Tag: peace

Journey into June

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The journey to June came swiftly! “Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise!” If you’re from my neck of the woods, you’ve heard this phrase a time or two. I might make plans–but I’m not in ultimate control. Especially when the heavy humidity rolls in and sudden storms start brewing. I was reminded of this in a deeply personal way Sunday. Literally the creek rose and plans shifted!

How will I continue my practices and patterns of peace & savoring our Savior during seasonal shifts?

☀️Dawn Devotions

My new morning meditations include singing! Grounding myself in the truth of God’s Word, readings, quotes, and repeated truths promote my peaceful posture! Some mornings are much harder depending on my evening rest. But I don’t waiver from this WAY. My mornings aren’t the same without this (and a cup of coffee!☺️)!

🌳Shaded Stillness

When I’m sheltered by the shade I can enjoy nature and let HIS stillness strengthen me.

“Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.” Isaiah 32:2

🙏🏻Porch Prayers

“I like to sit on the front porch of an old cabin I built in the woods and just listen to the birds.” — Johnny Cash

When the air is heavy (thank you humidity), I’ll pause and pray on the porch for someone with a heavy heart! Front or back porch? Which do you have have?

“If I’m going to have to sit on the back porch and watch life pass by, I won’t pass up the opportunity for prayer and praise!” -K.L. Hale

❣️Breathing Blessings

As I practice deep breathing (and hopefully my last month needing extra oxygen!) I’ll breathe in DEEPLY ALL my blessings and breathe out the burdens! Let’s take a deep breath together, friends!

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love. – Marcus Aurelius

💧Soul Sipping

I’m being more intentional at staying hydrated! On the sweltering days I’m going to intentionally “quench” on His promises when I fill my glass of water! Each time I reach for a drink, I’m going to practice letting His living waters wash away the heat of the day’s worries!

How is your journey? Are you walking in rain? Experiencing a drought? Sheltered in a storm? Basking in the sun? Even when the atmosphere feels thick and life gets busy, we can anchor our NEW hearts IN HIM. Surrender, submit, savor, and be satisifed! Oh, what a summer it can be! Happy June, dear friends.

Find faith.Practice your peace.Fall INTO Him.You are loved. ❣️

Note from K.L.❣️~

It seems like forever ago since I’ve written in my journal. Despite the nagging elbow/arm pain my soul was uncluttered enough to write several pages/thoughts to create “Journey into June”. Like the rain we’ve had, thoughts fell hard and fast. If you know me, I embrace change.I’ve learned to accept what won’t change–my repeated practices and patterns of peace are 2nd nature now. Because of Christ! However, I have to surrender my OWN agenda. This world will continue to offer chaos for FREE if anyone is interested! Just turn on the news, stay focused on media, and offer opinions to that which doesn’t matter! Soon, you’ll find patterns that refuse to promote peace. Particularly the peace that only God gives. As I journey into June, looking forward to a grand’s birthday, an anniversary celebration, and Father’s Day, I’m reminded that EACH day belongs to a greater power than little ol’ me. But WITH my Heavenly Father, I have the strength to share with you. If you are practicing being “present”, particularly in the Holy Spirit, you understand why my seasons are quieter. Lessening the world noise to focus on what matters most is essential to a healthy soul–and body. May your June be a re-set and a wonderful time of faith, fun, family, & friends. I pray the the presence of God is real in your heart. Much love to all of you~Finley & I.

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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?

️

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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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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Peaceful Presence

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A peaceful present. Dad launched this tradition years ago. The peace sign is given to one another when we leave a family get-together or outing. Some of us yell, “I love you” until we’re out of sight from one another. Now, my little grands even give the peace and I-love-you signs. What peaceful presents (presence)! Do you have peace in YOUR heart? Is it reliant on the circumstances of the world? Why was my peace feeling challenged for several days?

“If we have no peace, it’s because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”- Mother Teresa

Peace. If only it were as easy as giving the peace sign.

My heart raced with every “ding” of my phone. The T.V. left me “braindead” and dull. Purposefully, I’d try and read, but my head hurt. I’d try to write and my brain felt bamboozled. My washer began making these terrible sounds; water leaked underneath it. Ding! Another text. I opened two unexpected bills after I unplugged my washer. Ding! PAUSE. PRAY. PRAISE. Two more dings of my phone. The hospital needed more information. My stomach was aching. I hadn’t eaten so my glucose monitor was beeping at me. My neck and back pain forced me to take more Tylenol. PAUSE. PRAY. PRAISE. Ding! Ding! Everything seemed to be too much. If it costs me my peace, is it worth it?

“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”

C.S. Lewis

I’m on year 3 of my cancer journey. Like diabetes, it’s not going to go “away”, but I can do things to help myself when the things I have NO control over start to pull me down (unexpected pain, aches, infection, new thyroid issues, etc…). Why does it seem that I’m on overload? DING! Do you feel that way?

As a visual learner I decided to make a list of the things that make up my LIFE. Creating this form made me happy (the teacher in me ;-).

Karla’s Life Chart by K.L.Hale

The four categories I chose were the best ways for me to visualize my “life”. All of these are important. However, many are non-negotiables! My life is not the same as it was before cancer, the surgery, and treatments. It is…life.

What things make your life? What are the most important? Do you feel bombarded or on information overload? Do you struggle keeping up with what matters most?

My precious parents share their struggles of aging. I’ve witnessed it just as they’ve witnessed my difficulties. My grandchildren are growing like weeds. My adult “kids” will experience new stages. Ah, the circle of life. There’s no need for me to overthink things! It took me years to cure my thinking disease! For my thoughts do not make me.

What does all of this have to do with peace?

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.”

Francis of Assisi

When the things of life are not honoring God or giving him credit, I fall out of peace. It’s not easy to praise him when the washer and health are both breaking. How can I have peace if communication (aside from talking to my Heavenly Father) takes up every part of my day and other things aren’t addressed? If one area MUST be addressed, will the other areas just…wait? Be discarded? Move down the list?

It’s a ME problem. 🙏🏻

“God, you own it ALL. I’m sorry if I make it about me. Without you, there’s no true peace. You’ve told us to prepare for suffering if we follow you. These are the things that grow our faith. I’m ONLY saved by YOUR grace. It’s not from striving, being, or doing. It’s a gift. I heard the call and I accepted it. I was blind and now I see. It was a “me” problem. Thank you for saving me despite ME and my sin.”🙏🏻

All of us have the opportunity to accept this free gift. But I fear many won’t hear. The “dings” of this country and it’s continuous focus on materialism and “me” will drown the sound. I’m silencing all the “dings” of this world, Heavenly Father.

Have faith 💚 Do you know how loved you are?

Friends, thank you for reading and supporting me! My peace restores quicker than my body does at times–but still, I can laugh and find joy! I hope and pray you can find joy and laughter in the things that matter most. Keep on keeping on and don’t lose faith and hope! 💚🙏🏻🤗

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:7

My faith and peace are firmly planted in God’s promises. People, possessions, and passions will fail. The peace of God remains.

K.L. Hale

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If you or a loved one or friend are living with NET cancer please click on this link & visit the Neuroendocrine Cancer Foundation for a treasure trove of resources!🦓

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