Mountainous Trails (Part 1)

One person dreamed of it, and soon it was three people's dream-

Elk hunting and camping for a week in the Rocky Mountains.

My three brothers, Gary, Dennis, and Jeremy, met up with me in the beautiful state of Colorado, where I was staying with my cousin and her little family.

I wanted to go hunting with them at least one day, just to see what it was like! So, that Saturday afternoon after they arrived, Gary, Dennis, and I headed out.

 (Jeremy didn't go that day because he wasn't feeling well.) 

                                            

                                                                     

 [breathtaking country]

   [all packed up and ready to hike]

It turned out to be a hike that we didn't expect. Not really anyway. Yeah, they had told us that we would need to stop a lot to drink water and to catch our breath because of the thin air. 

They said the absolute truth.

 I hadn't ever before hiked such terrain for that length of time, and definitely not with a load on my back!

My pack started digging into my shoulders.

My used-to-flipflops feet ached in my hiking boots.

We looked at each other, shook our heads, and said,

"This is craziness!"

An hour rolled by, and still we walked on, excitement pushing us. 

The mountains kept getting more beautiful, breathtaking.

I was in awe of the Great Artist.

Finally, we got to the place where the trails split. The guys got their binoculars out and found a good place for us to sit and look for elk and a good place for them to set up camp the following Monday.

 [looking on the map]

They spotted a pine tree waaayyyyy out there that was supposed to be a good place to hunt the rest of the daylight hours. 

Problem #1...  

 The only way to get there was climbing a

 r.o.c.k.y., steep mountainside. 

Of course, we would conquer that problem. We had come much too far to stop!

But, Problem #2...

The mountainside ended up being twice as steep as it looked!

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One foot in front of the other. One foot in front of the other. Ignore the backpack straps. Ignore the screaming muscles.

Another step. Look down at the fork where we started.

Grab a hold on a bush and pull yourself up. Think positive. Laugh for just because. Think positive. 

Ignore the backpack straps. Ignore the screaming muscles. 

One foot in front of the other. One foot in front of the other. 

It became like a rhythm.

After 45 minutes of climbing like that, we found a spot that would do just as good, if not better than that far-off pine tree. With relief, we settled as best as we could on the steep, rocky ground.

I could have fallen asleep.

The stillness, so high (9,000ft. above sea level) in the mountains, rang deafeningly in my ears. Only the sound of an occasional bird call shattered the quiet. A couple of times, I caught myself holding my breath, unconsciously, for a long time. 

It seemed like the world had stopped. Just like that.

All that stretched out before me was mountains and trees and

 blue sky! And lots of it.

Sadly, only mule deer dared show their faces that day.

I was sitting there, drinking in the wild beauty, when I knew that I would be back. That that day wasn't going to be the one and only day that I went elk hunting. No, as steep, rugged, rough, and painful it would be, these mountains would feel my presence again.

And it would be for 6 days and nights, and not a minute less than my brothers! I would breathe in that fresh, mountain air for just as long as they would. I would eat soup everyday too, even if I got tired of it. I would shoot that bear if he came roaring into camp. 

I would help them pack that elk down to the 

very bottom of the mountains. 

I would grit my teeth and share the load. 

  

I would live the dream alongside them, because... 

[The view to the right of where we sat.]

...I had fallen in love with those wild, beautiful, rugged

 Rocky Mountains.... and just one day wasn't going to be enough.

.........................................(to be continued)....................................... 

On the Other Side

I scan the crowds. Lots of white faces, blonde hair, Americans. Lots of black faces, tall 

African-Americans. 

But there is one nationality hugely missing-

the olive-skinned, black-eyed Mexicans. 

Part of me feels a little lost watching so many fast-paced people...people that aren't Mexicans... people that talk English. I feel my mind needing to totally reshift. 

Always on the tip of my tongue is a Spanish word or phrase. Sometimes I can stop myself in time... 

other times, I can't. 

Yeah, I think if I was sitting behind the ticket counter with blonde hair, and another blonde-haired girl came up and started talking Spanish, I would look twice and raise my eyebrows too!

I am already missing Mexico... alot! 

So, as of now, I am waiting and waiting here in Sky Harbor Airport, Arizona. We got here around 7:30 a.m., and my flight leaves at 3:00 p.m. for Colorado!

 Lorens' flight leaves out of a different terminal. They had checked in their baggage already, and came with me to my terminal so I wouldn't have to be by myself these seven hours. :) 

We are all sprawled out in a corner, with luggage and more luggage. Two ENERGETIC boys running around on this carpet ("because carpet just feels s.o.o.o. good"), and making an obstacle course with suitcases to kick their ball. 

We receive amused glances. 

Yes, people, we are one big, happy, sprawled out, strange-looking, Poochy* family that just really needs to kill alot of time. Please stare, because I am sure you will have lots to think about on your own flight!

 (Ok, it's not that it bothers me that people stare at us, foreheads wrinkled; I am SURE we really do look funny! I couldn't care less... because they amuse me too with all of their different expressions!!) 

Out of sheer boredom, I already walked this whole terminal, looking for something interesting to do. It sure beat just sitting around! I already had my share of that all night on the bus! It felt so good to be walking and walking and walking with NO luggage- free! 

I found a Starbucks.... mmmmmmmmm!!!

With an iced caramel macchiato in my hand, I browsed cute, Arizona gift shops and just loved walking with no destination in mind, having all the time in the world! I killed some time in a bookstore for awhile, until it occurred to me that I had been gone quite a long time. I hoped Lorens hadn't been worrying about me, so I headed back. 

Each hour ticks by, slowly. But at least the clock is ticking. After so many weeks of always having something to do to get ready to leave, I get antsy having N.O.T.H.I.N.G. of importance to do!

But this too shall pass.

Goodbye to a chapter in my life, and Hello to another one!

Makes me curious to see how this new one will read!

*named after the family cat

Oceanside Freedom

     There is something unexplainable and majestic about oceans.

I knew there was one thing for sure that I wanted to do before I leave for home-

go to the beach.

I wanted to bury my toes in the cool sand... get all wet and feel the sting of salt water on my skin... close my eyes and listen to the waves clapping with wild freedom... 

I wanted to ride the waves... 

watch the seagulls... 

run free on the sand...

[Life is always better when a friend runs with you.]

My heart felt like it would burst.
All that hugeness and beauty in one place... on display for tiny me... just because 
the Creator loves beautiful things,
and He loves me.
 
It was a huge hug from God that day.

Enjoying the hug was even better with gals that love God; being FREE in Him!

[me, Lisa, Elaine]

[me and Rachel]

It was so, sooooo good to have my friend Rachel here for two weeks!!! And because the airport is only 15 minutes from this beach, we decided to make a day out of it! Kill three birds at once- do some shopping in Los Mochis, go to the beach, and take her to the airport afterwards.

It was refreshing for my soul to refocus again.

I feel prepared to finish well the last two weeks here in Choix!

And when I think about going home, my heart skips a bit! 

[At that moment, I felt like I could laugh and twirl for forever!]

It is bittersweet though. I will miss all of these dear people here, the beautiful people of Mexico. They have taught me so much! 

But at the same time, I am ready to go home for three months... ready to live with my family again... ready to laugh and talk with my friends that I have grown up with... ready to drink in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains... ready to be Mama and Daddy's girl, a little sister to my brothers, a big sister to my sisters...

And that is how it should be. Because that is God's will for my life right now.

And at the end of those three months at home, I know I will be ready to return again,

con favor de Dios!

Quiet Whispers

Quiet, Quietness = the quality or state of being quiet,

tranquility

"Quiet" describes "mi casa chiquita" (little house). "Quiet" describes my day off today. "Quiet" describes how God desires and longs for my heart to be before Him. 

"Quiet" is a word that I am relearning what it means.

It is because of the absolute goodness of my Creator that He is teaching me what it means to be quiet before Him. 

He is showing me that in 

"quietness and meekness is my strength." 

It is so ironic, 

but it is truth that God whispers into my heart.

It all started that first day I stepped into this apartment, the place I thought I wouldn't call home. The place that I knew I would just live here for a little while and soon go back to familiar things again. The place that felt so cold at first.

 

For now it is my home. The walls hug me with warmth. :) 

I LIKE LOVE it here! It is here that my journey began of finding quietness in my heart.

And God knew the way I would listen to His soft whisper, would be jerking that roller coaster and sending me flying around a curve, into the unknown. Then I finally listened.

In the quietness that surrounds me, He is able to minister to my soul, exactly what my soul cries for... and more! 

It is only for awhile that I will live here in this house.

But that is perfectly okay.

There has been a start of something new being taught to me by Him who loves me.

I have a new sister in Christ that shows me by her life what it means being quiet before our Maker. She encourages me to reach way outside of my comfort zone and find the fullness of God.

Little by little I am learning what it means to spread my wings and fly gracefully.

I have no idea what the next flap of my wings will bring,

but I will smile and enjoy this adventure with God!

Riding... a Roller Coaster

Sometimes, the best thing to do is smile... smile at the uniqueness of this life on earth. Smile at the monster called Change, and face it fearlessly because change is a part of every aspect of life, except One... God.

Sometimes, like now, I am not sure if I want to laugh or cry at the thought of another big change staring at me. I try to smile courageously at it. (Maybe then it'll just disappear, right?!) But at times, the smile is just a bit too wobbly, and I wonder what the next sharp curve of this roller coaster ride called Life will hold! 

Will anyone be surprised if I say I am moving? And what if I would say I am moving T.H.U.R.S.D.A.Y? 

It is a startling surprise to me, who only heard about the possibility this past Sunday morning, 2 days ago! My mouth literally hung open for a bit. Immediately my mind went into flying mode... and the highest speed available at that! 

"Should I board with the teacher for the Childrens' Home?"   "I don't even know her!"  I pounded the flour into the batch of biscuit dough. "When would I move if I did?"  "God, what do You want me to do?"  silence. "I thought I knew what flexibility was about! Go figure, Gen!"  "I would really miss late night talks with Janessa, my 'heart-friend.' "   "How does it happen that so many things happen so suddenly, so last minute, with m.e.?"  I smiled and shook my head.  "How will it all work out? Transportation from the apartment to this house, back and forth every day, could be a big deal!"  "Should I do it?"  "I don't think it'll be that great packing things up twice."  "Do I even really want to?"  I wished I had the power to stop all thoughts for a moment of SILENCE! 

The question, "Do I even really want to?", kept pounding in my head over and over. I was sick of it. I didn't know if I wanted to, and I wasn't sure WHEN or IF I would want to..... like really, really want to. That kind of "want to" that makes your blood almost jump with excitement. I didn't at all like the thought of jumping out of my nice box, especially with all the activity that is around this place anyway. Just the thought of another big change right before furlough made me cringe. 

Then yesterday afternoon, I heard the calm* reminder from a friend, "What would Jesus do?"  

I knew in my heart what Jesus would do.

And at that point, somewhere deep, deep inside of me, I knew that I would eventually say 'Yes' to it. It didn't make the questions go away. Not at all. But I found my mind wandering more in the direction of what it would be like living in a cute apartment with a lady that is from another state of Mexico, and who speaks 3 or 4 different languages! I started thinking about all I would need to pack and what my schedule would be like. I was a little more comfortable with the idea. I was willing to do it, but not excited about it.

Last evening, I got a phone call from the Childrens' Home director, saying that I don't need to worry about it afterall. His oldest daughter, Suzanne, was excited about staying with her, and everything would work out better if she did!

(What is that about change and flexibilty again? Ta-da!)

I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief... the decision was made, finally. I was saved from lots of packing, from that monster named Change.         Life was again back to normal.

But only for 2 hours was it normal.  

(Please redefine normal. I think I forget!)

Another phone call sent the roller coaster at unbreakable speed. Suzanne was burned horribly on her leg from spilled, boiling chicken broth... definitely a 2 degree and maybe a 3 degree burn! We prayed for her.... and I never once thought about what change of plans this might bring. This morning, I was asked if I was still ok with moving in with the teacher, at least until the burn heals, which could be awhile.

Ummmm, yeah, I reckon so! 

So Thursday it is. And I am getting excited about it.

It is in times like this, when everything around me screams "CHANGGGEEEE!!!", that I can look up and believe without a doubt, that God is truly a God that does NOT change. He has perfect control of this roller coaster. When He sees I am getting too comfortable in my seat, He sends a steep, winding curve to take my breath away. All I need to do is just enjoy the ride, one curve and bump at a time.

His promises are new every morning. I need to grab onto them like never before and 

never let go!  Thank you, God, for being unchangeable!

Just That Simple. Jesus.

It's me, Gen, living in western Mexico- where cacti grow in abundance, where people have the most beautiful, tan skin and dark eyes, where there are an endless amount of speed bumps, where it is not at all uncommon to just stop in at a friend's house uninvited, where tortillas and beans are the staple food, where there are lots of children, where it is warm, where people still ride horses as their way of transportation, and where the love and light of Jesus are needed- desperately. And that is why I am here.

On my own, it isn't easy to hand a glass of fresh water cheerfully through the window to a thirsty, street child when I'm having a "bad day."  It isn't really exciting to mend a pair of pants or a skirt when the heat is almost too stifling, or when the needle on the sewing machine just decided to break for no apparent reason. It isn't easy to learn and speak another language either. 

It is easier, though, to cheerfully hand a glass of water to a needy child, and flash a bright smile... because I know deep within myself, that if I do that small act of kindness, it is loving Jesus. It is then, that Jesus can love that child through me. 

It is easier mending clothes on a hot, humid day, knowing that someone else will be blessed; someone that Jesus loves.

It is easier putting forth effort to learn another language knowing that I'll be a much greater blessing and help if I can communicate with the beautiful people of Mexico; people that Jesus loves.

It all comes down to one reason. Jesus. Just that simple. Jesus.

It is fulfilling serving this Jesus. Service is love. If this is how, at this time and place, that I can love Jesus, then my heart is willing to be a loving servant to the Mexicans, and through that, Jesus will love them and draw them to His heart.

That is what is so exciting about living here!