Tag: routine

Miracle Monday

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A friend had offered this ticket a month ago. My body was tired, but a surprise family visit boosted my energy. Several family moments had already made for a marvelous weekend. God knows I couldn’t hike a trail or visit a National Park. BUT this hometown park is still a win! Memories of the game two weeks ago still marinated. I was “good to go.” Talk about a miracle in the making!

Hammons Field, Springfield, MO

Fans left as early as the 7th inning; we were down by 8 (11-3). By the 9th inning, both teams had scored, and it was still an 8-run deficit (14-6).  “C’mon Los Cardinales! You can do this! We only need 9 to win it, boys!”

The remaining fan base was small but mighty. The sun continued to beam as the energy grew. A walk. Then another walk. And then another one. AND AGAIN. A run scored. A double and two more runs. A stolen base. Another walk and a run. An RBI and two runs. Things were happening fast-I could hardly keep up! Is your head spinning? Another run! Wait, another! The miracle was transforming before my eyes. Laughter, cheers, and energy could have propelled a rocket! We won! The final score was 15-14. Our group started high-fiving and laughing. Can you imagine? Keep this in mind—8 of the 9 runs were scored with TWO OUTS…in the LAST INNING. Talk about “one for the books!”

Haven’t we all felt this way at one time: Just when you think, with two outs in the last inning, you’ve lost, miracles still happen.

There have been many times, particularly in the last 10 years, when I didn’t want to participate in the game. It wasn’t because I didn’t have wonderful teammates or fans. The competition was fierce and I felt weak. Finding my position wasn’t easy.  Cheering for others in the stands was much easier than being on a coaching team. As a coach, you’re judged for everything. When in the game, I need positive players around me. Yes, there are times when positivity will strike out. In my experience, it’s the attitude that wins. My game plan has changed so much. Like I’ve written before, I’m listening to my ULTIMATE favorite and amazing Coach. Others, out of fear, may wish you not to participate (so you don’t get hurt). Injuries will happen, though. Through these shifts and new lessons, I’ve held on to the possibility of miracles. Wins or losses I still have lessons. Through a team effort, miracles have happened to me. I think of the 4 players who “walked”. They scored without ever having to strike a ball with their bat. It happens. But I doubt these guys will be allowed to stop practicing their swing!

Whether you’re a player or a spectator, do you believe in miracles? Do you feel you have what it takes to win? You might think you’re in the last inning, with two outs, without hope and a prayer. May you find victory—whether big or small. As for me, I believe.

Very amateur video, pic, and commentating by K.L. Hale (too excited and mesmerized). I have a video of the win and our high-fiving makes for awkward views, so I’ll not share it! But you can imagine the fun!

Fast fact: The Springfield Cardinals is a Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals (we compete in the Texas League North Division).

Have faith 💚

Have you heard of NET, yet?🦓

Last Monday I received news about a miracle—being a surgical candidate. I want to thank my friends and family for their prayers and patience. Preparing for this takes prayer, healthy habits, and also, like I hope we all try to do, participation in that which you love. My focus has to remain on my children and grandchildren. When I know more about specifics, I’ll be sure to inform you!
I’m not on social media and I don’t wish for my website/blog to become like F.B.; however, this is the best way for me to communicate. This place is intended for me to grow and practice my writing, follow other writers, and hopefully, achieve goals (including trying to publish again). I’ve created a healthy schedule for myself during the week which is going to limit the calls and texts to which I can respond. Thank you for your understanding.
We all must establish healthy routines that are good for the plans that God has for us. I hope you are! Our game plans may not always match, but you must follow the plan God has for YOU. Honor it, respect it, and follow it. Undoubtedly, you will be blessed. I’m going to keep my “head in the game” and my heart and soul in good communion with Christ. I will use this area to update my “team”. As you pray for me, I will for you. I’m excited to see how the miracles will unfold. It’s in the really SMALL things, too. May you see them at work in your life. With love, Karla
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Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, and fresh air!

K.L. Hale

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Backup Plan

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In the fall of 1992, I learned what it meant to have a back-up plan. It was called a “sub” plan. If my classroom couldn’t be covered due to illness or other reasons a substitute would be called. So much time was spent on this plan. Even more than my own daily lessons as I wanted the sub to have everything that was needed. You could say I was overprepared.

K.L. Hale

My friends and readers: Below are excerpts from a memoir/devotional that may take me a lifetime to complete. I’m putting pieces of these together to create this post, “Backup Plan”. As always, I thank you for your friendship and support.

Most Likely to Succeed

I was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” in my Senior class (don’t be impressed I have awesome friends and there were less than 40 in my class). It makes me giggle. They had faith in me! To be cliché I’ll ask the age-old question, what defines success? To some it’s a life filled with a spouse, child(ren), successful jobs, a two-car garage, maybe a pet, church membership, and a 3 bedroom-2 bath- ranch home. To others the house may need to be larger and display finer décor and perhaps, an expensive car to drive. It seemed my 20’s was predictably paved for me. You’ll need to do “more” Karla to be successful. The pressure took a toll. My psyche lied to me; therefore, I was in denial. Did I have a back-up plan?

Choices

We all make them. Some good, some bad. At a time of a great fall in my life (and literally off two wheels) technology was taking over. I remember worrying about keeping kids “safe” from the internet. I can still hear the AOL dialing in and wondering what secret would this sound hold? How would life be impacted? To keep on succeeding I ignored my bruised self. The backup plan was bumpy and unpredictable. But eventually it seemed smoothly paved. All the while my greatest success was still in two boys. The school was also filled with young minds and bodies seeking both guidance and independence interchangeably. It didn’t seem there needed to be another backup plan.

Technology and time

Technology advanced quicker than others’ judgements. Suddenly, life flipped like a flapjack. Lives were dangerously compared when everything went “on-line.” Students were learning more than I could. Being a techy, I kept up the best I could and succeeded in gaining traction. Time flew–especially motherhood as I knew it. Conformity makes you question every “could have been,” “should have been,” or “must be.” 

The paved path seemed plagued with potholes. If you haven’t hit one, it’s a miracle. Health challenges hit and halted the hustle and even my hindsight. What’s my backup plan?

What seemed to define me was gone. Everything I thought about future success (kids and grandkids nearby, traveling, career advancing) was different than reality. My backup plan became a mobile home and an excitement about seeking out loved ones, love, and what seemed like success—the back-up plan?

Health and healing

Healing had to come. I could feel it. It’s NOT that I didn’t want to live. Just NOT in pain. Success and a back up plan would always include somebody else. How could I succeed at a back-up plan by myself?

A friend recently shared that you must put your own oxygen mask on before you can help others. I’ve heard this many times from flight attendants. My back-up plan became HIS PLAN. Through HIS plans I CREATED new possibilities, dreams, pothole repairs, and healing choices.

CHANGE…and more change

We all find comfort in routines–the knowing of what to expect. But change is going to happen. So how do you cling to the things you don’t want to change and still experience growth? What if your routine hurts the ones you love? Maybe you don’t seek growth and are just surviving. Perhaps the routine is the only thing you can control. NOT conforming to the world isn’t an excuse to remain in an unhealthy and hidden pattern. Is it? How do we stay set apart, but still impact others? What change will grow your faith? I love holding on to traditions and memories of the past. However, you can become swallowed in swirling thoughts and never move forward. Particularly if you’re someone like me and after all these years, struggle with the empty seats around a family table. But still, I MUST CHANGE. At times, you must separate yourself to seek comfort in your TODAY. Make a new memory! The Pandemic changed us. It changed me. If your rug feels ripped from under you or you are suddenly faced with something new, what’s your back-up plan? To say God has it all is comforting; but he does expect us to make efforts (and hopefully a lifetime of faith doesn’t disappear when things get the toughest). God isn’t going to change…but will you?

Have faith 🤍