A – Adventurous Courage

Courageous Christian Living

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity,

but of power and love and discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:7 nasb

Adventurous Courage is for the one who seeks exciting experiences; a curious risk-taker; sometimes, but not always involving danger

I slipped the straps over my shoulder, tightened the belt around my waist, and took my first ever steps onto the Appalachian Trail relying my husband’s experience and the map book in his pack. I trusted the trail markers, the blazes painted on trees, boulders, or attached to man-made posts to lead us. I depended upon the successful journeys of those who had traveled these hills before us. But inside, I was afraid…

…afraid of the unknown... the unfamiliar... 

the unpredictable… going outside of my comfort zone.

Life trips me up along this long road

“You were tired out by the length of your road,

Yet you did not say, ‘It is hopeless.’

You found renewed strength, 

Therefore you did not faint.” Isaiah 57:10  nasb

“Father, give me strength to raise my leg and place it on that rock.” I leaned on my trekking pole and willed my foot to step up. “I can do this. Look up, Merrie, look up.” I huffed and puffed, and then raised my body upward one slow step at a time.

Black Hills Backpacking Adventure update

Me at Devil's Tower

[For those not be interested in my travel log, you might skip the details; I hope you’ll pursue the links and photos I included. To summarize: We saw beautiful sights, experienced wonderful family togetherness, and I finished reading a book for next week’s post.]

“In that day the great trupet will sound. Many who were dying in exile…

will return to Jerusalem to worship the Lord on his holy mountain.” Isaiah 27:13 nlt

Hiking the Hills

“The angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel,

moved and went behind them…stood behind them.” Exodus 14:19 nasb

It’s time again to pull out the pack and sleeping bag. What began as my husband’s dream has become a secret obsession for me. Actually, it’s an unfinished challenge. This year, I wasn’t sure if I would be on the trail or sitting in base camp because one or both of our sons would be going along. Either way, I’d be sleeping in a tent, cooking over a fire, and slapping mosquitoes.

Calculate the costs

                 “Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, 

                                                          doesn't first sit down and figure the cost…?” Luke 14:28 msg

As I sit in the beautiful cabin surrounded by trees, visions of the *A.T. dance in my head. The thoughts have little to do with the cabin or even the trees, but rather the assistance I gave my husband today.

The place is Ponca State Park in northeast Nebraska. The spring event was outdoor cooking. At other state park events my husband has taught Dutch oven, foil, fuel stove, and about every kind of outdoor cooking. He says, “If you can cook in the kitchen, you can cook it outdoors.” For this event, they asked him to teach trail or backpack cooking and I assisted.

He presented cooking choices—stoves, pots, and food items. Overall backpacking is all about going lightweight but can become expensive. Every ounce matters. Every penny is counted.

The class was stupendous but it took me back to the poor choices we made on our first trek and the lessons we learned. I’d always understood the difference between wants and needs, but my overloaded pack taught me the difference between needs and essentials—how less is more when you make smarter choices.

Sh.h.h.h....I'm reading

 

Much like backpacking a 25-mile section of the Appalachian Trail , I pushed myself beyond what I thought I could do—research, write, and post a month's worth of daily blogs from A-Z. 

So, I’m going to sit back, relax, and read a book. Because I do have a life beyond writing, blogging, and reading, it will take me a few days to complete. Once I am done, I will post a review.

The book I’ve selected is: “Out of Control” by Mary Connealy

I’ll drop some daily breadcrumbs leading up to the full book review. Let’s begin…

The Saga of a “Not-So-Desperate” Housewife (Part 3)

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help...” Eccl. 4:9-10 nlt

He hurried off the last split log and reached for my hand. “I’m so sorry you had to come with me.”

I accepted his hand. “Don’t be sorry; I wanted to come.” Tears seeped from the corners of my eyes. “I don’t have the strength. My pack is pulling me down.”

He unbuckled his backpack and tossed it to the ground.

Gearing Up

Many are gearing up for school, but for me it’s time to pull the backpacking equipment out. Time to pack and go. Yes, we’ll soon be heading west—northwest Nebraska, that is—to do a little hiking, camping, and touring the historical area.

Today, I took my Therm-a-rest sleeping pad, Big Agnes sleeping bag, Gregory backpack, hiking poles, and Marmot 2-door tent off the shelf. My goal pack weight is 20-24 pounds. Every ounce is calculated. (Pack weighs 3 lbs/2 oz; sleeping bag, 2 lbs/8 oz; tent, 2 lbs/6 oz; pad, 1 lb/8 oz, and then there’s the cooking & eating gear, food, water, first aid, clothing, jacket, flashlight, toiletries, etc.)

Backpacking is a crazy activity this fifty-something Nebraska woman calls fun. Up until 2007, carrying all the gear on my back was not something I did; I left that to my husband and our Boy Scouts sons.

Yet, right from the beginning of our marriage, sleeping in the great outdoors was a part of building our marriage and family. We spent a few nights of our honeymoon in a tent, then traveled the 1500 miles to Alaska setting up/taking down the canvas tent we bought with our first tax refund. After years of tent camping, we fixed up a topper for the pickup, and later still, purchased pop-up campers. When the kids were grown, our empty nest reverted to tent camping. However, backpacking takes it to the next level.

It’s a physical and mental challenge. We walk 6-8 hours a day dealing with the weather, the insects, and the terrain. It’s beautiful. It’s boring. Muscles I forgot I had hurt, my knees get scraped, and my feet develop blisters. Then, I sleep on a 1-inch air mattress pad in a tent or 3-walled shelter on a wooden bunk.

So, why do I do it? Why do I call it fun? Answer: As we walk up and down the mountains, swatting away flies, we talk. We listen. It is the ultimate quality time together.

Of course, we have found simpler less strenuous activities throughout our 36-year marriage to provide quality time for good communication. Sometimes we take long drives or sit in the park, but in this day and age, removing distractions is the challenge. In the mountains or hills, cell service is rare. Out on the trail, neither of us has other things to do or places to go. Bottom line, we have lots of time to talk, listen, or just think privately.

So, I’m gearing up for another crazy long walk with my wonderful husband, investing in our marriage relationship.

     “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NASB

Walking For Life

Psalm 37:23

With only a few weeks to go, the training is intensifying. I am walking more and carrying a heavier pack.

Getting in shape physically is difficult while living in the plains where our hills are not too steep. I walk on our country roads in the mornings when the temperatures are below 90 degrees but the humidity can be high.

I also do strength training by using free-weights and a balance ball. Sit ups, push ups, squats, and lungs are still among the best muscle builders.

However, preparing for the mental challenges is more complicated. So, for this year's trek, I've added a new motivator: making the journey into a fundraiser! Yes, a walk-a-thon benefiting the Crisis Pregnancy Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. The idea has put joy in my heart and a skip in my step.

No matter what I do on this side of the trip it won't be enough. My legs, hips, and back will still hurt. I'll get discouraged and wonder "what in the world was I thinking." But, that's how it is in a love-hate relationship!

Well, my pack is ready, so, I better get my boots on my feet and hit the road before the storms move in.

My steps are established by the Lord.

DAY 119 - What’s Up?

It took me two months to update the “What’s Up” page of my writer’s website, www.MerrieHansen.com because of the struggle of winter depression, but as my motto declares, I want to be open about my struggles as well as my victories in "livin’ my life out loud for Jesus."

I feel bad for falling short of my goals for 2010 in my life, in writing, and in getting ready to return to the Appalachian Trail. With leaves popping out everywhere, lilacs in bloom, and my allergies high, I feel certain that spring is definitely here! I am walking more often, eating better, writing again, and putting myself back into society.

Last week, I walked or hiked 4 of 7 days, for 14½ miles over 11 hours. I carried my backpack with about 10 lbs for 8 of those miles (4½ hours). I also spent about 40 minutes one morning getting some resistance training with the treadmill, hand-weights, balance ball, and stretch tubes (or whatever they’re called). It has felt amazing. I have also been eating wiser and healthier. I have about 16 weeks to get in shape for our 60-mile trek.

As for writing, I’ve mainly been focused on getting my weekly devotionals written for the website; but began reading a very inspiring book this week called “The Traveler’s Gift” by Andy Andrews. I originally picked it up at the library for research on writing short stories, but am enthralled by the context and lessons on “seven decisions that determine personal success.” (I highly recommend this book.)

I mentioned being back in society because the winter pulled me away from interacting with people. Yes, I continued to attend two different Bible studies, one with a group of women and the other a mixed group of men, women, married, divorced, and widowed, but I was not fully engaged until a couple of weeks ago. I went because I knew I needed to be with people, but dreaded the travel to and from. The women’s group stopped meeting just before Easter, while the mixed one was just getting started. The transition was odd for me,;however, I’m enjoying being in a group with my husband after many, many years.

I praise God for sustaining me through the dark, cold, dreary winter and for His Faithfulness in the return of spring sunshine and warmth. Onward I go with my face to the Son, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Philippians 3:13-14 & Hebrews 12:2

God bless you all.