Pursued

 

Lisha Kill Nature Preserve 

While I was seeking Sabbath space, I ran a trail for about a half mile.  I loved it,  although as I mentioned in this first post about my time in the woods on Thursday morning, I regretted doing so as it left me with upper back pain. But I did love running along this new bridge and up those new steps where in previous years, this trail had a steep, muddy slope here.  The stairs make it easier to get to the ridge top of the nature preserve. 

After the sun and deer incident mentioned in the first post,   I walked more slowly, savoring the white pine scent and occasionally picking up the balsam scent (my fave). The crunch of the freshly fallen leaves seemed so loud in the quiet of the sun-dappled woods.  I was the only human there at  9:45 AM. 

 I came down to the creek and walked along it for a bit, praying for my friends and their requests. But  after turning back from the creek, towards what I thought was the trail, I discovered I was a bit lost. The trail had disappeared!

 I was alone. But I wasn't super fearful because I knew if I retraced my steps back to the creek, I could look for a red blaze and hopefully it would be there to lead me back to the main trail. 

where's the trail? 

There were no red blazes! There were a lot of downed trees.  This is called blowdown if you're a hiker. I was annoyed and felt like I was wasting my time. But that's when I looked up and saw this scene: 

There were no red blazes but the trail was more obvious...at least I hoped it was the right trail...and God said to my heart "Follow My Light".  Seriously, God, You're going to turn this into a spiritual lesson...another one? Isn't one enough for this morning? 

Apparently not, because there was another whole lesson coming, although I didn't know it at the time. 

So...I followed the sunlight which was uncannily ahead of me on the path (there are no coincidences, my friends!) 

Soon, I came to what my friends and I who have come here together, call "the valley".  It's this depression in the ground and yes, there was a red blaze on the tree at the start of it, after I turned away from the creek. This picture shows me looking back down the trail towards "the valley". 

And this is where I heard God speak again! I guess I really was having Sabbath time with Him. He said:  "These last 4 months have seemed to you like you've been in a pit.....you've struggled to come to the mountain top...you've had  so many good hikes to the tops of mountains these past months, but I've had you in a valley because I needed you to see that I'm walking with you through it. You've had trouble seeing that. I'm talking about a spiritual valley and a spiritual mountain top experience. I didn't do things in the order you  wanted me to.  It's because your heart and mind weren't ready for the last hard piece.  I've been telling you this so you can see why I did things this way. Trust me, daughter. I know the plans I have for you. This was my plan all along. Your openness with your friend brought you relief. You shared hard things that had never been shared. That was Me guiding you, just like I guided you today. Lean into Me because I have so much more."

walking up from the "valley" 

And then all I heard was silence. The silence seemed so loud. 

Until it wasn't. 

trail heading back down the ridge
and back towards the main trail to parking area

I heard a loud knocking.  And immediately I knew what it was: a pileated woodpecker!  And wow did I hear from God again but at first it was hard to hear His Voice over that bird!  In fact, I was kind of ignoring God's Voice because I was in pursuit of that woodpecker. I was determined to see him.  I have hiked with my husband for years...with our daughters...with my friends...and in my hiking group...and have heard them numerous times.  But they are good at hiding. They do not want to be found!  They will literally go all the way around the tree so humans cannot find them. But then I came upon this tree and I stopped up short because God's Voice rose above that bird's

"you've been stripped bare like this tree. I have stripped away those memories/"friends"  of your former church, I have stripped away some of those triggers that have tripped you up regarding your  childhood and I am stripping away your self-reliance." 

Ouch. I'm actually kind of proud of being independent. Thanks anyway, God. 

 So I stood there and said God, You're the One who gave me an independent spirit, aren't you? And then I heard something along the lines of how not only it's a strength but it's also a weakness. And He uses our weaknesses to get us to focus on His Strength.  I didn't fully understand what I was hearing so I began to pursue the woodpecker again who was just madly knocking away at some tree ahead of me. 

I began to walk faster because I really wanted to see this pileated creature. I can be quite stubborn and I wasn't going to leave until I could at least get a glimpse of him. I've seen one at our suet  feeder the last 2 winters... but never in the woods. I was one determined person. 

And as I pursued the sound (he always seemed to be 2 steps ahead of me) guess what God spoke about? It was so powerful I pulled out my notes app and wrote the words down (you do know, I hope, that I haven't been hearing an audible Voice.  It's more like a whisper to my soul...it's through the Holy Spirit that God speaks to us...it's called the manifest presence of God and it's humbling): 

"the woodpecker is hiding from you like you tried to hide from Me so many times in your past. But you cannot hide from Me and you know that, so you faced  those last pieces of abuse because My Spirit was drawing you to peace and joy again. I always see you, I always hear you, I am always present for you.  You feel closest to Me in My created world and that's Ok. That's how I created you! But now you know I Am with you everywhere....this is in your heart now, not just your head knowledge."

 As He was talking, I was still pursuing the woodpecker and typing the words on my phone. At one point I saw the bird swoop down and then up onto the upper part of the trail where I had to go to get back to my car. The pursuit was on! I was so determined to see this woodpecker that I almost missed the next words from God but I paused to catch my breath and there was His Voice again speaking over the knocking of that dang bird. 

"I have a purpose for you other than all the purposes you have walked in since knowing Me. Although you think your teaching days are over, they are not. Your purpose is to teach women...and to come alongside them and learn with them, doing life with them, learning about My purposes for your lives. Do this. You know the book. You know My Word. A Life of Purpose. Do that. " 

I was kind of confused. What in the world was He talking about? I already do lead 2 women's groups: a Monday morning one that will end in  mid- Dec and a Tues evening one that will end in about 6 weeks. Life of Purpose? Yes, of course, we all have lives with purpose. I kind of just shrugged off these words and rounded the last corner of the trail (It becomes a switchback trail to get to the upper part). 

and there he was. The Woodpecker. I could NOT believe it. I very slowly opened up the camera app and snapped a pic. And then I took a video. I was silently praising God for allowing me to see this creature that has proved so elusive. 

zoom in and you can see him in the middle of the tree on the right side. 
He didn't hide! 

And God whispered "You are not elusive. I pursue you. A life of purpose.  Remember that." 

 

And friends, when I got home, and  was doing chores around the house, I went into the living room to straighten up my little coffee table where I typically do my Bible study homework or work on my blog. I noticed the books and hiking guides on the bottom shelf needed cleaning up.....And guess what I found on the very bottom of a stack of hiking things? Something I had completely forgot I bought last autumn....I had ordered it and never even really looked at it. guess I know what my next  Monday group study will be.....

God pursues us, my friends.....for His Kingdom purposes. 

 

TOPSY TURVY FAVES

 

Wow, it's Friday already...this week has flown.  It's been a bit "topsy turvy" with so much happening in our lives and with my friends and ministries I lead.  But it's time to hit pause and just thank God for the things He brought into my week.  

I'm sharing FIVE of those things that top my list... Susanne calls them FAVES and I'm joining her  and others at this site to share these  blessings. 

FIVE FAVES 

SoulSteps hikers at Upper Goose Pond
l-r: Evelyn, Lisa, Michelle, Lisi, me 

Another group shot, this time by Michelle
 l-r: Evelyn, Lisa, Ridwan and his wife Lisi, me
Missing from photos: Deb and her husband Neal  

• APPALACHIAN TRAIL HIKE:  Last Saturday, I led 7 hikers from my SoulSteps group, on a hike along a part of the Appalachian Trail in the Berkshires of MA. There were 9 people signed up and 8 attended the hike. Two members turned around after the first 1.5 miles because they needed to get some other things done so it ended up being just 6 of us to finish the trail to Upper Goose Pond.  Here are my fave pics from the hike and I am most thankful, that although it was cold, the sun was out and the trail itself, although longer than the guidebooks said it would be (RT was 4.8 miles vs the 3 that we read about!), everyone was safe and everyone had a great time. 

Beginning of the Appalachian Trail at Jacob's Ladder
to Upper Goose Pond, Berkshires 

I finally got to hike this part of the Appalachian trail 
that Dave and I have driven under numerous times 
on the Mass Pike heading to Boston

It was relentlessly uphill for the first 1.8 miles 
with many boulder steps. 

Upper Goose Pond, Berkshires 

• ENGAGED! After the hike, and after everyone had departed from our meeting spot, I received a text on the way back to my house from the church.  Here's what I received in the group text with my husband and youngest daughter from our oldest daughter: 

"FUN FACT" 

Dave, Claire and I were so excited!  On Sunday, after church, we learned the details: Tyler had planned for them to hike up a small mountain in the Lake George area (Courtney doesn't "do" big mountain climbs) called Shelving Rock Mt.  This is where he proposed.  We are so thankful for their engagement, their stand with Christ and for their excitement.  God is good.  

Tyler proposing to Courtney on the summit of Shelving Rock Mt

• Church sermon and Wed afternoon prayer:  Sunday, our senior pastor preached on Jehovah Shalom, with another example for his God Sightings sermon series. The super cool thing was that it was from the same text as my Tuesday book group discussion:  Judges 6.  Pastor Rex took it from a bit different angle but it was such a great supplement to our study that we all discussed the sermon and the book questions on Tuesday evening.  I'm so thankful to be in a church where Truth is preached and where we are encouraged to be better disciples. I also attended our weekly prayer gathering from noon - 1 pm on Wed.  My friend Diane and another younger woman named Tanya lead this group. The group is for anyone, male or female and you can go for the whole hour or stay as long as you want. The prayer room is actually open all day every Wednesday from 9-5. I finally had a free Wed where I could go and the topic was Joy which was very timely for me. I thank God for the power of prayer. 

• Bonfire/conversations with Dave:  Saturday late afternoon, Dave was outside finishing up the mowing and decided to start burning the brush.  We have a lot of brush due to him trimming down all 4 trees this summer (2 maples and 2 cherry).  Thankfully, the pear tree hasn't needed trimming.  We sat around the fire with a nice glass of wine and also did the same thing Sunday afternoon.  I still have more to burn so either tonight or tomorrow night that will happen. We had some great conversations, too which I'm always thankful for. I'm also thankful we have had perfect Autumn weather these last 2 weeks!  And next week looks decent, too!  Daytime temps in the high 50s and low 60s is just perfect with the sunshine and the month of October! 

Fire is just getting started!

• A SPECIAL VISIT:  On Tuesday afternoon, I went to Saratoga Springs, which is just 25 min north of me, to the church camp property where I spent 10 days every July from 1967-1978 (ages 7-18!).  My friend Joan went with me as a support as I knew it would be a day of remembrances, some tears, some good but also some not so good memories.  It was chathartic and although it no longer operates as a family camp, and everything is overgrown and the building are dilapidated for the most part, I was given permission by the conference pastor who oversees the land (long story as to why it's no longer up and running every July), to visit/walk the grounds. I'm glad I did. Parts of it were so hard. But other parts were wonderful.  This is where I became a born again Christian..where I accepted Jesus as my Savior/Redeemer.  It's where my solid friendships were formed. I'm thankful I went and I'm thankful I walked among the pines. I did take a pic of a tree that was near the road.  I had told the pastor I wouldn't take pics of the buildings, etc.  But I liked this little tree and since it was so close to the edge of the property with no buildings around, I thought it would be ok. I'm thankful for a firm foundation in the faith that began at Pine Grove Camp. You can read about that experience by clicking here. 

Tuesday afternoon at Pine Grove Camp

That wraps up my week!  Someone, and I'm sorry I can't remember who, asked me how my 2 study  groups are going that I lead.  The Monday morning group, a Psalms class, is going well.  There were just 3 of the 7 of us Monday as several were sick or dealing with family issues.  My Gideon book group is going amazingly well and 5 out of the 6 of us had great discussion and testimonies on Tuesday evening.  I'm grateful I have time to invest in the lives of other women and am forming friendships with them. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 

 

His Face

 

Lisha Kill Preserve 

The morning started out with me just wanting to get in a trail run (only to discover my chiropractor and PT are correct...trail running brings on the cervical spine pain so I can no longer do this activity...I'm stubborn...I just really wanted to try one more time thinking maybe God had healed me) and have a kind of "sabbath" with God in the woods at a local nature preserve I hadn't been to since last December. 

Well, God had other plans. And yes, He's healed me, but not in the physical sense. 

As I ran, I felt the sun shining through the trees. I was the only human in these woods. I had no fear. It was a crisp, cool morning.  

As I continued to run, I stopped because I heard a thrashing sound and immediately...before I could whip out my phone and snap a pic.....two full grown, beautiful deer bounded away from me about 8 feet from where I was standing.  I gasped because I heard that Scripture in my head: 

And all of a sudden...just like God does when we are making space for Sabbath, He whispered to my soul.  I wrote the words down in my phone notes app so I wouldn't forget: 

"You've been parched for My abundant joy these last four months. But you needed to find My Peace first.  Like this creek is parched for more water and relies on Me to send the rain, find your Living Water in Me. Rely on Me." 

the Lisha Kill (Creek) where the deer bounded up from

 I continued to do a slow jog and finally when my upper back was screaming, I slowed down to a stroll.  So much for getting the heart rate up. I was more interested in my heart's spiritual condition! And I was overwhelmed with gratitude that it seemed like Jesus was walking right alongside me. It's so hard to explain this experience.  And then these words: 

"You find your peace and joy in My Spirit which is in you and all around you and you will continue in this Peace.  Joy comes from My Peace. I made you strong to endure those trials and your weaknesses which in your case is the need to control your life, those horrible triggers that crop up, and your own personal impatience with Me and with your self. Those are the things I'm using to give you strength! I will use your weaknesses like I did Gideon's and you will be strong but it's MY Strength in you. I have used those triggers to get you to a new place. I have used your need to control by doing things out of the order in which you yourself would have done them. I have told you this. Believe this. Look to Me for your strength. Your weaknesses were used to find My Peace. And now My Joy." 

I began to make my way through the woods and soon realized I was a little bit lost. I had no markers....theere was a lot of blowdown and the trail was no longer apparent due to all the fallen leaves. 

But I had no fear and when I looked up, into the sky, it was like the face of God was shining down on me. After all, Jesus is the Light of the world! God is Light! 

I have always....my entire life since age 15....wanted to touch the Hand of God. I've never felt like I could quite reach it. I won't go into details as to why that is, but some of you reading this, know my testimony and my angst surrounding this. But today? I felt like if I reached my hand up, He would hold it. 

I "felt" as though Jesus Himself was holding my hand. It was such an emotional moment but it was also a powerful one because I can now "see" that He holds us. He does. There are so many Scriptures about this. Jesus sits at the right hand of the Throne. God holds us by the right hand. Well, I stretched out my left hand because I'm left handed and it's just natural for me to do so. Plus I needed my right hand to snap the pic.  😊   In Biblical  tradition, the right hand symbolizes strength and protection. But for us? I'm sure God is ok with us imagining our left hand being held!    One of my fave Scriptures is this one: 

I continued walking down to the creek and then back up once I found the trail again.  And I was a little sad that I couldnt....shouldn't.....run.  But again, God spoke something to me and it actually brought such comfort:

"you don't need to run physically any more. You still get to hike and walk in the woods and up mountains. But more importantly, my child, you don't need to run from your thoughts anymore.  Give your thoughts to Me, talk to Me about them. Even if you have to read something over and over and over in My Word.  Even if you have to call a friend for support.  You have tried running from Me, your thoughts, your past....but I AM the I Am and I am using all of it to strengthen you, to free you. I love you deeply. Your thoughts are important to me. I think about you so think about Me. "

There were so many other little lessons God showed me today while in His Creation. I'll share them another day, in another post. 

But the best one for me?

 That His Face shines on me, that He is all around me, and that He holds my hand. 

 

 

 

Mid-October Faves

 

It's Friday and time to share FIVE of my FAVE blessings from the week.  Susanne is our gracious host and I'm thankful she does this weekly writing exercise to get me to be more intentional about finding things to be thankful for. Head to her site to learn more and join in. 

• DAVE'S NEWS:  Dave came home from work on Friday evening with some amazing news.  He had had his annual performance review at the main office  and was told he was getting a significant raise.  He's been an employee and IT director at the company pictured above for 25 years and LTI is now part of the group featured in the link. We were so surprised and thankful!  Especially in this horrible economy.  God is good and we thank Him for this excellent report. 

Watch Hill trail in the central Adirondacks 

on the summit of Watch Hill
l-r: me, Celine, Ping

•  TWO SOULSTEPS HIKES:  this past week, I led a hike on Saturday morning and Wednesday all day.  Saturday's hike originally had 5 people signed up but 2 had injuries so had to bow out.  I had chosen this easy mountain to climb that I've done once years ago with my family, and last summer with my niece. It was a nice morning, although cold.  We started out at 34 degrees F and by the time we were done around noon, it was up to 56 F.  We were happy the sunshine was plentiful and it was "at peak foliage" in the Central Adirondacks.  For Wednesday's hike, there were originally 6 of us and it ended up being 4 of us.  It's a trail I've hiked numerous times, and my friend Joan had hiked it with me 2 summers ago.  The other 2 ladies had never hiked it.  We hiked a little bit further north than where I was on Saturday but it was still in the central part of the ADK.  The destination was Blue Ledges on the Hudson River and it's a 6 mile hike.  When we got there it was overcast and mild with temps in the 50s.  About a mile into the woods, it began to lightly rain, so we pulled on our hiking raincoats.  It didn't last long and at one point, when we were having lunch at the river, the sun came out with some patches of blue sky.  I'm thankful we all had a great time and stayed safe. If you're wondering why all the bright colors, it's because it is now hunting season in NYS. Here are my fave pics from the Wednesday hike: 

beginning of the trail at Blue Ledges
in the Hudson River Gorge Wilderness Area 

Joan took this photo of me getting across the creek
where the bridge was out...Karen and Melanie were after me

one of my very fave trees along the trail 

The "blue" ledges at the Hudson River at the end of the 3 miles
this was our destination and we made it! Sadly, the sun wasn't shining on the ledges
so the effect is more grey than blue. Note the rain cloud coming in on the right 

Our lunch spot/destination where the sun and blue sky came out
for about 20 minutes.  It is now past peak up in the central ADK

at the Hudson River/Blue Ledges
l-r: Joan, me, Melanie, Karen 

• SALE!  On Sunday after church, I ran to our local mall in the south part of town to take advantage of the Indigenous People Day/Columbus Day sale at this place.  I did well! I ended up with 3 pairs of jeans to replace old, faded and holey ones, and a  moisture wicking long sleeved workout tee/hiking shirt to replace one that I accidentally shrunk in the dryer.  (it's best to drip dry the hiking clothes). I'm thankful I got 4 different items for only $70.  One of the pairs of jeans was normally $60!  No way do I ever pay full price for a pair of jeans. I'm thankful for the good sale prices and discount. 

i was able to get 2 pairs of D jeans
for the price of one!

• ANNUAL AUTUMN GIRLS DAY: Monday was a bit overcast but warm.  The sun was in and out.  It was the annual autumn girls day away with my 2 girls and my sister Joy. We chose to be somewhat local as we all had had busy weekends or weeks ahead so we chose to explore this small town to the south of us. We had a good time shopping, drinking great coffee, and eating lunch in a cute Roastery/Cafe. I treasure time with both girls as we rarely can all get together on the same day anymore. I even found a hiking book I've never seen, about historic hikes in the Catskills region and a book of Ralph Waldo Emerson's essays.  Both were very inexpensive. I'm thankful we all found something we wanted and that we had nice weather to walk around on the famous Warren Street. I'm thankful we got there safely and back and that everyone had a nice time. 

Claire (the youngest, age 27) and Courtney (age 33)

where we ate lunch outside behind those planters on the left 

• AFTERNOON WITH A FRIEND: I really needed/wanted to talk to someone about a personal matter and my spiritual mentor wasn't available.  I reached out to my friend Joan because she knows some of my background and I trust her to be non-judgemental, and I know she knows Scripture well and I also know she's a good listener and won't try to "fix" the situation. She invited me out to her house and it was my first time on their 120 acres of beautiful land in a town to the east of where I live. She showed me all around this property that has been in her husband's family for several generations and then we sat in the glorious sunshine and talked.  I was able to share something with her that I've never shared with anyone and it felt good to get it off my chest and just have someone listen. We talked for a  long time and she shared some of the things she's gone through. It definitely drew us closer. I've only known this friend for 2 years but it feels like longer. I'm blessed to know her and I'm thankful we  prayed together. I had so much peace afterwards. It will be something I treasure for a long time. This quote sums up the kind of friend she is to me: 

That wraps up my week!  I'm also thankful that we've had some really nice Autumn days.  It's my favorite time of year.  (August-November). 

Whatever you have planned for the weekend, I hope you find time to savor the beauty of the season.