Tag: friendship

In with the New

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Out with the old, in with the new

Out with the old! Shoes? car? beliefs? Ideas? Hair? I’m learning to embrace the new. New year? New job? New DAY? December was filled with new AND old! Traditions, circumstances, and reflections. Childhood, motherhood, and career. Before cancer and my tiny RV life to after diagnosis and city life. New treatments, old diseases. New will happen whether we want it or not. We can hang on to the “old” for comfort and familiarity (shoes anyone?). Yet, there are old things I don’t need. Even certain beliefs! As I embrace the new year, I will continue to cling to the New Covenant way of life! There’s no longer an OLD Covenant (God knew we couldn’t keep it!). Jesus, fully God and human, fulfilled the law and died in our place. I’ll embrace the NEW heart I received through faith; out with the old! How can I NOT be filled with gratitude for another day? Another year? It’s fine for me to cherish and remember the past like motherhood & RV life. But I need to live in the now…the NEW. How about you?

I’ve included 2 versions of my one pg. news (.jpg & PDF). Happy 2026!

January 2026 Flannel with Faith newsletterDownload

Heavenly Hibernation

It’s been a heavenly hibernation! I’ve missed you, friends. It’s been one week since the start of a new year–I’m still here and winning because of Christ! It doesn’t mean that life isn’t challenging; nor situations easier. BUT my life & hope IN CHRIST propels me through each up and down. I expect that the more I live a surrendered life, the more the enemy will try to disrupt it. I’ll keep choosing faith over finances, hope over hard things, & peace instead of pessimism. Do you know when we choose to surrender INTO our Savior, we can experience heaven on Earth.

My resolution for 2026? I’m determined to continue “dying” to myself daily. My heart wakened several years ago for something other than the promise of heaven AFTER life. I wanted the Christ life IN ME. In letting go of earthly expectations, I can be filled with the presence of God’s power. I am aware of my utter ignorance in grasping salvation (as Andrew Murray would say). Surrender is the only way! It’s as simple as the appearance of light at morning and the shifting of seasons. Not my power, but HIS. Hibernation this winter will be heavenly (& healthy!)!

Note: Watch what happens when you add a side of silliness, a helping of humor, and a pinch of patience (ok, CUPS)!

Happy new year, dear friends & family! My prayers are with those who are experiencing the difficult “new”. 🙏🏻❤️

Do you know how loved you are? ❤️THANK YOU for your continued support!

May 2026 be filled with precious memories, hope, faith, & joy. 💚

Keep the faith, have hope! 💚

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Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, & fresh air

K.L. Hale

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Journey to Joy

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“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.

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Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, & fresh air

K.L. Hale

©2019-2025 Flannel with Faith. All rights reserved.

How do you find Perfect Peace?

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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! 💚🙏🏻

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Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, & fresh air

K.L. Hale

Finley sends love & peace!

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Wacky Wednesday

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It seems my MUST-DO’S require technology, radiology, oncology, hematology, anesthesiology, and urology.

My WANNA-DO’S revolve around cardiology, zoology, ecology, archaelogy, geology, theology, and ideology.

I’m beginning to really wonder about anthropology because of criminology.

After reading this do I owe you an apology? 😁

“We’re all apart of an ology!” ME? I’m all about love-ology! I’ll share part of this study by saying, “You are loved!”

So, the day’s been a little wacky because I was awake ALL night with the Orionids in the sky? If you know me, you know I don’t sleep during a full moon, too! Maybe I need to brush up on my astronomy and astrobiology!

Despite the wacky, weird, and worn-out, I can STILL worship, wait in hope, and use wisdom to make this a worthy Wednesday!

What’s your favorite “ology”? Is your Wednesday wacky, weird, weary, or wonderful?

The cross alone is our theology.

Martin Luther

Have faith💚

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