Ash Wednesday 2023

I didn’t attend an Ash Wednesday worship service in person or online, due to a busy travel schedule. I did start a Lenten Bible plan on the Bible App & read the first devotional in the series being presented by Goodrich UMC. I am grateful for both. I pray & trust God to lead me where I need to be. I am grateful for God’s mercy, love, grace & forgiveness. May I never stop seeking Him & praying, humbly & gratefully, for Him to use me as He wills, to His glory.  

More Wordle wonders

 Wordle 597 1/6

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

The New York Times made me cheat!

I forgot to share this little Wordle story from Monday, Feb. 6:

I solved Wordle on the fifth try. 

“When I prepared to share my results, it showed my streak at 1. That was WRONG! It should be 85. So it wanted me to log in, which it never asks me to do. So I logged in, ready to share my results. Instead, it gave me a blank puzzle. WHAT?!?!?

“It’s probably the only time I’ll ever solve Wordle in the first try & I’m fine with that!!”

This, of course, drew some interest from my friends, & I was prepared & willing to explain. 

”Tricked me into cheating might be more accurate. … 

“I solved Wordle on the fifth try. 

“When I prepared to share my results, it showed my streak at 1. That was WRONG! It should be 85. So it wanted me to log in, which it never asks me to do. I had to reset my password. So I logged in & was ready to share my results. Instead, it gave me a blank puzzle. What?!?!? 

“So what the heck! I typed in the right answer & it showed my correct streak, with just a minor error in my guess distribution.” “ ❤️😂😊”

I admit I actually thought about typing in my original guesses, which I remembered. Then I decided there was no good reason not to take the opportunity I was given!! 😊

Wordle wonders

Facebook memories alerted me to the fact that I got lured into the Wordle game a year ago & have been hooked ever since!! It’s mostly a fun little exercise before checking in on social media. Except when it’s aggravating & annoying!! 😹😹 #wordle

I’ve played 366 times, with a 98 win percentage, current streak 80 & max streak 115. 

10 years without a kitty

Facebook reminded me two days ago — Jan. 29 — that I’ve been a cat person without a cat for 10 years. I didn’t cry this time. I don’t know whether that’s a sign of healing or reluctance to let the floodgate open. Last year I shed many tears as I looked at pictures of my sweet girl Bridget. 

Among things I’m aware of this year as I’ve entered a recovery program for my clutter addiction is that my clutter addiction is a contributing factor to why I don’t have a kitty. That is a positive realization for me that I pray will help me continue to take necessary steps, with the help of my 12-step program, to change my ways of thinking & acting in regards to possessions, among many other things. 

Grateful even when

I’m grateful for sunrises & sunsets even when I don’t take & share pictures. 

I’m grateful for each step of faith & progress even when I don’t write about it. 

I guess that’s all for now. 

Giving it all to God

Today I shared a video on Facebook with this explanation: 

The only reason I’m posting a video where I make this many mistakes singing is that God is good ALL THE TIME! Great is His mercy, love, grace & faithfulness. I prayed for guidance on what to sing on a worship theme of “prayer,” & Tauren Wells’ “When We Pray” is where I felt God led me — far from my comfort zone. I knew it would challenge me. I practiced a lot (& kept praying) & was able to sing the words & melody correctly at home many times. Why was it so much harder singing live for the early worship crowd?!?!? Not too long ago, I would be in tears over this. By the grace of God & His people at Goodrich & beyond, I can keep smiling & singing & giving thanks & praise! (Fortunately, I had the forethought to have the words projected on the screen. They didn’t help me but at least the congregation could see what I was trying to say!! 😂🎶❤️🙏👍) 

It was a leap of faith. I’m grateful I trusted God & took it. There is more to this story, perhaps for another day. 

Adventures in travel, with prayers for those left in a bind

Our day did not go as planned, and Gene & I landed back in Norman, minus one checked bag, instead of in Fort Myers, Fla., after spending most of the day at DFW. 

So many little twists & turns I could share & maybe will someday. Overall, I am extremely grateful we had options & flexibility & it was mostly a trip of opportunity for pleasure. And we were together. 

It was nothing like the people who missed family gatherings & highly anticipated events over the holidays, or what these Oklahoma State University musicians worked so hard for & missed when their flight from Dallas to Florida, like ours, was cancelled today. Even with a couple of musical instruments still in transit, these students remained calm & upbeat. 

My prayers & best wishes are with all who were caught in the travel disruption today. 

#adventuresintravel #safelyhome #noessentialsincheckedbag