September 2025 - Flannel with Faith

September Signs

Posted on September 22, 2025September 23, 2025 by K.L. Hale — 59 Comments

September has been saturated with signs. Season changes, shifting attitudes…signs made by kids and adults. Signs on the street and in nature. My signs all point to my Savior and…surrendering. September signs.

Tears fell in sync with the leaves. My heart and head spun like the wind. Memories of yesterday and dreams of today. Thoughts of family, the reunion, doctor’s appointments, and…surrendering. September has been filled with signs!

While hundreds of thousands gathered yesterday to honor a life taken too soon, I thought of history’s greatest humans. My heart turned to my precious parents who have witnessed so much change in their life. Immediately, I switched my thoughts to my children and grandchildren. “God, may my loved ones find only faith in you.”

A bold shift in the air & season! I want faith LIKE THAT.

Jesus never promised an easy life. If you choose to walk and live for him you WILL have obstacles. It matters not what people think, say, or do, but…Jesus.

Let’s lift one another as the leaves fall! For me, I’ll continue to surrender that which I shouldn’t “hold” (grudges, hate, discontent, etc…). The cross will be the perfect weight to carry as I tarry on the trails this side of glory. May the signs, smells, and sights of autumn swirl with sweetness. Jesus, thank you for being my September song and strength!

Remember HE’S always with you if you choose!

Friends, today is the start of my favorite season (last year you left in quite a fashion)! Happy Autumn! May every sign left in September direct you to what matters most–love. Do you know how loved you are?💚

Have hope, dear friends. Find faith. ❣️

Have you heard of NET, yet?🦓

Meet Frank

Last Friday the oncology office was jam-packed. I’ll admit, it started to weigh on me. Until Frank walked in. At the front desk he loudly shared his situation. His appointment for that office had changed, but he knew he needed to be at SOME building in the Cox Health System (friends, there are MANY buildings). He continued to share that he hadn’t a lick of liquor for 2 weeks. He was also scared he was going to lose his dog and his home.

Everyone in the waiting room (but one lady and I) kept looking at their phones (and, to boot, they were all in their 70’s-80’s I’m guessing–what are we going to do with this generation and their phones? tee hee). One of my favorite nurses appeared with a smile. “Frank, what’s going on? How can we help you?” He sat down as if to give up. What was ultimately needed was a phone call on his behalf. But no one offered.

Who will help?

“Laura, let me help.” I sat by Frank and he knew part of the name of the doctor he needed to see. After investigating and searching, we narrowed it down (with a few giggles, too!). Finally, I found the office that he needed! Praise God! It was in the adjacent building! Also, the extremely kind receptionist told me to tell Frank not to hurry, all was well. Frank left and the front desk ladies shared their gratitude.

I wasn’t upset that they didn’t help him. You see, I’ve had years of experience with people. Specifically, experiences with people like Frank. I’ve been Frank. I have felt lost, defeated, at the end of my ropes, …and worried about my beloved pet. The young gals at the front desk haven’t had “Frank” moments…yet. Rest assured, life is going to hit us ALL. No matter the age. When it does, what will you do?

My visit

It was finally time for me to go back. The bloodwork didn’t surprise me, but the high thyroid count did. I just don’t feel…super-de-duper. To see me you’d never know. I was around a lot of kids and people last week. My body is fighting hard for me. Although the strength of the treatment has been lowered, I’m still feeling the side effects. A floater has appeared in my right eye that is SMACK in the middle of my line of sight. It’s like a cobweb. And now, a stringy thing?

My oncologist wanted me to go see the eye doctor. Another doctor again (I had been to the eye doctor three times last month). My kind eye doctor shared this is normal for my age. With my cancer I’m to pay attention to any bright lights or loss or fuzzy vision. Ok, I’ve got this. Faith with floaters! I can do this!

Daily life & upcoming schedule

Rarely do I share the daily struggles. The fatigue, the extreme sweating and lack of sleep, the bone pain, the amount of time it takes for me to do…anything right now. When my body says, “take a rest”, I do. When I go and live life to the fullest, I need much recovery time. BUT I HAVE A LIFE. I’M LIVING. Miracles have happened in my life. They CONTINUE. This week I’ll head to Kansas City to see a new NET cancer expert that has started his own clinic at St. Luke’s. It’s a miracle there’s an expert in Missouri AND only 20 miles from my youngest son and his family. Praise God!

May the light of God’s presence give you hope at your darkest hour. When you feel there’s no hope, may a SIGN appear that points straight back to the one who has it all–our Savior. I love you, my friends. Thank you for your unwavering support and friendship.

Pure Poetry

Posted on September 14, 2025September 14, 2025 by K.L. Hale — 55 Comments

Many weeks ago, a friend and fellow blogger/poet/author Kelley Morris, wrote this amazing poem to accompany a photo I shared on my blog. How fitting that this poem has taken on a whole new meaning for me after this week. If you have the opportunity, please stop by Kelley’s site (and check out her collections of poetry books). Please enjoy this pure poetry!

A bright, white light 
bore a perfect hole
through the middle of sunset.
No argument over 
stopping for a photo.
It was as if the sky was on fire.
But fire would have devoured.
And this dusky scene held steady, 
like a brilliantly lit painting, 
carefully placed 
in a prestigious gallery.
The light was so bright.
I almost looked away.
Then, suddenly, the image
transformed, the clouds
once again whole.
Sunlight remained, filling
the entire space within and
between the clouds,
highlighting the edges of each.
A perfect reflection of 
the only Light able to 
pierce the heart before
filling the entirety of the soul. 
A perfect likeness 
of the only Love able to 
fill all the spaces
within and between us.
Holding us steady, like
delicate white-hot glass,
smoothing our rough edges.

💛 Thank you, Kelley

My precious cousin, Sagan, wrote this poem to share with me last week! I featured her a couple of years ago in a “Talk About Tuesday” post for her senior year accomplishments. Today she and I are going to collaborate together to create a Renga poem (in honor of my son headed to Japan soon).



What the Word 
Words are spoken, words are said 
Some words are even read 
Words hold power like a blooming flower 
Petals wilting in the sun 
Words have triggers just like guns 
Shooting bullets at hyper speed 
Words can spread like unwanted weeds 
Ripping them from the ground 
Words can weigh a hundred pounds 
Your muscles become dull and weak 
Words can flow just like a creek  
Water has no concept of time 
Words may pucker like a lime 
Citric acid burns your throat 
In which words have the ability to coat 
But be careful of what you say 
For your words can alter someone’s day 
If your words are really nice 
Their bad day could be sacrificed 
But if your words are rather vulgar 
That person may become an ogre.  
So be kind and don't be curt 
What you say can really hurt
Sagan Wilson

How is your heart, dear friends? Do you feel confused, sad, or angry? Do you have hope? Do you know how this ends?

It’s not always easy, friends, but I pray you keep the faith and have HOPE. You are loved. 💚

Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, & fresh air

K.L. Hale

Breathing Room

Posted on September 4, 2025September 7, 2025 by K.L. Hale — 69 Comments

Some passengers held their breath. Not me. As the plane climbed in elevation, my breathing was excellent! The dash to the connecting flight in Denver, with eight minutes and a furiously fast wheelchair ride to the gate, left me breathless. Finally in Fairbanks (many hours later), the air was clean and crisp! There was plenty of breathing room!

Two months ago I needed oxygen. Evenings were tough so music was comforting. Although my voice was nearly gone, I tried to sing along. The first song I heard was Breathe (originally recorded by Michael W. Smith). Tears fell as I thanked God for being the air in my lungs.❣️

Thank you, family and friends, for lifting me in friendship and support. I’ve missed writing; it’s like breathing to me. My time away allowed for a breather–and today, you’re a breath of fresh air to me! Never lose hope, my friends. Let’s take a deep breath and inhale the incoming scents of a new season.