Several milestones have been reached since we last talked:
First, I made it to the 1,000 mile mark! While this isn’t quite 1/2 way, it’s still a cool number. 🙂
Second, I FINALLY left Virginia and entered the 5th state on the trail, West Virginia. VA took a good long time as did the first 4 states — almost 3 months! WV will only take up a few miles of the trail, and it won’t be long until I’m out of Maryland and into Pennsylvania.
Third, Sunday marked the first day of summer! Traditionally hikers use the summer solstice as “Hike Naked Day” but thankfully, I saw none and did not partake. Jason, the producer for the “Road Less Traveled” TV show, hiked with me on part of Saturday and all of Sunday. Coming soon: a 60-second clip that previews the show for which I’m filming!
Fourth, I saw my first bear on the trail! I was hiking through the Shenandoah National Park and sure enough…he was on the trail just ahead of me. The first bear you see while walking in the woods is pretty exhilarating. Not that bears two through seven weren’t exhilarating…yes, I saw a total of 7! The first two hung around for a picture or two (we’ll call them Smiley and Sniffy) but the others were all running away from me by the time I saw them! Either way, SOOO cool! Here are their pics:
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I had a wonderful visit from my mom, aunt, and two cousins…and Ms. Cleon. I guess she’s a distant relative, I’m not sure how, but I’m thankful she is. I was able to zero with my family on Tuesday west of Staunton, VA, at Ms. Cleon’s cabin! Great to visit with the family, hard to see them leave on Wednesday. An interesting thing happened Thursday night…my first night alone in the woods! No one was at the shelter/campground I stayed at. Wasn’t scared…
Before the rest of the blog, here’s a word from a good friend of mine, Andy! I’m giving Andy the honorary trail name “Prologue” because of the cool people he has introduced me to (including John Piper, Diana Krall, Dave Matthews Band, just to name a few).
Andy and sponsored child Brandy
Meet Brandy Brayan. He’s the child that I sponsor through World Vision. He’s an 8 year old boy that lives in Peru. Brandy and I have a lot in common. We both go to school, we both enjoy sports, and we both have July birthdays. And I feel a real connection to Brandy as I traveled to Peru this past summer and saw his beautiful country. But unlike Brandy, I don’t have to worry about having clean water to drink, about finding a nutritious meal, or about obtaining reliable health care. This is the primary reason I decided to support a child from World Vision. My seemingly small donation goes a long way in providing the essentials—both physically and spiritually—that Brandy needs and that I take for granted. But I also receive as much—if not more—than I give. Living in Manhattan, I’m surrounded by excess on a daily basis: from doormen to professional dog walkers. Giving a little bit each month is a constant reminder not to hold on too tightly to the material things of this world, but to find my joy in the only source that will truly satisfy: Jesus Christ.
Thanks, Andy, for sharing. Be like him…sponsor a child!
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So, what I thought I’d blog about now is my daily routine, now that I have it down to a science of sorts. I’ll start with the end of the day.
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(Disclaimer: This week’s blog will be a little different as it will have more to do with some of the spiritual aspects of me spending this much time in the woods. So if you primarily read the blog to learn about the Appalachian Trail and/or you don’t know me very well, I’ll make this blog an optional read.)
What follows is my recollection of events that brought me to tears the other day while hiking. Even as I begin to type I’m hesitant to go on. I don’t like to talk about crying. I’d rather laugh or tell you a joke. Since becoming an adult, I’ve only cried one other time that was unrelated to the death of a Grandparent. Yes, I’ve occasionally teared up during a World Vision video, a touching movie, or a moving song. But something about the fact/logic/man part of my brain would rather avoid uncontrollable sobbing. But that’s just it; all times mentioned above were not within my control. And all times were confirmation that God cares and is very near.
Blogfession
I’ll start with my journal entry the day before. I typically don’t journal long prayers to God like this in the woods, rather I use my journal for the scenery, mileage, and other events of the day. Mind you, I spent the weekend before at a conference sitting under top-notch, world-class teaching and relearning everything I ever knew about Jesus. However, as we drove away from the conference in Baltimore back to the trail I was brimming with anxiety. 1.) Would my leg be healed? and 2.) Is this hike/blog what I’m supposed to be doing?
So, starting with the basics, I was trying to evaluate where I stood with God. After this conference I felt like, yes, this is the Jesus I’ve always known. But, as my parents will attest of me from a young age, I have a very hard head and can be very stubborn. So in my spiritual journey, when I reach a paradox, rather than humbling myself and realizing we are not meant to know all the mysteries of God, I am the clay that questions the potter. I felt like I needed to talk to Jesus about God.
All of that led to my journal entry on 5/28:
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