Journey to Joy

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?

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.

More from Flannel with Faith 💚

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Godsends

They don’t stop me in my tracks anymore—I always EXPECT them. Just at the right time, when you believe,…Godsends.

Call it strange, but I talk to Christ all throughout my day! I ask him about everything! Isn’t that what living the Spirit-led life is about? Letting him lead? HE proves to me daily that miracles don’t just happen in big things. Little things matter!

The red cardinal, a yellow butterfly, and the near miss of a car hitting me? It’s bigger than ME. Godsends come in many ways. An event? Situation? Have you experienced one recently?

Enjoy these Godsend moments!

“What do you all want to eat?” cousin Steph asked. She and her mom, Aunt Connie, wanted to send Door Dash to all of us after my hospital release. Within an hour there was a knock on the door. You should’ve seen our faces when we opened up the door to….Steph and the crew. They drove HOURS to surprise us! Talk about a Godsend!


This summer my precious niece once again attended Camp Barnabas. You have to visit this camp site– https://campbarnabas.org/about/#mission-values. The campers are all SO AMAZINGLY special. Down Syndrome, visual and hearing impaired, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and many more developmental and physical challenges might keep these SPECIAL young people from attending other summer camps. Campers are introduced and walk down the center of cheering staffers! They come from all over the US to be challenged and grow in their faith. Friendships for life are formed as they serve, love, learn, and play. Check out Camp Barnabas and see why, since 1994, this amazing camp continues to make a difference in the hearts of SO MANY. What a Godsend!

Becca’s welcome!

Last week I took a slew of steps. Hobble, wobble, limp, and straighten. Grit can be a Godsend, too.  By Sunday I mustered the willpower to drive a bit further to surprise my parents. It was NO coincidence their sweet neighbor stopped by to visit. She shared about the sad loss of her daughter to cancer 5 years. Our conversation revealed answers for questions that I’ve been asking God about. Earnest empathy. Immediate insight. They were all Godsends!

Another Godsend came in the form of a friend and her husband. It so happened they could accompany me on a long flight to celebrate my granddaughter’s birthday in Alaska. GODSEND!  

Finding my keys (and train of thought 😉), the perfect parking spot, an unexpected surprise, running into a former friend, finding someone else to bless at just the right moment. Godsends!  It’s not luck, coincidence, or magic. My miracle maker Lord is not in the business of doing what I want—but what I NEED. It means surrendering hourly, daily, weekly…putting down the devices and living intentional…expecting God moments at just the right time. With full intention and attention, an open heart with faith, you might start experiencing these incredible miraculous moments. Godsends.❣️

Do you know how loved you are?

You’re all Godsends to me.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart and Finley’s little paws.

Have faith 💚

Feature image-Chitina, AK, photo by my son. Photos by K.L. Hale, Jarrod & Brooke Snook

Take a leap of faith to view other articles!💚

If you or a family member are living with NET cancer I encourage you to visit the Neuroendocrine Cancer Foundation. Don’t lose hope! 🦓

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Jampacked June

America the Beautiful Flannel with Faith

Join K.L. as she shares her blog post via her podcast. As we inch closer to celebrating America's 250th birthday, K.L. shares about the song, "America the Beautiful", and her thoughts about our country and the freedom we have. What makes America beautiful to you? Do you feel we are really ONE NATION…AND under God? Will divisions keep us divided? How do we KNOW the truth?  Whatever MIGHT divide us doesn't have to override our faith and belief in ONE NATION—despite opinions or differences.   Find faith, keep it. Have hope, friends. You are loved. 
  1. America the Beautiful
  2. A Daily Prayer
  3. Living Limitless
  4. Flannel with Faith-Christ & Coffee Fireside Chat

Keep the faith 💚

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Miracle Musings

If a pain & cancer-free body and freedom from frugal existence were prerequisites for travel, I’d never leave home. Christ, common sense, and coffee coasted with me. There were over 100 miles left and both tanks, gas & body, were nearly empty. “Faith” was at my feet. This rock was a gift. Miracle!

“She wants me to go up there,” my son exclaimed. His wife’s lengthy stature and arms both waved from atop the hill. He darted up the dusty path! As if seasoned climbers, they both cautiously came down. “He needs water!”, my daughter-in-law uttered. My son grabbed bottles and the couple dashed up the trail again at record speed. The heat was dangerously high and dry. Although the Rio Grande appeared cool with its flowing water, the bodies were not accustomed to this heat. Signs across the National Park begged warned visitors to carry ample water supply.  Unfortunately, the only water the endangered hiking couple had was pouring out of their veins. Fortunately, the man’s health improved as my son and daughter-in-law helped with his hydration crisis. The four of them cautiously and gingerly descended. Miracle!

“We prayed for you,” I shared with the exasperated, sweat-drenched, kind older woman. At 5 years old, Asher seemed uncertain about praying for strangers. “We all need prayer,” exclaimed the thankfully rescued hikers. A happy ending for all. Miracles!

The multicolored desert sky surrounded by the Chisos Mountains turned pitch black at nightfall. The loss of electricity one night also made for perfect stargazing conditions. Oh, the joy of camping! We spoke of galaxies, shooting stars, and God’s power. Tears of tiredness, remarkable rock ravishing, and fossil fascination. Wonders of the world, wrinkles of the skin, and the exuberant joy of childhood. Long drives and winded conversations. Walks of discovery, no-holds-barred hugs, dances of delight, and impromptu stops to love more family. Tales of time that rushed like a roadrunner. Miracles!

Camping in the cactus-filled desert reminded me of the dry crumbs I sometimes use in conversation. These dehydrated discussions terminate the truth. Will you muse on the miracles? Or about the hardships of humanity, fears of the unknown, or ghosts of the past? Or the Spirit that can bring life-giving water?

One year ago, today, I felt spooked. Countless vials of blood, tests, and a countdown to a life-altering surgery. My rare cancer explained years of unknowns. Family and friends have loved me through it all. A faith that has sustained me through every fall. Miracles.

Fear? It will never own me. Miracle!

Do you know YOU are a miracle? And…YOU ARE LOVED!💚

Have faith 💚…from Texas to Oklahoma to Missouri…to every state and corner of the globe.

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