October is officially here and that means only 16 more days of living every day life in Colorado. So with that timetable, you better believe I’m taking hold of every moment. I spent the last two days backpacking in Aspen. This was my first trip to Aspen, and my friend Tra’Cee and I couldn’t have picked a better time to go. It was gorgeous!
Our journey started out a little rough. We got to the national park later in the day and were told where to park and that we’d be able to start on the trail close to the parking lot. So we loaded our gear on our backs and started hiking. And we hiked and hiked and finally when we came to another sign we realized we were hiking in the wrong direction. I can laugh about it now, but at the time so much frustration surfaced and couldn’t help but tear up. I just wanted to be at our campsite putting up the tent and getting ready to eat dinner. It was almost as if I could hear the tick of the clock as the sun kept setting.
We turned around and finally found the correct trail pointing us in the right direction. It was an uphill hike full of rocks.
Do you ever have seasons of your life when you feel like everything is uphill? Your best plans and sense of direction only allow you to exert energy that doesn’t really get you anywhere. I feel like that sometimes. Yes, I know and believe God will get me to Austria, but He hasn’t given me the memo as to when. In the meantime, he’s teaching me so much about flexibility, patience, waiting on Him and trusting Him with the deep questions of my heart (not lessons I truly enjoy, but know I need). When I struggle with wanting to know if I’ve done enough in this process, He wants me to stop asking that question and trust Him to lead, guide and provide.
This afternoon I was reading about when Jesus watched as people put their offering into the temple treasury (Mark 12:41-44). He watched as the widow put two copper coins into the offering. Then he turned to His disciples and said, ” . . . But she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.”
In those moments on the trail I felt like I didn’t have much else to give, because what I did give didn’t get me anywhere. The same feelings have been true in this season of my life. But God wants all of me no matter the depth of my physical, emotional, mental or even spiritual energy. In a heart sense, God loves to have me at that exact point. He wants me to give out of my weakness and poverty so I won’t depend on myself, but Him. I depend on myself a lot. It’s a trust issue, thinking that someone else won’t come through, even God. I’m thankful He loves me even when I fail in trusting Him.
Even after the long hike and some tears, God provided two days of sheer golden gifts. I got to spend time in Colorado with a great friend. I had the opportunity to go backpacking, to take a ton of photos, enjoy good conversation and laughter, and even get to our campsite in time to set everything up before the sunset. God is good, immeasurably more than I deserve.
Here are a couple more pics:
this Sunday
October 5 marks my commissioning at Pulpit Rock church. For any of you who want to come there are services at 8, 9:30 and 11. The commissioning usually happens at the end of each of the services. Also, from 2pm to 7pm I’m having an Open House/Goodbye to Colorado party at the Gillotts. For all of you living in the area you’re more than welcome to stop in! I’d love to see you. If you need more information just e-mail me.
I hope to have a good idea of where I stand with support in two weeks as I finish things up here in Colorado Springs. I’m praying to be at 60 percent by that point. Will you join me in praying for that? I’m at about 45 percent right now and have some families praying and seeking God for how they can join at this time. Thanks to all of you who have continued to journey with me and are in for the long-haul.
Many blessings to you all!
