It is bitterly cold here in the Deep South – though I live about 40 minutes away from the icing problems in my state – and I am blessed that we have had no weather related power problems or anything. This spoonie body goes crazy with cold like this and I am profoundly grateful to be snoodled inside with cozies on and heat turned up.
What did we get? Some unexpected and absolutely beautiful big fluffy snowflakes that lasted for hours through the morning yesterday. Happy Shrove Tuesday to us. ❤
We are praying for the people of Texas and other states who are not equipped for the kind of cold and snow that has hit them – we wouldn’t be either – and are struggling so with weather conditions and the power infrastructure.
Now it is early Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, one of the holiest and most beautiful seasons of the church year.
Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return. . .
Like everything else, Ash Wednesday looks a bit different right now with COVID – but that’s okay too. Our plans are to participate in the drive through ashes at our church and then the online Ash Wednesday service this evening.
As for Lent, here on the blog, we will be observing in a few ways.
I love these Scriptures for Lent in our home this year – and so I will be posting them here as well, hopefully with a short thought at least each day.
I also wanted to share these lovely words I came across from Pope Francis, as we all enter into this Lenten season, perhaps more weary than usual.
And, finally, an idea that I just love, that I will be participating in – as one way I plan to reduce excess this Lent and also to give, that I wanted to share:
However you choose to observe to Lent, remember keep the spirit of it close to your heart. As today’s verse says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8
As the name of today’s posts suggests, it is also a day of celebration here on the blog as my devotional book is out on Kindle today and I am so so grateful. ❤
Actually getting to see it is just amazing.
Thank you, Lord. I pray it is helpful to my readers. ❤
Be well, everybody. Take care of yourselves and each other.
Grace and Blessings.
the autoimmune hippie. 
Congratulations on the release of your devotional book! I am new to your blog, but as soon as I saw a fellow spoonie, I knew that I needed to stop by and say hello.
It has been interesting seeing the different approaches to Ash Wednesday in a world of COVID. In our parish the priest sprinkled the ashes over our heads, I also saw a church that distributed individual baggies of ashes for parishioners to self-apply. I applaud the adaptability, but it just affirms how strange of times that we are living in.
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Welcome! It’s so nice to meet you!
It has been a wild ride for sure this year. I would add that we also had online lessons as to how to make your own ashes to use for online service if you preferred – and I watched as our minister is fabulous – but I was afraid I would burn the house down. 😂🙌🏻😂
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I am genuinely intrigued on how you were instructed to make your own ashes. It seems like it should be straightforward, but I feel like there has to be something more to it, to make them more special than any regular ash?
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She did it with oil and palm leaves. 🖤
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