Random may describe it best!

I wanted to end 2024 with a social media post of photos highlighting favorite moments of my year. Of course, there were way too many. So I ended up posting photos that were more random. Ha! 

The older I get, the less I remember, although pictures are great at tugging thoughts and feelings associated with past moments. 

Meanwhile, I’m grateful to find more joy & life in each moment. 

That said, it’s been a good year, and I look forward to 2025. 

I’m hoping to finish the last six lessons of a Bible study before I go to bed. I’m not making resolutions. I just intend to keep on with what works best each day: pray, keep my focus on & faith in God; act in faith; trust God in all things, including timing & results; give God all glory, honor, thanks & praise. 

“Yet this I call to mind & therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ” Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭21‬-‭23

#FarewellTo2024 

Never give up on love

Christmas morning, I woke up thinking about God’s message of love for me. And He reminded me that same love is offered for all.

What I realized last night is true for me is true for all: God is telling us we’re OK. We’re good enough. We were OK as children & we’re OK whatever age & way we are now. God invites us to feel the joy of being ourselves, loved & delighted in & accepted by Him, just as we are.

Sometimes that may cause some of us in our interactions to feel hurt for a moment or to disagree or feel slighted or misunderstood. That’s OK. No one of us is perfect. God loves each one of us, just as we are. He sent His Son to save each one of us.

And it occurs to me that God even loves the ones who don’t accept His gifts, including the most precious gift of His Son. He continues to invite each one to turn to Him. He never gives up. He never stops loving His children.

He calls me to do the same: never stop loving His children. 

Never give up on love. 

New respect for Santa!

I have SO MUCH RESPECT FOR SANTA!! How does he get all those gifts delivered?!?!?

Gene & I are clearly not Santa! Although I had already conceded that gifts to Arkansas & Arizona would be shipped late, it seemed reasonable to think we could swing by Stillwater yesterday to drop off a few gifts. Instead, I finally realized that it’s really not worth the rush for them or us. Kids enjoy gifts whenever they arrive! Right?!?!? We can plan to meet up later.

That turned out to be a key decision toward opening my heart to God’s messages for me this Christmas. We spent time visiting & delivering gifts to people closer to home & weren’t as rushed getting ready for the Christmas Eve communion & candlelight worship service. 

Although there’s more I could (& may) write about this year’s gift-giving, I’ll leave it at that for now!   

God’s perfect timing & message

It’s 10 p.m. December 24 & it’s finally beginning to look a little like Christmas at the Gilliland abode. 

I thought all I would have was the small lighted tree we got at an estate sale last year. Then Facebook reminded me again of “the little animals” — and I knew this Holy Night was perfect timing to get out the small Nativity set that holds memories of my Daddy. 

A gift of a Christmas ornament along with Pastor Stephen’s message during the Christmas Eve candlelight & communion worship service prompted me to display & enjoy a few more of my favorite decorations. 

Nothing fancy. Eight-year-old Pat might have done it better. Or maybe not. 

So maybe God is telling Pat (again!) at 65 it’s OK. It’s good enough. It was OK then & it’s OK now. God invites me to feel the joy of being me, loved & delighted in & accepted by Him, just as I am. 

#joytotheworld #ChristourSaviorisborn #christmaseve

December Friday the 13th

A good excuse to have fun with friends. I’m grateful I accepted the invitation. 

Gifts of compassion & love

Gifts of presence, support, encouragement, cheer. 

Praying & acting in faith. God works it all for good. 

Advent “gift exchange”

Started the first day of December & first Sunday of Advent exchanging despair for hope with Gene, Mom, Amy, Mike & much of Becky’s family at Whaley UMC. Then Gene & I went for a boat ride, giving the bass a day off! Next up was to join the mass of humanity going on I-35 north from Gainesville. We were doing fine until we had to stop for gas in Pauls Valley. A detour around backed up traffic took us through Maysville, a route we’ve taken before. Shortly after we got back on I-35 in Purcell, Waze sent us on another little detour — that unexpectedly included gravel roads! Nothing the Tundra couldn’t handle; we’re not as sure about some of the others in that line of cars. I’m grateful to be safely home in Norman after a full Thanksgiving weekend! I continually praise God, from Whom all blessings flow!

Help & help!

 I’m overwhelmed, even as I pray to be grateful for each step of faith & progress. And there’s a skunk under the farm house that seems to spray every day w/out provocation. I’m so tired of this odor! Today had many very enjoyable moments. Tonight, I’m tired & somewhat frustrated. I’m feeling effects of trying to do too much & not prioritizing self-care & recovery tools I need to use daily. It’s the last day of November. Dec. 1 is first day of Advent. I’m not ready & there’s nothing I can do about it right now. Let go & trust God, as I am also trying to do re sports team disappointment; eating more than ideal; prayers for Wes; whether to fish tomorrow afternoon. It’s almost midnight so I really must turn off phone. Let go whatever I didn’t do. Ask for forgiveness & help to do better. And keep praising God in all things. 

Breakfast: I’m grateful for each step of faith & progress. Got up & went to help w/ decorating at Whaley. Came home, walked, then washed hair. Will go to Muenster parade in a bit & then to Mom’s to watch Aggies game w/her & Amy & Gene. Sure would like Ags to win. Not sure I expect it. I pray to increase my focus on & faith in God as I am very distracted today. God please help me not get distracted by what to wear & who wins games. Help me to be an instrument of Your love & peace & grace & joy & help to those in need, to Your glory. I called Donna & she didn’t answer. I continue to pray for his healing, including for him to revive from the coma. Praising & trusting God. I also pray for God’s help w/my food. Help me be willing to make choices or seek support to not get lost in food instead of focus on people & acts of love & care. To God’s glory. 

Sleep (7ish): In bed about midnight. TP, small poo 4:30ish. Awake 7:11. Start writing 8:03. Want to go help at Whaley. I think Gene is pulling me to stay here. Sigh. I pray to know what God would have me do. I don’t want to be ruled by FOMO. Praying also still for Wes, fully believing God will restore him in a beautiful way on this earth. Lord’s Prayer. Serenity. Scripture. 

“In your relationships w/one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality w/God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

If you had access to all the luxuries you could dream of, would you voluntarily give them up? If you had riches beyond your wildest imagination, would you lay them all down for someone you love? That’s what Jesus did.

“He gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave & was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God & died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT

Jesus gave up His divine privileges, temporarily, so that He could be w/His people: so He could pay their debt & redeem them back to Himself. Because of that, God “elevated him to the place of highest honor & gave him the name above all other names.” (Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬ NLT‬‬)

If I consider myself a follower of Jesus, I am naturally called to follow Him; to reflect His love; to, daily, die to myself.

Tho the call to die to oneself can be literal in some cases, more often, it's symbolic. It means giving up what we want in favor of something that can have an eternal impact.

Maybe, instead of bingeing a TV show or scrolling social media, you visit someone in the hospital, take a meal to someone who’s hurting, or help a single parent.

Maybe, instead of rushing to get everything on your busy schedule finished, you take the time to read the Bible w/a child, befriend someone who’s lonely, or be present w/the people around you.

Maybe, instead of waiting for God to send opportunities my way, I seek out those who are desperate for Him—& help them see why He occupies the place of highest honor in my life.

The great news is, I’ve been empowered to do what Jesus did.

Thanksgiving Day 2024

I’m very grateful for steps of faith & progress. Awareness of my friends waiting in ICU for their son to wake from coma has deepened my focus on God & prayer & praise & thanks this Thanksgiving Day. I continue to pray & believe for a miracle. Please, God! I know God is working for good in this & all things. Meanwhile, I am very grateful that Gene & I could join family members at my Becky’s house since we weren’t able to go to Mar’s. The food was great & I had a wonderful day. I thank God for His mercy, love, grace & blessings. I pray to know & do His will; to act in faith; to trust Him w/ results; & to give Him all glory, honor, thanks & praise; today & always.

Earlier:  I’m grateful for each step of faith & progress. Thru prayer & faith, I was able to pack & be in truck by 9:30 w/out a panic attack or crying! Yay! Thank You, God! We are headed to farm then Becky’s. I’ve texted w/ Donna, to encourage her after she got news from doctors that was less hopeful than desired. Continue to pray for Wes. Trusting God w/ timing today & weekend, including when to go to McKinney. Let go & trust God this Thanksgiving Day & always!



On awakening: In bed 11:40ish? Alarmed by alarm 6:30; pray & intentional focus on praise until TP, start writing 6:35. Strange night. Didn’t seem like I slept, yet startled by alarm, maybe because it seemed like part of a dream. Less leg pain. Groggy; mild headache; itchy eyes. Is any of this from new supplement? I really need to get up. Help me Lord, I pray. I pray to know & do Your will; to keep my focus on & faith in You; to act in faith; to trust You w/results; & to give You all glory, honor, thanks & praise. Getting up 6:47. 

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭34‬ ‭NIV‬‬

For years, nothing in King David’s life looked “good.” His family underestimated him, giants despised him, & his father in law spent years trying to kill him. But the whole time, David clung to a promise that God would establish him & make him king of Israel. 

David never gave up or gave in—he stayed close to God & waited for Him to act. And when God acts, this is how David responds: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV Despite the pain David endured, he knew that even when life didn’t look good, he served his good God. 

This same God actively fights for us. Thru His Son, Jesus, He has given us continual access to Himself. We can never lose His unfailing love toward us—a love that endures forever, no matter what goes on around us.  

David recognized & proclaimed this. And every day, I have the opportunity to do the same thing. 

Here are 2 practical ways I can respond to God’s goodness & love: 

- Thank Him in Prayer. 

- Share My Story. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to honor God by “proclaiming our allegiance to his name” (Hebrews 13:15-16). What has God done for me? Where have I seen Him provide, protect, show up or show off thru my life? Look for natural opportunities to share what God is doing in me w/someone else. 

Right now, I reflect on my life & thank God for His eternal goodness. Nothing I have faced or will face is too much for the God who loves me & died for me. I bring Him my concerns, surrender my expectations & allow Him to reveal the evidence of His goodness in my life.

God, thank You for being unstoppable, unchangeable, all-powerful & incomparable. You alone are worthy of all my praise, honor & glory! Your love endures forever, & I am forever grateful for who You are. Thank You for making a way for me to know You personally. Nothing compares to You! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

So much for which to be thankful

Fortunately, many of my blessings are documented on Facebook, including the great #davisdonfamilythanks2024 gathering last weekend at Mike’s. And it’s not yet Thanksgiving Day! I’m grateful to be grateful every day9

Prayer for this Election Day

On this Election Day, I praise God for being in control. I pray to trust God with all my heart & to not rely on my own thinking & understanding. I pray to rejoice in all things; to lift up my concerns in prayer, in faith & with thanksgiving; to act in faith; to trust God with results; & to give God all glory, honor, thanks & praise. 

I don’t have to understand why friends support the candidate or party they support. And I don’t have to understand why God seems to be calling me to vote a different way. I choose to trust that God is in control & God is good & God is working for good. He wants me to act in faith & trust Him. I pray to be willing & able to do so. 

And I pray for this nation. I want to believe God is in control & working for good. I pray for the leaders & candidates & voters & election workers. I pray for unity & justice & peace & goodness & love to prevail. I know all good things are possible for & through God. I praise God for His faithfulness. I lift my prayers & praise in the name of His Son, my Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

For all the saints …

I remember & am grateful for the saints who have shared the love of God with me. I’m grateful for livestreams that allowed me to worship & remember even though I woke up feeling sick. I’m grateful to feel better now. 

Reuniting & reminiscing

The key to a high school reunion is to just enjoy being there. Period. 

Textbook example

A recent Bible lesson discussed the importance of having priorities & .. now I can’t remember.  

I just know that time I wasted yesterday made it hard for me to accept opportunities God gave me today. 

I decided to accept the opportunities & get further behind on a long list of things. 

Time will tell how this works out. 

(This was when I went to watch Madison cheer on Halloween night. It turned out wonderfully!)

Make the call

Will it ever get easier? It always seems hard.

Make the call. MAKE THE CALL! 

It’s always worth it. May I never give up. 

Should I stay or should I go?

That was the question Tuesday and again today, Thursday. Both times, I decided to go. And I am glad. 

Tuesday, it was Banks’ Stillwater football  team’s championship game in Mustang, which they won in overtime. 

Today — Halloween — it was Madison’s last pep rally & cheering for a home football game as an eighth-grader. She’s always great. 

I’m grateful to be able to travel & watch these youngsters & spend time with them & their families. I hope they know how much joy they bring to my life! 

Out of it!

Is this my theme for October? My first visit to the blog is Oct. 26. Wow. When I don’t post in a timely fashion, it seems I never get back to it. Maybe next week!

So long, September!

It’s been good. Lots to remember, even though I didn’t document much in words or photos. Seems I was overly tired — maybe still dragging after so much time on the road in August. 

I remain grateful for each day! Glory to God!

Anniversary 2024 — 42 years

I posted a few photos from 42 years ago & a few from today. Happy anniversary to us! No fishing or travel today; just simple pleasures of daily life. Exercise, walking, sunset. Dinner date at Victoria’s The Pasta Shop. And one surprise — Gene gave me a plant to replace the one that died when we abandoned it for 26 days last month!! Thanks everyone for the kind wishes!! #happyanniversary #everydaylove #lovedgratefulblessed

How sporting is that?

 I’m about to conclude I can’t care about the teams I want to care about. Because when I care, they crater. When I don’t follow them& pretend not to care — they have exciting walk-off wins!! I love it!  I may just settle for enjoying the games through the reactions of my friends on social media. #straightuptexas #samemaybetrueforaggies

Sweet start to September 2024

As I turn the page to September, 

I’m grateful to take time to remember 

Rich blessings of family, friendship and Spirit: 

Sweet music of life — To hear it! To share it!

After a month of travel that did not include church attendance, it was wonderful to worship God & receive Holy Communion with my Goodrich family & choir! The day ended with a gorgeous sunset during our walk. 

 #thatsthespirit #september #GloryToGod #majesty

August adventures

August on the road was quite an experience. I would have loved to sum it up with an end-of-month social media (& blog) post. Instead … placeholder for only me for now. 

Ideas for my BassmastHER story

I attended my second BassmastHER workshop Aug. 17 in Waddington, NY. I’m excited about this Bassmaster initiative that encourages women to follow & develop their passion for fishing. 

A little over a week later, experiencing some slow moments while fishing with my husband in Minnesota, I started to drag my BassmastHER story. 

Growing up, fishing was using a cane pole to toss a line with a bobber & a hooked worm hook into the farm pond & hope for a bite. It wasn’t a passion. It was just something to do.

At Texas A&M, I started dating someone who I quickly knew was serious about fishing. And not just any fishing. Gene’s passion was bass fishing. 

It’s interesting that as I write this, I don’t remember the first time we went fishing together. I don’t recall ever fishing together, taking the boat out from College Station. It’s likely my first boat trips with Gene were when we were both home for the summer in Cooke County. 

Just now asking Gene about it, I do recall perhaps fishing with him when he was in grad school at Oklahoma State. Or maybe we went fishing at a lake near Stillwater after we were married.  

…..

I have no inclination to be a tournament angler  I don’t really even desire to be able to go fishing by myself  my goal is to be proficient enough to take care of my own needs when fishing with Gene or another experienced angler. I’m far from that now, although I continue to get better.

To be continued …

After 26 days …

(Should have posted last night.) I can’t catch fish like these Mississippi headwaters smallmouth bass in Oklahoma, but it’s still good to be back home tonight after being on the road with Gene since Aug. 4! That’s our longest trip so far — 26 days. One of my houseplants may not survive our absence. Everything else looks fine so far. #lovetotravel #homesweethome #praisegodfortravelmercies 

The big stage — glory to God

In 2017, after I’d gone to a few Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments with Gene, I was doing some kind of Bible study or self-help program on goals or dreams. Things I’d do if I wasn’t afraid. I found a note today saying one of those dreams was to sing “The Anthem” on the “big stage” before a weigh-in. It just took me 9 years & a lot of trusting that God wants me to share my voice & love of singing! #thenitrained #america #inallthingsgivepraise

New York, New York!

I love visiting New York State. 

This year’s adventure took us to Cooperstown. 

Now we are in Plattsburgh. The Adirondacks. Beautiful views. Great food. And the professional anglers are catching a lot of bass. 

I spent a moment or two on center stage, singing the Star-Spangled Banner. I’m grateful I asked for & received that opportunity, to use a gift God gave me. I give God the glory. 

They don’t make them like they used to …

Although they don’t make refrigerators like they used to, I’m grateful we could buy a new one since the old one started acting up. Shopping was quite the experience. Delivery will be the next experience! Bring it on!

Happy bread

I love the pictures of happy bread slices my friend Carrie shared after we dropped some off for her & her mom. One of her friends noticed the blueberry smile. It makes me smile!! A happy thought to end July. #simplepleasures #sharedsmiles

Got the ring!

Yes, I also failed to post about getting my World Series ring as a fan of the 2023 champions Texas Rangers! It was a crazy pursuit. I wouldn't have done it had I realized some of what was involved. So I'm glad I didn't know! Was it worth it? Yes — In ways I don't think I can explain and I won't even try right now.

So far behind!

I can hardly believe I didn’t post about that delightful dinner party I co-hosted with Penny in Tulsa on July 8. I’m so grateful I said yes to this wonderful opportunity. 

Lost & found

Yesterday I started again to try to straighten up my very messy front room — to declutter. I’ve been praying for willingness & some finally came. 

My tendency is to move things around & regroup as needed. It’s a major struggle to actually let go of things I don’t really need. 

I know I will have to get rid of things if I want to have an organized space. I’ve learned that I should have a place for everything. In other words, there’s no reason for me to have more “stuff” than my home can accommodate. 

Yesterday, I decided to part with 2 beloved cat-motif pullovers & a button-front shirt, along with another pullover I kept thinking I should like — but the reality is that sweaters & sweatshirts & other tops that don’t button or zip in the front cause me to overheat, even when it’s very cold outside.  

I’d had these pieces set aside for awhile. I guess I was trying to become willing to part with them. I finally made the decision.

And almost immediately after I placed them with my items to donate & returned to the front room to continue decluttering, I found my wedding album & photos that I had not been able to locate since before our 40th anniversary — almost 2 years ago!

It was in a space where I thought it should be & where I know I had looked several times.

How does that work? 

I’m in a program that teaches that when we let go of what we no longer need, we make room for what is important. It encourages me to trust God to guide & provide what I need if I do the work of letting go of what I don’t need. I pray for willingness & ability & serenity & courage & wisdom. And I thank God for this evidence of what’s to come.

 

I thought of a topic

I thought of something to write about tonight & now I can’t remember, which is just as well, because I don’t have time. 

Yes — another way to spell PLACEHOLDER!

Did I write about

 The baseball double whammy? 

Will I ever learn?

How sweet it is …

This may becomw belated musings about a continuation of celebrating Gene’s birthday. 

Not helpless or hopeless

I’m struggling with the news that a precious loved one has metastatic cancer. Even before I knew that diagnosis, I was feeling strong negative emotions about cancer. Even though I am a person of faith & believe in prayer. Even though I know negative thoughts & feelings don’t help a situation. 

I’m amazed by & grateful for the positive outlook of the loved one. I’m grateful for others who help me see how it does no good to wish things were different. The best results come by keeping faith in God; accepting even painful, harsh realities; praying for & trusting God will meet every need & is working for good; acting in faith; & giving God glory, honor, thanks & praise. I pray for willingness & ability to do so, to God’s glory. 

Kitties on the walk

The kitties that come to greet Gene & me when we walk in our neighborhood give me a warm feeling similar to coming home & being greeted by beloved felines. I’m very aware that’s one of the things I miss since we don’t have a cat. I’m grateful for the Nala, Lucy Lou & Fluffy on our walk!!

Unrelated: I’m surprised I didn’t write anything about the deadly tornado that devastated areas south of Valley View on May 25, coming perilously close to where my niece & her family sheltered in a bathroom (or closet). I may be in a phase where it’s not my role to write about such things. I guess time will tell. 

Memorable or notable

Mother’s Day was memorable, so maybe that’s why I didn’t document it. Here’s a belated place holder. 

Time to share

I coulda shoulda written about our Branson trip. Instead, I’m just making a belated note, so maybe I’ll come back & write about it later. 

May be …

Step by step in April

There was much to be grateful for in April. 

I am grateful. 

Bucket list anthem!

It’s amazing I’m not posting about this until two days later. I finally got up the courage to volunteer to sing the Star-Spangled Banner at the Bassmaster Rlite Series takeoff on the St. Johns River at Palatka Riverfront in Florida! 

I sang it again Saturday (getting the OK at the very last minute, as the invocation was being given!), but was grateful to sleep in today (Sunday)! 

I’m grateful to friends old & new strangers for all the encouraging words. I always sing along with The Anthem anyway, but it still took more courage than I expected to volunteer & then be the one singing on the microphone in front of everyone!

I may add more to this later. 

What a waste!

(This was a draft file April 2 so I could write about Walmart delivery fail on that resulted in 6 or 7 bags of groceries, many of them perishable, left at our front door. I didn’t get back to it until now, so it shows up on April 17. I also see now that this could have been part of my April Fool’s post, as April 1 is likely the day the delivery happened!))

Eclipse

No more fear of missing out. 

Not my assignment. 

Pray that people pursuing the eclipse experiencing find what they are looking for & give glory to God. 

(And I ended up experiencing the eclipse with Gene anyway! Thank You, God!)

So glad God is everywhere!

I’m grateful God can be everywhere at once when there are 3 places I want to be & I can only be at one. I trust I was where He wanted me to be today. I’m grateful for safe travel to Tulsa & back, & precious time w/ Penny & her family & friends as we celebrated the life of Scotty. Also grateful to get a text from my newly wed niece & to see a picture. And church member Elaine’s COL was live-streamed so I will be able to share in that as well. I’m grateful to be home. May I never forget how God sustained me thru these busy days of caring & service, even as I’m aware He’s likely calling me to be more selective in my choices, in response to His guidance. I know I’m still very inclined to try to meet my own needs & desires before I’m willing to truly act on my thoughts of others. I may be making small steps of progress. I desire & pray to continue letting God transform me in this direction.

Lake redemption

A great day followed one in which little went right. So glad for that. 

No joke!

I forgot to post that my best April Fool’s joke was Wordle!!

1- s h a (r) e wormy truck truly rigid prior proof proud prowl murky drunk dirty crowd crown color brick 

2- p R O w l trout

3- r R O u t  rock crock?

i y d f g j k z x c v b n m 

(not irony groin, broom)

4- c R O c k  romy rony rody rofy rogy rojy rozy roxy rovy r roon 

i y d f j z x v b n

5- g R O o m  droid 

6- d R O i d 

XX - FROND ends streak 4-1-24 at 36.

Several friends thought it was a hard word. We thought it would have been good a week ago, on Palm Sunday! 

One friend commented: I laughed so hard at this word- if they had put that word up on that day, I might've guessed it FIRST!!

I responded that I might not have thought of it then either. It depends on whether I played Wordle before or after church!!!

Easter blessing

Since the choir didn’t sing for the 9 AM Easter service at Goodrich Memorial United Methodist Church, I volunteered to do a solo. One of the regular attendees has been asking me to sing “The Holy City,” so I decided to give it a try! 

I posted the video on Facebook & the responses were humbling, amazing. 

I posted in response to one: Thank you … God reminded me again during Lent & Holy Week the importance of sharing our gifts. And not comparing my gifts or opportunities to those of others. My part is to pray; act in faith; & trust God with the results.

Then I added a longer response to all, because I want to be clear it’s not about me: I’m saying thank you, graciously & humbly. But please know that all the glory goes to God. I never have any clue how it will go when I sing. I pray & do my best to respond in faith, & trust God whatever the outcome. Many of you have heard first-hand the times that the blessing came from being uplifted & supported & loved despite the bungled words & rhythms & pitches. 

I cannot even express how grateful I am when God is glorified through my simple willingness to trust Him, whatever the outcome. 

May we all be blessed by the love of our Risen Lord & Savior, today & always.

Happy Easter! Christ Is Risen! 

I’m more than what I do

I’m more than what I do. But I sure do feel better about myself when I get things done!

Maybe I’ll write more about this ….

I am what I am

I’m pretty sure I’ve addressed this before. It came back to mind this week. Where better to share it than on my neglected blog?

Written 3-26-24.

I am what I am. 

I’ve spent a lot of time — most of my life — trying to be someone or something else, for some/ many reasons thinking who & how I am is not enough or right. 

Despite lots of affirmation & love & encouragement from others — plus assurances of God’s love & that He created me to be as I am — I’ve kept comparing myself to others & trying to be more like them. I couldn’t shake the feelings that I was not only missing out on the wonderful things I saw others enjoying, but also that I was failing to make the most of opportunities I was given.

I’ve gone around feeling deep inside that I’m a huge disappointment to God, my family & the world. 

I want to hold fast to this new reality — I am what I am. Period.

(Don’t judge it. Just be with it.)

For this moment, I’m letting go & trusting God with this reality. 

Happy

Thank you to all my family & friends for the birthday greetings. I’ve been without good internet connection most of the day so it may be tomorrow before I can read each one. It’s also possible I will have to delete things from my phone before I can receive some video greetings I was sent. These pictures (shared on social media) include some of the day’s blessings, from sunrise to sunset! I’m surprised to realize this is the first time I fished & caught birthday bass! The desire to do so — plus attend a monthly lunch with kinfolk — made this day kinda hectic & long. It may have also put undue pressure on Gene, because I went 2 hours without catching. I had begun chatting with God about that (how to not be disappointed) when one finally bit & stayed hooked! I was relieved for both Gene & me! #birthdayblessings #birthdaybass #simplepleasures

Goodbye to something …

Today was the last day before my 65th birthday. I’m not sure what I think about that. So I just keep pausing to pray & say God loves me & I trust God & that’s what matters most. Love God; trust God; share God’s love with others; trust God with results; give God glory, honor, thanks & praise. 

29 days

It seems a little odd that nothing stood out as special this Leap Day 2024. It’s just another day, even though it only occurs every four years. I just have a feeling or intuition that I may have missed something!

Did I really not post Feb 14?

 I did not post Feb. 14, even though it was both Valentine’s Day & Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. And that’s OK!

Shoulda …(Remembering TK)

Shoulda posted this yesterday. Better late than never. A few words I shared on social media Tuesday after learning Toby Keith, 62, died Monday night from the ravages of his stomach cancer. …

So sad. 

I went through a surprising phase as one of TK’s Warriors. I have great memories of hooking up & hanging out with old & new friends attending Toby’s concerts. I guess I outgrew the fanatic stage but never lost my interest in & fascination with Toby. 

I love that he found strength to make a bit of a comeback before he passed. That could not have been easy. My heart goes out to his family, friends, colleagues & fans.

…

 … wow! That’s all!

Checking in or checking out?

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything here. It seemed like a good idea just to type a few words, to hold a place in case I think of something it would have been nice to document! 

Yes! That’s still how it’s going …

Halfway across the country

Sunsets & kitties are as delightful to behold in Florida as in Oklahoma!

Just one day …

 I just skipped one day of Wordle. That was enough for now. 

Puzzling or not …

 1-2-24 

Once again God is calling me to abstain from Wordle as an act of faith in God & my desire to know & do God’s will, to God’s glory. 

This seems to be calling me, just for today, at least for today, to give up puzzles — Wordle, Word Search, other little distractions I cling to for escape, avoidance, mindlessness. It’s a simple & tangible act of faith. Puzzles aren’t harmful in themselves but my clinging to them & doing them instead of more important things — & not trusting God to reveal to me the more important things — has clearly become an obstacle to positive change in my life. So, just for today, 1-2-24, I pray to let go of puzzles, including my Wordle streak, as an act of faith in God & my desire to know & do His will for my life.

1-3-24 I made it thru yesterday without playing Wordle. My current streak ended at 48 since I didn’t play. I’m grateful I could trust God to help me abstain & also abstain from & toss some newspaper puzzles. 

Today I want to play again. It’s 3:47 pm. I attended, read & shared in DDmed & CLA miracles meeting. I’ve transferred & deleted a lot of photos. I have a lot of packing to do. Is it OK to take a Wordle break? I guess I will find out …

 Here’s to the first day of 2024! No glorious sunrise, clouds, sunset or big bass photos, but how about those black-eyed peas?!? Happy New Year!

Enjoyed starting the day on the farm, then heading back to the other home in Norman. No resolutions. Just love, acceptance, peace, hope & gratitude.