Dear friends, due to time constraints and preparations for my surgery, I’ve turned off comments. Thank you for your prayers and support. In a world filled with so much devastation and division, my life is small. My worries are small compared to our huge globe. Remember though, that to someone YOU are the world. I hold you all in my heart.
Thank you for your understanding as I begin a hiatus of healing.
Time, change, travel, and cancer…they all seem “petrifying” sometimes; just like the wood, millions of years old. Some moments resemble deprivation of oxygen. Compression or burial in the ashes of burned bridges. With time and miracles, minerals such as love, grace, and faith, can form gems. Years later, what seems like “old wood” will be a treasure. If the light hits right, immeasurable and unique beauty might be seen.
Petrified or glorified? What will life’s pressure reveal in you?
Stunned doesn’t fully describe my shock the day before our departure. My friends, a.k.a. the “Canyon Crew”, surprised me with Flannel with Faith stickers and matching t-shirts. Tears formed and fell. Their kindness overwhelmed me. In many ways, I felt (and still do) like I stood outside of myself, observing a stranger. The open road waited. Zeb, a stuffed zebra provided by the Canyon Crew, was posed for an adventure.
Zeb checking out the sunset at Snow Ball
Early the next morning the zebra-striped cargo carrier was loaded and locked! For the crew working full-time, this was more than a holiday or break. It was a breather from the backbreaking busy. Perhaps a pilgrimage of sorts for me. Along the journey, there were exquisite stops (including family each way). Our “home away from home” sat in the valley of the San Francisco Peaks. We visited many National Parks and/or monuments-Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon, Walnut Canyon National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Wupatki, National Monument, Oak Creek Canyon, Meteor Crater, and the Coconino National Forest (the Canyon Crew can attest I loved my Coconino Mocha in Flagstaff—yummy!). The Lowell Observatory was a gift! Saturn and many constellations were viewed on our last night (P.S.- I’m STILL going through pictures).
My crew “stuck” me around in cool places–K.L. Hale
Plateau of Preparation
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV
At times, my own tectonic plates shifted during the adventure. The unsteady ground tried to rattle my respite. Intense winds whipped. My friends kept me grounded. The cool air, history, landscapes, and experiences were that of dreams. In a tight group of friends who loved me, I felt so alone. Not because of them, they did EVERYTHING to make this trip GRAND. Gazing at the plateaus, kicking the dust of the red dirt trails, I’d ask God for strength. Give me stamina to seize the synergy. Each morning during my quiet time, I’d ask God for relief and understanding. He reminded me that with HIM, I’m not alone. And that without him, my life resembles erosion- decomposition, decay, and disintegration. My body kept up the steps-divine strength in the making. Since my return, my recovery has been riddled with reasonable doubts. Nights of little sleep, backaches, and confusion. If I’m going to fall again, I need to land on faith. NOW is not the time to doubt. NOT NOW.
“You’re the same, Karla. But what I’m taking you through is what I’ve prepared for you for many, many years. Don’t forget to give me praise even through processing pain.”
“Yes, God, I hear you.”
Grand Canyon-pic courtesy-me
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV
Holy Chapel of the Cross-pic courtesy-Kim Elrod
My arms typically spend much time wide open (especially if the “kids” or grandkids are near ;-). Lately, they’ve been clutched. One night, my emotions just broke. Surely I could make the Colorado flow even more! Adrenaline had been a better friend than me. It was as if the weight of a huge SW stone from the last 18 months, years and counting, had suddenly smashed me (think of me as the Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote hurling a bulky and burdensome boulder). Being the center of attention is very difficult. That’s why this cancer journey has been so difficult for me. It’s a level of vulnerability that is like no other. Particularly if you’re single. It makes me even weirder. A new road is waiting to be traveled. Surgery is scheduled for Nov. 1st. As I prepare to leave next Tuesday, I’m reminded of the bottom of the canyon; for it was there my best growth in life occurred.
Thank you for climbing this mountain with me.
To my family, you mean the world to me and more. You are my reason for staying strong.
To my Canyon Crew: I’m forever grateful for our bucket list trip.
“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.”
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Friends, do you know how loved you are? When you feel unlovable, untouchable, or downright, hard as stone, remember you are loved. No matter what. I’ll see you on the other side of recovery. I love you.
Have faith 💛
Walnut Meet Charley and Jessica–Our friends who hiked the North to South Rim! They are an inspiration to me!
Pics are courtesy of various Canyon Crew friends and me. All locations are mentioned in the post. Days could be spent sharing the history and significance of each place; my apologies for not sharing more! Have you visited these before? May God give you peace, healing, and love. Even in the mundane, you can grow like a flower in the desert or a tree in the ashes.
