Written July 01, 2012
Excited! Beyond excited! Two reasons:
1) One week from today my husband and I are heading back to the Appalachian Trail. It's been five years. We were hiking the Appalachian Trail when we received word that my sister and brother-in-law refused the sale of our joint project, and our lawyer felt they were probably going to file suit against us. Faxes and phone calls with our lawyer were going back and forth; we cut our trip short and headed home. Our hearts were sad. We were in a state of shock and disbelief as the truth about my sister and brother-in-law's hidden agendas and ulterior motives began to be uncovered. There was anxiety over all the unknowns coming our direction. There was concern over what the future would hold.
We started going to the Appalachian Trail the year I turned 50. Hiking the trail is something we love to do. However, my sister and brother-in-law did indeed file a lawsuit (2007) and we haven't had the time or money to go back since. I had totally put the trail out of my mind, thinking it wasn't going to be a possibility again until after the lawsuit was over. Then very unexpectedly, the doors opened up for us to go back. So, next Sunday we will be leaving for the Appalachian Trail and we will be spending the 5th anniversary of "the storm" hiking the Appalachian Trail. Woo Hoo!!
The people going back to the trail are quite different than the people who left the trail five years ago. We are going back without sadness; with acceptance and understanding; with peace of mind and contentment; with joy in our hearts; with thanksgiving and praise on our lips; and complete confidence in WHO holds our future. We are so grateful and thankful for the opportunity to go back. As my husband says—it won't be pretty. When our feet hit that well-worn path the tears will be flowing. This time it will be tears of joy overflowing from a heart of praise. I don't know why, but I somehow feel this isn't just some random opportunity. I strongly feel that being back on the trail during the five year anniversary is where we are supposed to be. Everything will have come full circle. Maybe it will be when we find out what goes on to trial, or better yet, that it is over. Or, it might just be marking the beginning of five more years. It doesn't matter. We just know we are supposed to go, and we are going.
2) Today was the ONE service on The Hill. We invited both of our lawyers to come. Our lead attorney wasn't able to come but his partner and her husband came. What a great day. It had never occurred to me to invite them until our lead attorney called one day this spring and told me he was driving past our church and saw a big hill "that had ____ (my husband's) and ____ (our son's) name all over it." I told them the story of The Hill and about God's timing and God's plan. During all the time we were building it we had never told our lawyers about it. It was during the busiest time of the lawsuit. In man's eye we should not have been able to accomplish what we did. But, this wasn't "man's" job. This was God's plan, His timing, His strength, and His Glory. What a thrill to be able to share it with our lawyer and her husband. The theme this year was "I Surrender." It was a "white-out" with everyone wearing white.
How fitting that the theme was "I Surrender." Exactly what we have done. Surrendering brings freedom. Our hands are open. We surrender ALL.
Written July 02, 2012 ~
The words to "Amazed" keep running through my mind.
Lord, I'm amazed by You
Lord, I'm amazed by You
Lord, I'm amazed by You
How you Love me.
You dance over me (From Zephaniah 3:17)
While I am unaware
You sing all around
But I never hear the sound
How wide
How deep
How great
Is your love for me
Listen to "Amazed" by Desperation Band (here).
LORD, I am amazed and overwhelmed by your love. First and foremost, I am grateful for the saving grace you provided with your death on the cross. I'm amazed and grateful for your Holy Spirit who leads us and guides us. LORD, I am amazed by You!
Addendum: 1/1/16 ~ A New Year: A New Beginning. I have the benefit of knowing what happened when we went to the Appalachian Trail back in 2012. I can't wait to get to my journal entries so I can record them here. No, the lawsuit didn't end, but the memories of that time still overwhelm me to this day. And how amazing that I get to transcribe these entries from July 2012 on this the very first day of 2016. The Lord is faithful! He has surpassing greatness! His will WILL be done. We praise HIS Name.
Next Entry: Matthew 27:1–66
Excited! Beyond excited! Two reasons:
1) One week from today my husband and I are heading back to the Appalachian Trail. It's been five years. We were hiking the Appalachian Trail when we received word that my sister and brother-in-law refused the sale of our joint project, and our lawyer felt they were probably going to file suit against us. Faxes and phone calls with our lawyer were going back and forth; we cut our trip short and headed home. Our hearts were sad. We were in a state of shock and disbelief as the truth about my sister and brother-in-law's hidden agendas and ulterior motives began to be uncovered. There was anxiety over all the unknowns coming our direction. There was concern over what the future would hold.
We started going to the Appalachian Trail the year I turned 50. Hiking the trail is something we love to do. However, my sister and brother-in-law did indeed file a lawsuit (2007) and we haven't had the time or money to go back since. I had totally put the trail out of my mind, thinking it wasn't going to be a possibility again until after the lawsuit was over. Then very unexpectedly, the doors opened up for us to go back. So, next Sunday we will be leaving for the Appalachian Trail and we will be spending the 5th anniversary of "the storm" hiking the Appalachian Trail. Woo Hoo!!
The people going back to the trail are quite different than the people who left the trail five years ago. We are going back without sadness; with acceptance and understanding; with peace of mind and contentment; with joy in our hearts; with thanksgiving and praise on our lips; and complete confidence in WHO holds our future. We are so grateful and thankful for the opportunity to go back. As my husband says—it won't be pretty. When our feet hit that well-worn path the tears will be flowing. This time it will be tears of joy overflowing from a heart of praise. I don't know why, but I somehow feel this isn't just some random opportunity. I strongly feel that being back on the trail during the five year anniversary is where we are supposed to be. Everything will have come full circle. Maybe it will be when we find out what goes on to trial, or better yet, that it is over. Or, it might just be marking the beginning of five more years. It doesn't matter. We just know we are supposed to go, and we are going.
2) Today was the ONE service on The Hill. We invited both of our lawyers to come. Our lead attorney wasn't able to come but his partner and her husband came. What a great day. It had never occurred to me to invite them until our lead attorney called one day this spring and told me he was driving past our church and saw a big hill "that had ____ (my husband's) and ____ (our son's) name all over it." I told them the story of The Hill and about God's timing and God's plan. During all the time we were building it we had never told our lawyers about it. It was during the busiest time of the lawsuit. In man's eye we should not have been able to accomplish what we did. But, this wasn't "man's" job. This was God's plan, His timing, His strength, and His Glory. What a thrill to be able to share it with our lawyer and her husband. The theme this year was "I Surrender." It was a "white-out" with everyone wearing white.
How fitting that the theme was "I Surrender." Exactly what we have done. Surrendering brings freedom. Our hands are open. We surrender ALL.
Written July 02, 2012 ~
The words to "Amazed" keep running through my mind.
Lord, I'm amazed by You
Lord, I'm amazed by You
Lord, I'm amazed by You
How you Love me.
You dance over me (From Zephaniah 3:17)
While I am unaware
You sing all around
But I never hear the sound
How wide
How deep
How great
Is your love for me
Listen to "Amazed" by Desperation Band (here).
LORD, I am amazed and overwhelmed by your love. First and foremost, I am grateful for the saving grace you provided with your death on the cross. I'm amazed and grateful for your Holy Spirit who leads us and guides us. LORD, I am amazed by You!
Addendum: 1/1/16 ~ A New Year: A New Beginning. I have the benefit of knowing what happened when we went to the Appalachian Trail back in 2012. I can't wait to get to my journal entries so I can record them here. No, the lawsuit didn't end, but the memories of that time still overwhelm me to this day. And how amazing that I get to transcribe these entries from July 2012 on this the very first day of 2016. The Lord is faithful! He has surpassing greatness! His will WILL be done. We praise HIS Name.
Next Entry: Matthew 27:1–66
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