July 08, 2012
We've arrived!! We are staying at a Pheasant Field B&B in Carlisle PA, only one half mile from the Appalachian Trail. Tears are in my eyes. There were plenty of tears in the truck on the way here. The
A.T. has always been special, but now it is a thousand times more special. Before, I thought hiking the Appalachian Trail was some random idea I came up with. Now I know it is so much more than that. This was God's plan—not mine. Tears of joy will be flowing tomorrow.
July 11, 2012
We are having a wonderful time. We've hiked in the mountains and we've hiked in the valleys. Our truck was in the shop being serviced yesterday and for most of today. Being without a vehicle forced us to stay at the B&B in the afternoons after hiking. We slept, read, visited with the innkeepers, and had a wonderful relaxing time. My husband and I looked at each other and said, "When have we ever just sat and relaxed like this?" It has been wonderful. We've hiked over twenty miles so far. We've talked, prayed, praised, and reflected on these last five years as we've walked. Last night, during the middle of the night, I just felt strongly that on today's hike we were to begin praying about "New Beginnings," and that is what we did today. It's like God was saying, "I've brought you back. I wanted you to reflect on where you were and where I've brought you. Now—now I want to prepare you for a New Beginning."
July 16, 2012
Addendum: 1/05/2016 ~ The drive out to PA in 2012 was incredible. The tears began as we pulled out of our drive. We had eight hours of uninterrupted time to reflect over the circumstances of the past ten years and how God was preparing the way long before "the storm" even began. It was overwhelming and humbling as we recounted all the ways God's hand has been evident in our lives and how His hand has led us safely ALL the way. And then after the eight hours of reflection and several days of hiking, the path turned and the New Beginning began.
4/5/16 ~ Without us even realizing it, God began to lead us on His new path. The New Beginning: The Path Unfolds
Next Entry: Mark 3:1–35
We've arrived!! We are staying at a Pheasant Field B&B in Carlisle PA, only one half mile from the Appalachian Trail. Tears are in my eyes. There were plenty of tears in the truck on the way here. The
A.T. has always been special, but now it is a thousand times more special. Before, I thought hiking the Appalachian Trail was some random idea I came up with. Now I know it is so much more than that. This was God's plan—not mine. Tears of joy will be flowing tomorrow.
July 11, 2012
We are having a wonderful time. We've hiked in the mountains and we've hiked in the valleys. Our truck was in the shop being serviced yesterday and for most of today. Being without a vehicle forced us to stay at the B&B in the afternoons after hiking. We slept, read, visited with the innkeepers, and had a wonderful relaxing time. My husband and I looked at each other and said, "When have we ever just sat and relaxed like this?" It has been wonderful. We've hiked over twenty miles so far. We've talked, prayed, praised, and reflected on these last five years as we've walked. Last night, during the middle of the night, I just felt strongly that on today's hike we were to begin praying about "New Beginnings," and that is what we did today. It's like God was saying, "I've brought you back. I wanted you to reflect on where you were and where I've brought you. Now—now I want to prepare you for a New Beginning."
2007 2009 2012
| Lawsuit Begins | Holding Pattern | New Beginning →
What is the "New Beginning"? I don't know yet. What I do know is this: we have turned a corner.
Philippians 3:13–14 - "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."God has a "New Beginning" for us and He is beginning to prepare us for it. We will be obedient and follow His lead. Psalm 32:8 - "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you and watch over you." Hosea 14:8 - "I the Lord am the one who answers your prayers and watches over you. I am like a green pine tree; your blessings come from me." Jeremiah 29:11–13 - "I know the plans I have for you saith the LORD, and they are good plans. Not plans to harm you, but plans to give you hope and a good future. When you call for me I will listen, and when you search for me and search for me with all your heart you will find me, I will let you find me... and I will bring you out of captivity... and I will restore the land."
July 16, 2012
We're home. We're relaxed, rejuvenated, and excited about the future. NEW BEGINNING!
LORD, use us however YOU want. As you prepare us for the future, may we follow YOUR path and listen to YOUR instructions. How interesting that our Pastor's sermon yesterday was about what my husband and I have been talking about. It has been amazing. For the last five plus years, God has used our Pastor's teachings to confirm what He (God) had already put in our minds and hearts. We just spent last week hiking thirty some miles on the Appalachian Trail path and talking about God's path for our lives. Our Pastor's sermon yesterday? Staying On The Path. Here are excerpts from his July 15 sermon:
LORD, use us however YOU want. As you prepare us for the future, may we follow YOUR path and listen to YOUR instructions. How interesting that our Pastor's sermon yesterday was about what my husband and I have been talking about. It has been amazing. For the last five plus years, God has used our Pastor's teachings to confirm what He (God) had already put in our minds and hearts. We just spent last week hiking thirty some miles on the Appalachian Trail path and talking about God's path for our lives. Our Pastor's sermon yesterday? Staying On The Path. Here are excerpts from his July 15 sermon:
Wisdom—Don't leave home without it!!
When headed on a trip, there are a few things you never want to forget! In navigating the journey of life, wisdom is absolutely essential. Traveling through unchartered territory amidst all kinds of variables requires wisdom. Get ready for the journey of a lifetime: challenges, adventures, disappointments, excitement. Yet, with wisdom guiding your path, there will be joy and fulfillment.
Three words that jump out of Proverbs: Plans, Paths, and Ways
- God says, "I'm taking you somewhere. STAY ON THE PATH—WITH WISDOM!"
- God provided Israel DIRECTION during their MIGRATION toward the land He promised them (Deuteronomy 1)
- God wants us to ENJOY THE PLANS He has for us. Jeremiah 29:11–13 - "good plans"
When Wisdom Guides Us. (The opposite of wisdom guiding us is—ruin.)
- Her ways are PLEASANT (Proverbs 3:13–17a)
- Her plans are PEACEFUL (Proverbs 3:17b)
- Her paths are GOOD (Proverbs 2:9)
- STAY ON THE PATH (Proverbs 4:11; Psalm 119:105)
- Don't get trapped on the DEAD-END STREETS (Proverbs 5:7–9a)
- When lost, GET BACK ON THE PATH (Proverbs 4:14–15)
Addendum: 1/05/2016 ~ The drive out to PA in 2012 was incredible. The tears began as we pulled out of our drive. We had eight hours of uninterrupted time to reflect over the circumstances of the past ten years and how God was preparing the way long before "the storm" even began. It was overwhelming and humbling as we recounted all the ways God's hand has been evident in our lives and how His hand has led us safely ALL the way. And then after the eight hours of reflection and several days of hiking, the path turned and the New Beginning began.
4/5/16 ~ Without us even realizing it, God began to lead us on His new path. The New Beginning: The Path Unfolds
Next Entry: Mark 3:1–35
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