A small town in Austria that struck my heart. I felt like I was walking through a postcard during our time there. The Alps standing tall behind the colorful houses and the glacier river running right through the middle. It’s a college town picture the life it carries during the day and the fun at night. People walking, jogging, reading in hammocks, biking, skating and playing spike ball. All the things. Such a fun place to be at!!
This story goes a few months ago to February when I was walking the night market in Pai, Thailand with Hannah [pic above]. We walked into a local jewelry shop and I randomly began talking to Chris who was on a trip with his sister Stefanie. This year I’ve really stepped out of my comfort zone when it comes to talking to strangers so I encourage you to do it too. You never know who you’ll meet. This world has some really cool people out there like Chris and Stefanie from Germany who also love traveling. After a couple of minutes talking we became friends and we added each other on Facebook. SO COOL!
Now forward to months later…. I posted on my Facebook that I was in Europe and Stefanie messaged me and told me that she lived in Austria in case I passed by. So I asked her if my friends and I could stay with her for a couple of nights and she said yes. WHAT A WOMAN! I knew Stefanie a little but when we got to stay with her I was left amazed at the way she is. She’s one of the strongest, wisest and most powerful women I’ve met on this race. She’s smart and knows how to handle life pretty well when it tries to bring her down. She loves helping people and supporting her community. She has a huge heart for the mountains and loves climbing. Even her flat has the most incredible view facing the Alps. BREATHTAKING!
I respect people who do climbing it’s seriously one of the hardest and scariest sports out there but I can only think of how good the adrenaline rush must feel. Stefanie took us to the top of the Alps but we didn’t have the right gear or experience to climb so we took the cable car and hiked a bit. It felt so good when we reached the top and got to look down into the city and the mountains behind it. I can only imagine how it would feel climbing and reaching the top. No one can take away that feeling of accomplishment you get when you’ve made it. Isn’t it the same way in life? Have there been times when you feel like you can’t keep going any higher? Yet going down isn’t an option? I know I have. What do you do in those moments? It’s hard but I hold onto JESUS with all my strength. How high would you climb the mountains in life if that’s where Jesus hid? Would you make it to the top? GOOD NEWS! You can try and search for Him there but don’t forget He’s not just at the top of the mountain. He’s with YOU and ME all the time! He’s in our lowest valley and he’s climbing that mountain by our side. His name alone can move to the mountains!!! HOW AMAZING IS THAT!!?
“The mountains quake before him and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it.”
– Nahum 1:5 NIV
God is so powerful that He can grab you and place you at the top of that mountain in a heartbeat. If your trust is in Him then why do you worry? He’s got you!! So keep praising His name and don’t stop climbing that mountain until you reach the top even if you hit the valley.
Get up and keep climbing!!
