Multiple local authors gathered at a recent expo. Just as in your lives, I was thunderstruck with their fascinating experiences. A wellspring of wishes, wisdom, whimsical, “why did I do that?”, “what if’s”, “why not’s”, and wondrous words produced their stellar stories! Why write?
There are many reasons I write. It encourages me to focus, research, learn, love, and inspire. At times, it clears the cobwebs in my consciousness. Other times, it soothes my soul. Distractions cease. I’m intentional. I can: Think. Reflect. Learn. Understand. Praise.Inspire. Words are convincing, helpful, encouraging, and affirmative. At times, it’s entertaining! Some hurt. Journaling is my way of cleansing my clanging clutter. This year I’ve met my goal to journal daily. Do you journal? Do you make lists? I can easily type a recipe or a “to-do” paragraph. Write notes? My “black and white” brain automatically places Roman Numerals, letters, or bullets. Why do you write?
Allow me to introduce local Ozarks writers!
Thomas J. Carter, during the Covid lockdown, decided he would write a children’s book series about the National Parks after he and his wife bought an R.V. to travel. I’m sure you know why I loved this! Even better for ME? An 1800’s setting! You can find Thomas on IG @midwestiscoolbooks.Thomas is an excellent illustrator and writer!
LaDonna Greiner was 66 years old when she spent a miserable night on the top of Taum Sauk Mountain in Missouri (where many have sadly died in similar situations). A few days later, a horrible car accident left her and her husband without a vehicle, and THEN she was handed a felony charge (“leaving the scene of an accident”). LaDonna’s stories and photos will leave you on the edge of your seat. “I’m here for a purpose,” she says (yes you are, LaDonna!). As a certified facilitator, you can count on LaDonna to share wisdom on creating environments of gratitude.
Michelle Underwood grew up in Mansfield, MO. She authored a book about Laura Ingalls Wilder that is the most detailed I’ve ever read! Her passion for our local hero and author inspires me.
Paula Moore teaches biblical truths through the arts and Shawnda Walker wrote about cooperation and sharing through the eyes of a cute guinea pig, Peanut.
Jeanne Griener gripped my heart with a memoir about finding God’s goodness—despite losing, and never finding, her missing brother. You can feel her faith and love in her words.
C.A. (Candy) Simonson She is an award-winning author and writer of short stories, articles, and books. She is a frequent contributor to online publications and print magazines, now almost 400 pieces. Need self-publishing help? See C.A.! It’s like opening a treasure book.
Susie Kinslow Adams is a local author, writer, and speaker! Her turtle, Patches, will sing about how much Jesus loves you, too! Her story will inspire you!
Author Sage Hunter invites you to step into the dynamic universe of “The Black Bra Club,” an engaging narrative that charts the inception of a movement grounded in sisterhood, support, mentoring, and the profound essence of faith.
Check out today’s history and ANOTHER amazing hero story!
History today Phillis Wheatley born (1753); President Harry Truman born (1884); Boxing legend Sonny Liston born (1932); Germany surrenders, ending World War II in Europe (1945); Smallpox is eradicated (1980).
A war hero tells his story
Friends, meet Luciano “Louis” Charles Graziano. “It was January 1943 when twenty-year-old Louis Graziano received a letter from Uncle Sam ordering him to report to Fort Niagara, New York, for a physical. Although he knew the United States was at war, he had no idea what was ahead of him. After making a promise to dutifully defend his country, Louis never realized how much his military experience would change the course of his life.
In a memoir that reveals the good, bad, and ugly of war and beyond, Louis leads others through his life experiences via personal stories and historical photographs that provide a candid glimpse into what it was like to be a young soldier before, during, and after World War II.”
“After suffering frostbite during the successful effort to search and find the lost armored element, Louis returned to Reims to recover. Among the buildings in Reams there was a “Little Red Schoolhouse” where General Eisenhower had his headquarters. It was here that the unconditional surrender of Germany was signed in the early morning hours of Monday, May 7, 1945. Louis was there, in the room, as General Yodl of the German Army signed the articles of surrender. U.S. General Walter Bedell Smith signed on behalf of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, General Eisenhower, and General Ivan Susloparov on behalf of the Soviet High Command. French Major-General François Sevez signed as the official witness.
Stories of war, survival, loss, and love. Your life may seem mundane. You may feel you DON’T have a story. But you do. There is ONE STORY I’ll keep telling of the ultimate sacrifice made for you and me. Do you know how loved you are?All of you encourage me. To feature each of you a day would take years. Keep telling your stories (besides, they’re not over YET). Uniquely and collectively, you impact me. I’ll say it louder to the people in the back–do you REALLY know how loved you are?
Let’s keep “elevating” one another! My encouragement to you is real; not just in words. It’s not fake news when I share about God’s love, grace, and mercy. I don’t have a hidden agenda for sharing my gratitude. And to write about it? Even better.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
“The world is a severe schoolmaster, for its frowns are less dangerous than its smiles and flatteries, and it is a difficult task to keep in the path of wisdom.”
Phillis Wheatley
“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.”
William Wordsworth
“The secret of it all is to write… without waiting for a fit time or place.”
Walt Whitman
“Then the Lord answered me and said: ‘Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.”Habakkuk 2:2
Dear friends, due to time constraints and preparations for my surgery, I’ve turned off comments. Thank you for your prayers and support. In a world filled with so much devastation and division, my life is small. My worries are small compared to our huge globe. Remember though, that to someone YOU are the world. I hold you all in my heart.
Thank you for your understanding as I begin a hiatus of healing.
Time, change, travel, and cancer…they all seem “petrifying” sometimes; just like the wood, millions of years old. Some moments resemble deprivation of oxygen. Compression or burial in the ashes of burned bridges. With time and miracles, minerals such as love, grace, and faith, can form gems. Years later, what seems like “old wood” will be a treasure. If the light hits right, immeasurable and unique beauty might be seen.
Petrified or glorified? What will life’s pressure reveal in you?
Stunned doesn’t fully describe my shock the day before our departure. My friends, a.k.a. the “Canyon Crew”, surprised me with Flannel with Faith stickers and matching t-shirts. Tears formed and fell. Their kindness overwhelmed me. In many ways, I felt (and still do) like I stood outside of myself, observing a stranger. The open road waited. Zeb, a stuffed zebra provided by the Canyon Crew, was posed for an adventure.
Zeb checking out the sunset at Snow Ball
Early the next morning the zebra-striped cargo carrier was loaded and locked! For the crew working full-time, this was more than a holiday or break. It was a breather from the backbreaking busy. Perhaps a pilgrimage of sorts for me. Along the journey, there were exquisite stops (including family each way). Our “home away from home” sat in the valley of the San Francisco Peaks. We visited many National Parks and/or monuments-Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon, Walnut Canyon National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Wupatki, National Monument, Oak Creek Canyon, Meteor Crater, and the Coconino National Forest (the Canyon Crew can attest I loved my Coconino Mocha in Flagstaff—yummy!). The Lowell Observatory was a gift! Saturn and many constellations were viewed on our last night (P.S.- I’m STILL going through pictures).
My crew “stuck” me around in cool places–K.L. Hale
Plateau of Preparation
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV
At times, my own tectonic plates shifted during the adventure. The unsteady ground tried to rattle my respite. Intense winds whipped. My friends kept me grounded. The cool air, history, landscapes, and experiences were that of dreams. In a tight group of friends who loved me, I felt so alone. Not because of them, they did EVERYTHING to make this trip GRAND. Gazing at the plateaus, kicking the dust of the red dirt trails, I’d ask God for strength. Give me stamina to seize the synergy. Each morning during my quiet time, I’d ask God for relief and understanding. He reminded me that with HIM, I’m not alone. And that without him, my life resembles erosion- decomposition, decay, and disintegration. My body kept up the steps-divine strength in the making. Since my return, my recovery has been riddled with reasonable doubts. Nights of little sleep, backaches, and confusion. If I’m going to fall again, I need to land on faith. NOW is not the time to doubt. NOT NOW.
“You’re the same, Karla. But what I’m taking you through is what I’ve prepared for you for many, many years. Don’t forget to give me praise even through processing pain.”
“Yes, God, I hear you.”
Grand Canyon-pic courtesy-me
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV
Holy Chapel of the Cross-pic courtesy-Kim Elrod
My arms typically spend much time wide open (especially if the “kids” or grandkids are near ;-). Lately, they’ve been clutched. One night, my emotions just broke. Surely I could make the Colorado flow even more! Adrenaline had been a better friend than me. It was as if the weight of a huge SW stone from the last 18 months, years and counting, had suddenly smashed me (think of me as the Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote hurling a bulky and burdensome boulder). Being the center of attention is very difficult. That’s why this cancer journey has been so difficult for me. It’s a level of vulnerability that is like no other. Particularly if you’re single. It makes me even weirder. A new road is waiting to be traveled. Surgery is scheduled for Nov. 1st. As I prepare to leave next Tuesday, I’m reminded of the bottom of the canyon; for it was there my best growth in life occurred.
Thank you for climbing this mountain with me.
To my family, you mean the world to me and more. You are my reason for staying strong.
To my Canyon Crew: I’m forever grateful for our bucket list trip.
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Friends, do you know how loved you are? When you feel unlovable, untouchable, or downright, hard as stone, remember you are loved. No matter what. I’ll see you on the other side of recovery. I love you.
Have faith 💛
Walnut Meet Charley and Jessica–Our friends who hiked the North to South Rim! They are an inspiration to me!
Pics are courtesy of various Canyon Crew friends and me. All locations are mentioned in the post. Days could be spent sharing the history and significance of each place; my apologies for not sharing more! Have you visited these before? May God give you peace, healing, and love. Even in the mundane, you can grow like a flower in the desert or a tree in the ashes.
