so glad I decided to participate. I am going to miss Grace House. The lease is almost up and I’m not sure where we will go next! God has a plan I’m sure.

Psalm 100New International Version

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2     Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.

6 April 2025 Change and Best Pets

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

What animals make the best/worst pets?

Hello to you. How are you? So much is going on! Be it weather or demonstrators there is a lot of unrest. In my own life I am experiencing change. My church has moved. Last night we gathered at the new location and prayed. I got kind of lost and left early because it was getting dark. Before I left, I prayed with a woman I have a Thursday prayer meeting with, Amy, and her children at the entrance to the building. She was crying and tears fell down her cheeks. So beautiful! This morning the auditorium that seats 900 was almost full! Our prayers the previous night were surely answered! I was a bit overwhelmed as was my elderly friend Roy – the seats were more comfortable but shorter and harder to get up and down in. He sat much of the service. I am not a fan of big crowds so I was a bit out of my comfort zone – I fought the urge I had to flee several times! My friend Jeannie, Roy’s sister-in-law, encouraged me not to give up on things just yet. She was glad I was there so Roy wasn’t alone. I will have to pray about all of this.

I kept thinking of the scene with Mary and Jesus in The Chosen as we read this:

Israel’s Only Savior

43 But now, this is what the Lord says— 

he who createdv you, Jacob, 

he who formedw you, Israel:x

“Do not fear, for I have redeemedy you; 

I have summoned you by name;z you are mine.a

2 When you pass through the waters,b

I will be with you;c

and when you pass through the rivers, 

they will not sweep over you. 

When you walk through the fire,d

you will not be burned; 

the flames will not set you ablaze.e

Best pets – for me it’s a toss up between dogs and cats. Cats are much more independent but have the litter box thing going on. Dogs are more dependent and have their litter box that you need to clean in the yard! I miss the purring and calm nature of my cats. My Amber used to purr me to sleep and I miss her every night! Link is a barker and that’s not very soothing – everything is his job to alarm me about! I think what makes a better pet is your lifestyle. If you work a lot a dog isn’t for you. That’s why when I was active duty we had cats. I think it’s cruel to leave a dog home alone by itself for hours and hours.

31 Mar 2025 Unique

by saymber, posted in animals, history, Home, human rights, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Which aspects do you think makes a person unique?

My one in a million little unique somebody Link today after his grooming

Hello to you. Today’s prompt makes me think about a struggle I’ve had much of my life. The struggle to stand out in the crowd and the backlash for doing so. When one strives to be unique you spend a lot of energy and time swimming against the stream most of the rest of humanity swims. The Chosen’s teal fish swimming against the current of gray little fish comes to mind. Having chosen to surrender my will to follow Jesus hasn’t been easy but I’m doing it! Sometimes I feel myself slipping back to my pagan ways but being surrounded by believers helps with that. As I look at this world and the way it’s going, I feel I have made a wise choice. The Jesus of my understanding is not the same Jesus being used by our country and its leadership. I think Jesus would feel quite out place if he were invited to the Oval Office. His attire would probably be mocked and his rhetoric would not win him popularity contests. He would likely kicked out. He would be himself which would fly in the face of what we are witnessing on the world stage today. There are a lot of money changers in the temple these days. There are a lot of desperately poor, hungry and sick- sinners who need what the true Christ would offer. Though much time has passed since he walked this earth his legacy is still relevant. He was and is unique – a pioneer. I often wonder how much longer, how much more suffering he will allow before his return. Would he be welcomed as a savior in our time or a delusional heretic drugged and locked up unable to complete his mission.

16 Mar 2025 Letting Go

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

Hello to you. I hope today finds you well. It’s beginning to feel like Spring here. Blades of grass are peeking up and the birds are back singing their love songs. I went to church this morning- wasn’t sure my back would let me! I have been taking Aleve and using a roll on my Aunt gave me and that’s helping. I am happy to be fitting into my one pair of jeans! Progress!

Today’s message was out of Galatians 5. What stood out to me is how Pastor Jayson talked about our freedom. Our freedom makes many things permissible but we have to ask in the over all scheme of things is just doing whatever we want beneficial to us and the body of Christ we are a part of. When he talks about his own struggles with food I really can relate!

In a couple hours I’m going to be celebrating my Uncles birthday with family. I’ve decided to use this occasion to share my stuffed animal collection with the grandchildren. It’s been on my heart the past couple of weeks that it’s time for these things to go to a good home and be played with and not just take up storage space. Some of the collection is very sentimental stuff and I’m a little attached but it’s time to let go. Stuffed teddy bears and My Little Pony, for example, are great for young children. My cousin said it was ok to bring them over today so I am. They have a playroom designated for the littles when they come over and these new additions will get lots of use!

Galatians 5New International Version

Freedom in Christ

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Life by the Spirit

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love.14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.