Journey to Joy

Posted on December 18, 2025December 18, 2025 by K.L. Hale — 70 Comments

“Do difficulties, detours, distractions, and delays steal my joy? They try, but fail. The journey to joy was long and worth every moment.” K.L. Hale

“Thank you, Father, for difficulties, detours, distractions, and delight! Keep me teachable so your light shines no matter what.” My posture of praise and attitude of gratitude is ONLY because of Christ Jesus. My journey to joy has been jubilant because of what its produced.

How do I navigate my joy journey?

My road map and handy atlas can’t predict every detour or unexpected accident. My guidebook, the WORD, though, provides wisdom and applications for these! I wrote a letter to my ten-year-old self last night. In it, I shared the differences between happiness and true joy. My journey to joy has included loss, love, and lots of learning. Wishing on a star,carrying a good luck charm, staying positive, and even being in nature will never be the TRUE SOURCE of my joy.

Just as hope, peace, and love. 💚

Who or what is my source of joy?

Jesus, you are the source of my real joy! Thank you for being a hiking friend and my forever traveling buddy. You giggle at goofs, forgive my faults, and hold me when I cry! Because of you, I’m alive! Your indwelling advocate, the Holy Spirit, living in ME, provides peace, love, hope, and JOY. I truly have the “joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart … Because of YOU, I can sing. What about you, friends? Will you sing along?

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Have hope, keep the faith. You are Loved.❤️

K’s Catch-Up–

My heart and prayers are with dear blogging friends and loved ones who have experienced tremendous loss. To those who are alone during this season–May God provide comfort and friends offer support! Life isn’t easy, but I know a God who wants to walk with you in sunshine AND storms. To have joy in unspeakable circumstances proves the source is greater than us! All of you are blessings to me! Your stories of your journeys, love, losses, and wins inspire me. Let’s continue to lift one another in truth, love, humor, and prayers. Prayer warriors, will you please pray for my son, Jarrod, as he spends Christmas in Japan, away from his family? Thank you to all who serve and have to spend holidays alone! A fun story–my daughter-in-love, Brooke, left Alaska yesterday with her two precious kiddos (my lovely grands) and her Mom. My youngest son, Jay, my other daughter-in-love, Cierra, and precious 3rd grand, Whitley, were flying home from Washington. What are the odds of ALL of them meeting at the Seattle airport? What a great boost to my evening! My little world travelers all together at the airport! THAT’S DIVINE!

My journey of NET continues. This week two nurse navigators (God bless you Reagan and Michelle) helped me acquire oxygen for SIX MONTHS! After another appointment this week, I will continue monitoring bone pain and stay on current treatment. I can’t say thank you enough for ALL the SUPPORT, love, and prayers! Many of you know I’m struggling with my eyes, hands, and balancing responsibilities. I KNOW that we ALL HAVE STRUGGLES, so THANK YOU for your grace and understanding! If you or a loved one suffer from chronic disease, cancer, or anything that HALTS your habits, know that you are NOT alone.

How do you find Perfect Peace?

Posted on December 11, 2025December 11, 2025 by K.L. Hale — 62 Comments

The glowing hues of blue, orange, and yellow in the flickering flames melted into the stunning sunset scenery out my window. “Thank you, God, for YOUR perfect peace,” I whispered, gazing at the 2nd Advent candle.

How do I keep this perfect peace? Joy AND jolts are juxtaposed in my journey-how do I obtain perfect peace? How do I find stillness in the storm? Calm in the chaos? Tranquil in the midst of trouble?

What’s my NATURE? Peace washes over me like a cleansing flood while I’m IN nature. Later, “caught by surprise” cancer circumstances, my soggy spirit and exhausted body felt drowned. “God, I return to YOUR unwavering nature and rest in YOU.”

Whenever I face challenges, I pause to pray. I’m reminded of Advent Week #1-to wait well and stay prepared. NO PANIC! I will surrender my soul to God. To have true peace, I have to surrender!

How can I NOT have a different peace perspective after what I’ve experienced? “GOD, THANK YOU for providing circumstances to practice the peace that is ALREADY IN ME because of YOU.”

It’s not denial–it’s about dependence on God. I don’t pretend everything is fine when the storm is rocking the boat, the torrential downpours are stinging my soul—

“Peace! Be Still!” Jesus declared this when the disciples panicked during the storm. This command isn’t just for weather. MY HEART HEARS HIM.

When facing sticky situations or unhealthy conflict, stress can lead to sickness, sadness, or suffering. When you’re peace “peters out” what do YOU do? PRAY? Walk away? Take deep breaths? Listen to music? Read? Walk in nature? Binge favorite shows? Snuggle with a loved one or pet? If your season starts to snowball, but your spirit melts, please know you’re not alone.

“Holy Spirit, I need you to speak for and through me. Help me adjust my attitude, cloth myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Remind me of God’s truths about love, unity, and peace.”

“Bear with one another and forgive whatever grievances you have against one another.” (Colossians 3:13) I’ll let God’s love lead so HIS peace resides in my heart.

HOPE.

PEACE.

Soon, I’ll light the joy candle. Last, love. Is there anything greater than these?

When peace like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrow like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, thou hath taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.

Feel free to download these peace cards!❤️ Download

Friends, do you know how loved you are?

Have hope, keep the faith, and I pray that peace will permeate your soul and surroundings! 💚🙏🏻

Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, & fresh air

K.L. Hale

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Waiting Well

Posted on December 2, 2025December 2, 2025 by K.L. Hale — 66 Comments

My favorite holiday ended with leftovers of love, lessons, and learning. December, you rushed in like the unexpected cold front! Soft falling snow summoned my SURRENDER of SELF. December, what I love most about you is the anticipation in the waiting.

Jesus, without complacency, I long to WAIT WELL.

My soul was warmed by the glow of the hope candle on our first Advent Sunday.

Peace, beyond human understanding, possessed me.

HEAVENLY HOPE! HOPE has a NAME! JESUS! Do you know he wants you to have HOPE for ETERNITY?

Are you living IN WAIT of the next holiday? Fad? Outfit?Vacation? Paycheck? Clean bill of health?

My journey of “waiting” began years ago. It is just like the joyful anticipation of a mother for her little ones. Resembles graceful frolic of a majestic deer and buck with their doe. Mirrors the captivating colors in a rainbow after the storm! Yet, the purpose of that wait has transformed, much like the changing seasons. As I WAIT WELL to celebrate Jesus and his glorious return, I will embrace my countless blessings.

HOW DO I WAIT WELL?

I’ll be prepared-NOT panicked. It’s not lame of me to lament this broken world. I will practice generous love while protecting my heart. Scripture and devotions will be dosed daily. Each day I’ll live with an endearing expectation of his return! I’ll walk in wisdom with others living THE WAY. The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit will keep me harnessed in HOPE.

Jesus, I’ll wait in anticipation with expectation.

Active Waiting.

Active Listening.

Active Obedience.

Waiting Well.

What are you waiting for?

Have HOPE, precious friends. Keep the faith. YOU ARE LOVED. 💚

If you or a loved one are living with Neuroendocrine Cancer, I encourage you to visit the Neuroendocrine Cancer Foundation website. It offers a wealth of guidance. You are not alone!

Take A Hike

Posted on November 18, 2025November 18, 2025 by K.L. Hale — 113 Comments

Yesterday was National Hiking Day (or Take a Hike Day). My health hike this last decade has been my hardest trail yet! Cooperation between my bones and bohemian way of living is limited. Strength and stretching help me stroll. I’ll not stop dreaming about future trails and rocky mountainous climbs. It’s unlikely I’ll trek near the Matterhorn in Switzerland or embark on a multi-day adventure along Scotland’s West Highland Way. Maybe in my dreams I’ll tackle the Angel’s Landing in Zion, Clingmans Dome in the Smokies, or the Half Dome in Yosemite! My palms are sweaty just thinking about that one! I’m giggling because my own trail proved tougher than me yesterday!

I’m ok with it. I’ll repeat, “I’m ok with it.” It’s taken many years of surrendering, accepting, and pivoting. Tears and trails are teachers. Reaching a peak won’t bring me any closer to Christ. HE HOLDS me in the valley and comforts me in a crisis. From building up strength to tackle inclines to charging batteries on a scooter. HE’S there when I have energy to move and when I’m flat with fatigue.

Walking in wisdom is my daily workout!

If you ever feel overwhelmed by life, it’s okay to seek a way to ground yourself. Are you caught in a never-ending cycle of responsibilities or living on autopilot? It’s easy to find ourselves merely existing, focused on posting or tweeting. What feels truly REAL for you? I understand how life can change your habits and heart. As Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday) approaches, I wish for abundant blessings to fill your lives. When you face a mountain that seems too high to climb, may you find strength in our Savior.

This quote was shared by Pam at Everyday Living (I encourage you to visit their amazing homestead and site)!

“I think that it is a better thing than Thanksgiving: thanks-living. How is this to be done? By a general cheerfulness of manner, by an obedience to the command of Him by whose mercy we live, by a perpetual, constant delighting of ourselves in the Lord, and by a submission of our desires to His will.” -Charles Spurgeon