On the Journey With...
Krislenn Taylor
I’ve never met Krislenn in person, but we share mutual friends and the unfortunate bond of being fellow cancer warriors. Over the past year, we’ve found various ways to periodically encourage each other on social media as we both struggle and fight this horrid disease. Recently, she posted something that truly resonated with me, touching on an inner battle I believe we all wrestle with: the accusing voices, the regrets, and the heartaches that the enemy loves using to beat us down (making every other challenge in life all the more ominous). When I read it, I was moved by her honesty and courage. I asked her permission to share it with you, and I trust you’ll appreciate it as much as I did.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
We often carry the weight of how things could have been different if we had just known better—how to love better, speak softer, ask for help sooner, or be less afraid. But God doesn’t shame us for what we didn’t know back then.
I’m still learning how to move through this.
The grief of losing the life I thought I’d have forever. The shame of being divorced as a Christian woman who fought so hard and so long against it. The moments I wish I could go back and do differently.
For a long time, I’ve carried the shame of how I handled things when I was hurting—how I shut down or lashed out when all I really needed was comfort and was too afraid (or too prideful) to ask for it. But I’m starting to understand that I wasn’t the “bad wife”…
I was hurting…
I wasn’t crazy…
I was overwhelmed…
I wasn’t unlovable or too needy…
I was lonely and deeply in need of love and connection. I never wanted divorce and I still believe in the beauty and sanctity of marriage. I’ve learned that healing sometimes begins the moment you acknowledge that you can’t keep something alive that’s been breaking you for years.
I’m not bitter.
I’m not broken.
I’m a woman who has been through the fire—and come out refined.
Healing isn’t linear. Some days I feel strong and grounded. Other days I still wrestle with regret and wonder what might have been.
But even in all of that—God meets me with grace.
And I’m learning to meet myself with it too.
Life doesn’t always turn out the way you want it to, but God always gives us the strength to move and let go when needed. I’m thankful for the grace He continues to pour out as I heal forward. It’s the beginning of a new chapter I’m learning to embrace—with faith, dignity, and a heart that’s still soft.
Soul Care with
Pastor Jenn
To Pastor (verb): to shepherd, advise, and guide into a place of deeper spiritual understanding
“Certainly the faithful love of the Lord hasn’t ended; certainly God’s compassion isn’t through! They are renewed every morning. Great is your faithfulness.”
I had a realization this week – it’s only in hindsight we see God’s faithfulness. We can’t see his future faithfulness to us. We are bound by our humanness to look back and remember all the ways He was faithful to us in the past. Then out of that experience, trust that He is that same God now as He was then.
It’s a lot for our human brains to accomplish. I think that’s why I love this scripture so much. It speaks of the everlasting nature of God’s love and compassion towards us. They are new every morning! The New Testament says in 2 Timothy 2:13 even if we are faithless, He remains faithful. So, all those times we doubt and wonder, God’s posture towards us isn’t changed at all. He is faithful, day after day, replenishing His love towards us every morning. It’s such a wonder.
If you are going through a shaky season in your life, know that neither your circumstances nor your questions are shifting the character of God. He will remain faithful. He was faithful in the past, He is that same God today and for all our tomorrows. Rest in knowing, He’s not through yet. And may you one day look back on the season you are in now and remember – God was faithful.
Caregivers Corner with
Kathi Peters
To Support (noun): to provide assistance that enables one to function or act.
I want to welcome Kathi Peters to the team of writers. I met Kathi (and her husband David) at Hope4Cancer, and they quickly became fast friends, and she has graciously agreed to offer her perspective on the healing journey from the caregivers’ perspective.
As someone who’s walked the path of caregiving, I want to start by saying this: I see you.
When my husband David was diagnosed with cancer in 2022, my world shifted in ways I couldn’t have imagined. We’ve often said, “We were the LAST couple anyone ever thought would be touched by cancer. We have always been very health-conscious and faithful followers of the Lord – even serving in ministry!”
All of that changed with David’s diagnosis, and the next thing I knew, I wasn’t just his wife, I was his advocate, his nutritionist, his researcher, and often, the one holding us both together when things felt like they were falling apart. Caregiving asks so much of us, and yet, it often happens quietly, behind the scenes, with little recognition or rest.
I’ve spent most of my life focused on health and wellness, both for myself and for others. But nothing prepared me for the emotional weight of caring for someone you love while trying to stay strong for them—and for yourself. The late-night worry, the endless appointments, the fierce protectiveness over every bite of food, and the sheer exhaustion that settles into your bones. If you’re in this role, you know exactly what I mean. You’re giving your all, often while putting your
own needs last.
That’s why I’m passionate about creating space for caregivers. You too deserve support, encouragement, and reminders that your well-being matters too. This column is for you—the one holding the line with love and grit. My heart is with you every step of the way. I’ll be sharing thoughts, tools, and gentle reminders to help you care for your loved one—without losing yourself in the process.
I am also open to hearing from you about content you might find helpful. Let me know what you need.
And can I remind you of something crucial? God sees you too. His presence is comforting and healing. Allow your heartbreak to move toward God. He is our safe refuge!
Worship Moment
With Joel Salabarria
To Inspire (verb): to fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
Song: Lovesick (Spotify and Apple Music)
Band: Maverick City Music (featuring Chandler Moore and Siri Worku)
From: “Tribl” (2021)
Every time I hear this song, it pulls something deep out of me. It’s like my heart just reaches up and says, “This is what I’ve been looking for.”
- Not more noise.
- Not more busy.
Just real love—the kind that fills every empty space. It hits me in a raw way. It makes me slow down. Reminds me I don’t have to have it all together—I just have to be open. And in that place, I feel fully seen. Fully loved.
So in love with Jesus
What can satisfy this craving but Jesus, Jesus?
There’s a lovesick longing
Deep inside my soul
There’s a desperate hunger
That won’t let me go
Oh, there’s a lovesick longing
Deep inside my soul
There’s a desperate hunger
That won’t let me go
No, You cannot deny it
A heart that is desperate
Only You satisfy it
A heart that is desperate
There’s a lovesick longing
Deep inside my soul
There’s a desperate hunger
That won’t let me go
There’s a lovesick longing
Deep inside my soul
There’s a desperate hunger
That won’t let me go
Poetic Encouragement:
Love after Love
To Encourage (noun): to give support and hope to someone so that they will do or continue to do something.
The time will come
when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other’s welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.
~ Derek Walcott
Nutrition Nuggets with
Suzanna Hake
To Nourish (verb): the act or process of being nourished.
One of the bigger challenges in the summer months is finding healthy snack alternatives, so let me share one of my favorite recipes – because who doesn’t love chocolate chip cookies! These chocolate chip cookie dough bites are a healthy twist on a classic recipe, and are gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, AND high-protein!
Ingredients:
* 1½ cups almond flour
* ¼ cup cashew/almond butter
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* ¼ cup maple syrup
* ¼ cup @navitasorganics unsweetened cacao wafers 🍫
* cacao powder (to top)
* 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
* Coconut 🥥 flakes (to top)
Directions:
👉🏼 In a large bowl 🥣 add all of the ingredients. Stir together to form a cookie dough. Scoop the batter and roll into balls.
👉🏼 Let balls sit in the fridge for about 20 minutes. While they are in the fridge, heat up 1 cup of navitas cacao wafers until chocolate melts.
👉🏼 Remove balls from the fridge, dip them in chocolate until completely covered, then top with cacao powder and coconut flakes.
👉🏼Place them back in the fridge for about two hours. Enjoy!!
Update on the 90-Day Health/Fitness Challenge
My friend Otto and I are starting our 3rd week of our 90-day contest. Otto is mostly plant-based, I am mostly animal-based. We are chronicling our journey on my Facebook group – where we are reporting five days a week on various facets of the adventure:
- Measurement Monday (measuring changes in our waistline, chest, thighs and biceps)
- Tally Tuesday (report changes in our BMI, visceral fat)
- Weigh-in Wednesday (we let the scales do the talking)
- Thin-man Thursday (sharing diet and exercise tips/tricks)
- Fun-fact Friday (what we are learning along the way)
The ‘contest’ isn’t just about our own health and doing a personalized comparison between two different approaches to getting healthier – we have also added a fund-raising component, where we are raising money for the work we do among cancer patients and their families. You can ‘vote’ for your preferred approach by contributing HERE.
Piet's Ponderings
To Pray (verb): Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer ad petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God )Philippians 4:6)
God is never tired!
In fact, He’s always actively at work (John 5:17):
- redeeming,
- reclaiming,
- adjusting,
- tweaking,
- restoring,
- healing,
- guiding,
- inspiring,
- renewing,
- saving,
- helping,
- intervening,
- persevering,
- equipping,
- strengthening,
- forgiving,
- supporting,
- creating,
- establishing,
- encouraging,
- protecting,
- providing,
- defending,
- loving,
- communicating,
- long-suffering,
- transforming,
- orchestrating,
- indwelling,
- unchanging,
– AND sustaining us – all the way to the end!
Healing Prayer
For a Friend In Need
Dear God, I have a friend who’s now in pain. This is a difficult time for his/her life, so I ask You to be with him/her. Show him/her Your mercy and send forth Your healing hands to him/her.
I know, Lord, that no disease is ever too much for You to heal. You shall allow no affliction, whether physical, mental, or emotional, to stay with us forever. I trust in You, God, and Your mighty power to restore my friend’s body and mind back to normal.
Thank You also for blessing my friend with skilled doctors to help him/her on his road to recovery. Thank You for giving them intelligent minds and compassionate hearts to serve my friend during his/her time of illness. Continue to anoint them with Your wisdom, God, that they may provide correct diagnoses and prescribe the right medicine.
We continue to trust in Your timing, Father God. Continue to work Your restoration through his/her body. Renew his/her strength soon that he/she may continue to serve You and share Your love with the people around him/her. All these we ask in Your Name, Amen.
Support the work!
The Van Waarde Foundation underwrites and supports a variety of projects related to supporting, educating, and encouraging fellow cancer warriors and their families.
Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration.
https://www.patreon.com/c/pietvanwaarde
