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Dear SELAH,

My name is Mark Triplett. I live in Minnesota with my wife, Linda—we’ve been married for over 55 years now (as of June 2025).

I’m writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for all you have done in my life through your music and ministry. What you’ve created has been far more than inspiring or uplifting—for me, it has been lifesaving in the most literal sense.

There was a time when I considered ending it all.

In August of 1997, my 23-year-old son, Adam Triplett, died in an airplane accident. He was a flight instructor. Both he and his student lost their lives due to engine failure during a training flight. Adam was my only son, newly married, just three months into his marriage at the time of his death. Our lives were shattered. Our future with him was gone in an instant.
That same year, 1997, you came together as a trio: Todd, Nicol, and Allan. Sometime later, Amy joined the group after Nicol stepped away. (My heart still aches for Nicol’s loss of a child. I know that pain all too well.)

Since those early days, I’ve been listening to SELAH—mostly on KTIS, our Christian radio station in St. Paul. After Adam died, I would wear headphones to bed every night, saturating my heart with God’s Word through music and messages, desperately seeking comfort to make it through the night.

Over the years, many Christian artists have helped guide me through the long, complex journey of grief and faith. But SELAH always rose to the top. Through your music, God brought light to my darkness, peace to my heart, and answers to prayers I couldn’t even put into words.

Three of your songs continue to hold deep significance in my life:
“Press On,” “Wonderful, Merciful Savior,” and “He Will Hold Me Fast.”

“Press On” came out around 1999, a time when I was drowning in sorrow. I was clinging to faith by a thread. One evening, I collapsed at the foot of my bed, sobbing, desperate, crying out to God for help, for direction, for something—anything.

I eventually fell asleep in tears. Then God answered.

In the middle of the night, I was jolted awake just as Press On began playing on the radio. As I listened, the Spirit of God wrapped me in comfort. The lyrics weren’t just words; they were a message—a divine appointment. I felt God speak to my soul:

“Press on, Mark. In Jesus’ Name, just press on.”

That night became a turning point. It didn’t erase my pain, but it gave me the strength to carry it—and a reason to live. It was hope. It was healing. That song saved my life. Truly.
Your music has carried the voice of God into my wounded heart—songs filled with truth, beauty, and the unmistakable power of the Holy Spirit. You have been vessels of His grace and healing.

Todd, Amy, Allan (and Nicol), I want you to know that today, I am still pressing on—with a renewed purpose: to share my story of God’s amazing grace, to proclaim my Wonderful, Merciful Savior, and to assure others that He Will Hold Me (and them) Fast.

I believe you have stored up much treasure in Heaven. You have planted seeds of hope in places you may never see. I know I am just one among millions, but I am one. One deeply thankful, eternally changed listener. One eternal friend.

With all my heart,
Mark Triplett
Minnesota

BEYOND THE SUNSET

A while back, l was feeling quite sad about Adam being gone from my life, even after 26 years. And I told God about it, not complaining or asking the "why?!?" questions. I just let God know how much I miss my son. His response was a beautiful and gentle reminder of where Adam is today, in Heaven with Jesus.

Adam was a pilot and flight instructor of airplanes. It's all he ever wanted to accomplish in life, and mastering the trumpet, which he did (both) by the age of 17. He made me so very proud! Of his accomplishments, for sure. But it was his character and his faith in Jesus that crowned my head.

One of Adam's favorite Christian hymns was "Beyond the Sunset." It was my mom's favorite, too. I sang it to her on her deathbed back in 2021. She was 98 years old. I've sung that old hymn a thousand times in church services, finding myself a bit closer to Heaven each time, as I age. I'm 74 at this writing.

Well, shortly after making my feelings known to God that day, He responded with a miracle message, and rather quickly, I might add. I even captured it with my camera from the balcony of my apartment.

The scene represents my son, Adam... Flying his plane (symbolically) ... Over the Cross of Jesus... Toward the sunset, like in the song.

I was comforted by the scene, and I revisit this image on days of sad remembrance, remembering that Miracles come in a variety of experiences.

True story.

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Discovering the Hidden Beauty in Music

The word “Art” stretches far beyond brushstrokes on canvas or words on a page. It is the sacred language of the soul, flowing through painting, literature, dance, photography, music, and even the whispered harmonies of nature. Art invites us into a deeper communion with life itself. It opens a doorway to Hidden Beauty—the kind not always seen by the eyes but felt deeply by the heart.

In every creative act I undertake—through my photos, my digital expressions, my spoken or written words—I strive to uncover this Hidden Beauty. But today, I invite you to journey with me into one of the most soul-stirring realms of all: the Hidden Beauty of music.

This isn’t just about melodies or rhythms. This is about music as a sacred thread that binds us to the Divine, to each other, and the deepest parts of ourselves.

As I’ve walked through the seasons of life—through joy, sorrow, silence, and song—music has been my constant companion. Notably, KTIS Radio in St. Paul, Minnesota, has been transformational in my spiritual growth and a lifeline in my grief and faith journey since 1997. Over more than seven decades, music has whispered comfort in the dark, lifted my spirit in prayer, and held me in moments too deep for words. KTIS Radio and the amazing musical group SELAH were pivotal early in that Grief/Faith journey, and they still are to this day.

When I lost my son, Adam, grief became my shadow. In that long valley of mourning, Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber became more than a piece of music—it became a sanctuary. Many might not understand how such aching sadness could be beautiful. But I felt it: the profound, aching beauty of sorrow shared, sorrow expressed, sorrow held with reverence.

Barber’s Adagio didn’t just echo my pain—it gave it wings. It affirmed my grief and gently carried me from despair into a quiet, grateful light.

This was no quick healing. My journey through grief has unfolded over nearly 30 years. And through it all, music has been the balm to my soul, the light in my darkness, the quiet voice of God when my voice faltered. In those sacred spaces of sound, I discovered a hidden strength, a hidden grace—a Hidden Beauty that kept me from feeling alone.

But among all the music that has marked my journey, one voice, one message, one source of holy hope stands out: SELAH.

Their songs were not mere melodies—they were lifelines. They called me to Press On, to cling to the truth that I am held by a Wonderful, Merciful Savior, and reminded me again and again that He Will Hold Me Fast. Through SELAH, God whispered to me in my weariness, sang over me in my sorrow, and anchored my faith when everything else seemed to drift away.

Through their music, I found something deeper than sound. I found the Hidden Beauty of God—in my brokenness, in my healing, in every tear that turned to praise.

I encourage you to listen—not just with your ears, but with your soul. Hidden Beauty is waiting in the music around you. And sometimes, when the world is quiet enough, and your heart is open enough, you may hear the voice of God... singing you home.

SELAH.

Pause. Reflect. Believe.

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At our local library, out in the side-yard where children run, jump, and play, there is a very large stone filled with shapes, colors, and mystery!

I decided to take a "day off" and visit my local library to sit and read, to enter a brief respite from my daily grind and into adventure, mystery, and intrigue. I love to read. It was a beautiful fall day, the sun warming the large stone in the side yard of the library. It was quiet and peaceful there, so I sat down to read my book on that beautiful large stone.

As I began to read (a poetry book on beautiful things), I was drawn to the very rock I was sitting on, reflecting on what I had just read. I looked deeper into the surface of the large rock, and inspiration struck. I could see multiple stories hidden within the stone's multifaceted surface.

I set down my book and picked up my camera, and began an hour-long adventure, each image a separate story on its own. The more I looked into the stone, the more stories emerged, stories of mystery, intrigue, adventure, and mostly of beauty.

Next time you visit your library, city park, or even your backyard, stop to look for things that have Hidden Beauty within them

Visit my Collection "Hidden Beauty" on my website Hidden Beauty

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Chasing Rainbows

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “You’re just chasing rainbows.” It often implies a fruitless or fanciful pursuit. But to me, chasing rainbows is something far more meaningful—it's a journey of curiosity, wonder, and the pursuit of dreams. And surprisingly, that journey often begins close to home. I’ve realized that the beauty and potential we seek are often right outside our door, just waiting to be noticed.

Why do we chase rainbows? Because they represent more than color in the sky. They symbolize hope, promise, and the vibrant possibilities of life. When we slow down—really stop to look, listen, and feel—we start to see the hidden beauty all around us. That act of noticing becomes a gateway to inspiration, fueling our creativity and bringing us closer to what truly matters.

So, how do we begin? Start with nature. Maybe it's photographing the rich hues of autumn leaves or capturing the quiet elegance of a dew-covered flower. Even the smallest subjects can spark wonder. Often, it’s these overlooked details—the “hidden beauty”—that reveal the most about our hopes, our imagination, and even our purpose.

Back in mid-October of 2024, during peak fall color season, my wife and I set out to do just that—chase rainbows in the form of fall foliage. We traveled to eastern Wisconsin, staying in Eau Claire as our base. Each day brought a new day trip, exploring the rolling hills, wooded valleys, and small towns of the Driftless Area in southeastern Wisconsin. Guided in part by the color maps from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, we hoped to find nature at its most vibrant.

Minnesota even offers a guide called the Rainbow Routes—a beautiful concept and a great name for those of us drawn to color, light, and fleeting beauty. (https://driftlessareamag.com/unicdn/what-is-the-driftless/)

We discovered some lovely places, met kind and interesting people, and came home with fresh ideas for future visits. But I’ll admit—photographically, it wasn’t quite what I hoped. I found myself questioning the timing, the destination… wondering, “Was I just chasing rainbows after all?”

Then, just weeks after returning, the season shifted. November arrived with its usual mix of rain, fog, and early winter wind. Not the kind of weather you'd associate with chasing rainbows—but I still felt that familiar tug to seek something beautiful. So, I went out again. This time, it wasn’t far—just a block from home, drawn by the quiet drama of fog-shrouded trees and empty roads.

And you know what? I found it. That spark. That magic. Not in some far-off landscape, but just minutes away. This time, I wasn’t chasing rainbows—I was seeking adventure. And I found it. The reward? A few images I truly love, and the reminder that wonder doesn’t require distance. Sometimes it’s right there in front of us.

So, when should you start your journey? The answer is simple: right now. Today. Don’t wait for the perfect time or the ideal destination. Chase your rainbows—however they may look. Let go of expectations, embrace the process, and stay open to surprise. There’s hidden beauty everywhere. You just have to look.
And yes—bring your camera.

Be inspired.

~ Mark

Explore my Chasing Rainbows - Fall Colors Collections here

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I flew my first long, solo cross-country flight over the Shoreview Towers back in 1997. My son, Adam, my flight instructor, was watching and listening from behind my aircraft. I didn't know he was behind me.

As I approached those towers, I called the Anoka-Blaine control tower to request a northbound transition over their airspace. I was in the same approximate position as the aircraft in the photo, still flying above the towers, but my airplane was much lower.

I quickly received radio clearance to fly over their airport, followed by my son's voice... "Nice job, Dad. Way to go. Have a good flight."

Comfort, peace, and reassurance came over me in waves.

Years later, as a photographer, I set out to photograph a Full Moon behind those same towers. After setting up my camera, I said to God (yes, I talk to Him regularly), I simply said it would be so cool to have an airplane in the scene.

Truly, moments later, one appeared, travelling high in the sky.

At that moment, I remembered Adam's words to me, and I thanked God for the gift and the precious memory.

True story.

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You may have heard the phrase, “The calm BEFORE the storm”, but today I want to share a true story about discovering the Hidden Beauty in the storm. This personal discovery helped me in my grief journey. And, oddly enough, I was intentionally seeking a storm on Lake Superior, on the Minnesota side of the big lake.

As a very brief introduction to my story, I want to say that each year on November 10th, folks along the North Shore of Lake Superior, from Duluth to Grand Marais, commemorate the sinking of the large iron ore ship, The Edmund Fitzgerald, back on November 10, 1975. As a memorial tribute to the 29 sailors who lost their lives that day, the legendary Split Rock Lighthouse provides a ‘memorial beacon lighting’ ceremony.

In 1976, singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot paid tribute to the 29 lives lost in the sinking of the ship with his song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”

As a photographer and storyteller, I am drawn to the memorial lighting and to those raging storms that buffet the lakeshore during a time now called The Gales of November. Many photographers have captured the wonder and mystery of those storms on the big lake. And each year, my wife Linda and I trek up to the big lake in hopes of experiencing a big storm, to capture images of those rare and powerful waves crashing onto the Sawtooth Mountain Range that guards the shores of Minnesota. It’s in those crashing waves that something wonderful is revealed.

Through a natural response to various events we may witness, we can see ‘things’ within what we are looking at. It’s called Pareidolia, seeing things within other things. Webster’s dictionary defines it this way: pareidolia: the tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern. (See the two images of large waves hitting the cliffs of the Sawtooth Mountain Range – those were taken by my friend Paul Sundberg (Sundberg_1 & Sundberg_2). What do you see in the images?)

In November of 2022, Linda and I found ourselves ‘locked in’ during the storm because of freezing ice and snow on the roads. We never made it to the Sawtooth Mountain Range to witness the power of the storm. Instead, we were to wait out the storm until it was safe enough to drive. By then, the storm had passed, and a calm was settling in on the lake.

But during our unfortunate ‘lockdown’, we discovered something much different than what we’d been seeking. We discovered images of Peace, Beauty, and Calm – all AFTER the storm. Seeking the Hidden Beauty in things is my mantra, as a visual artist, and especially as a grieving dad. (See my wife's photo - "Tears in the Woods")

As you may surmise, the effects of grief are numerous, painful, dangerous, debilitating… I could go on, but you may already know the ‘stuff’ of our grief. In my book (not for sale) I call it by its rightful name – The Villain. Am I right? Using the things I’ve learned in my 25-plus year grief journey, and through my storytelling and art, I have discovered a new way to cope along the way – seeking and discovering the peace and calm in the Hidden Beauty within.

For years, Linda and I were given little tokens of beauty in Adam’s life before his death in August of 1997. Stories of legacy and laughter, items of joy and tears, memories we had not known until someone gifted us with them. All hidden from our sight until ready to be revealed – in time. And when revealed, a calm comes over us as we experience the hidden beauty in them.

My hope and prayer for you is that you take a day-at-a-time experience in your grief journey, allowing you to discover all the hidden beauty in your life. This road of grief is an unrelenting sorrow, authored by none other than The Villain of our lives. But one thing the Villain cannot do is rob us of our memories, stories, and legacy of our loved ones. Fight back with discovery, fight back with the hidden beauty of your loved one’s story. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll find. I am, continually.

The photos included in this post are mine, Linda’s, and Paul Sundberg, my friend.

What began as a hobby in 1965 became one of my life's many passions, and I see photography as the art of visual storytelling. I believe there's a hidden story in every image captured.

Photography not only tells a story but preserves those precious moments in time we all come to cherish. I enjoy capturing beautiful landscapes and nature, people, and places, or creating digital art and abstract images.

I desire to produce art that transcends time and space, whether steeped in rich, vibrant colors or hidden within the mysterious and intriguing nature of black-and-white scenes. With a sensitive eye for detail and over four decades of experience, I bring you to where my true passion lies, straight from the heart.

Explore my Gales of November Collection here

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The main theme of my BLOG is the discovery of Hidden Beauty in life.

Whether it’s photography, poetry, architecture, music, looking, and sometimes listening deeper, you’ll open yourself to a whole new world of discovery and wonder.

That’s finding the Hidden Beauty within all things in life and nature. This week's topic is finding Hidden Beauty in a form of photography called Intentional Camera Movement, or ICM for short. Using some old electrical wires and photographing it using ICM reveals a Hidden Beauty in the composition, as depicted in the image on the left.

I use this form of photographic art that requires me to ‘break the rules’ when capturing an image. Using lens stabilizers, pillows, and tripods can aid us in keeping our camera still so we can capture a nice, sharp image. And most of the time, that’s what we want. But in ICM photography, Intentional Camera Movement, we are intentionally moving the camera around to capture something new, wonderous… Hidden Beauty.

So, go ahead. Break the rules!

Moving the camera while capturing an image allows the photographic artist to discover, to find the Hidden Beauty within.

“Moments in Time” is often used to describe the art of photography. Capturing ‘Moments in Time’ with a portrait, a bird in flight, a sunset, or even a bunch of electrical wires.

Huh! A bunch of electrical wires?!? Yes! And this form of discovery is something new, at least to me, where I have discovered the wonderous Hidden Beauty within it.

Explore my ICM Colored Wires Collections here

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The main theme of my BLOG is the discovery of Hidden Beauty in life.

Whether it’s photography, poetry, architecture, or music, by looking and sometimes listening deeper, you’ll open yourself to a whole new world of discovery and wonder.

That’s finding the Hidden Beauty within all things in life and nature. This week's topic is finding Hidden Beauty in a garden, specifically a Rose Garden as depicted in the image on the left.

Recently, Linda and I took a break from our daily grind and headed 'up north' to Duluth, MN for a few days of R&R. The weather was splendid, the Airbnb was outstanding, the wildlife entertained us around the clock, and the view... Ah, the view of the Duluth Harbour was simply grand!

Each day, we were visited by no less than seven young deer, mostly males with their racks still covered in 'velvet', a very chubby skunk, a male gray fox, and a pair of Peregrine Falcons.

On day three, we hopped in the car and headed into town to visit the famous Duluth Rose Garden, near the Lief Erickson Park. The Duluth Rose Garden boasts a vast array of over 100 varieties of roses, along with many other complementary flowers and plants, and covers over six acres. The fragrance of the Rose Garden was Heavenly! The air was saturated with the perfume of all those roses, and it simply took our breath away.

We planned well, meaning the weather was splendid and nearly perfect for our photo session with the roses. It was a bright sunny day with a gentle breeze off Lake Superior, and the park was well manicured and very well kept, beautiful.

We immediately got to the task of seeking out the best-of-the-best for our photographs, getting lost in the grandeur of it all, and even losing each other amongst the array of hedges and looping walkways.

Once we settled in with our task at hand, we were immediately reminded of the pros and cons of photographing in full sunlight, and with air movement from that lovely, gentle breeze. We adjusted our camera settings and proceeded to capture some of the most beautiful images of roses and other garden plants.

We shot dozens of images and were blessed with perfect R&R weather.

View our Collection of Duluth Rose Garden images here.


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Linda and I were invited to participate in the 2024-2025 Art Exhibit at the Minnesota Zoo, sponsored by the Hanifl Arts Foundation.

This was our first art exhibit, and we were very excited! We've not had much luck with Gallery Exhibits, as competition is fierce and space is limited to just a few artists of all genres.

Our hopes were quite high. And hope is a great thing!

"Overall, hope is beneficial to our well-being. Hope encourages us to persist, even though we may be facing setbacks. Hopeful individuals are more likely to frame difficulties as challenges, rather than threats. This enables them to experience setbacks as less stressful and draining." - Author unknown

Linda and I worked diligently to discover the Hidden Beauty in life through our photography, and share it with others, hopefully bringing them Inspiration, Motivation, and Transformation. By displaying our photographic art online, at trade shows or Art Galleries, or local exhibits, we ultimately hope it brings a sense of wonder, delight, mystery, beauty, and joy.

Peace.

View our Collection of MN Zoo and Hanifl Art Exhibit images here.

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