Yay! Flowers are blooming at the farm and spring is finally here. The presence of blooms after the rain is such a wonderful picture of the reasons we have to rejoice. Rain brings sprouts & sprouts bring flowers, which turn into fruit, or stay beautiful flowers to put into bouquets!

Our son Tanner & his wife Larisa are planting an acre of organic vegetables this year. (Sparrows & Lilies Farmstead) They are working hard tilling the dirt, adding compost, planting, weeding, and awaiting the fruits of their labors.

Last weekend my husband and I spent a half hour weeding in our garden. It hardly made a dent in all the weeds 🙄​ but it was therapeutic. I enjoy ridding our garden of the unwanted plants that will take over the beautiful flowering ones, choking out their need for sunlight. So today we did it again!

This week I was inspired by a meditation on the calm app to try writing a poem in honor of April being National Poetry Mon​th. So here it is ☺️

Spring Matters

Life is rain and sunshine,

seeds in the dark

drink water from winter.

They wait and then burst

out into the spring sun.

Rays help them grow up.

Leaves welcome oxygen

as tendrils reach to drink

from the River of Life.

Time passes, winds blow.

Roots hold steady.

Flowers bloom bright

turning into fruit,

ready to be picked,

and eaten, consumed

by those in need of sustenance.

Comfort given, is comfort received.

Fruit finished, seed falls

to the ground, soil blankets,

roots grow again.

It was fun to put some thoughts ​into this form. Want to try it too? 😊

May the spring flowers bursting forth bring reminders of the Hope always present. Easter is almost here!

P.S. Here’s some scriptures in my thoughts as I penned the above- Jer 17-7-8. 2 Cor 1:3-4, John 15:7-8, and Gsl 5:22-23.​ 

Newest painting- Contemplation

Friendship is such a gift. In my painting class we’re preparing for a show, “Wag the Tale.” We’re all painting dogs & cats. I chose to paint our dog, Akili, and our granddog, Moose– Forever Friends. They are quite a pair.

Akili is a Rhodesian Ridgeback and therefore a hound dog. Moose is a retriever. They love to run and play together, but Moose wants to chase something- mostly his red frisbee. Akili just wants to chase Moose, or lay in the sun and watch him run. They are so happy when they get to be together despite their differences.

Capturing their faces was hard for me! I found trying to get the tilt of their head just right & the sunlight on their fur challenging. Although it was fun to paint a “white” dog who isn’t really white at all…

Before working on this painting, I got to travel to Hawaii with amazing friends that are like family. It was a long anticipated trip that had to be canceled twice before it finally happened. It was an amazing time together. When we returned home to winter grey from Hawaiian sun, I found myself facing concerns I’d left behind and in post high blues.

I’m studying Philippians, and in 1:18b-19, Paul says, “…I will continue to rejoice for I know that through your prayers, and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”

Paul is imprisoned for his faith in Rome while writing this letter and Nero is the emperor of Rome- not a safe time to be a follower of Christ. I was encouraged by his choice to rejoice in the midst of hardship, not because it was over. Perhaps the latter type of celebration would be happiness. My default is to focus wanting hardship over, not rejoicing in the midst.

A friend recently said that “Joy is peace laughing, and peace is joy at rest.” She’s not sure where she heard it. I loved that! As I focus on the word peace this year, I see that Paul is able to confidently rejoice during difficulties because He knows God will show up, and part of how He does that is through others’ prayers.

As I studied this, I felt I needed to ask for prayers. Alone in my blues was not a place of hope or victory. So I sent some texts explaining how I was feeling and asking others to pray. I also asked some friends if we could plan coffee, or lunch, or a walk.

Social media is fun, and I enjoy the humor I find there and seeing what others are up to, but it doesn’t meet my need for connection. That happens when I pick up the phone and talk or Face Time with a friend far away, or share a meal or coffee with someone nearby. That way I can get hugs, and hugs are important! Receiving cancer treatment during Covid meant no hugs. I’ll never take them for granted again.

Facing the infection I had recently in December and then it trying to come back in February has been unsettling. I’ve needed the understanding of my support system. Those that have faced cancer understand that new medical appointments dig up old fears. Their companionship on this journey is priceless.

Our forever friends, don’t have to have everything in common with us. We just need to care about each other & listen. Time spent together means burdens shared and we go away from it lighter. Of course for this to happen, we have to be honest about where we’re at, and let them be vulnerable too.

Sometimes it feels like our culture fights us on this. Let’s fight back. Real connection is sustaining and someone in your circle needs you right now. Your text, prayers, and hug will mean the world to them.

I get to live on five acres in Sebastopol, Ca. The property used to be a chicken farm. My husband renovated one of the chicken barns long ago into an office for me. It now has a new life as my studio. I’m so grateful for days spent with the winter sun streaming through the windows and paint getting applied to canvases, or cool nights with the fire burning and my animals snoozing away while I paint.

I’m about ready to refresh the displays I have up at Brew Brothers coffee shop in Sebastopol and Brothers Cafe in Santa Rosa. As I considered what to paint, animals kept coming to mind. First I found a photo of a highland cow with its tongue out. A town near us, Tomales, is known for these curly haired creatures. The photo cracked me up and I had to try to capture it.

Next I enjoyed working with a new size of canvas- an oval- to paint my cat Duke’s portrait. He’s been such a gift. When I began my cancer fight I decided I needed a snuggle buddy, I wanted a Maine Coon mix cat like the one I’d had as a child. I got him from a lady who thought he was a girl. I named my kitten, Daisy. A friend questioned his female identity, so as we awaited the vet’s verdict, I started calling him Daisy Duke. That soon got shortened to Duke once the vet confirmed we have a male cat 😂

A friend from painting class knows how much I enjoy painting farm animals and asked if I might like to paint her kids’ pet pig. She had a hilarious photo of the day the pig, Pipoca, decided to “help” her grandson paint, and stuck her snout in the wet paint. They live in Portugal and the pig’s name means popcorn 🍿 So, here’s Pipoca the Painting Pig…

Now, I was on an animal roll and remembered some fun photos we’d taken one evening of cows on our weekly drive to the beach. The sun was setting, lighting up the hill behind them as they ambled up to the fence in hopes of dinner. Curious Cows @ Dinner Time was a fun challenge because of the lighting.

Well, I thought, this collection needs a barn… in the past I’d painted our turn of the century barn and wanted to do something different. Brent had taken some great barn photos for me on one of our trips to Tennessee. So, I printed one of a white barn and decided to paint it. White barns with green trim are so pretty! The photo didn’t have any animals… so I added some sheep and daffodils bursting forth. Daffodils are always the first to bloom at our property bringing with them the hope of spring.

Last year, I painted Garden Friends from a collection of photos from our garden. I’m thinking I’ll hang this with the farm paintings. Every year, I eagerly await new blooms on the plants. A sweet friend just hired me to create a bouquet for her mother’s birthday. I think she was hoping I’d do so from our garden, but this time of year we’re still getting frost and nothing is blooming yet. So off to Trader Joe’s I went to collect the blooms for her gift.

During the dark days of winter after Christmas, it can be a challenge to remain positive. I’ll confess to leaving up my barn “Christmas” lights to brighten the evenings while the days are still short.

During this season, the ground needs to rest, hydrate, and rejuvenate. May we find ways to do so too. Curl up with a good book, fill your home with Trader Joe’s flowers 😆, watch a movie with hot popcorn, or get a cup of coffee with a friend. I hope these paintings bring a smile to your face and that the small blessings you have around you, bring cause to rejoice.

Soon the plum trees will bloom pink and white and the promise of fruit will come again. Just finished Tart Sweetness, my first try at plums. They are tart and sweet- just like this crazy roller coaster called life 💗

Happy New Year! 2025 has arrived- wow! New Years seems to bring reflection. I listened to a meditation on the Calm app the other day and it asked the listener to consider what you’d like to let go of that isn’t serving you any more as the year closed- a pattern, habit, way of thinking, judgement… this got me pondering…

A few years ago my close friends and I decided to choose a word for each new year instead of making New Year’s resolutions. The word chosen represents what we want to focus on for the year. As I considered what I want to let go of, I also thought about what I want to hold on to.

In 2025, I want to break up with doubt- especially doubt about God’s love. For some reason each time I hit a dip in the roller coaster of life, fear takes precedence and I doubt again. As I let go of this fear, I want to receive peace.

I was inspired by a dear friend memorizing Ps 27. She can recite the whole thing! I read it and could see the appeal so decided to give it a go. Over and over this psalm describes scary situations and how there is no need to be afraid.

Each time I work on memorizing the words, I’m encouraged by the psalmist’s confidence. In Ps 27:3 it says,”Though an army besiege me my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” This is the confident peace I want for 2025 and beyond. So the word I chose for 2025 is “peace”. I even found a cool sign at an after Christmas sale 😆

Another friend was facing unexpected surgery this week and I was wondering how to pray for her. Eph 3 came to mind, where Paul prays that his readers will have power to “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ; and to know this love that surpasses all knowledge-“ (18-19).

Really knowing the depth of God’s love chases away doubt. As I grasp Jesus’ hand and take off into 2025, the scars I can feel in my palm are proof of His love. When I’m tempted to doubt because unexpected difficulties arise, I want to hold on tight and believe.

Happy New Year 🥳 May the gift of His peace fill our hearts & bring joy.

Merry Christmas! Are you doing last minute Christmas things? I wrapped so many gifts yesterday & thankfully they’re under the tree now, ready to be given.

I did some reflecting today on the gifts that come within grief and thought of all the brightly wrapped packages under my tree. They are filled with things I hope others will like. Items I hope will express care, and love.

Last Friday, I got a “gift” I didn’t want- an infection in one of my surgical sites. I’d been warned that due to lack of circulation there it could happen. My response was a temper tantrum- “I don’t want this!” It led to a dr visit and as the infection worsened that night, the ER for IV antibiotics. Thankfully my lab work encouraged my doctors so I got to come home – to take 3 different antibiotics. 10 days later, I’m so much better; but also oh so tired. Antibiotics are hard on the body. So grateful my last dose is today.

The holidays are usually jam packed for me with time spent with others or planning celebrations at my house. This time of being sick in the midst of it has brought an unexpected calm. I’ve given myself permission to paint, rest, read, sleep.

We’re walking through another first set of holidays without a loved one- Brent’s little sister. Unexpected pits of emotion come like a puddle of rain water. I step in it and get an unexpected cold splash. Decorating for Christmas was filled with poignancy as I unwrapped ornaments from my sister who passed of Covid in 2021, decorations from Brent’s precious mom who passed of Alzheimer’s in 2022, and handmade ornaments from a little Marissa, just mentioned, who passed of brain cancer in 2024. Its all so much grief.

Cancer also brought losses. Once of which was an insulation of safety. I no longer feel invincible, or like it can’t happen to me. When Kaiser sends me for a test, I worry on a visceral level that the worst can happen.

Simultaneously, grief has brought gifts. Without dark we don’t really appreciate the light. I’ve found that being a cancer survivor, I get to spread Hope. Hope that when the worst news comes, you can survive, and be victorious!

My faith was vibrant pre cancer, but now I know my roots tap into Living Water and it sustains me even through drought. Prayers really do work miracles. Having community is important! Birthdays are precious days and I don’t mind sharing my age. I enjoyed turning 54 on 12/9 and all the ways my family and friends helped me celebrate- dinner out, dinner in, a hike, lunches out… for over 10 days 😁 I’m so happy to have hair and to watch it grow. Others who meet me now and hear my story, wonder if I ever lost it at all… I’m grateful for each precious day given.

Post cancer, I get to spend my days mostly taking care of myself and creating. Painting has been the main outlet for that. Because of wanting to take lessons, I’ve found a community of artists. Within that community are many wonderful people including other cancer survivors and we encourage each other.

I don’t have time any more for the unimportant or to not be honest, or to worry much about what others think. I want to spend time with the people I love. Children are hilarious. Pets bring me joy, and their messes can be cleaned up. Baking is fun, and sharing what I’ve made to eat or spread on a canvas brings me joy.

I have regrets or wishes for what else I could have said to or experienced with those we’ve lost. It makes me not want that with others in my life, and helps me think carefully about how to show my care for them.

In the midst of being sick this last week, my friends and family have shown up again for me. They’re texting, praying, going to the store, making cake, bringing tea, watching movies. There are so many ways to tell people we care.

Sometimes the reason for this season gets drowned out by the noise. Christmas is-God showed His love by giving us His son- John 3:16. The angels said this was, “good news of great joy that will be for all people“ (Luke 2:10). Let’s follow in His footsteps and show our love to others in big ways but also countless small ways each day. The joy of giving is a gift for the giver.

Praying we all have eyes to see the Light in our dark through Christmas and the New Year 🕯️💗

The Christmas season is here! How do you feel about that? Excited, anxious, stressed, joyful? There are so many dynamics to the holidays that can bring up a variety of emotions. Many memes and movies highlight the stress of the season as family comes together 🤪 and then there’s other movies, posts etc that make us feel like we “should” have something perfect at the holidays. Oh my, what a fantasy.

The first Christmas wasn’t even perfect. I can’t imagine having to travel on foot or by donkey if they had one when Mary was SO pregnant. Then desperate for a place to sleep and finding one in a stable. That’s when labor begins? Seriously?! It must have been cold, confusing, and thrilling. Angels appeared to shepherds and then they left their sheep to go see the baby. This is not a “normal“ labor & delivery situation. What even is “normal”?

My oldest son hosted our Thanksgiving and my younger son & wife helped tremendously. We all pitched in. Our daughter-in-law’s family joined us and we had a wonderful time together. My heart was full but also heavy. I found myself sad that we wouldn’t be calling my sister-in-law as we lost her to brain cancer this year. I saw a gift the other day I would have purchased for her & felt the hole of her absence this Christmas season. Joy and grief collided. Perhaps you feel the tension too. Life can be both wonderful and painful at the same time.

I love the Christmas carol that says “a weary world rejoices.” In the darkness of winter, Christmas lights shine brightly, s symbol of the Hope that came that first imperfect Christmas. Luke 1:78-79 are some of my favorite Christmas verses, “because of the tender mercy of our God by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

Christmas is all about the Light coming and shining hope in darkness. It seems the red cardinal has become a symbol of the holidays. Red feathers contrast against white snow on Christmas cards. One day while visiting with my sister-in-law in GA while she was on hospice, a flash of red appeared outside her kitchen window. It was my first sighting of a red cardinal in nature. Her four year old daughter and I were painting together, so we decided to try and paint one and his mate.

Huntergirl sings a country song I like about how seeing a red bird is a sign of God’s care. I love the refrain which says, “I could use a red bird right now.” It’s a heartfelt cry for God to show up in the dark and give reassurance that He’s still present, still cares, and there’s a purpose in the madness of our world.

I just finished painting a cardinal in remembrance of that moment in my sister-in-law’s kitchen when a red bird showed up. I still don’t understand why she went to heaven so young, leaving a young daughter and husband behind. I do have hope that even in the midst of this, God still shows up and cares. There’s peace in trusting even when I don’t understand.

Here in CA we don’t get many literal red birds that show up, but wherever we are may we have eyes to see the ways in which God wants to remind us that He’s present. This Christmas, may His light shine in our hearts, filling us with hope. Hope is contagious. May His light shine in and through us to help our weary world see reasons to rejoice.

Can you believe Thanksgiving is almost here?! My husband has planted so many trees and shrubs on our property that have been turning color and dropping their leaves. Our last maple is bright orange and our ginko glows yellow. I’m trying to enjoy each last colorful leaf 🍁

Thanksgiving is a favorite of mine. It’s a wonderful time to gather with friends and family and there’s not the pressure of gifts. It’s a time to remember to stop and be grateful for blessings big and small.

I’m a big believer that an attitude of gratitude changes things. It changes perspective and even our expression. We’re drawn to those who remember their blessings. In essence, their thankfulness lights them up from within.

I had a good conversation with an aging friend this week who has moved into an assisted living facility. She’s sad to have left her home. In the midst of being honest about how hard it’s been, she also shared how good the food is, how nice the other residents are, and how she’s glad to not be worrying her kids anymore. I told her, “I want to be like you when I grow up!”

I’ve admired this friend for a long time. She faced loosing her husband suddenly in their 60’s and developed a parochial preschool as part of her masters thesis after all her kids were grown. Once again, as she faces this difficult transition, I was inspired by her ability to be honest yet positive. Even in the hard, her sweetness shines forth.

I’ve been working on a painting of hot air balloons. Last summer I finally made it to a hot air balloon launch before dawn with my adopted sister and niece and nephew. The most beautiful part was the balloons glowing in the dark. My photos led to this painting, Lit From Within.

As I did my best to make the balloons glow, I was intrigued by the juxtaposition of light and dark. For light to really shine, it needs the contrast of the dark… something to ponder.

My life went into a spiral of medical appointments last week as my doctors wanted to be very proactive about some post cancer symptoms I’m having. Thankfully the news was all good!! I’m so grateful for good medical care and the thorough approach of my medical team, but spending each day running to Kaiser for tests and scans was stressful.

In the midst of this, I had the sweetest conversation with a phlebotomist about faith and how she goes with others to pray for cancer patients or visit those in convalescent homes. I was inspired by how she was shining in the midst of doing her job.

We are all in different places in life. Our job is to bloom right where we’re planted. I’ve been sprucing up this winter sunset painting that I did last year. My friend who’s a missionary in Alaska took the reference photo at sunset one winter day at 3:45 pm.

I find the time change affects my mood as it gets dark earlier- like 5-6pm. This is nowhere near 3:45 😳 Here’s another reason to be grateful! I’ve found that if I can name 3 items I’m thankful for that can usually turn it into 10 or more.

I’m also rejoicing that Nov 10 was my three year cancer freeaversary. Like my new word? 😆 My life has been forever changed by cancer but that’s ok. I’m so very grateful to not be sick and to be moving forward in life. I know the possibility of reoccurrence is there but I’m confident that if it happens, God will sustain me to fight again.

Yesterday, we celebrated with a trip to a French flea market and lunch with friends. In the most unlikely of locations, I had an encouraging moment. I was waiting in a small kitchen to use a restroom. One of the cooks asked me how I was in Spanish. In my limited Spanish I answered, “bien, y tú?” He said he was also good & then asked how my day had been. I gave him a big smile and in broken Spanish told him I was celebrating 3 years of being cancer free. His face registered shock & in English he said, “Glory to God!” I responded in Spanish, “Gloria a Dios!” We smiled at each other and gave God glory for my health in the back of that kitchen. What a moment!🙌

What are your reasons to be thankful? Can you think of 3? Can it morph into 10? Maybe catch a sunrise or sunset over the next couple of weeks and take time to marvel at the beauty. It can reset perspective on appreciation of the One who makes the sun rise and set. Give Him all the hard things that don’t make sense and see what He does with them.

May the gratitude that blooms in our hearts shine forth and spread joy to those around us. Happy Thanksgiving 🍂

Why is my heart dialed to scaredy cat vs roaring lion? Being an artist is a vulnerable business. It means putting a piece of your soul and perspective into a medium and then creating something outside of you for all to see. This takes courage!

I’ve been submitting my work to art shows. When a piece is accepted, I’m on cloud 9; when they aren’t chosen, it’s hard to stop the negative self talk in my head. I was recently reading a post on anxiety by the singer, Leanna Crawford, she reminded those reading that anxiety is often fueled by negative self talk. So how can we change inner negativity?

Focusing on truth is so important. Leanna’s song Still Waters says, “anxiety hates Psalm 23.” Filling my mind with who God says I am strengthens my spirit. He says I am “fearfully and wonderfully made” Psalm 139:14, and He’s accomplishing His purposes through me, Phil 1:6.

It helps to remember to recognize the inner negativity or lies, “Oh, yeah, there it comes again” type of recognition. Another strategy I’ve learned is to turn the voice into an animated version. My favorite is the Tasmanian Devil. His voice makes me chuckle and not take the negativity so seriously.

Unfortunately turning off the negative voice doesn’t really work. It’s like trying to not think about an elephant and all you can see in your head is an elephant! Turning down the volume on the voice or not taking it so seriously has worked for me. I also practice appreciation of the art around me that I’m so grateful someone had courage enough to complete- the car I drive, the song lifting me up, the book making me laugh…

Surrounding ourselves with encouraging people helps too. Cheerleaders who root for us are important. I have family and friends who enjoy my art. When they look around my studio, their words of praise bolster my courage to create again.

Trying new things is courageous. I recently took an art class on collage and found myself nervous to experiment with a new art form. Results become too important to me. The process of creating is also valuable, so even if the finished product isn’t what I’d like it to be, the time spent being creative was time we’ll spent. I can typically turn off my over active brain while doing art and that in itself is a gift.

It’s helpful to remember that not everyone appreciates every art form. We are all so different, and simply like a variety of things. So if what I create isn’t someone’s cup of tea, that’s ok.

Also, it takes being creative to grow as an artist. I can see progress when I look at my earlier artwork. Lies are insidious and not helpful- like “you will never get it”, or “you can’t do it.”But when I look backwards, I see that I am growing as an artist.

Some people seem to have an extra sprinkling of talent, but all of us can work to hone our skills. Working at something means we will progress in our capabilities. So I might not be able to paint _____ yet, but if I practice I’ll get better at it. No one is a master at something they’ve just begun to learn. That’s such a simple truth, yet time and again I expect myself to do something well the first time I try 🤦‍♀️ Perfectionism is a cruel master.

For example we are learning portraits in my painting class. My first pass at capturing Frieda Kahlo doesn’t look like her except for the unibrow. It does look like a woman- kinda, albeit an angry one. It’s tempting to give up and just go back to landscapes. Maybe portraits won’t be my thing, but they might be… if I keep practicing.

That’s the voice I want in my head- “keep going”, “you can do this”, “it’s worth trying”. Thankfully I’m a part of a wonderful art community. I was so nervous to have my first table at one of our events selling my greeting cards, but everyone was so encouraging.

Let’s remember when someone is doing something hard or being vulnerable, we have an opportunity to be their cheerleader. Maybe next time they need it, they will hear our voice in their head rooting them on. In this way, we can share the joy and bolster courage.

Painting regularly has given me new eyes. While driving I notice the light shimmering on green leaves and wonder how to recreate it with paint. As I walk around our property I notice details and try to catch them with my camera. Perhaps they will become a painting…

I’m feeling a little sad as the leaves begin to turn color and cooler weather begins. I had so many plans for summer! Some of it happened, and hard things happened too. Loosing my little sister-in-law stopped us in our tracks. Grief rose up and encompassed us again.

Trying to recreate creation in paint is very therapeutic, and gives me a lot of time to ponder God’s artistry. While in Glacier National Park we had an afternoon we weren’t sure how to spend. We ended up driving to the North West part of the park to check out Polebridge Mercantile & Bakery.

Wow! & Yum! Inside it smelled like I imagine heaven will- all yeast & sugar and wonderfulness. We had huge huckleberry bear claws & almond joy cookies that I wish I knew the recipe for. We also discovered another entrance to the park that we didn’t know existed. Down a winding, dirt road where aspens were beginning to golden, we found Bowman Lake and got out to walk around. The beauty was astounding.

The day was overcast but the sun peaked through and shone a bit on the still lake. The central peaks of the park jutted up behind the lake providing contrast. We snapped lots of photos.

I had picked up an odd sized canvas at a thrift store before the trip-12×48. As I looked through my photos from the trip it seemed the perfect size to catch the reflection on the water of Bowman Lake. What fun to try to capture the colors and the glimmer of light on the mountains and in the water.

Next up, I decided to dig in to capturing sunrise at Logan Pass. I really wasn’t sure about getting up early enough to see the sun rise on the Going to the Sun Road, but it was so worth it. Spectacular! Cool air surrounded us, the sun peaked around the crags in the mountains and started to light up the sky, lighting up the grass and wildflowers. Fireweed glowed in the first rays. So much symbolism there.

Fireweed is the first flower to appear after forest fires. The fires actually help the seeds open. Therefore it’s a symbol of hope after fire, rebirth after tragedy. I thought about this as I sought to capture the glowing petals.

Then, needing a break from large canvases I started painting a brilliant butterfly that my husband Brent took a photo of at Shell Beach. We were walking on Kortum trail with a friend and among the drab weeds this brilliant guy caught our attention. As I painted the brown and gold background I thought of all the dark that can be used to highlight the light. Without the contrast there isn’t true beauty.

Today in working through a grief journal I thought about secondary losses because of cancer, and loosing important people over the last couple of years. These losses are real and I’m grappling with the need to feel them so I can move on.

Secondary gains also came to mind. Like, having a new appreciation for the beauty around me and seeing unexpected surprises. I love Leanna Crawford’s song, “How Can You Not?” It’s about seeing God all around us-in the sunrise, or reflection, or lizard sitting on a pumpkin. I’ve found that recognizing these blessings can bring daily joy. I’m grateful the contrast of dark times can make the happy ones shine brighter.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 encourages me to keep seeking with the eyes of my heart. In this passage God says, “ I know the plans I have for you, to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all of your heart.” He promises that if we look, we will find Him.

I’m hoping you see something special today- a color, a smile, a gift in holding the hand of someone you love- a glimpse of God in your world. May that unexpected surprise bring a smile of joy to your face and warm your heart.

We recently got to spend 4 wonderful days in Glacier National Park. If you haven’t been, put it on your bucket list. It’s stupendous. We enjoyed a trip years ago that our son Neal planned as part of his 5th grade state report on Montana. Unfortunately on that trip the Going to the Sun road wasn’t open yet for the year. We have always wanted to go back.

This was a trip just for Brent and I and we treated ourselves to a night at the Prince of Wales hotel in Waterton on the Canadian side of the park. We enjoyed it so much, complete with high tea. The view out of the windows is breathtaking and we just sat and drank it in.

Thankfully, the Going to the Sun road was open this trip and we got to travel it twice. Once upon arrival late in the day, and then two days later at dawn to catch the sunrise. I wasn’t sure getting up so early would be worth it, but wow! The mountains glowed pink and then orange. As we waited at Logan Pass for the sun to rise again, big horn sheep wondered by. Because we were up that early we got to see multiple bears from the safety of our car.

There are signs everywhere that you’re in bear country and your safety is not guaranteed. There was also bear spray for sale at every store. We weren’t sure how much hiking we’d be doing so hadn’t purchased any. Because we were up so early we were able to get a parking spot for the hike to John’s Lake. A park employee had suggested it as an easy to moderate hike that I might be able to do.

We started up the trail encouraged by the sign that the hotel horses take that trail & lots of footprints. Then we came to a y. There was a sign but it indicated other trails you would connect to but didn’t mention John’s Lake. We started down it but it was obviously less traveled and with the concern of bears and the altitude I was struggling to catch my breath.

We turned around and tried the other side of the y, obviously the horse trail. We didn’t find a lake so we had decided to give up and return to the car. On the way down we passed another couple who asked us if we’d found the John’s Lake. We explained we hadn’t because the signs weren’t clear. We all wanted to see the lake & debated what to do. They had bear spray! And the horses started coming up the trail. We were able to get some clear direction from the wrangler and another hiker so we started up the trail less traveled, again.

Wow what a difference it made being all together and knowing we had bear spray, if needed. I could now breathe! As we started getting to know each other, we found we had several things in common. We both had two sons, we’d spent many family vacations visiting national parks, and both wives had fought cancer.

I mentioned that I was painting a lot post cancer and looking forward to getting a picture of the lake. I threw that information out there hoping it would be encouraging, but what happened was I got encouraged! My new hiking buddy then told me about her journey with lymphoma and her husband told us how she’d bravely faced reoccurrence multiple times. She had needed a bone marrow donor and her college age sons put out the word. Many of their friends registered to see if they were a match and several ended up donating marrow and saving someone else’s life. Thankfully Kim is now 11 years cancer free, feeling good and they were ready to hike the park and enjoy the beauty.

I wish I could live each day with such an awareness of God at work in my life. It was so obvious that even with all the little decisions we made that day, the four of us were supposed to meet on that trail. The threat of reoccurrence is an ongoing emotional battle for me especially after our loss of Brent’s sister Marissa this summer to brain cancer reoccurrence.

It was as if God dropped Kim and Jim into our path to encourage us that reoccurrence isn’t necessarily going to be my story but if it is, we can face it with courage. It was a clear example of God’s care for me also because I really wanted to do that hike! Once we were together and my system calmed due to being together and the presence of bear spray, I could not only breathe; I could hike and talk 😂 It was also a measurable sign of my stamina and decreased pain in my feet.

Once we found beautiful, calm John’s Lake, we took many photos including a selfie of us four. Upon arrival at our cars we parted with hugs, connected by our shared experience with cancer and unwanted knowledge of what it means to look the possibility of death in the face.

Life takes courage every day. It’s inspiring to hear others’ stories of courage and they can help us not feel alone on our own journey. It can even make the difference between success and giving up. Companions who come alongside us to help us keep going are such a gift, multiplying our joy.