Day 7, 2019 WOW this is Paint Day

Day 7

O boy it is really a new day I can start over, and put yesterday behind me and head out for new adventures in this Day the Lord has Made for me. What are they, well for one this is a day to use His creative juices he has given me for I will meet with fellow students and paint. This  is PAINT day, PAINT PAINT PAINT day, I love my day to sit look into Gods handy work in nature and try and freeze it on paper for I know it is true all creation lives to testify to who he is.  My prayer is that this will be done with Gods goals in mind, make what I choose to paint help invite others to see and want to join me in the direction my of heavenly home. I want to focus on spending more time and observation on things that will further me to my evening destination of this journey of life. Other goals include lifting my load for the day , drinking nourishment that will strengthen me. This first and foremost is feeding on the word of God and drinking from the well that never goes dry. 

 As I was preparing for my new day and planing the events of this day I realized nothing that happens around me is permanent . If I get stuck in the mud some where  (By That I mean Getting in an argument or a situation I don't like )I must, remember my shepherd will be there to help when I call, but I must remember to CALL, many times I just try and get myself out of my mess or just set up camp to stay right there and wallow in it. 

The next thing I thought of as I was ready to begin is to put on my listening ears. Listen for the still small voice of encouragement and direction. Also for what some thru-hikers call trail  fairies or magic but in my case it is the filling of the Holy Spirit. Filling with what, love, joy and peace which will supply me with patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control that is all necessary to please God today. So off I go asking for this filling. 

I will say this much that trying to see each day I live as A journey just passing Has changed the intensity Of how I feel At difficult times with others around me, What times I feel alone Or hurt or worried.  I'm realizing this is not always about me, and also realizing it's only temporary I forget it quickly in the day but just trying to write this Journal Helps me keep coming back To how true  an temporary everything here on earth is.

 Here we are again, evening time and I wonder if I have accomplished the goals the Lord had for me . Today was art class day And I do truly love the creative process , I feel sure that is a gift from God and I love painting, I love art. As time goes on I begin to see ways that I can use my Ark  to tell his story . The rest of the day I don't think I got off track to much But at the end of the day I must remember this place I find myself in Is not a place to stay forever If nothing else This peaceful feeling I'm blessed with right now can never last at least not on this earth. I am very grateful to get my house back into some kind Of order, I'm not a person who wants a showplace to live in but to have things organized and rather clean is my happy place. So this evening as I go to God's word I hope to Understand that this is a very temporary place And I will be more than willing to wake up tomorrow and move on to the next event that God wants me to experience.   

Day 6 2019 This place is not my Home

Day 6

  

Nunc coepi " Latin for

"I begin once more with your help, O Lord."

 As I was preparing for my new day and planing the events of this day I realized nothing that happens around me is permanent . If I get stuck in the mud some where  (By That I mean Getting in an argument or a situation I don't like )I must, remember my shepherd will be there to help when I call, but I must remember to CALL, many times I just try and get myself out of my mess or just set up camp to stay right there and wallow in it. 

The next thing I thought of as I was ready to begin is to put on my listening ears. Listen for the still small voice of encouragement and direction. Also for what some thru-hikers call trail  fairies or magic but in my case it is the filling of the Holy Spirit. Filling with what, love, joy and peace which will supply me with patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control that is all necessary to please God today. So off I go asking for this filling. 

I will say this much that trying to see each day I live as A journey just passing Has changed the intensity Of how I feel At difficult times with others around me, What times I feel alone Or hurt or worried.  I'm realizing this is not always about me, and also realizing it's only temporary I forget it quickly in the day but just trying to write this Journal Helps me keep coming back To how true  an temporary everything here on earth is.

 Here we are again, evening time and I wonder if I have accomplished the goals the Lord had for me . Today was art class day And I do truly love the creative process , I feel sure that is a gift from God and I love painting, I love art. As time goes on I begin to see ways that I can use my Ark  to tell his story . The rest of the day I don't think I got off track to much But at the end of the day I must remember this place I find myself in Is not a place to stay forever If nothing else This peaceful feeling I'm blessed with right now can never last at least not on this earth. I am very grateful to get my house back into some kind Of order, I'm not a person who wants a showplace to live in but to have things organized and rather clean is my happy place. So this evening as I go to God's word I hope to Understand that this is a very temporary place And I will be more than willing to wake up tomorrow and move on to the next event that God wants me to experience. 

Day 5 2019 Thru-Hiker, What Worry's Me Today

Day 5

1. What worries me today?

what does my guide want me to worry about today. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord , And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs.9:10  So if worry is to be allowed in to this day the Lord has made fear, or respect of his power or fear of displeasing him to be at the top of my list. What might disrupt that goal today.

2. What are my Goals for the day?
3. How can I prepare each day to be fit, nourished and strong to go the whole distance.
4.  Next is to consider what predator I might meet today. One thing I have learned from my guide is the fact all predators are related and owned buy one enemy, the dark ruler of the heavenly relm.
5. what might I fear most that my guide can help me with. 

What are my goals today. As I have watched successful thru-hikers I see them set relisic goals. 

• So today s goal are to run the sweeper in living room and family room
• to test the kitchen floor with Windex and white vinegar.
• Clean garage for tomorrow. 
• Spend quality time with the Lord today, morning and evening. 

Now I want to look at these and see if those goals will take me in the direction the Lord wants for me. If I could guess what would that be. He has set me on the path with others who have trouble seeing that we are just passing through and he has placed me with them so? 

So what are my fears just today? I might take my eyes off my guide and be distracted by something that even ever so slightly gets me off course. I realize when I try to gain wisdom  through fear of the Lord I see that the roaring bear is not my predators tool of choice. He is happy enough just letting my own self-interest get me ever so slightly off course. Why, because he could care less where I go as long as it isn't the direction the guide has prepared for me. What a interesting thought and I will have to contemplate this thought further down the trail. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6.  in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 

So a straight path sounds great to me, that means I must stay in the light of Christ my guide and forget the troubling shadows of fear, or fleshly desires. For what value do they have when all that is left is left behind when I reach my glorious home, home oh that sounds good so just keep on following the light and straight paths.

 As evening draws near a look at the forward advancement on the path I have covered. I admit that to convert my daily life to looking like a thru-hike is a bit difficult, but is that because we  struggle to grasp the concept that we are only traveling through this life fore a short time. We are like a fading flower, here today gone tomorrow. Do I look at my activities as though I am making a perminate nest for my existence in this spot instead of just passing through and inviting others to see there own life for what it is, a journey. Also as I sit  around my evening campfire did I see the predator who desires to destroy Gods chosen on, yes that is me whether I can grasp this or not. As I closed the day with my time with my guide and the word He is sharing (1 Cor 3:1-9) I look at all I did and ask my self if I did all to the Glory of God or was I working according to my flesh.Did I seek my own glory or allow my flesh to receive praise. Did I allow myself to venture in a direction not according to my shepherds desires and he had to direct me back on course. I admit I still struggle with being content where the Lord has placed me.Live within the boundaries he has placed and lighten the load I think I must carry.Tomorrow is a new day. 

Day 4 Thru-Hiker, Day of Rest or Zero Day to a Thru-Hiker

Day 4

Nunc coepi " Latin for

"I begin once more with your help, O Lord."

'Sunday' as a thru-hiker, this is a day my shepherd chose at creation as a day of rest. Does that mean I will not advance today nearer to my end destination. Well unlike AT hikers a zero day on life s trail is a planned day of enrichment and direction with my shepherd.. It is also a day to meet with fellow hikers of my Shepherd and drink in strength as fellow travelers. But unlike Thru-Hikers if I rest and allow God to refuel my soul I will advance to my end destination in ways I can't even begin to see. 

On this day of rest I spent time with my mom and shared a fun dinner with her from my new instant pot which was a gift from my mom. 

Then a trip to visit my sister as things are looking up for her as she deals with a real health scare. My sister has been on a up hill struggle but seems to be on a slow but gentile leveling out of the test of throat caner. Interesting how looking through lenses of a thru-hiker this whole event seems different with a possibility of having some meaning or purpose. Just dealing with my sister and her cancer and surgery takes on a different feel as I travel toward home (my forever home) and realize she is traveling to the same destination but, but what, our shepherd may be showing her may be different weather conditions on the same trail, right now she is experience some intensely stormy weather but she is fighting through it. 

So as I end this day I have learned that this journey as all thru-hikers finally learn as they spend a few days or weeks on the trail is that even though at time we spend lots of alone time you are not traveling alone. We meet other travelers and if they become aware of the choice to become a follower of the Good Shepherd these other travelers will in the end be molded by the same Potters hand in to like minded individuals with the same destinations and goals but different purposes as The 

Shepherd makes use of each of us as we are lead along this trail. I also see I can learn much from their struggles and adventures if I allow myself to be open to my lack of understanding in my life. Many of us see ourselves as accomplished travelers feeling we have this whole hiking thing under control. 

We also may be traveling with hikers that first are unaware they are even on this journey to there forever home and second they seem to not understand my journey. Oh Lord help me travel in such a way that they can see you and hunger for you. 

As I began this journal, the hope was to see life as a journey not as a place to reside .I am quickly seeing  why looking at life through this perspective can lead you to a much more peaceful and enjoyable day. What I would have seen as important situations or hurtful events I can with some effort lay aside as unimportant  or teaching tools and my load of the day seems much lighter.  I can also see I am not alone in some of these emotional ups and down for If I believe Jesus , it all has a purpose, which is molding us in to a beautiful children of God who is dentin to spend eternity with him. May I not forget this truth, Lord

Day 3 , 2019 Thru-Hiker, Making Plans

June 7, 2019

Nunc coepi " Latin for

"I begin once more with your help, O Lord."

As I woke up this morning it was a new challenge for myself to see this day as a new day on the trail. I reflected on one of my favorite thru-hikers "Jessica". To look at the place I spent the night, the place I find myself in this moment and realize it was just a temporary resting spot chosen by my shepherd who I have chosen to follow. The first gift from this new way of seeing a day as a journey was for me to begin avoiding the endless hours one spends in beautifying our resting place which many of us call our home. Most of us work endless jobs and spend extraordinary amounts of money to beautify our nest when the truth is it is all temporary and will all be left behind whether we like it or not. This does not discount the need for having a neat, tidy nest. Organization and neatness often relives many stress that other journeyers have.

Why do I feel this to be so important, because it is a place I can not nor do I desire to stay. I can't say that has always been a true statement for me and even now I get side tracked form my ultimate destination (heaven). It was time to rise and seek where the direction of my shepherd will lead me today. So I began to reflect on getting on the move. Sitting in my chair watching the box (TV) had to go. I for the first time spent a few seconds on the goal of this adventure day, yes I hope to see this as a journey to the grandest adventure one can experience. This will include storms, struggles, difficult climbs, and losses, and even boredom along the way. Looking for predators that seek to destroy me must be considered.   

So as I chose to eat what would strengthen me for the days I look to see what might be some event for the day. The first discussions I want to write about on this journal is to reflect on each thing I choose to do or are directed to do for the day that will advances me closer to my daily goal. What is that goal, it is to arrive at my forever home escorted by non other than The Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. Just a few moment each day is what I want to begin with . Do my goals help guide me or others closer day by day to our goal? 

Just how do I convert the events of this day in to the picture of a thru-hike will be the challenge and we will see how it goes. I think just a good look at the scenery around me and the awareness of where I am and continually focus on where I'm going will help me achieve my goal. This evening as I see the days end I will document what and how I deal with it. At some time on this documenting of daily travel I want to look at past events that need my action that was brought in by no action of my own.

• Bills cancer
• Gloria s foot injury
• Bills broken hip that still causes great pain and my dealing with this.
• Moms broken Hip
• Debs cancer.
• Caring for my mother

Yep these events seem to be tools my Shepherd has chosen to mold me in to the strong thru-hiker he has chosen me to be. But right now I seem to open my eyes to the truth that these are event along the trail not place to be stuck in for an unending time. 

Next the things I believe I chose as important desires I engage each today should be looked at. The goal is to decide if they further me to the end of my journey or if the feeling of having to complete these choices are weighing me down. 

• Cooking for my family (I have been using so much energy to feed nutritious food to them and myself). Is this a goal the shepherd approves or is it a self-seeking one. 
• Work around home whether it is necessary for a show home or does my Shepherd just want a clean functional place to rest and work as I pass through this area of my life. 
• Using the creative juices God has given me, and whether I am just fulfilling fleshly desire, whatever that is or use it for a tool of helping direct myself and others to our God ordained journey. 
• look at the burdens I am carrying and begin the process of letting the Lord directs me as to how to lighten my load. 

So as I finished this new way of moving through this day the lord has given me.I want to reflect on how well I moved forward to my end goal today.  I must say I envisioned my daily load to be a bit lighter just seeing the truth of what life really is.  I felt a light Peaceful feeling as this day ends. In another time I would have allowed my self to get angry or frustrated at dealing with difficult situation or frustration on not being able to work at my own self-centered goals. 

So this day ends and I feel the need to clean the slate and be ready to begin again. 

Day 2 2019 Thru-Hiker Post, the 1st day

June 6 2019
  Nunc coepi " Latin for

"I begin once more with your help, O Lord."

I decide to map out a planned route to my destination Also there was time spent laying out my fears, frustrations and pleasures I would most likely pass through this one day (Lord said not to worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself.). Where do I want to find myself in the evening. Are any of these plans accidentally leading me off course, (this one may be one of the more import thoughts)? Is there anything slowing me down. What might be some of my obstetrical be and how to prepare for them? What dangers might I encounter as the evil one is engaging in plans to misdirect me? 

I'm sure I have not answered all my questions from this morning but I know I passed through this day with a feeling of a lighter load knowing there was advancement even if I felt it was a boring day. When I saw difficulties with different people or just frustrating situation I found myself more at peace knowing it was all apart of this journey. 

Day 1 Thru-Hiker post, Beginning my Thru-Hike

Nunc coepi " Latin for
"I begin once more with your help, O Lord."

The Thru-Hikers Thoughts

It has taken almost 2/3 of my life to realized where I'm really going each day. Yes I have spent 71 years going somewhere even though I did not acknowledge this fact. As I have enjoyed watching others with their grand adventurers as thru-hikes of 2,000 miles or more from Southern parts of our country to some very Northern point of Canada,I finally see my life as my own journey and a thru-hike.

Do I begin this journey from the beginning of this journey of life, I think not, today's struggles  while fresh may help me focus on finding and seeing my weakness and being able to open my eyes to truth about life, and the journey the Lord has prepared for me.  Just realizing all of us are on our own Thru-Hike is taking a giant step in the right direction. I hope to see my giants and storms  as what they are and their purpose, for nothing comes in our path whether storms, Mt. or scary nights with out some purpose for our good says the Lord. 

One of the goals with this project is to see each day as a true thru-hiker. I so often lose sight of the fact I'm not at home here but heading home. So Lord keep this life altering fact in my most forward thought. 

One of my hopes is to be able to observe others on their thru hike, some of which are unaware they are even on a thru-hike.. Where did this picture of seeing my life as a thru-hike come? It first came from reading the book "The Pilgrims Journey" but it is more than that, it is spending years watching thru-hikers of the At, PCT, and CDT and almost lusting to have my own journey and test my own ability to endure. My hope is picturing these journey will keep me focused on the goal and ending destination of my own journey, not on the country side I am just passing through. but the forever paradise I'm trying to reach. One huge difference between these AT thru-hikers and my own is that I travel with my own wise shepherd guiding and directing and training me for my end destination. I'm never alone as many hikers find themselves on much of their long hours of walking. I'm being trained as a soldier in the army of the Lord and am given direction and faith in his wisdom.   

Blinders Removed

When did the blinder or scales fall and the truth revealed and the veil was lifted as to finding myself on this journey. When did I see that my life was about the destination not claiming setting squatters rights on where I find my self at this time. Easy answer, when my mustard seed faith cracked a pinhole through the veil all humans are unaware that lies before us. For me it was a slow removal process. There has been for many years a sure faith base passion and reality and love for my Creator. But the process of being able to deeply drink in the word of God was much slower. After seeking God through his word and allowing him to teach me truth the veil broke open wider and wide over time. But the process of deeply accepting what I was reading verse by verse as the absolute truth, and begin to visualize the truth of each chapter, one verse at time was much slower. Then just like that, I was overwhelm with the truth of my life on planet earth to be just as Paul describes as a place of passing through. So the long thru-hike I had longed  for and the thrill of discovering my own strength, weakness, and meeting my own giants, bears and storms has always been right before me I just couldn't see it. But unlike the PCT thru-hikers My journey could only end in success with the help of the Good Shepard. 

Jer. 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

The official beginning began the morning after one of my evening Bible study. I first read of Jesus  journey to Galilee and quickly saw Jesus life was most diffidently a journey from birth to the crucifixion and easily was a true thru-hike, carrying with him only item necessary to complete his journey to his final destination, which was seated at the right hand of the Creator of this Universe and his father.  With the new awareness of this trail I now see myself on, I realize there is a needs to do some serious planning for this adventure, I'm pretty sure as I proceed I will need to rid myself of some of my heavy load on my back of unnecessary items  if I'm to have any chance at all of reaching my destination all in one piece. I must plan my route and look ahead for know hazards.

How to accomplish this is the question? Answer, easy, seek the shepherd who is travelling with me. This is the part of this awareness that makes it different than many thru-hikers, I have a guide who if I follow him will lead me to success, encourage me when tired, and calm fears when facing danger. So let me begin tomorrow with a new awareness of the true purpose for my and all persons life. 

As a fellow thru-hiker use to begin his new days entry with an I want to us to reinforce the fact that this life is a journey and that only those things that lead me closer to my heavenly home or things along the way that will please my father are important I will begin each entry with  Nunc coepi " Latin for

"I begin once more with your help, O Lord."

Today Nov. 9, 2018  Nunc coepi " Latin for

"I begin once more with your help, O Lord."

I decide to map out a planned route to my destination Also there was time spent laying out my fears, frustrations and pleasures I would most likely pass through this one day (Lord said not to worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself.). Where do I want to find myself in the evening. Are any of these plans accidentally leading me off course, (this one may be one of the more import thoughts)? Is there anything slowing me down. What might be some of my obstetrical be and how to prepare for them? What dangers might I encounter as the evil one is engaging in plans to misdirect me? 

I'm sure I have not answered all my questions from this morning but I know I passed through this day with a feeling of a lighter load knowing there was advancement even if I felt it was a boring day. When I saw difficulties with different people or just frustrating situation I found myself more at peace knowing it was all apart of this journey.