MEET THE AUTHOR
COLLEEN
Colleen is an editor and the author of In the Hands of a Fiercely Tender God and the children’s book on suffering, Out of the Shadow World (to be released early 2023). She enjoys dark-dark chocolate, side-splitting laughter, and half-read books piled bedside. She makes her home near Boise, Idaho, with her husband Eddie, their son Jeremy, and Willow the dog.
Cancer Update 8.23.25
Some of my most enjoyable conversations over the past two-plus decades have centered on the question, “How can you believe in a God who allows bad things to happen to good people?” In fact, some of my favorite convos have been with those who disagree with me over this question—not because I’m super smart or persuasive, but because I’ve lived at the crossroads of suffering and faith for so long, I welcome the chance to talk about the elephant in the room (and the pain behind the question).
Cancer update 2.20.25
The veil feels extra thin today… like gossamer or tulle. And while I may be living my best 90-year-old life right now (*snort*), it helps to know there’s a reality so much bigger and better than this present one—a fact that makes today deeply meaningful and worth living to the hilt.
I am a forgiver
I am a forgiver because I’ve been forgiven. My filth and my failures filled up every page ofevery book on every shelf of the world’s largest library. Expansive, unedited, detailed and damning, with new volumes added every day.
Cancer Update
I can’t believe it’s been over four months since my last update when I said, “I hope to write another update soon…” I know my silence has been worrisome, so I do want to be more faithful to communicate. But I’m still finding it hard to put this phase of things into words. As a stop-gap measure, I’m gonna copy-and-paste my July 29 Instagram update below. Strangely enough, right now it’s easier for me to write within the constraints of a word limit like Instagram’s… but I do hope to send a more heartfelt update soon: a sooner-than-four-months-from-now soon. 😉
Writing Workshop this January
I’ve officially been off treatment for a couple of months, and I couldn’t be more grateful. This extended break has given me a chance to do something I’ve missed doing: teach writing! Below is information about the online workshops I’m hosting. My January Tuesday workshop has already filled up, so I’ve added a second workshop on Thursday evenings. Here are the details:
To chemo or not to chemo?
When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, I was adamantly against
chemotherapy and resolved to heal myself with the help of an alternative doctor/clinic/protocol. I’d spent the last decade eating like a nutritionist (“let food be thy medicine!”), ridding my home of chemicals, and working with fantastic naturopaths. I knew firsthand the benefits of addressing disease systemically—not just covering up symptoms with meds.
A story for kids (especially those who are hurting)
Several years ago I wrote a story for my son whose world had been turned upside-down by both chronic illness and my first cancer diagnosis. As a mom, I longed to create a gentle place for Jeremy to process his grief, so I asked God to help me do things like keep an open dialogue with him, create joy in our family even through the hardest days, and track down support for him within our community. I also wanted to address his suffering in a creative, disarming way, so I asked God to help me wield the language of story, putting words to those tenderest places of a child’s grieving heart.
Cancer Updates 2023
Okay, I’ve guzzled two cups of organic black decaf low-acid mold-free coffee and am ready to attempt an update. ? I’ll say it again: There’s no vocab for this journey, so I just kind of stab at words and pray they make a wee bit of sense.
A few thoughts on weakness…
Okay, I’ve guzzled two cups of organic black decaf low-acid mold-free coffee and am ready to attempt an update. ? I’ll say it again: There’s no vocab for this journey, so I just kind of stab at words and pray they make a wee bit
Aging for the good of others
I grew up on the doorstep of Hollywood and Orange County, the beauty capitals of the world. When out-of-state friends visited, they were stunned by the “beauties per capita” of my neighborhood. I’m not sure if it was this saturation of perfectly curated faces and
Why hasn’t God healed me?
I used to think suffering was meant to teach me lessons—hard but good life lessons—and as soon as I learned what God wanted me to learn, my suffering would come to an end. I see things so differently now. Suffering isn’t a classroom—it’s an invitation
