123123 Goodbye, 2023

It is what it is. 

I’m grateful. 

How Does a Weary World Rejoice? Christmas Day

Love God. Make room for God. Trust God. Love people as God loves me. Give thanks & glory to God. 

“Since no one knows the day or the hour that the Son of God will return, then we ought to be ready to give God our best, lean not on our own understanding, and in all our ways trust God to direct our paths.” 

Christmas Eve 2023

 At peace & grateful. More to come maybe. 

Joy overcomes weariness

 I found something new today to make me weary: cold symptoms including a runny nose. But seeing this progression of sunset colors as I looked out the window while preparing dinner stirred up joy within me, even to just view it from my house instead of make a mad dash to the neighborhood lake to try to capture the reflection on the water!  By sharing pictures on social media, I can count them as inspired by yesterday’s Advent calendar prompt: connection. Meanwhile, today’s Advent prompt was to bake, cook or eat something that brings me delights. A biscuit, gravy & bacon did it for me! #howdoesawearyworldrejoice @sanctifiedart

Exchanging weariness for joy

 Today I tried this: Breathe deeply & pray. With every exhale, release something that makes you weary. With every inhale, ask God for something that brings you joy.

It helped transform my perspective about a long-delayed task from daunting & impossible to an opportunity to experience joy. 

#howdoesawearyworldrejoice #smallstepscount

How does a weary world rejoice?

How does a weary world rejoice? The answer seems to be: by trusting God to handle whatever it is that makes one weary. 

I’m doing a December/Advent calendar that has things to do for each day, with the theme How does a weary world rejoice? 

Today’s prompt: on a piece of paper, write down everything that makes you weary. Then rip the paper into small pieces as a way to release it all & offer it to God. 

I guess it’s my 12-step experience that makes me think I need to share it with another person before I release it to God. So, after I wrote my list, I sent a copy to a trusted friend before I tore it up. 

I knew this one was coming, & it hit the core of my wanting to hang on even to negative things! How will I know what I’m letting go of (or whether I’m making progress) if I don’t keep the list? This has really wracked my brain!! 

The good news is that making the list & tearing it up without keeping a copy didn’t  seem as daunting when I did it as when I first read about it a couple days ago or when I was thinking about it in bed this morning. That’s progress! I was able to realize if I think of something new or old that makes me weary, I can also write it down & tear it up, releasing it to God.

I deleted the sent texts containing the list after I tore up my paper. 

P.S. The first day was to write down everything that brings me joy & put it somewhere I’ll see it daily. That was a very good exercise as well. I’ve actually added to it!

Here I go again … gratefully!

I TRIED to talk myself out of posting anything to start December & Advent!!! And yet … despite how much I struggle with these, they end up being an important part of my spiritual experience. @sanctifiedart #howdoesawearyworldrejoice

More to come …

Strangely glad the month of thanksgiving is over

Yes, I’m strangely grateful the month of Thanksgiving is coming to an end. I made it to 28 days of posting something for which I was grateful. For various reasons, I didn’t post anything yesterday or today. 

I’m grateful for many things every day. I try to express thanks to God & others daily, sometimes on social media as well. I think I need to let my days of striving for daily posts to be over. Even as I write that, I’m tempted to run over to Facebook and share something to fill that space! God, please help me!! And thank you!

Month of thanksgiving Week 4

Thanksgiving & the weekend were great. Since then, I’ve been in a bit of a slump, not posting for #monthofthanksgiving yesterday or today.

I shared a memory yesterday of Kenneith & my duet on For the Beauty of the Earth, with the hashtag & no other words, so it doesn’t seem like it counts. Today I took pictures of French toast; beaver damage; & walking in sunshine. None of those seem adequate either. I prayed for guidance to do something for Giving Tuesday & nothing emerged. Is there something I could share or express gratitude for that would bless others? If nothing is revealed, I will let it go & trust God.  

Thanksgiving + 1

I try to focus on God, goodness & gratitude daily. And still there’s something extra-special about having a day set aside to give thanks to God & remember that we are blessed so that we can bless others. Today I was grateful for safe travel to the farm & then on to McKinney to dine with Gene’s sister & her son. That’s where I enjoyed the glorious sunset. Then, on the way back to the farm, a quick stop at Mom’s where I was surprised to also find the always entertaining Amy & Stormy (photos are possible later). As is often the case. words & photos are inadequate to express the fullness of my love & gratitude today & always. #monthofthanksgiving 

I’m grateful to finally go fishing — & catching — again with my guy! Which do you like better — the tiny double we ended with or the couple of bigguns we caught separately much earlier on this beautiful (& just a bit chilly) day. My big was 6; Gene’s was 5. We also caught a bunch that were barely bigger than the lure! Gene was ready to leave at 3 but I said let’s keep on fishing, which paid off with 3 or 4 more catches including our double. Obviously, I get more excited about many little fish than Gene does! I’m very grateful this could be part of my Thanksgiving weekend.  #monthofthanksgiving

Month of thanksgiving Week 3

I’ll claim this as the highlight for the week:

I’m grateful for this beautiful day when my husband could go fishing — & catching — with a friend. Although I hated not to fish on what might be the last decent opportunity anytime soon, I am grateful I could enjoy meeting up with friends & eating lunch in the sunshine. #monthofthanksgiving

My word(le)!

After 365 consecutive days of successfully solving Wordle, my streak came to a saucy … no; salty … no; savvy … no; sappy … no; saggy … NO! My streak ended when I couldn’t come up with SASSY in six tries (I started with SHARE). 

I was feeling led to let go of my daily Wordle that seemed to have shifted from a habit to an obsession that I spent time on when other things were more pressing. I wouldn’t let go while the streak was active. I’m not convinced I’ll let go now that it’s broken. Time will tell. Maybe I’ll set some boundaries such as a time limit or use it as a reward or incentive for completing more important tasks. . 

Month of thanksgiving Week 2

A highlight was Saturday at Mike’s new place on the farm. Angela & Laura & Jared & their kids came. Mom & all six of us kids had pictures made on the old porch steps. 

More may come … 

Month of thanksgiving Week1

More to come! 

Haha!

Texas Rangers are World Series Chsmps!

The Texas Rangers are World Series champions. I think Daddy would be happy. I’d love to know what he’d have to say about this team & these players. 

Watching with Daddy

Seeing a Facebook memory from 2012 & reading my comments when I shared it 4 years ago reminded me that I was thinking of Daddy last night as I watched the Texas Rangers, wondering if they could manage to win Game 3 of the World Series & take a 2-1 lead in the series. (They did!) 

The year he died, the Rangers had just lost, in heart-crushing fashion, their second consecutive World Series. The games, especially the ones leading up to the series, were often topics of discussion in those last weeks. 

In 2011, Oct. 30 became a day when sadness & celebration & bigger pictures all come together. It’s Becky’s birthday & also the day Daddy died. Somehow, that made last night’s improbable win against the Arizona Diamondbacks & so many “odds” especially gratifying. 

I know that when it comes to the World Series, individual games don’t matter much until that 4th game is won. It’s still important to enjoy each win & to be grateful when memories of precious loved ones are stirred. 

From 2019: This (a video of me singing The New 23rd (Psalm) was in my memories from seven years ago. My guess is I was thinking of my Daddy, who died about this time a year earlier (Oct. 30, 2011). I am proud to be a daughter of the Psalmist's son. Charles Baker DAVIDSON.

#everydayisagoodday

This good Sunday started with Gene home after a week away, then a worship with our Goodrich church family. After that we made a quick run to Texas, where we did more fishing than catching. My weather app said it was sunny. Hmmm. After just catching 1 hybrid (after covering up my Texas Rangers shirt, maybe because I was getting a little cold; certainly no one thought it brought bad luck into the boat!), I watched & waited for a spectacular sunset. Instead, it was beautifully subdued. The Texas Rangers win-or-go-home ALCS game was starting as we left the lake & headed to CiCi’s for pizza. 0-1. 1-1. 3-1 by time we got to Mom’s apartment, where she & Amy were watching the game. We left at 9 after a nice visit with Mom, Amy & Stormy, who loves me SO MEOWCH! Rangers shirt still covered & visor possibly lost somewhere along the way, I listened to the rest of the game on my phone. I think I screamed when Garcia hit the grand slam in the ninth! So here we go again. Game 7 is tomorrow. Nothing is predictable or guaranteed, in sports, fishing, weather forecasts or anything else. Gotta remember to just enjoy every moment. It’s easier to enjoy fishing even when I’m not catching than it is to enjoy sports when the good guys aren’t winning (& especially when they seem to be imploding). It’s so much more fun to win.

 I had decided to count this as a great day whether or not the Rangers won. And I’m going on the record as saying tomorrow is also a great day, no matter what! 

P.S. Truth be told, they still haven’t won anything. It comes down to one game! 

P.P.S. I’ll wait until tomorrow to decide: Do I wear my Rangers gear or not?!?!?  #everydayisagoodday 

Too soon to swoon

My most recent post wasn’t recent at all. It referenced baseball & the Texas Rangers’ end-of-season swoon. 

Now they are in the playoffs. They made it to the third game of the American League Championship Series without a loss, 7-0. Then they lost last night to the defending AL & World Series champs Houston Astros. Tonight the Rangers are continuing to struggle. I’m wearing my Rangers shirt & hat. I’m blogging. I’m going to try to do some productive tasks while I watch. I want to remember to enjoy this baseball team & this season, no matter how it wins. But I sure would like to see the Rangers’ bats get hot!

Real swoon

The real September swoon was my blogging output. 

Baseball’s Texas Rangers, who I tagged with my previous swoon headline, have been up & down since then. And that’s all I’ll write about that for now …

September swoon

 That would be Texas Rangers baseball. It started in August & has gotten worse now. More to come. Maybe. 

Belated anniversary placeholder

Low-key & good. 

As I turn the page …

As I turn the page to September 

I’m grateful to take time to remember 

Rich blessings of family, friendship & spirit. 

Sweet music of life: To heart it! To share it!

Today it included singing “Angels Among Us” at the celebration of life of a longtime church friend. 

Looking back. Looking forward. Hearing & sharing the rich & wonderful refrains. 

Am I? Hmmm …

Missing blue moons & sunsets

I’m missing getting good pictures of super blue moons & gorgeous sunsets. 

The choices we make. The choice I made today. 

Meanwhile, I’m trying to learn a (for me) difficult song I’ve been requested to sing TOMORROW MORNING! 

God, please help me! And thank You!

And so it continues!

Nothing!

Nothing!

Mom’s birthday, farm-girl experiment, blue moon, sunsets — and I blog nothing!

And it’s OK.

Yikes!

I haven’t blogged since Aug. 1. And I’m still not!

Safely

 Home! Traveling is nice & it’s always great to be safely home at the end. My plants didn’t even miss me! #sunset #sturgeonmoon

Last day of July

When I saw the Bassmaster Elite tournament scheduled for Lake St. Clair in Michigan, I knew I wanted to see this place Gene visits every year to fish with his buddies. From what I knew of our timeline, I saw no opportunity to fish. We didn’t even discuss it before we left Norman. Fortunately for me, I packed my fishing clothes just as practical gear to take on a trip. Thanks to Mark Zona — Gene & I got out on LSC with guide Neil Vande Biezen for 10 HOURS of smallmouth fishing fun today!! Caught my first Canadian smallie & made more great memories! We wrapped the day with perch for dinner at Benvenuto, another of Gene’s faves, plus an encore stop at Frosty Boy before hitting the road headed west into the sunset for the first leg of the trip home. #greatdayfishing #fishinglakestclair #lakestclair #northernsmallmouth #bucketlist #gratefulandblessed #glorytoGod 

A hint of what’s to come.

We had much nicer weather today for the Bassmaster Elite event on Lake St. Clair. Okie @lukepalmerfishing is the leader going into Championship Sunday. Gene & I went back to Sugarbush Tavern for Round 2 of delicious fried perch. Then we found a nice little ice cream place that included a sugar-free version for me! Someday maybe I’ll catch up on posting trip notes, sunrises, sunsets & other daily delights. (I won’t elaborate on 2 big problems holding me back except for days like yesterday & today when I just can’t resist posting!)

Wordle in 1

Wordle 767 1/6

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Woo hoo!! 

Yay! Yay! Yay!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

In response to congratulations & other comments: 

It’s definitely been one of my go-to words. I’m glad the timing worked that I went to it today!

I never had a set starting word. Mine’s more like a pool of possible starters. Today’s word is no longer in the pool. I have plenty of others to choose from, plus sometimes my morning reading prompts me to go with something completely different! That’s part of the fun for me. And it made it even more fun to get lucky today.

Lost & found. Whew!

As we were walking to the parking garage after checking out of our hotel this morning, when I was checking to make sure I had my phone, I noticed I was not wearing my wedding band, which should have been inside 2 other rings!! I don’t ever take it off any more, at least not intentionally. We hurried back to the front desk & they gave us a room key. The ring was on the nightstand. I guess for the first time in years, I grabbed it when I took off the other two. I’m just so glad I noticed it was missing before we had headed on down the road. It’s been a while, but this wasn’t my first experience of losing a wedding ring while traveling. Fortunately, I was able to find the ring both times.

Chasing sunsets

People who follow me on Facebook and Instagram know that I love to see and photograph sunsets. They encourage me. I appreciate their encouragement.

I'm also aware that I too often take good things to extremes. I just need to express that I'm trying to make sure I put God first. 

If in the midst of my day I see a beautiful sunrise or sunset or rainbow or some other wonder of nature, I will praise God. Sometimes I will be in a position to take a photograph and share it with others.

I want to be willing to be OK with not seeing every beautiful sunset for myself.

I want to not be jealous when I see pictures taken by others of sunsets or sunrises I missed. May I just be grateful for their experience and sharing!

I'm in a program that encourages me to make changes in my habits so that I can have an organized life with leisure time. That's my goal: To be able to take care of chores and responsibilities efficiently so that I can fully enjoy the beauty of leisure moments.

I am grateful to know there also are many, many moments of beauty while tending to the chores and responsibilities, if only I will keep my eyes, heart, mind and spirit open to see them.

Alarming

I’m grateful I’ve become willing to regularly set my alarm for 6:45 or 7AM so we can walk before it gets too hot. I’m seeing this also has other benefits that I may write more about here.

Freedom from the bondage of self-doubt

It’s worth celebrating with a parade. And so I did! And Gene joined me!

I’m surprised I never did this before!

Not following through

July is off to a bit of a rough start. I keep having good ideas & talking myself out of them. 

I’m praying for willingness & ability to accept that what I did today was enough & is laying a foundation for more productive action ahead. 

And I’m praying for willingness & ability to do more tomorrow. 

Just wow!

I haven’t done much of anything on this blog lately!

And that’s not changing today!

A turn of luck

When I made a rookie mistake while playing Wordle hours before I’m usually even awake, “my lucky day” wasn’t among my thoughts. But after that early start got us to the lake where I caught half a dozen fish — including a 7.7-pounder— I was very pleased with my day. To top it off, when I checked social media after fishing, I saw that my Wordle was pretty lucky too! #gooddayfishing #luckyday #bassfishing #wordle 

Meanwhile, from before sunrise to after sunset, the sky kept catching my eye & I couldn’t resist taking pictures. I shared a few on social media, along with some of my favorite people on earth — my Mom & Gene!! #sunrise #sunset #clouds

What was I thinking?

I had something in mind to write about. It’s gone from my mind now. I’ll have this space waiting if I remember!

Jazzy start to June!

I started this new month by extending my Wordle streak to 200, thanks to finally solving today’s puzzle by submitting “jazzy” on my 6th & last try. 

Then I walked around the lake & did some other acts of self-care & service. 

I weathered a 2-hour power outage & ended the day with more self-care in anticipation of my husband’s return from an overnight trip. 

I’m very grateful for each step of faith & progress — as well as steps of fun & leisure, such as Wordle. 

a-MAY-zing

Dare I say? 

Yes! Another place holder. Just in case.

Texas my Texas

 My heart is in Texas. My heart is at home is Texas. It’s time for my residence to be there too. 

A day like no other?

UPDATE: To top it off, after I stayed up to make the post on social media last night, it showed up on Instagram but not Facebook. So whatever my hope was for taking the time to post, it was mostly for naught. Yes, that’s the kind of day it was!

———

Highlights of today’s fishing trip included catching some good ones! I boated 8 — and probably hooked that many more that I failed to land. At least 3 that I found & lost using a Booyah Poppin’ Pad Crasher, I was able to catch when I tried again with a pink worm. So that was fun. As usual, Gene caught twice as many or more than me, & a bunch if not all of his were bigger than mine, but not enough bigger that he wanted pictures. 

Meanwhile, this trip also included notable lowlights (without pictures). Before I caught a single fish, one of my trusted rod, reel & chatterbait  combos slipped out of my hands & into the lake — and I was too stunned & didn’t react fast enough to grab it before it sank. We tried unsuccessfully (so far) to retrieve it. Catchin’ all those fish took away the sting. So by the time I fell backwards into the lake at the ramp as I was trying to help while Gene was loading the boat onto the trailer, all I could do was laugh. Fortunately, my iPhone & watch seem no worse for getting a quick bath. I was also glad to have some dry clothes to replace most of the soaked ones. #adventuresinfishing 

May Day! Mayday!

It’s May 16. I thought sure I had already made a post for May! Nope! And this still really isn’t one. It was intended as a placeholder for a belated Mother’s Day post after I reviewed my first entry for the month. Haha!! It’s all good. I do hope to write a few words soon about a great Mother’s Day weekend with my Mom coming to visit in Oklahoma. 

No regrets

I thought I would be blogging about being ok with not getting to visit my old stomping ground in last week’s trip to Temple, Texas. 

Instead, I did find a small window of time to make a loop from the hotel to the Temple Daily Telegram, past the VA center, Temple College & mall & around to Magnolia Square Apartments, which I thought were long gone but were still there, looking much as they did 41 years ago from the outside. 

I didn’t see bluebonnets in town nor did I connect with any old friends. 

I did try to take pictures of a few bluebonnets spotted along the interstate as we cruised by. 

Speaking of flowers, it was hard to leave my irises at home while we gone. When we returned, it was cool to see that every bud (or shoot or whatever they are) appeared to have bloomed. I regret not cutting more to bring back when we stopped at the farm on our way home. 

Actually, I don’t regret not cutting more. It was a decision I stand by, as I’m comfortable with my decision not to go back outside after our pre-sunset walk to see if the sky showed a brilliant display of color. It’s OK to miss beautiful things. I don’t have to experience every beautiful thing I’m aware of. I want to appreciate the goodness & beauty & opportunities that come my way. I want to be selective about going out of my way in pursuit of these things. This thought brings me peace tonight. 

Easter follow up

It was a good decision to stay in Norman on Easter. I relaxed that day & was refreshed to visit & deliver lilies to Jerrie & Gil on Monday & to Ann on Tuesday. It led to thoughtful & meaningful decisions about choices later in the week. I am grateful for each step of faith & progress. 

Easter 2023

I love that we sang my 3 favorite Easter hymns to celebrate the Risen Christ! “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” “Up From the Grave He Arose” & “He Lives.” Plus two anthems, with one also at the early service with Communion.  Pastor Stephen’s sermon was a message of grace & hope I needed to hear. I think a quiet rest of the day at home was also what I needed, although I’ve had some doubts as I’m still up past 11 & it could well be midnight before I get in bed. I trust in the love & power & life of the Risen Lord! Alleluia. 

Holy Saturday reflections

 I’m sitting in the sunshine on a cloudless afternoon, the Saturday before Easter. Reading Holy Week Scripture. Hearing God tell me He loves me & accepts me just as I am. 

He knows I am regretting my choices that led me to not attend the church Easter egg hunt today (& the Good Friday worship service last night). My fear of missing out is real, & it intensified when I saw how pretty the day is & read that about 150 people attended.  

He wants me to trust Him & to trust my ability He has given me to make decisions. Sometimes my decisions will cause or allow me to learn & grow — such as today when I recognized feeling a sense of sadness & loss from missing out on the church event; & letting God lead me to see it’s OK to miss out & feel sad, disappointed & then to consider that it is in fact good for me to feel those things as I spend time alone with God today in my house as well as in the sunshine in my backyard. 

God is well aware of & I thank Him for helping me see my tendency to make choices based on fear of missing out, & how that often ends up with me being places but not fully present; staying on the fringes, superficial, rather than taking time & effort to engage & experience & interact. 

He’s telling me it’s ok if I need more time alone w/Him than I think I should to get spiritually set for true worship & service. 

I thank Him, as a welcome breeze helps me sense His presence & receive His spirit. 

That was after reading this: 

“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world &  go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. … Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power & that he had come from God & was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing & wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he … began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them w/the towel that was wrapped around him. … Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, tho  not every one of you.” … When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes & returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ &  ‘Lord,’ & rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord & Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John‬ ‭13:1-17‬ 

““Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After 3 days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come & steal the body & tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went & made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone & posting the guard.” Matthew‬ ‭27:63-66‬

They were so ready for this Jesus distraction to be over!  But God’s plan would not be thwarted. 

In some strange way it is good for me to feel alone & confused this quiet, Holy Saturday. Continuing to rejoice & praise & have faith in God. Waiting & watching. The waiting includes praying to know & do what God would have me know & do in the meantime & always. 

——

Now what? I don’t want to read ahead to Sunday & Monday. Put away breakfast dishes? Do core exercises? Shower? Wash hair? Eat dinner? Vacuum? Slice bread? Buy groceries? Inhale. Exhale. Listen to the birds. Trust that God will guide me & empower & equip me to follow where He leads. 

No foolin’

I forgot to post on April 1! 

Or did I run out of time? I think that’s what happened, after we left Norman at 7:30 to go fishing & didn’t get home until about 10:30. And I wanted to get a good night of rest before Palm Sunday worship. 

As I posted on social media, it was a good day. In addition to catching some fish, I went to Brandi’s to pick up the chicken spaghetti I ordered from Whaley. While at Brandi’s, I ordered makeup to support Madison’s cheer fundraiser & I hugged (bugged) Madison, Aiden & Lane. Then I visited Mom. 

It was a long day & I was very tired Sunday night. I’m still very grateful I took advantage of one calm, warm day amid a string of windy, rainy forecasts to enjoy fishing with my love.  

Classic!

More to come … 

(Or not!)

Belated birthday notes

It’s certainly not a bad thing when I forget to post my Facebook entry about my birthday in a timely fashion here as well. It’s a sign of progress that it’s no big deal to be catching up three days later!!

Thank you to everyone who reached out to wish me a happy birthday. It’s been a beautiful, blessed, refreshing & delightful day. Gene went above & beyond to find beautiful yellow roses, then he traipsed through Bricktown & Scissortail Park with me, on an afternoon that started close to 80 degrees & windy & was much, much cooler (& still windy) by time we went to an early dinner at Cheever’s. We didn’t make it to a lake for fishing; instead, we stopped at Bass Pro to stock up on crank baits, frogs, jerkbaits, jig heads & other fine tackle! I’m more than happy to let Gene use as much of it as he wants!! 🤣🎣❤️

Fresh scoops from Braum’s were a sweet ending to our day. I thank God for Gene & my family & friends. I am richly blessed. I pray my life can spread God’s light & love to others as so many have shared with me. #birthdayblessings #birthdayroses #yellowroses

Keep marching

The doom & gloom of March 1 faded as all of those commitments worked out fine. 

Now it’s Sunday, March 5. I read the previous post as I checked to see if I had posted anything this month, thinking I hadn’t. Interestingly, tonight I’m again having doubts about choices of today & yesterday. It’s good to be reminded that despite my second-guessing & faltering faith earlier this week, everything worked out fine. I think God wants me to have faith I can continue to trust Him to work for good, just not necessarily on my timetable. I pray to be willing & able. 

March

Help me, Lord!!

I thought I had turned a corner toward a brighter future. 

Now I’m back in the too-familiar old dilemma, surrounded by chaos & unfinished tasks after offering gifts of presence & encouragement to others.

What happened? I quit weighing my choices & priorities against my values & goals. I took on too much & didn’t think things through as I decided what to let go. I lost focus & started surfing — wasting time on less important things. 

What now? Continue to pray. Confess my mistake & the mess it caused. Accept God’s grace & forgiveness & extend the same to myself. Acknowledge a step back. A slip doesn’t have to become a relapse. With God’s help, I can pause, pray, trust, obey, breathe, rest & give thanks as my life marches on. 

Crazy days

While walking with my husband on Monday, I was startled to realize why the timing of this week seemed so confusing. For perhaps the first time in my life, I forgot that February has 28 days. I kept trying, without success, to squeeze the 29th & 30th in before Wednesday, March 1.

I shared about it on social media.

Random thoughts on the last day of February 2023: 

I’m fascinated by how my wool dryer balls work their way into sweater sleeves & pant legs. 

Also, until Sunday, I couldn’t wrap my brain around the idea that Sunday was the 26th & Thursday is March 2. What about the 29th & 30th? As I near the end of my 63rd year on this earth, I think that’s the first time I forgot February only has 28 days! No complaints from me. It’s been a good month. March will be good too.

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

Trusting God in the complexity of life

Life. Ups. Downs. Making sense of it is often hard for me. 

I posted this on social media: 

Even for someone without a job, it was nice to have two days to celebrate the start of the new year. Yesterday we went to church & fished; today we walked, watched football & did things around the house — and ate more black-eyed peas for good measure. 

I deleted this part: 

Tragically, a holiday weekend with great college football games ends with the suspension of the Buffalo/Cincinnati NFL game after Bills player Demar Hamlin collapsed after a hit & is hospitalized in critical condition, fighting for his life. 

It just didn’t seem right to tag that on a photo with Gene & I happy & smiling. 

Then I added this:  I do realize this black-eyed peas won’t do me much good if I don’t get busy working toward goals. Starting tomorrow! 😂 #newyear #goals

Lots of things seem complicated right now. Several of the messages I’ve sent have not received responses. I’m not prepared to pack for Florida. I’m not staying true to disciplines that keep me healthy. I’m not standing up for my needs & honoring my priorities. 

Pause. Pray. As anxiety grows, God reminds me: What He asks, He can always deliver. When He says, “Do not be anxious,” I can be confident that He’s got a way for joy & thanksgiving to replace my fear & worry. It is up to me to ask & receive His grace for the moment. And so I ask, in faith & w/thanks, to know & do Your will, to trust & obey & to give You all glory, honor, thanks & praise. 

Starting the year right

I was blessed to start the year with a few of my favorite things! Gene & I traveled to Gainesville to worship at Whaley with Mom & other family members, stopping beforehand at the farm to pick up the boat so we could head to the lake right after church. After getting the bass to bite a couple of chatterbaits & a few other lures, we headed to Lindsay for BBQ & black-eyed peas! A colorful sunset ended the daylight as we headed back to Norman. #startingtheyearright #newyear2023 #worshippingGod #bassfishing #favoritethings #sunset