This past week we drove to Twin Lakes, CO for Wilderness Trek through and an amazing ministry, Majestic Mountain Ministries (TEAM ASCEND). And of course, as every other trip I have taken with Westbury, you know that we would have to have van trouble before we get started! I think it is a curse of mine:)...We got all the way through Houston traffic, when the brakes started messing up!, so we had to turn around and get another bus!...I think the Lord knew our frustrations, because he stepped in and was glorified in everything else that occurred on this journey! I don't know anyway to describe the feelings I had toward the kids other than, OH WOW!...I have never seen a group of teenagers climb a mountain that is 14, 421 ft. high, trek to high camp for 12 hrs., be cold, thirsty, in pain, and NOT complain!!! They will never know how proud I am of them. They worked sooo hard, endured alot of obstacles, and they did it TOGETHER. It was such a beautiful picture of the Father walking this life journey with us. There were times on trek when you would get separated from the group, and you were all alone, just you and the mountains....but somehow you always had this underlying presence with you. And you knew without a doubt that the Lord was carrying you through.
Once we reached high camp, we were given the next day for a solo day or a day of Acclamation. Basically you are given 3 hours to take off, go anywhere in the mountains, and sit and have some serious quite time...just you and God....Oh be still my soul....This is my third time to do trek, but I have to say, the Lord got a hold of me this year! I went in to trek with this overbearing pride on my shoulder. I guess being "the intern" I felt I had to be the strong one, the one who didn't struggle, and was able to hauss up that mountain with no problems....WRONG! Most of you know the struggles I have with my knees. And most of the hike, my knees would force me to the back of the line, and far away from the group. Sometimes it would take me up to 30 minutes to catch up with them for a break! Oh this was so discouraging to me. I wanted to be right up in the middle of them, cheering them on, but at times I simply couldn't. I felt the Lord little by little tearing down my pride...and it hurt. ALOT. So when I reached my spot for my solo time, I just broke down, bear and vulnerable before the Lord. Oh he showed me so much. I was able to write each of my fellow hikers a letter of encouragement, to let them know how proud i was that they had made it so far. Once I left my solo place, I turned around, and was so comforted by the realization that Christ knew I would be on that mountain, in that particular spot, at that particular moment, and he was there waiting on me.
the view from my solo spot!So the next day was Summit Day. The day that everybody dreads, yet looks forward too every year. You dread getting up at 1:00AM, and hiking in the cold, but you look forward to it, because yo uare able to reach your ultimate goal. This was a tough day for me. My legs were so soar from the high camp hike, so I was in a lot of pain hiking to summit! Long story short, lots of tears, and encouragement later, we reached summit with such a feeling of accomplishment...I got to the top and immediately went to call Mom, but didn't allow myself time to compose my feelings! I squalled the whole time I talked to her!...(I'm pretty sure she thought I didn't have good service:))
Anyways I am finishing up a fantastic weekend with my best fried Ellen, and my sister, Emily. They have been able to experience alot of the teens with me, and today we went to the Houston Galleria (5-story mall!). We have enjoyed many laughs, several chik fliks, and alot of memories! Mom, Dad, and Heath arrive Thursday, so hopefully next week I will be able to update on all of our adventures!
I love you all, and ask that you continually keep me in your prayers! Don't forget to leave comments, so I know who is following!
Peace and Blessings to you all!
Holly
Mt. Massive 14, 421 ft.