Hiking Life's Path

Along with our lists of things we

have to do,

we all have those lists of things we

want to do.

This summer, a friend and I decided to

cross some of those

want to

 things off our list.

First thing on our list?

Hike to Mason Lake.

Anabelle, Alexander, Grace and Rebekah.

Can you tell which kids are mine?

Beautiful view of Mount Ranier,

click on pic to enlarge,

in case you wanna'.

Since the summer was overcast, cloudy and rainy,

we love any clear view of M'Lady of the PNW,

my personal nickname for this majestic mountain.

I know that's cliche, but I think this is the mountain where the cliche began.

A flower I can't identify and was too lazy to look up.

Another flower, but you knew that.

I just felt obligated to put text here.

These two had more energy than should be legally allowed.

The moms hiked too slow for them,

the teenagers hiked the right speed,

but didn't like to have dirt scuffed on them.

So, the 'tweeners hiked back and forth between the two groups,

alternatively concerning the moms-

"you're too close to the edge"

"get down from that rock"

"don't throw rocks down the mountain"

"don't run you'll f....oh, lemme help you up"

-and slightly annoying the  older sisters,

because younger kids feel obligated to do that.

A cool sign keeping us on the right path.

Proverbs 4:27

Do not turn to the right or the left;

Remove your foot from evil.

The physical path of our lives may not look as enticing,

but the Lord's spiritual promises are the blooms along the trail.

Sometimes we forget He grooms the trail for us,
provides food and shelter along the way,
and shelters us from the storms. 
We stumble a few times,
get a few thorns and a few blisters,
and we're ready to turn away.

Psalm 16:11

You will show me the

path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

I felt like Heidi in the Alps.

The higher we went, the more flowers there were.

As we watch our kids walking the path of life,

most of us have this same desire for them.

Proverbs 4:14

 Do not enter the path of the wicked,

And do not walk in the way of evil.

The fearless, in-shape teenagers forged the way ahead.

They hiked and hiked and hiked.

They estimated the lake should be very close,

so asked the next group that hiked by,

"Where's the lake?"

See the black and white jacket hanging on the bush?

Look what was just beyond the jacket.

DUH. 

The lake.

Yea, a totally dumb blond moment.

No, we didn't tease the girls too much.

The victorious mothers,

Christine and Momma Mindy.

She's the skinny, not-out-of-breathe one.

Hiking with Christine was like having my own personal cheerleader.

She knew my health limitations and patiently waited while

I caught my breath or waited for my heart rate to slow down.

She cared for me much the way the Lord watches for us on life's path.

Psalm 142:3

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,

Then You knew my path.

 

The hike was amazing.

We figured if we hadn't been talking non-stop,

we might have hiked faster.

But, there's nothing better than a girlfriend chat, is there?

There's nothing better than a girlfriend who's also a sister in the Lord.

We stopped to eat lunch on the rocks next to the lake.

It was my Amazing Grace's 18th birthday.

Not sure what she was thinkin',

but I was wondering how this amazing woman could be my daughter

and how she could be 18 already.

 Other than worrying about the rock-throwing kids

falling into the deep lake,

it was peaceful.

Oh, and other than the two barking, unleashed pit bulls lunging at our kids,

it was peaceful.

When we saw the dogs, knew exactly what to tell the kids.

Proverbs 1:15

My son, do not walk in the way with them,

Keep your foot from their path;

A good life lesson for encountering potential danger in life.

Isn't it always easier downhill?

Once the mountain is scaled,

the uncertainty is gone and the descent is just retracing

what's been revealed.

We don't like walking by faith, but the Lord requires it of us.

Rebekah rejoices on the rock at the end of the trail.

 

Psalm 61:2
When my heart is overwhelmed;

Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.

Psalm 62:7
 In God is my salvation and my glory,
 the Rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.




Her dramatic flair perfectly symbolized how I desire my kids to act on the

 Path of Life.