11 Nov 2025 Free Dinner

Hello to you. I’m just back from a walk and fantastic free steak dinner at Texas Roadhouse with my cousin and fellow veteran Tony. When we got there it was really busy but we had a short wait. Lots of Veterans! You could tell by their caps. A lot of Vietnam veterans. We were really pleased with the service and the meal. Our server was Devon and he was very attentive. For a free meal we got quite a lot and the quality was really good. We got iced tea, fresh baked rolls, a salad, 6 oz steak and fully loaded baked potatoes. It was the perfect amount of food. Tony and I got caught up and swapped stories about our time in the service. He was in the Navy. We are both getting older and had lots to talk about with our bodies aches and pains! We don’t get to see eachother very often so tonight was a real treat for both of us.

Two cousins and veterans on the town

A psalm giving praise for everything:

Psalm 150New International Version

Psalm 150

Praise the Lord.[a]

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
    praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
    praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
    praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
    praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

10 Nov 2025 Never Alone

Hello to you. I hope you are doing well as you visit me here. If you’re struggling just know that I’m praying for you and you are never truly alone. There are people like me all over the world who pray for those who feel like they have no one that cares. Don’t be afraid to reach out! I always feel better when I do it.

When I was younger I can remember having crying fits when I felt alone. I would just sob and be inconsolable. Then all the sudden I would feel this soothing warmth envelope me. It felt like a big warm hug! Was it divine comfort? I wonder sometimes!

I was married 28 years of my 57 years to two very different men. I never really had to live alone before getting married. When I was active duty I lived in dormitories and usually had a roommate. These past few years of living alone has been hard at times. We are not meant as human beings to be alone. Becoming part of a church has made all the difference. There are warm greetings, big hugs and smiles at least once or twice a week. Having family close has helped also. When we lived in Texas we had Kyle’s family but they didn’t live real close. My family here is so supportive, loving and kind! My Aunt Ruth and Uncle John are dear friends as well as family. They frequently invite me over to share meals and watch our favorite shows and movies. I also have three cousins and their children who surround me with love. I am very blessed! God definitely works through those he has put in my life.

Tomorrow is Veterans Day and my cousin and I are planning on going out to eat. Many restaurants here have free meals on Veterans Day. Our going out together is becoming our tradition. My cousin Tony is someone very special to me. He’s the one who didn’t hesitate when I reached out for help leaving Texas 5 years ago. He and his wife Tawna shared their faith with me and really have brought the living Jesus into my life. Tony is definitely proof to me of Gods goodness and proof I am not alone on this journey.

My cousin Tony at my recent baptism

6 Nov 2025 Thursday

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.

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

“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]

3 Nov 2025 Let Your Butterfly Out

Good day to you. I’m just back from our church’s women’s coffee. Today there was pumpkin and apple pie too! Perfect for the season. We talked about a lot of things today to include prayers for family and friends, possible outreach opportunities and Missy read from a devotional that mentioned the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly. Missy said it made her think of a butterfly living inside a caterpillar waiting to be let out!

Psalm 8New International Version

Psalm 8[a]

For the director of music. According to gittith.[b] A psalm of David.

Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
    in the heavens.
Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?[c]

You have made them[d] a little lower than the angels[e]
    and crowned them[f] with glory and honor.
You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
    you put everything under their[g] feet:
all flocks and herds,
    and the animals of the wild,
the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,
    all that swim the paths of the seas.

Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

1 Nov 2025 Hello November

Hello to you on this crisp first day of November. Can you believe how fast the year is going?!

Last night was uneventful. I watched one of my favorite live streamers on Tik Tok NYCTHRASHER stream the New York City Halloween parade. There was quite a turnout! They even had the Michael Jackson Thriller dance. Afterwards I watched an old classic Rosemarys Baby. The night before last I watched original The Crow . Both were free with ads on YouTube. I wanted to watch something spooky but not too spooky! Did you hand out candy? My Aunt said they had about 50 kids! When I first moved in I tried doing it but there were no kids so I stopped participating. Halloween used to be one of my favorite holidays!

Psalm 8:3-4: “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”.

29 Oct 2025 Hurricane Melissa

Hello to you. How are you? I am having one of those days that I’m going to have to push through. Even with taking my medication I’m still having a little trouble! The thing that happens with my head and ears is strong today. Writing about it helps.

Today my prayers go out to the people of Jamaica and those also in the path of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean. I can remember what it was like having to evacuate when I lived in Florida and was at technical training in Mississippi. It was so scary! The aftermath and cleanup was so devastating!

https://www.cnn.com/weather/live-news/hurricane-melissa-cuba-bahamas-landfall-wednesday-climate-hnk

Matthew 8:23-27New International Version

Jesus Calms the Storm

23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

27 Oct 2025 Morning Walk

Hello to you. I’m back from a walk. It’s really cool and crisp out. The trees in the neighborhood are all starting to change color and drop their leaves. I miss taking Link out but he just can’t do it. His back legs bother him. He’s going to be 11 this year – he’s still a puppy to me! I hope this finds you well and knowing you are cared about. You are never alone – Jesus is always with you.

Some positive food for your spirit:

Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you” by Walt Whitman,

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.

23 Oct 2025 Sleepy vs Tired

Hello to you. It is evening as I write to you. My thoughts are winding down and soon it will be time for bed. I’m trying to do what my therapist and I talked about on Tuesday. I told her about my troubles falling asleep and her suggestion was that I go to bed when I’m sleepy not just tired. Her advice really resonated with me. I had never really thought of going to sleep that way. When you’re sleepy you will feel it whereas when you are tired it’s more of a cerebral thing. For example I start going to bed at 9 pm and won’t fall asleep til 1-2 am! I usually have to have a nighttime meditation from YouTube on. The one I listen to the most is from the Relax For Awhile Channel with Joanne: https://youtu.be/204EcI6-9Vo?si=_NM2VlXI8PvdFgWZ

I wanted to mention that I am deeply disappointed about what is being done to the east wing of the White House. He’s acting like it’s his own house and can just do whatever he wants to it without permission. It’s our house! Very sad!

John 1:5New International Version

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

19 Oct 2025 Myths

Hello to you. I’m just home from spending some time with my Aunt and Uncle. We had leftover spaghetti and watched a couple episodes of The Good Ship Murder on Brit box. I like it when they invite me over! Sundays can be lonesome. Link is always so happy to see Ruth and John. They have grass and carpet which he loves rolling around on.

I went to church this morning (I almost didn’t go because I didn’t sleep well) and today we were in Philippians:

Philippians 1:18-26New International Version

18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[a] 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Pastor Jason talked about some myths there are in being a Christian. The first myth is you have to know everything. You don’t! Share what Jesus has done for you. The second myth is you have to be a good speaker and communicator. It’s not what we say it’s what we do that matters. The third myth is that we have to be outgoing to share our belief in Jesus. Just giving our personal testimony to even just one person is good!

15 Oct 2025 Walk

Hello there! How are you today? I’m just back from a nice walk. My head condition (I get a tightness in my ears that affects my balance) bothered me but I kept on walking. It’s currently a crisp 60 degrees- perfect walking temperature. I was going to get groceries today but decided I’ll go tomorrow after prayer. I have started a list on my phone. It’s going to be expensive as I will picking up toilet paper and Links new food! Even for just me it’s almost $200 and that’s not even a full cart!

Isaiah 43:1New International Version

Israel’s Only Savior

43 But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.