Tag: Gratitude

10 May 2026 Persistent Faith

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

Hello to you on this beautiful Mothers Day Sunday. I went to church and got lots of hugs as I wasn’t there last Sunday. I sat with my friend Jeannie which was really nice. We fill empty spaces for eachother. She her daughter and me my Mom. I love her very much and am so grateful for her friendship.

We were in Matthew 15: 22 – 28:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2015%3A22-28&version=NIV

https://youtu.be/gL5FdRrZvLQ?si=-FLyivT6Kj8olaJ6 – Persistent Faith – Jason Boyd

As Pastor Jason says, Jesus answers prayers with a yes, no or not yet. I have been praying for healing for my cousin Heidi as well as for other members of my family, friends and even myself. Seeing my cousin this weekend was evidence of Gods healing power and a definite YES! I had a praise today as my back didn’t hurt for the first day in weeks. The stuff going on with my ears is still there but wasn’t as bad today. I will take any relief!

I was going to have breakfast at the Sunrise after church but when I got there even the little tables I sit at were full and people were waiting to be seated. So I went home and had one of my breakfast sandwiches. Link was happy to see me even if I didn’t have his bacon! Lol!

9 May 2026 Like A Banana

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Food, Health, Spirituality and Religion

Hello there! Hope this finds you well. I am home from an early Mother’s Day brunch with my cousins and Aunt and Uncle. This was the first time seeing my cousin Heidi after her four brain surgeries. She is doing so good! You can hardly tell anything has happened to her. She is living proof of God answering prayers. Her hair is short but growing out. She described herself as a browning banana with all her bruises! We thought that was so funny! I think all of us feel like yellowing and bruised bananas these days!

There were a lot of grateful tears shed today. Hearing how grateful Heidi is to God for pulling her through everything really touched all our hearts. She is so brave!

My Aunt put together beautiful spread with charcuterie boards of meat, cheese and fruit. The boys went out and got us ladies bouquets of flowers. So beautiful!

Charcuterie board brunch
Beautiful bouquet from Uncle John and Brody

7 May 2026 Purple

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Health, Nature, photography, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Hello there! How are you? I am just from a walk. I forced myself to go and I’m glad I did. This morning I stayed home from Thursday prayer because I had a sore throat when I woke up and was afraid I was coming down with something. False alarm!

On the walk this evening I had the privilege of seeing flowers in particular purple flowers:

Beautiful purple Iris
My neighbor Diana’s lovely purple flowers

I’m going to attempt this one today:

https://youtu.be/3pAtzY-grl8?si=oxWXMcKGvupD3TPd – 18 min Tai Chi Workout

Dear Jesus I thank you for this day. I ask that you wrap your loving arms around all who need you. Please guide leaders at all levels of government to do your will and not just their own. Please be, through us your vessels, with the sick, poor, weary, healing, angry, addicted and hungry. Let your presence be the balm that ends all wars and “isms” of this world. Amen.

4 May 2026 Ladies Coffee

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

Hello to you. How are you doing today? I hope well. The main event of my day today was going to the ladies coffee this morning. I wasn’t sure if I was going but my body made its mind up for me. I’ve been having trouble sleeping lately and my ears have really been bothering me. The nasal spray and antihistamine don’t seem to be helping like I had hoped they would.

There was a good turn out. Missy lead us by reading the Daily Bread for 1 May and we went around the room for prayer intentions. We put together gifts and treats for the ladies at The Cottages assisted living home in town for Mothers Day. Terry made sun catchers and other ladies brought cookies they baked. The sun catchers were really nice. I signed some cards and helped assemble a few bags with the sun catchers. I left before everything was done as my ears were really bothering me. When they flare up my head feels so tight – very uncomfortable! I’m glad I went though the ladies are so kind and understanding.

Workout for today:

https://youtu.be/uf0lM1Cy-bw?si=0j8aSW_AG_RQpZzP – 12 minute Tai Chi Workout For Beginners

28 Apr 2026 Turning On My Television

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, history, human rights, In the News, Spirituality and Religion, Television

Hello to you – I hope this finds you well and safe wherever and whenever you are. As I write to you I have my tv on which is extremely rare for me. What am I watching? Our local corporation for public broadcasting channel 4.1. Even without federal funding they carry on and I’m so glad. One of the shows I saw today was Finding Your Roots. One of the people they traced was Rebecca Hall. It’s really fascinating what is discovered :

https://www.pbs.org/video/hidden-in-the-genes-wxcku0/ – link to episode

PBS is a way to get news and culture. Yesterday I got to see one of my Aunt, Uncle and my favorite shows Father Brown:

internet summary of what the show is about:

https://youtu.be/3E5Kf8PFLyE?si=AYanN8-uUV50mES1 – Father Brown

Father Brown is a British period detective series starring Mark Williams as a crime-solving Roman Catholic priest, based loosely on G.K.Chesterton’s stories, that airs on BBC One and streams on platforms like BritBox. Set in the 1950s Cotswolds, the show follows the mild-mannered but sharp-witted priest as he solves mysteries, often with the help of his parish friends, using his understanding of human nature rather than modern technology. The series is known for its cozy, “howdunit” style and has been running since 2013, with new seasons confirmed. 

Dear Jesus I pray that you be with all those dealing with severe weather issues. I pray you be with the sick, the poor, the unhoused, the addicted and those struggling to recover from trauma. Wrap your loving arms around all those trying to heal from various conditions. Please be with my cousin Heidi, my Uncle Bill and my friends Cheryl and Roy. Amen.

26 Apr 2026 Run Baby Run

by saymber, posted in Uncategorized

Hello to you on this beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon. Today began with going to church. My friend Jeannie was there but was sitting in the back with Roy that despite falling twice insisted on being there. I feel bad for her as she doesn’t say no and he has no one else living close by to help him. We had a baby dedication today and got to hear wonderful news about Pastor Jason’s daughter Harper being miraculously healed after a laying of hands on her. Today we were in Luke 15:11-32:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2015%3A11-32&version=NIV – link to scripture. For some reason I can no longer copy and paste from this site.

https://youtu.be/u5qPz2r-SWs?si=y6X2ZWaNV_qDMJ3T – Run Baby Run – Pastor Jason Boyd

One of my favorite songs we sang today:

https://youtu.be/RZeJTtUrhwA?si=jUA4TAKKx84eT0MD – Hillsong Worship – Here I am To Worship

Verse 1 Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness, Opened my eyes, let me see Beauty that made this heart adore You, Hope of a life spent with You.

Chorus So, here I am to worship, Here I am to bow down Here I am to say that You’re my God! You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy, Altogether wonderful to me!

Verse 2 King of all days, Oh so highly exalted, Glorious in Heaven above, Humbly You came to the earth You created, All for love’s sake became poor.

Chorus So, here I am to worship, Here I am to bow down Here I am to say that You’re my God You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy Altogether wonderful to me!

Bridge I’ll never know how much it cost To see my sin upon that cross! I’ll never know how much it cost To see my sin upon that cross!

Chorus So, here I am to worship, Here I am to bow down Here I am to say that You’re my God You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy Altogether wonderful to me!

After service I went to the busy Sunrise. I sat at my little table for two that I usually sit at. After I finished and went to pay I got a blessing. Someone had paid for my meal! I think I saw who it was as they went out of their way to greet me as they were leaving. I have paid for others before and now I was on the receiving end! What a nice feeling!

22 Apr 2026 Earth Day

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Music, Nature, Spirituality and Religion

Hello to you on this Earth Day. Did you do anything special?

Earth Day

Celebration

DateWednesday, April 22, 2026

Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally through earthday.org including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.

When I lived in Texas I had a grass yard and used to spend almost every day outside. I felt connected to everything- the sky, trees, plants, insects and other earth beings. Now that I live in a home surrounded by gravel/rocks I don’t spend as much time outside. When it gets warmer I will sit on my front porch some but it’s just not the same as having the privacy of a green back yard. I feel bad for Link as the only grass he gets to enjoy is when we go to my Aunt and Uncles house. Yesterday I had to pick a lot of weeds out back. They are growing through the layer beneath the rocks. I don’t have the lawn people coming and spraying the weeds anymore so I have to do it manually.

A nice prayer I found for this day:

A Prayer for Our Earth (Based on Laudato Si’)
“All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty… Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction”. 

https://youtu.be/b3qy23UIynU?si=W1Clw0xe6kiDVbs- – Peter Gabriel – Deep Forest – While The Earth Sleeps

21 Apr 2026 Amen

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

Hello to you today. I wanted to share this special song and video by one of my all time favorite musical groups – Enigma:

https://youtu.be/ZYlNjQ5TTF4?si=9gzMTzxZc1r4TaeJ – Enigma – Amen

Amen

Song by Enigma ‧ 2016

OverviewLyrics

I’m out on a new road in search for a land with no name
And I never looked back, ’cause I’m walking through sunshine and rain
I’m a man who has lived in the tombs and who’s broken the chain

Amen
Amen

I was blind, but now I see
What if God is not for me
And I know, it’s time to go

I’ve been used and I’ve been played
I’ve been spied on and betrayed
And I know, it’s time to go

I defeat the pain
(Watch out) I’m alive again
The past is gone for good, it’s time to say

Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen

At last, I believe I will be found
In the silence of my nights
I can hear a distant voice
Someone out there is calling my name

I’m not afraid
(Watch out) I’m beyond the dread
It’s time to turn the page and love again

Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen

I defeat the pain
(Watch out) and I cry again
I’m leaving all my shadows behind

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Michael Kunze / Michael Cretu

Amen lyrics © Edition 1-2-3 Music, 1-2-3 Music Edition

Enigma is a group that is timeless – never gets old!

This is another song and video by them that is one of my favorites and gets me teary:

https://youtu.be/Rk_sAHh9s08?si=nEN_mhz9mkdMYfDp – Enigma- Return To Innocence

Return to Innocence

Song by Enigma ‧ 1993

OverviewLyrics

Love
Devotion
Feeling
Emotion

Don’t be afraid to be weak
Don’t be too proud to be strong
Just look into your heart my friend
That will be the return to yourself
The return to innocence

The return to innocence

And if you want, then start to laugh
If you must, then start to cry
Be yourself don’t hide
Just believe in destiny

Don’t care what people say
Just follow your own way
Don’t give up and use the chance
To return to innocence

That’s not the beginning of the end
That’s the return to yourself
The return to innocence

That’s return to innocence

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: M.C. Curly

Return to Innocence lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Prayer I found that resonated with me:

Lord, I commit this day to You. Please give me strength for the challenges, wisdom for decisions, and peace in my heart. Guide my steps, help me to love well, and use me to bring light to those around me. I trust You with every moment, Amen.

19 Apr 2026 Bring What You Got

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

Hello to you. It’s Sunday afternoon here as I write to you. Today began with church and we were in Mark 6:30-44 where the miracle occurred when Jesus fed the 5,000 with 5 loaves of bread and two fishes:

https://youtu.be/1Xi9RLQo2GY?si=E6m41sDwwBbAIzvy – Bring What You Got – Brad Bowden

We had a baptism of a couple and communion. I sat with Jeannie and Roy and Cecil and Terry behind us – so glad to see them! We sang several songs I knew today:

https://youtu.be/HwKCvuorI9E?si=bEx8D6Jkr5nUSjQT – Open The Eyes Of My Heart Lord – Michael W Smith

https://youtu.be/W4Fj9bbEmVk?si=wMRAqeAbUQzlmeVt – Better Is One Day – Matt Redman

https://youtu.be/n0FBb6hnwTo?si=9Rq-ENc-FotkUnQ9 – Goodness of God

I went to the Sunrise afterwards and it was busy as usual but not too busy for me to get a hug from the manager Emma. The place just isn’t the same without her! Link likes it when I go there as I always bring him a couple slices of bacon.

Yesterday I did 16 minutes of Tai Chi which is a lot for me. The video I found was for 25 minutes. I will revisit it! I find the 5-7 minute videos the best for me. I’m proud of myself for sticking with it. I like that I don’t need anything but moving my body to do it.

https://youtu.be/SoOtJi85KHQ?si=9j3ZiV2baWy-L0UF – Menopause Belly After 45- 25 min Gentle Tai Chi Flo no jump

Dear Jesus thank you for the blessings of this day. I pray you be with the leaders of all levels of government and give them wisdom and insight on how best to govern. I pray you wrap your loving arms around all those who are suffering the effects of war and strife. Please be with all those who feel they are alone. Please let us be your hands and feet for all the sick, healing, poor and unhoused. Let there be your love and compassion for all animals. Amen.

12 Apr 2026 What God Wants

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

Hello to you on this rainy Sunday afternoon. Today has been uneventful. This morning was church. I sat with my friends in our usual spot in row J. I like that spot because the floor is more level and it’s easier to stand. My back was not being my friend today! I was surprised to see Jeannie with Roy who has gotten so thin. He is determined to go to church and she is kind enough to help him! I’m always glad to sit with them and my other friends Terry and Cecil. God is definitely at work in Roy.

Today we were in Matthew 19:16-30:

Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’” “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

https://youtu.be/m9-eKzm_yWw?si=18iVnOyzP7r_39Vk – Money, Money, Money – Pastor Jason Boyd

The take away from this sermon is that God doesn’t want our money or possessions. He wants our hearts. Jason asked what is it in our lives that keeps our hearts from him. This question calls for reflection and thought. What do I focus on more than God? Honestly it’s my body right now. I used to do more until I hurt my back and had the Weeble wobble stuff going on in my head. Every day I ask God to heal me so I might be a more fit vessel. I wonder what would happen if I stopped focusing on myself and just focused on Jesus! What we focus on gains more power and influence in our lives.