Seven beautiful people were tragically killed in a plane crash on Friday afternoon: Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband, Jason, and daughter and son-in-law, Amber Nelon Kister and Nathan Kistler, Assistant Melodie Hodges, pilot Larry Haylie and his wife, Melissa. They were traveling to join the Gaither’s Alaskan Cruise.
Surviving daughter, Autumn Nelon Streetman, and husband, Jamie thank people for their prayers and support for them, their soon-to-be-born baby boy, and Jason’s parents.https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna163931
May we all honor and remember their beautiful music (I’ve listened to them for many years).
In honoring this gifted family, we can pay tribute to those in our lives that have journeyed home~and those that remain in our immediate midst.
The brevity of life braces us for the brutal, breathless, breathtaking, and brilliant.
The smell of the cinder blocks and school floor wax, mixed with heat looming in the halls, transported me to high school. The humidity soared that summer day. Demeanors were dampened as a result of a huge turnover. Many of us would be hired that scorching season. Sweat and stickiness stuck to the interview chair. “You’re in the hot seat,” an interviewer blurted.
“What would you do if you had X amount of discretionary funds?” With all eyes on me, I replied, “Use it for air conditioning.” Theirrecycled conversations about cooling costs weren’t on my radar. The group of ten interviewers burst into laughter (including the superintendent, members of the school board, a parent, and several teachers).
Cool changes were in the air.
Fast forward nearly two decades and reflective insulation cooled my hot R.V. Primitive living requires preparation without promises. Now I’m spoiled. Technology has provided instant relief. Up or down. On or off. Little effort on my part is required. I’m living in luxury with regulated temperatures. ButOUT THERE, how do I create a cool change? How can the humidity of hurriedness be handled? Will I allow sweltering symptoms to suffocate? Which conditioning can cool the blaze of blame? Or the perspiring positions, clammy climates, and soggy spirits?
From the outside I look fine–I’m as sweaty as the next SW MO human. Inside, heat builds at time. A new situation, symptom, or circumstance. Pressure building from expectations, a tidal wave of texts, or excessive heat of emails. Different seasons require new adjustments.
I can only adjust me.
Change is inevitable. Being TOO comfortable causes complacency. Rather than question God I’ll use season changes to adjust my attitude. Prayer will be persistent–the indwelling of the Spirit is my stable solace. Christ makes all changes …cool.When seasons change, so must I.
Have you heard of NET, yet?🦓
There are many friends suffering (my prayer list is long). There are many who are enjoying life to its fullest despite pain, and some with pure joy and great blessings! Often I’m asked how I’m doing. There are things I choose not to share because the physical side effects are personal. You are all so precious to ask! Here is my update: most days I have some pain in my neck, back, and sometimes, hip. But don’t we all? My surgery gave me relief from the severe pain of the growing largest tumors. Surgery gives me more time for life and experiences! Yet, it has issues. Recently I had a virus (perhaps Covid? I never tested, but I did cancel a treatment due to fever and achiness–I think it’s going around!). Sleep is difficult. But I try hard to stay as active as possible. Digestion is always an issue. I never know how my stomach will settle after I eat. My teeth and jaw hurt so I MUST find a dentist. My dear friend Judy told me two years ago, “Don’t let your teeth go!” She experienced firsthand the effects of chemo and radiation. My calves swell, my heart palpitates at times, and my mouth burns. I wasn’t prepared for a marathon in THIS way. Sugar issues, continued injections, conversations between different doctors about varying opinions continue. I’ll go back to Maryland at the end of October or beginning of November. The cancer NOT spreading back to the liver from the lymph nodes is one concern–but the other issues create layers that go beyond just this. What doesn’t change right now? MY JOY and GRATITUDE. The reason I’m able to go and do is because of Christ. He’s given me an attitude of “do it now” and do it…ANYWAY. I can become heated by bills, just like all of you. When I feel my temps rise HE helps me QUICKLY adjust my temperature.I refuse to stay heated! When I looked up at my ceiling fan in December thinking that I would rather die, HE met me there. When I didn’t think I could live another day and I cried out to him in my bathroom, HE was there. The longing deep in my soul for a love that will never fade or disappear? Guess what? HE IS THERE. Because HE lives in me and I’ve experienced the darkest places in my life, I will ALWAYS give him the GLORY, no matter what!
I’ll allow Christ to control my thermostat. Adjustments happen with season changes. I won’t be texting much. I’m putting my phone on FOCUS because the life I’ve been given can’t be spent on my cell phone. It’s right in front of me. My computer and keyboard allow me to share it here—-Flannel with Faith. To create new stories, renew old ones with a “fresh” coat of paint (thank you, John Malone for this writing tip), and be fully immersed, I’ll adjust how I respond to constant temperature and technology changes. To be fully PRESENT requires more effort. I want a quiet and intentional life focused on faith, family, and friends (and experiences!). How are you changing in a cool way? Thank you for being my friend through all the changes. Do you know how much I’ve grown to love you?
Christ has made the coolest change I’ve ever had in my life.
You get one shot at this life…what are you doing with it? What do you do alone? Is it time for a cool change? Do you believe in a Creator that can be YOUR change agent?
We don’t wait for our car engine to seize before checking the oil, yet so often, we wait until our bodies are exhausted and our spirits are dry before we think about care. Real upkeep isn’t an emergency repair—it’s meaningful maintenance. It sounded like that for many months: bzzzzz-rrrrr-bzzzz. But it got louder when I…
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Summer is off to a stifling start? “What a life!” the almost-five-year-old chimed, her voice full of wonder as she leaned against her dad in a kayak drifting across the cool waters of an Alaskan lake. Nearby, her seven-year-old birthday brother relaxed in a child-sized kayak, stretched out and happily being pulled along by their…
Goodnight full moon–goodbye June! Hello, Kaboom! July 1st came in with a sizzle, snap-fizz, and a boom! The countdown to the 4th of July is on! As we approach our nation’s America 250 milestone, I find myself reflecting on what ideal independence really looks like—not just for a country, but for the heart and the…
Living liberated is a beautiful thing. I felt it’s cost, too, in the sticky summer air. Suddenly, while standing on the bridge at Wilson’s Creek Battlefield, a huge flock of birds started swooping and swirling around Finley and I. It was incredibly powerful, yet peaceful. The atmosphere was stifling–it was a heavy quiet before a…
As we approach America’s 250th birthday, it’s a beautiful season to pause, ponder, and practice gratitude for the freedom we share. Our family shares a deep appreciation for those who serve and protect these lands—from the rugged, snow-capped peaks of Alaska to the quiet, winding trails right here in our own neck of the woods.…
“I see the moon and the moon sees me; God bless the moon and God bless me.” And YOU.
Happy 55th anniversary to the Apollo 11th mission! The Artemis program hopes to return humans to the moon again (it’s been since 1972).
One day…Mars? My fascination for our vast universe remains; my care and concern for Earth revolves around how we treat our home and one another. Viewing vastness is a constant reminder of my smallness!
The Buck Moon is the full Moon in July, and is thought to originate from Native American culture.
Specifically, ‘Buck Moon’ refers to the fact that July is the time of year when male deer – known as ‘bucks’ – begin to grow their antlers, and is the beginning of game-hunting season.https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/buck-moon
There were hints during their childhood where military futures seemed obvious. Today I watched home videos, circa 1998, –the boys were running around the Naval Aviation Museum in Florida. With happy tears and giggles, my eyes soaked in the moments they ran around the aircraft, sat in a helicopter, and marveled at the USS Alabama.
“Can I please take your picture?”, I asked on Friday. Memories, like the stifling heat, melted my heart. Where did the last eight years go? He would leave his military base, after 8 years, for the last time. Nearly twelve years ago I stood and watched his older brother sign THE contract that began his military career. “I wish his brother were here,” I thought. Two boys became two men with families. One will leave a career and begin another. One will continue and be relocated. Will it forever be a “mom” thing?
Life doesn’t pause for a picture.
My pause came today.
From Kindergarten to playgrounds, ballfields to gyms, campgrounds to dances, toy jeeps to trucks, and cars to college and work. From a few miles away to hundreds (and thousands!). Different states, places, people, and jobs. Family reunions and funerals. Celebrations, certificates, and promotions. Discouragement, discipline, and detachment. Relocations, rules, and routines.Military Life. Both of them will remember “those days“.
No matter what career you choose, where you live, or who you become, you’ll remember “those days”. You’ll remember the circumstances that shaped, molded, and maybe tried to destroy you. Will you remember the things that grew you or grounded you? Will you cry over what you lost or what you gained? Will you be bitter over the ‘bad’? Will you remember the people that invested in you? Or those who protested? Did your career make you care more or more callous? Were there lessons in love and life or greed and grumbling? Will you remember the relationships in which you were reawakened or those in which you rebelled? Do the mundane memories muster magic? Does faith fix your fragments? What do you remember about “those days”?
“One of those days” is…TODAY.
It’s been one of those days.A day to reflect, remember, and realize. It’s held hard conversations, humility, and hope. We ALL have “those days”. No matter how we appear on the outside, our inside might feel hurt, pain, or weakness (have I told you how I hate cancer?). Evenamid unexpected events, I pause and praise-for I’m thankful to God for another “one of those days”.
These days I have a peace that passes all understanding.The truth of a future without pain, worry, or heartache–it’ll be one of those days. 🤍
Originally recorded by Karen Peck & New River–cover by K.L. Hale
Do you know how loved you are? Have faith. 🤍
Scenes of “Wings over Whiteman”, Whiteman, AFB–and a Mom and sons (YEARS ago)
To my sons: words can’t express my love and pride. Congratulations to Jay on eight years of service and Jarrod, your eleven, almost twelve years of service. To my daughter-in-loves: thank you for supporting them, your children, and me on “those days”. Just as my family and friends here do the same! How can I not be thankful for “those days” when I feel such love and support?
Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, & fresh air
