I’ve been pondering fruit lately and the process of growing. The wild blackberries at our place have recently ripened and due to the wet winter we had there are so many, and they are big and plump. Unfortunately the winter & spring rains had another effect on our plum, peach and nectarine trees. The spring blossoms got knocked to the ground and we only got a handful of fruit. I’m in a competition with the squirrels for who will pick it first!

As I’ve been thinking about fruit, imagine my surprise today when I went to remove the sticker from my Granny Smith apple and found a tag, “Joyfully Grown” 😄. It resonated with me. How can I grow joyfully because of winter rain or other circumstances instead of letting the blooming process get derailed? Also how can the fruit in my life be used to help others grow?

Whenever I think of fruit the spiritual metaphor comes to mind, “…the fruit of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, kindness, gentleness, and self control…” (Gal 5:22-23). First these are gifts from the Spirit into our lives should we choose to receive them, and then He produces them in us to share with others.

I got to pray with a fighter on the phone last week as she headed for yet another biopsy. We discussed some visualization ideas to help with her anxiety. Everyone’s process is unique but I shared with her my view on the table from Psalm 23:5 and how God meets our needs in the midst of the battle (see blog post “At the Table”).

We discussed some of the spiritual fruit listed above, beginning with love. When contemplating love, I like to imagine Jesus holding my hand as I face something challenging. In my hand I can feel His, and run my fingers over His scars from being nailed to the cross for me. In doing this, I can’t argue with His (or the Father’s) limitless love. I can (& do) express my hurt or lack of understanding, but the proof of His love is right there in those scars.

I’ve been going to a lot of appointments at the chronic pain department at Kaiser. Thankfully they are helping and my foot pain which was exacerbated by chemotherapy is improving. Yay!

Additionally I’ve been healing through painting a lot, and doing the hard work of grieving. When I lost my sister during treatment, and then Brent’s mom, and other life changes hit I kept going by agreeing with my psyche that I’d deal with that later. The cancer battle had to take precedence. Well apparently now is later. Oh boy, I’d really like to find a way around grief or at least a short cut 🙄

One of my practitioners said something beautiful to me recently- what about seeing your tears as rain in the desert? Rain that then produces new life.

Isn’t this just like God? He’s a God of reversals, bringing new life out of dark situations. The resurrection is His best example of this! What reason to hope.

Caring for others who are hurting can bring us joy. So can just having fun. One of my favorite ways to enjoy life is to spend time with children. I love their exuberance and “can do” attitude. I was blessed this week to spend time with my new pastor’s wife, Marby Iglesias, and their three kiddos. I knew I was in for a great time when I opened the door to 3 year old princess, Ilyse 👑 😍

I also got to share my love of painting with their oldest, Bella, and somehow while at my house their son, Isaiah, turned into Scooby Doo! Kids grow in the midst of everyday life. It’s a blessing to participate in that growth.

I want to have a Fruitful Life. In fact, I did something risky for me and entered an art piece by that title (of a pear) at the Sonoma County Fair ☺️ So if you go to the fair- look for my name in the fine arts section. There are two amateur acrylic paintings and two colored pencil drawings 💗 It’s the first time I’ve been willing to sell my art. It feels like a bit of my healing is in each piece.

Each day I want Jesus to fill me up with His love, and then give me eyes to see to whom He wants to give the fruit He’s producing in me. Join me on this journey? Maybe you’ll get to play dress up too! 🤣

I’m left with just one question, was it wrong that I was angry when the squirrel got our one peach before I did? 🤔😡

We had some fun birthdays to celebrate around here lately. Our son Tanner turned 24 and my dad, Norm Jones, turned 85. He makes it look like the new 60 ☺️ I’m so grateful for the father he has been to me and the example he’s set in living life well.

For most of my life, my dad ran Mt. Gilead Bible Conference. Set in the redwoods of Northern CA, camp was a wonderful place to grow up. It was in this special place that my friend since childhood, Erica, and I ran around playing in the groves of trees that were our castle, house, and restaurant. We were set free to play and just needed to listen for the Dining Hall bell and show up for meals.

I spent a lot of time thinking about redwood trees these last few weeks, as I painted a picture of them for my dad’s birthday gift. He and my mom spent their life shining God’s light in the midst of the redwoods and I wanted to honor that.

As a child, I didn’t realize how unique my environment was or that people come to Northern CA just to see the redwoods. I later learned why there were groves to play in- redwood trees share their roots with each other. These towering trees actually have fairly shallow roots because they are intertwined with the surrounding trees, helping to support each other.

What a wonderful example of something we can strive to do as well. When we reach out to others in community, we can support one another on our journey. This takes vulnerability and authenticity but the gain is worth the risk.

Redwood trees are also naturally fire resistant and bug resistant due to the high level of tannin in them. As a child I took for granted that many of the groves had a blackened tree telling a story of harder times. During cancer treatment when Brent and I visited the Avenue of the Giants, we noticed a burnt tree that had regrown into two trees. As an adult in need of inspiration, this was a powerful example of how hard times can result in renewed life, an encouragement I still need.

The writer of Jeremiah in 17:8 says, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; it’s leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to grow fruit.”

What reasons to rejoice! We can choose to drink from the Living Water and be sustained through each season of life, even fire. We can grow, spreading green leaves of shade over others, and produce fruit that will bless those around us.

How can we grow like a redwood tree? Who can we ask for support or support ourselves in some way? Who can we gather around us to celebrate something or someone special?

Let’s drink deeply from the Living Water God wants to give us, and may it grow us into someone who can withstand the fires of life. May we have resiliency and spread out green leaves of shade to others in need of rest, being a safe place for them. May the Spirit grow his wonderful fruit in us and may others be blessed, “and the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” Gal 5:22.

Enjoy your week, and go hug a tree! ☺️ 🌲Don’t forget to look up, the Light is shining…

Life is a roller coaster. Some days are up, some are down, some are twisty spirals where you don’t know which way is up or down. Others it feels like you’re spinning in circles and not getting much of anywhere. I recently got the cutest pictures from my niece of my grand nephews and niece thoroughly enjoying Disney World. She sent photos of them with mouse glasses in place and ginormous grins.

This week Brent and I were in the backyard when we heard a tremendous crash. He ran to help and I called 911. A car had flipped at the intersection near our house. Thankfully the driver was wearing her safety belt and was scared and disoriented but all ok! May we always buckle up for the ride.

I recently had a 6 mo check in with my oncologist. All is good! Yay 🎊 but to figure that out I had to ride roller coaster of life. I’d found a weird mass and my oncologist wanted me to check in with my surgical team as they have the ultrasound machine. My doctor said, I’m not worried but… Has it ever worked to lessen anxiety when someone begins a sentence that way??

Brent and I left my oncologist’s office and before leaving the parking lot called the surgical team. Here’s the blessing- 10 min later due to a cancellation in their schedule, I was upstairs seeing the PA and being cleared since she could use the ultrasound to confirm the truth- the new mass is harmless scar tissue.

In retelling this story to a friend, I’m embarrassed to admit that I used the words, “I can’t catch a break”, to describe the pit in my stomach as I went through this. See I’m not one who enjoys roller coasters. My friend said, “I disagree- a same day appointment only 10 min later sounds like a break to me!”

She’s right. It was a gift to get cleared so quickly and not have to wait any longer, wondering and worrying. I’ve been pondering a truth- there are lies in my head. Do you have them too? Things like- you are alone, life will always be hard, things never go your way, there’s not enough_____ (fill in the blank) money, time, energy, or you are not enough…

I learned long ago that these poisonous lies exist and their antidote is truth. Somehow it’s very easy to loose sight of this. This is why gratitude is so powerful. In spending time being thankful, we are focused on what is good and true. This change of focus quiets the clamor of the lies. Paul says in Phil 4:8-9 that this is part of living in God’s peace.

We don’t always get to choose where our life goes or how fast or slow the ride will be. Sometimes we’re just hanging on through hair pin turns hoping not to land on our head. In the midst of treatment Brent and I took a trip up north to the Avenue of the Giants. After some rain, the sun burst forth shining through the dark forest of redwoods. It was a beautiful display of how light can shine the way.

I find that my daily time reading God’s book of truth, the Bible, fills my mind & heart with encouragement. Ps 119:105 says it this way, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” It combats the lies with truths like, God will never leave me alone, or make me face anything alone, His power is always enough, He made me a masterpiece and even has a plan for this post cancer tired body.

Choosing to buckle up for the adventure with our safety belt in place is part of being ready for twists or turns that come our way. Eph 6 describes our spiritual armor and part of it is the “belt of truth”. It’s an essential element of our success. We can listen to and believe truth or let the darkness of lies run the show.

Are there any lies getting the upper hand for you today? Or can you be a part of helping a friend see truth in the darkness? I’m so grateful for what my friend said to me and how the honesty of others helps me on my journey 💗

I’m flying home from Alaska today. Wow 😮 it was an amazing trip to see wonderful life-long friends. As my first solo adventure post treatment it was a celebration of my healing in addition to shocking my friend, Terah Lites, who was celebrating her birthday. Her family kept the secret well and we delivered an EPIC surprise 😆

The Lites live in Palmer, AK. The town has lots of amenities like lots of small towns but when you look up, you see ginormous mountains. The mountains are so splendid that it feels unreal to be going about every day business in their presence. It seems like they must be a national park, but it’s just the everyday landscape there.

The weather just started warming up to daytime temperatures in the 40’s to 50’s so snow covers the ground in most places and the mountains are covered in snow. Barren trees enhance the view of the peaks allowing you to see through them instead of green leaves blocking the way.

Soon those trees will quickly leaf out and wild flowers will appear. Fireweed will abound as part of that transition. A beautiful fuchsia flower, it is one of the first flowers to bloom after wildfire. Fire actually helps it germinate. Many souvenirs feature the flower because it symbolizes Alaska- the beauty amidst the rugged.

I was recently reminded how wild flowers are a symbol of God’s care for us. They are “here today and tomorrow are thrown into the fire.”and their beautiful petals encourage us, “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself (Matt 6:30-34)”

Life is always offering us new reasons to worry. It can be hard to let go and trust instead. The writer of Psalm 121 put it this way, “I lift my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (V 1-2)”

I felt His sustaining power this week as I traveled. My feet which are sore with the increased neuropathy from chemotherapy let me do some shopping and got me up and down the stairs in my friends’ home. I also saw a lot of beautiful sights from the car. I’m grateful for the wheelchair service at the airport.

It can be hard not worry about how these feet will carry me into the future. What will my mobility look like? Will I get back to what I had pre cancer, or will it always be diminished? Regardless, God assures me that He’s got this.

None of us know the future. Worrying about what’s coming can drive us crazy. Instead let’s come out of the fire stronger, with trust blooming. I watched God take care of my needs daily during treatment, and He isn’t going to abandon me now or ever. You either!

Look up- see the hills? See any beautiful flowers blooming this spring?Let’s let them remind us of their Maker and His help that is ever present.

Happy Spring! Sunshine abounds here and beautiful flowers are bursting into bloom. My nephew and I picked a wonderful bouquet together the other day, and our Easter was full of sunshine. I got to attend the sunrise service at Mt. Gilead Bible Conference and sat spell bound by the sun’s rays as it lit up the sky. I catch more sunsets than sunrises 😆 and in over 45 years of attending the service, I can only remember a handful of clear mornings. So this sunrise was especially poignant.

Recently a friend texted me the phrase “hope springs eternal.” It’s been running through my mind in connection with Easter. The text was in response to my sharing of good news. My fellow cancer fighting friend who recently got off the ventilator had sent me a voice memo thanking me (& all of us) for our prayers. It was a tremendous relief to hear her voice. Hope did spring eternal as I felt reassured that she’s on the road to recovery!

Easter is a time for reflecting on hope. My belief in the resurrection means I always have Hope. No matter how bleak things look, how dark life is, the Light breaks forth bringing Joy. Death doesn’t have the upper hand as it’s been defeated. I felt this truth throughout my being as I watched the sun rise on Easter morning.

My 8 year old niece recently noticed a sign on my refrigerator I made which says, “throw kindness around like confetti”. She and I chatted about what it means and it got me to thinking about how we can spread hope to others as we go about our everyday life.

There’s an encourager who greets me at the community pool where I swim when I use the handicap entrance to get in the water. I don’t know his story but it’s clear he could be bitter, as his wheelchair sits behind him and the oxygen tube he’s using floats in the water. He holds onto the side of the pool, and uses his position as a gate keeper to thank folks for coming and say, “God bless you.” I hear His laugh reverberating over the water as he chats with swimmers coming and going. This week he rejoiced with me in my cancer free status and promised to pray against reoccurrence (the possibility of which is always hovering in the background for a fighter).

I feel the kindness of his words and the cheer from his laughter and wonder how I can spread God’s hope too. Today it was in encouraging a fellow fighter. Her situation is bleak. Miraculously she’s still fighting long past what we all expected. Today she was discouraged wanting healing now instead of eternal hope. Her pain is real and what she’s experiencing is excruciating. I sought to honor that in our conversation and share hope.

When Jesus, an innocent, was beaten and nailed to a cross and put into a grave all felt hopeless in the dark of the night until sunrise on Sunday. When the disciples faced an empty tomb, their perspectives changed. I don’t pretend to completely understand God’s miracle of reversing situations but I hold onto, “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him… (Rom 8:28)”.

We get to partner with Him when He loves others through us. There are many options to consider that He can use to increase hope. Encouraging text messages are great, voice memos can bring special meaning as it can help to hear someone’s voice. A phone call, FaceTime call, or coffee date can allow for in depth connection. Snail mail is still appreciated and can be saved to be reread. An act of service like a meal, a task completed, or errand run can be so helpful to lift someone’s spirits. Gifts are wonderful- handmade or purchased, funny or sentimental. Thankfully we live in a time where you can send a meal or groceries to anyone anywhere with apps from your phone or drop ship a thoughtful gift purchased online.

So how can God use us to spread His hope today? When we ask, we’ll have vision to see a need, wisdom on how to help coax a frown into a smile. May He give us ways to uplift others that they might see His Son’s light rising in us and spreading the warmth and power of His love.

Since it really is more “blessed to give than receive” (Acts 20:35), our cup of joy will overflow as we give it away!

I recently attended a Celebration of Life service for Dwight Jungkeit. It was beautiful. What an example of a life well lived. He’ll be missed by many but his legacy of service will live on and was inspiring to hear recounted.

His nephew, Rich Cundall, spoke at the service and discussed Dwight’s outlook on life. He told us that Dwight always said the formula for more joy was to put J.esus first. O.thers second and Y.ourself last. It reminded me of a song Dwight’s sister Dorothy Cundall, taught me as a child in Sunday School- Jesus, Others, You = JOY.

What a simple way to break down a strategy for living well, not just existing. It’s not all about us and what we want or how we want life to go. Dwight and his wife Lola wanted to go to a Spanish speaking country and do missionary work. Instead they spent a lifetime in Sonoma County, CA investing in small churches and missionaries with American Missionary Fellowship, later called InFaith, and starting the camping ministry at Mt. Gilead. These ministries affected countless lives. I was one of them.

A few years older than my dad, Dwight saw a heart for service in him and asked him to join the team at Mt. Gilead Bible Conference Center. This led to a lifetime of service for my parents there and one of the best childhoods ever for me. Who doesn’t want to grow up at camp??

It seems we are all seeking happiness. Internally I’ve seen my own search include a lot of “I statements”. What do I want? What do I need? What do I want to do with my life?

I was reminded during our time of remembering Dwight that our search for joy is fundamentally different. It starts with, “What does God want?” Then moves on to, “What do others need?” And “How can He use my life?” Joy will be the byproduct of this way of living.

In the midst of service we do need to care for ourselves. Remember what they say on the airplane- “In case of an emergency remember to put on your oxygen mask first!” We can’t properly care for others unless we are caring well for ourselves. We honor God by loving those whom He loves, beginning with us. This includes getting rest when needed.

This recuperation business is hard work 🤣 Not because it’s actually work but because it’s humbling to not be the one finding a super cape in the closet and running off to help others. Drawing boundaries that work as my body continues to heal, and continuing to rest each afternoon like a two year old is harder than it looks.

Resting seems easier in Hawaii so we’re here again… it’s so beautiful and wonderful to sit in the gorgeous creation around us and breathe deeply. This is a season. I’m grateful to continue to see measurable results of my energy returning. Adding some wonderful photos courtesy of Brent’s mad photography skills.

I enjoy listening to Andy Rock from Coastal Community Church preach online. He reminds us each Sunday to ask ourselves, “How will we join Jesus in His resurrection work?” God’s after bringing new life into situations. How can we be a part of that, wherever we’re at?

It can start with as simple an act as a smile. It can include random acts of kindness- letting another go in front of you at the store, or holding a door open, buying groceries for someone. It can lead to a commitment to give regularly of time and resources in ways that help others.

In God we have more than enough each day. Even if we have to sit still and rest, there are still those around us who need our smile. How can our overflowing cup splash refreshment on others in their thirst? In being a part of that, we will find J.O.Y.

Scarcity is a lie that steals our joy. A few years ago I hadn’t heard of the term. Now I think of it often. The pastor from Coastal Community Church in Grover Beach that I love listening to online, Andy Rock, preached on it last Sunday. We both enjoy Brenne Brown’s books. She defines scarcity as the fear that we’ll never have enough.

Have you listened to that insidious whisper before? You’ll never have enough money, time, health, energy, wisdom, strength… or you’ll never be enough in your work, friendships, family, community… Spoiler alert- this is not truth. Only your cat might feel this way 🤣 (I love my cats, but one totally thinks this, not the one in the photos) My advice, always have a dog too! Dogs love more like Jesus does. Just saying.

At the same time I was reading Brenne Brown’s book The Gifts of Imperfection, I was also reading a book about Psalm 23. Now every time I think of Psalm 23:1, I see the antidote to the lie of scarcity. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want” NIV.

The place of being “in want” is scarcity. It’s a place of neediness that leads to fear and to bad decisions. It leads us to mix up our priorities like financial security over people. Working hard and well is admirable, but working to the point of neglecting family or balance comes from believing the lie of scarcity.

At the Kaiser pharmacy on Friday I saw a lot of frustration behind the counter and in the waiting room. The kind gal who helped me commented, “can’t we all get along?” Living in scarcity doesn’t help. Instead of taking a minute to be kind, we feel harried, frustrated, angry that something is in the way of us getting what we need. As I re enter the world after being so isolated with a compromised immune system, I see signs of scarcity everywhere. I couldn’t believe that $9.99 shoes at Ross had a theft alarm. Really, people are stealing shoes under $10.

Truth says, “The Lord is my shepherd …” not only will I not be “in want”, He leads me to green pastures and still waters, and refreshes my soul (Psalm 23:1-3). God is waiting with everything you need. Just ask and He’ll meet you with wisdom, courage, strength, provision. He did this for me daily during my cancer journey.

Today, I feel awful. I think it’s a bladder infection but it’s not totally clear yet. I’m waiting to see if the antibiotics work. Waiting for another doctor appointment. My mind wants to kick and scream and worry. I want to complain that I’ve had enough in the last two years and surely I don’t need this too. Basically I want to believe the lie of scarcity and whine about it.

What if there’s a different solution? One where I pray and ask God to meet my needs here today? One where I’m honest with my support system and therefore receive texts of prayers and encouragement? What if I then say yes to an offer of groceries that comes with a side benefit of hugs? And seek to believe that God will meet my needs again, trusting the timing of when the doctor can see me and help diagnose what’s going on.

Faith is a verb and it’s fueled by prayer. Surrender happens during prayer. I have to give up trying to meet my needs myself to receive God’s gift of taking care of me.

Let’s stop today and express gratitude that “in want” is not a place we have to be, even if the solution to our current problems isn’t clear yet. We can choose to move to place of trust where we receive what we really need from our loving Shepherd. Wow, what a reason to rejoice!

PS that other cat curled up in my lap as I finished writing this 😆 a sign? Maybe 💗

New Beginnings has been on my mind and in my heart as I’m beginning a new Bible Study with wonderful ladies from Hessel Church. We’re starting a book on Esther and the first lesson sets the stage.

The King of Persia is having a huge party and everyone has had too much to drink. He’s portrayed as rich, opulent, spoiled, and not concerned about others. He wants to subject his beautiful wife to the leers (or more ?) of his guests and demands she appear before all his drunken guests.

Queen Vashti refuses as she doesn’t want to be treated as a concubine or disrespected in this way. The King feels very disrespected by her response and decides to look for a new Queen. Spoiler alert- Esther, a woman of faith, will be chosen and God will use her to save the Jews from a plot to annihilate them.

The writer of our study, Lydia Brownback, had us compare the character of King Ahasuerus with the King we are invited to serve. I was so blessed by concentrating on the character of God through the scripture passages she chose.

King Jesus will reign in righteousness and justice says Isaiah 32:1-8. He is a shelter and refuge like a stream of water in the desert or the shade of a rock in a thirsty land. He is noble in character, plan, deeds, action.

So different than the character on display around us in politics, national or international. It makes me long for heaven in a deep way where Jesus will rule in all and over all. Not that I need to go there right now 😆

We have things to do here until He calls us to our eternal home. As we celebrate who He is, may others around us wonder. Hopefully they will see a peace in our lives because of whom we serve. Jeremiah 23:5-6 says He reigns wisely and does what is just and right. He keeps us safe. He is trustworthy as “the Lord our righteousness.”

Trusting in God’s character will show in our lives. Peter referred to this when he talked in 1 Peter 3:4-6 regarding inner beauty. Fear in our hearts shows on our faces and in the decisions we make, the words we snap.

As we practice gratitude let’s rejoice that the King we can choose to serve is trustworthy and has our best interests at heart even when we don’t understand our circumstances. In rain and sunshine, health and sickness, sorrow and joy this can ground us.

As you go about your current journey of life may God show you His streams of living water and shade rocks of rest that you may be renewed. Then may He use us to refresh others as He displays His character in and through us. What a joyous way to live!