17 Feb 2026 Healing

February 18, 2026 by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Health, Home, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Hello to you my friend. How has your week been thus far? I have been struggling with the issues I’ve been facing for a couple years now – chronic back pain and the fullness in my ears. Monday I went to the ladies coffee for our church at Grace House and they prayed with me about it in addition to my prayers for my Uncle John and friend Roy I’ve told you about. Roy ended up having hip surgery on Sunday and from what Jeannie told me it went well.

The message on Sunday from Pastor Jason resonated with us. The message came from John:

John 9:1-7New International Version

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

9 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.²His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

³“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. ⁴As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. ⁵While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

⁶After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.⁷“Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

The message was focusing on Jesus and not so much on ourselves. This healing was a reenactment of when Adam was formed out of soil and God breathed life into his nostrils. Something Jason brought up was why did this man who was blind by no sin of himself or his parents stay blind so long. Why did God make him wait so long? There is no clear answer other than he was blind so that Jesus may heal him like he did. I have been praying for a long time for Jesus to heal me and he hasn’t. There must be a reason and it might just be that I’m this way for the glory of God to work through me just as I am. May be if I was completely healed I would not lean on Jesus as much! I live by the motto that we don’t go through the things we do for no reason. I have been through a lot and it’s enabled me to be there for others who are facing similar circumstances. I want to be a miracle for Jesus and will continue to ask him to completely heal my body and I have to accept the answer will be yes, no or not right now.

Dear Jesus I ask you to wrap your loving arms around all those I love that are healing from surgery – Heidi, John, Roy and Cheryl are just a couple of the people I know that are recovering, I ask for you to be with our world leaders at all levels – give them your wisdom and compassion. Thank you for everything that is good and pure in this world. I love you. Amen.

13 Feb 2026 Good Day

February 14, 2026February 14, 2026 by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Food, Home, Spirituality and Religion

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well. Today was a good day. I met with my Aunt, two cousins and their spouses at The Rare Steakhouse in Star. I was the first one there so I had plenty of time to look over their extensive menu. My Aunt and cousin Laura came in next and there were pictures and little gifts. I am really a stickler for stuff in my house since it’s so small so they try to respect my wishes. Then came my other cousin and his wife and there were cards and chocolate candy since tomorrow is Valentines Day. They gave me a gift card for the Sunrise Cafe which was extremely thoughtful. I ordered The Rare Burger and it was really messy but good. It was a burger with bacon, avocado, bacon and bbq sauce. The girls ordered cob salads and the two guys got chicken dishes. All the food was good and generous portions. For dessert, which my cousin and I got on the house since it was our birthdays, was really good too. I got coconut cream pie, my cousin got apple cobbler and my other cousin and Aunt shared a piece of lemon meringue pie. We were all very full! it was so nice to be together. I love hearing all the laughter. My family are sunshine people that just light up the place! We were missing cousin Heidi who is still in rehab in Salt Lake City Utah. She has been really working hard in her physical therapy. Lots of talk about what her life will be like when she comes home. What a blessed day. I got to talk to my Uncle Bill before lunch – so good to hear his voice! I sent him a picture of all of us. We miss him too!

I got an update about my friend Jeannie’s brother-in-law Roy. He’s having a rough time – a lot of pain. They are going to scan him again to make sure there aren’t broken bones they missed. We just need to keep praying for him! Jeannie gave me a nice card that showed up right on my birthday! I am so blessed!

3 John 2New International Version

²Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

12 Feb 2026 You Never Know

February 13, 2026 by saymber, posted in Animal Rights, animals, Bipolar life, Health, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Hello to you. How are you? I am doing ok but just found out my dear friends brother-in-law had another bad fall today and really hurt himself. I just was with him this past Sunday! You never know when you are going to see people again so cherish the moments! He is in his 80’s and lives alone with his dog Pepper. If you pray or just vibe healing please send all the good you can to Roy.

Dear Jesus please wrap Roy in your loving and healing presence – he loves you so much. I also ask for healing for my cousin Heidi, Aunt Ruth, Uncles John and Bill. I pray for this dark and heavy world that needs you now more than ever. Let there be unity, peace and love. We are all your children. Let there be healing for the sick and injured. Let there be food, clothing and shelter for the less fortunate of this world to include animals. With you all is possible! Amen.

Isaiah 41:10 – Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

9 Feb 2026 Why So Serious?!

February 10, 2026February 10, 2026 by saymber, posted in Animal Rights, animals, Bipolar life, history, Home, human rights, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Politics and Government, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Hello and good evening to you. It’s the end of the day and I figured I would write to you before trying to go to sleep. How was your day? Did your team win the Super Bowl? I only saw part of the game and missed the half time show that got mixed reviews. I was glad to see Trumps feathers got ruffled by the show. I am so sick of him! Way to go Bad Bunny! I don’t get reception for NBC and refuse to pay for Peacock – so no Olympics either.

https://youtu.be/G6FuWd4wNd8?si=ouzbTCWxbwvhz_BK – half time show

The subject of my blog is poking fun at myself as I have become such a serious person. I used to have a sense of humor! Every day now there is something going on in the world that ticks me off. There just doesn’t seem to be an end in sight! We are expected to wait out 3 more years of this nightmare fuel?! So the challenge is to not let the headlines get to me without putting my head in the sand and pretend that these goings on are normal. I want to reclaim my middle name – Joy!

This Friday I will be another year older with my cousin Tony. We are going out to eat at a restaurant in Star my Aunt and I stumbled across a couple years ago. It was the Rustic Table and is now The Rare Steakhouse. I’ll celebrate with joy that I even have loved ones to share the day with! I am going to pray that Jesus, through my loved ones, friends and Link, will soften my heart.

Dear Jesus please soften my heart in these trying times. Help me reclaim my inner child. I ask you to put your loving arms around all those who are sick, hungry, in the healing process, those without shelter to include animals. Please shine your love and mercy through each of us that we would be worthy vessels of your will here on earth. Please be with all the leaders of this world – give them wisdom! Amen.

1 Feb 2026 Yamila

February 2, 2026February 2, 2026 by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, history, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion

Hello to you. I’m having trouble falling asleep. I have been thinking of someone I met during one of my early hospital stays in Texas. We met in a unique way. As soon as I saw her I asked her if we had met before and she replied “may be in another lifetime.” We only had a short time together. There was something about how we interacted that was so familiar. Her gestures towards me and the way she walked and talked that reminded me of the first woman I supervised when I was in the military named Eveline Ravenstein. Eveline was Dutch and a very affectionate person. Yamila and I came up with a list of ways to recognize someone from a previous lifetime: 1) gestures 2) appearance – physical features 3) walk 4) voice 5) smell these were the main ones. It’s been so long ago! She was a stripper and that’s about all I remember her telling me about herself. When you meet people in the system you don’t really have any way to stay in touch. I have never met someone like her and I often think of her. I think it’s because I miss Eveline and being with Yamila kindled those feelings.

I know as a Christian there isn’t the concept of reincarnation but this was on my mind tonight! There is such a thing as doppelgängers and I think that’s what happened with Yamila as I don’t think Eveline is dead.

During one of my recent hospital stays here in Idaho I met someone who was on staff that spoke almost exactly like a guy I had a crush on in high school who I later found out had died of cancer. When I was in the hospital and out I had the ability to see how people reminded me of other people like the list Yamila and I came up with. I even went so far as to see animal features in people! My ex kind of got annoyed with me as I was always saying to people how they were like other people!

Dear Jesus please guide the surgeon who will be operating on my sweet cousin Heidi tomorrow. I pray for Yamila wherever she is that she is well. I pray for this world and all the lives within it – let there be peace, love and joy. Amen.

30 Jan 2026 Emma Hugs

January 30, 2026 by saymber, posted in animals, Bipolar life, Food, human rights, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Uncategorized, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Hello to you. I am writing from the Sunrise Cafe. I walked over as I couldn’t stand my own company any longer. My ear condition is real bad today too. I got what I needed even before my meal – a big hug from Emma the manager! She is such a joy! Sometimes that’s all we need is a big hug and a warm hello and Emma does just that. When I left I thanked her for the hug and she thanked me back! She needed the hug too that’s why she did it.

Their slogan is so true! I feel like family when I go here.

When you live alone like I do physical contact is rare. I cherish every hug I get! I’m grateful for Link but he can only do so much.

Dear Jesus thank you for Emma and the staff at the Sunrise. Thank you for them being your body that comforts people like me in the world. I pray for all those in the parts of the country experiencing extreme cold – may there be warmth, food, clothing and shelter. I pray the same for any homeless and wild animals. I pray for any and all regions of this country and world experiencing unrest. Lastly I pray for my cousin Heidi and all who love her as she will be having surgery on her brain Monday. Guide her surgeon and staff and grant her a speedy and complete recovery. Amen.

John 15:1-8New International Version

The Vine and the Branches

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ²He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes^[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. ³You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

⁵“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

27 Jan 2026 Being a Light

January 28, 2026 by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, history, Home, human rights, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Hello to you. It’s bedtime as I write to you, I hope there was good in your life today. My day was good. I forced myself to take an extra 1/2 mile walk in addition to the 1/4 mile with Link this morning. It was quite chilly but there was sunlight which was welcome!

As I lay here contemplating recent events near and far away I am determined to stay in the light. To be a light and rest in my hope of Jesus. No matter what is going on we know who won the battle against death and darkness. This world right now presents a great opportunity- the more the enemy leverages against us the more we can lean into Jesus.

I’m not going to let myself be brought down by fear mongers. I am trying more and more to be careful what I consume via social media. I’m not sticking my head in the sand and acting like everything is hunky dory either! We must not be afraid to speak up when that challenge is placed before us. I have this blog and I am using it to be my voice.

Dear Jesus I pray for this world that is so lost right now. May what we are facing in every facet of our lives be an opportunity to love you more and trust in the plans you have for us. Please be with all who are hurting and need you right now. Amen.

John 1:5New International Version

⁵The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome^[a] it.

22 Jan 2026 Prayer Requests and The Holy Land

January 23, 2026 by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, history, human rights, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Hello to you. How was your day? My day began with my prayer group at Grace House. We were blessed to have two new people join us – Missy and Linda Burk. We prayed our personal requests and for the church, the town of Middleton, the state of Idaho and for this country and world. We are a growing church and with growth comes special needs. Lots of volunteer opportunities! We prayed for my cousin Heidi, Missy’s husband Ray, pastor Jason’s daughter Harper and other church members undergoing illness or surgery recovery like our dear Cheryl Hargan.

Lately I have been hungry for positive visual content and I found some. Tonight I watched :

https://youtu.be/0kMFsuVMPe4?si=Tcq0lRQOewejgO4G – 54:06 minutes

Jonathan Roumie and Jeff Cavins visit the Holy Land

What an experience to be where Jesus walked and breathed his last! I love how Jonathan Roumie lives his faith. It was worth watching!

Luke 22:39-44New International Version

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

³⁹Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. ⁴⁰On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” ⁴¹He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ⁴²“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” ⁴³An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. ⁴⁴And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.^[a

18 Jan 2026 Calming Storms and Just Believe

January 19, 2026 by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Food, Home, Spirituality and Religion

Hello to you. How are you? It’s Sunday evening as I write to you. Today was good and despite my physical issues I got through it. The day started with church. We were in Matthew 8:23-27:

Matthew 8:23-27New International Version

Jesus Calms the Storm

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

²⁶He 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.

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

I went and got groceries afterwards and got a little sticker shock – I’m paying about twice what I normally do! Then I went over to my Aunt and Uncles house for dinner. We had yummy spaghetti, salad and garlic toast. I played a game with my Aunt and won. It was tricky! We had lemon cake I picked up for dessert. It was good. Then we watched a good movie on Angel Flix called The Lamp Just Believe:

Just Believe” refers to the faith-based movie The Lamp (2011), where a grieving couple receives an old oil lamp from a mysterious messenger (Louis Gossett Jr.) and learns to find hope and rebuild their lives by focusing on love and belief, realizing the “magic” comes from within and through connection, not just wishing, despite the lamp’s mystical appearance.

16 Jan 2026 Prayer

January 17, 2026 by saymber, posted in Animal Rights, animals, Bipolar life, Health, history, human rights, In the News, Politics and Government, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Hello to you. It’s late as I write to you. I can’t sleep so figured I would write to you. How was your day? My day was long but uneventful. I got Link out on a walk today. He’s been willing to go lately and I like that!

Yesterday was prayer group day but because of fog and icy roads we did a conference call and were still able to pray together. We have a lot to pray about. My prayer request was for my sweet cousin Heidi who is recovering from a burst brain aneurysm. We also prayed for our dear friend Cheryl Hargan who had surgery today – a double breast mastectomy. We also prayed for Pastor Jason’s daughter Harper. We are a growing church so lots of leadership spaces need filling. Our time praying isn’t just about needs but also giving praise. Local police and fire departments are picking up their bibles and more are coming to Christ. In a time of great turmoil in our country and world there is much comfort to be had in following Jesus.

Dear Jesus please be with our leaders at all levels. Please help them navigate this increasingly violent and confusing world. Let your will be done in all these affairs. Please be with all our friends and family going through health and wellness challenges. Please be with the people of Iran and all parts of this world who are in turmoil and chaos right now. I pray you would help those who give sanctuary to animals. . I pray all this in your name. Amen.