Shilah Writes

June 21, 2026 We said from the beginning of this chapter in our lives that as much as possible we would try to attend a church service at whatever location we found ourselves in; that this time of Sabbatical is for a purpose of finding rest for our souls, healing for our hearts, and glorifying God. Lake Roosevelt Bible Church was our first dip into visiting a church where we did not know anyone. It was Father's Day weekend and we had tucked into a Marina on Lake Roosevelt for two nights. We ate one meal out and then cleaned the boat. On Sunday morning we rode our e-bikes up amazing hills above the lake to our destination. The people there were very welcoming, greeting us at the door with the smell of coffee brewing, and curious about who we were and where we were from. The congregation was small, mostly middle aged to older folks, a few children. The building was newer yet practical with stained concrete floors, clean and cool in the air. The piano player was the pastor’s wife, he ...

What one does when they want to write but their Substack is up to date for the week. They write on their old fashioned blog and say more than they would there. Haha! Currently we are tooling along the Columbia River; going from the tri-cities today to Umatilla. There we have a reservation at a marina for two nights and need to get groceries and do laundry. We hope to reprieve from the heat a little as it is supposed to reach record high temperature the next two days. I'm so impressed we went longer than a week with our last grocery provision. I did a little bit of laundry at a marina last week but even that is not as often as I thought. It seems possible now, at least. All the kinks are getting worked out and our systems seem to be running smoothly. We got through the 4th here on the water. It got a little crazy in the town areas. Jet-skis and speed boats were everywhere at all times and tempers were short. A mean guy called my husband names at a free dock because we parked in his ...

When God gives you an assignment and you begin the journey of obedience, be prepared for people and circumstance that come out of the woodwork and ask questions not unlike the enemy in the garden of Eden... (Has God really said?) or (Are you sure that's what God meant?)  From the beginning of time, that has been the tactic of the enemy... to get you to question and ask again, because you didn't like the answers or you weren't getting the results you wanted. Possibly your vision for it became cloudy and vague because you allowed other people's thoughts, ideas, and criticisms to shift your focus. Or you started comparing your walk to other people's walk, you become a little tattle-tale to Abba Father and start to complain and whine because one of your peers got to do that same thing you were told "no" about. Something I am learning...My obedience is not reliant on seeing results. It is not determined by what others think I should be doing or if they value wh...

  It takes a good amount of honesty to God and placing your full trust in Him when one is anchored at night in a bay on a boat... Psalm 90 Rev 4:11 Will your anchor hold? Who is my Anchor? "Jesus, You are. You are God Almighty, Creator of the beauty surrounding me. You calm the waters. You led us here to the waters. I can trust Your goodness for this long night. I come , before the Throne of Grace. I will wait here for rest, because You give rest to those who wait on you. I am unworthy but feel You, through the peace that enters my heart as I envision myself laying prostrate at Your feet". I remember : Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say : "He is my Refuge. He is my Fortress. I trust You, Father". I remember : He will save me from snares and deadly pestilence. He will cover me with His feathers. Under His wings I find refuge. I will say: "He is my shield. He is my rampart. I will not fear". I r...

I wasn't prepared for the grief that gripped my actual heart as we pulled back into Newport, Washington, last evening. The familiar sights of spring and new buildings going up five days older than when we left them...wild roses in full bloom and lupines getting going, the church gym had some work done on it too, I caught a glimpse of it as we rounded the corner from Tweedie to Spring Valley. In all sightings, I felt my heart ache. Silly? Maybe...but I think everyone knows this emotion. We took our youngest and her family to MO to start a life their with her husband's family. Johnny, I have grown to love as my own son but last night as we drove back into the community where they no longer are, I wanted to be mad at him for coming along and changing everything and for upsetting our world like this. The thing about letting go is that it is a grief that one should see as a good thing. It hurts, yes, but that you get to hurt from loving is a blessing and a gift. Little Kiana...the 7...

My first memory of Mom is sitting on her lap with my sister Amy in one arm, me the other, and a big Ole picture book in between us. My mom mysteriously knew the words to make the pictures come alive, complete with sound effects and expressions of sadness and joy. She smelled of Palmolive dish soap and hard work. On Sundays, a dab of 'Here's My Heart' perfume by Avon and Aqua Net hairspray.  In summer, when I think of Mom, I think of Lily of the Valley and Lilacs, rows and rows of peas and beans to shell and snip, and taking off farm work right after lunch, for a swim in the river, fully clothed, why? I do not know. I suppose it was the most natural and practical thing to do, to end the noontime break with a slow meander to the river and a dip into its mirky, dark water. She always prioritized that we read important books and listen to good music, taking us to the closet library, bringing home stacks of books and records of "On the Banks of Plum Creek" or One Day a...

Where did we get the idea that asking God again and again for healing and a miracle of that impossible thing, means we aren't surrendered? It's not weakness or a lack of belief or a question of your trust in God either.  No. Asking over and over is strength and faith. It is abiding and shifting the pain of the lack and the struggle over to God Almighty, which is the only proper thing to do. I think true surrender is all of the struggle. Giving up on your own wits and wisdom, allows you to become utterly reliant on God's promises. This utter reliance on God for every little or big thing means you recognize your need for a Savior. It means... nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the cross I cling. If it breaks you, its not to shame you and cripple you, but to See Him...the One who holds the broken, the beaten, and the hurting... Do both. Surrender and Ask. Keep after it. Don't stop. While that goes on and on and on, make sure you add in praise and worship to God your Ma...