Let’s just say I not only survived day 1 but I was pleasantly surprised by how much joy, excitement, and somewhat fun I had even going up the hills. I remember going up the last hill. The last part of the hike I remember thinking to myself “If I could just hear the cars I know I will be okay. I can make it” because at this point all I could see was the hill.
I heard a horn from a truck and it lit the fire I needed under my feet to make it to the top. When I made it to the top I didnt think about being out of breath or the struggle it took to get to the top. All I could do was rejoice, exhale, and know I conquered another day. I wasn’t thinking about the struggles of the next day and the worries that it would bring. I just embraced the moment of victory.
Nugget 1: Don’t forget to rejoice in the small victories along your journey. Small victories give you hope for tomorrow and faith to continue along the way. It is comforting to know your journey is not in vain. These victories remind you that there is a reward in the end.
We got to the hostel and what was even more rewarding was getting to the hostel and it was the closest thing to five star in the mountains that we could get. We had a three course meal with a lovely fireplace set before us. Y’all I even got a massage from my teammates. I had never been so excited to take a hot steamy shower, put on my fuzzy socks, and dive into my bed.
Day 2
I woke up the next morning and I knew that today would be different from yesterday. We had more hills to trek and I mentally needed to prepare myself. I started to feel less than 100% and there was a easy way out to just ride the bus to the next hostel but I didn’t want to let an sniffle to be the excuse to prevent me from attacking this hike.
I ate and went outside to pray and worship by myself because I knew if didn’t set my affections on something greater than my feelings and excuses it was not going to be a good day.
Nugget 2: Along this journey of yours you get to a point where you can let your emotions dictate your outlook on things. To me this is one of the hardest obstacles to overcome but remember that feelings are fickle. They change constantly. So why not fix your thought and attitudes or something bigger than you, greater than any mountain or circumstance, and more importantly greater than your emotions. Fix your affections on God and see how much your outlook changes. When your lens change your outlook changes also.
We started on our journey and since I set my affections on God I was able to see and enjoy the beautiful nature that God had created. Every valley, hill, river, and animals that we passed. I wasn’t focused on how hard the hike was going to be that day or how long it was going to take to make it up the hill even when I got tired and was out of breath.
The home stretch came and we were at the bottom of the hill. I looked up to where we had to go and nearly wanted to cry. I just sat down. In front of me was a blue little church and kids running from school to get back home. Some of these kids lived up this hill we had to climb. They were smiling, running, playing, and greeting us as they went along their way. Two boys stayed behind with us and started up this hill with us. I looked at one kid and I thought to myself, “Now I know he’s been doing this all his life but if he can make it up this hill I know I can.”
We were halfway up the mountain and it was the complete struggle. My group stopped and we had to literally pray and play a worship song or two because it was real. My eyes started watering up and I was just over it. I literally prayed from the halfway mark to the top of the hill because there was no other way I seen myself making it.
Nugget 3: I realize why it is so important to pray without ceasing. I had to live off more than just a morning prayer. I needed to be reminded of where my help came from. I needed to be thankful for everything and ask the Lord to help me until the end. I needed to rely on the strength of the Lord. One prayer a day may not get you along the way. Remaining prayful along your journey gives you fuel and not fumes.
We made it the top, ate lunch with a beautiful backdrop, and shared our snacks with the local kids. They had a appetite on them! We walked a couple more miles and enjoyed another 3 course meal, hot shower, and a nice bed!
Stay tuned for pt. 3! One of the biggest learned learned!
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Thank you for remaining on the journey!
