Sometimes you just have to ask God what He’s up to? This has been the most interesting and intriguing moment off trail. I had all sorts of concerns about returning to the Appalachian Trail this year. The fact that I was going to be away from home for 3-4 months is harder and harder the older I become. I miss my husband and family more than ever. I feel disconnected from my church family, not being present for Debbie Carapiet, the Heart & Soul of Bayside Cafe and Greg Weisman, Leader of Bayside Adventure Sports for their years of service and now, retirement celebrations, were disappointing to say the least. These two were the most influential leaders to me, in my church family. It is where I found community, where I have served for close to 25 years, and where my relationship with Jesus grew immensely.

And here I sit for three days contemplating what this has been about? I know part of what the Lord intended for me was stillness. But how did He plan for this to transpire? About 2-3 weeks ago, Bodhie, a thru-hiker I met last year, ends up dialing me by mistake. Well I know nothing is by coincidence. So I text her and told her I’m back on trail and heading south from Harpers Ferry. Ends up that Bodhie lives just outside Roanoke, Virginia. Get this, she is right around the corner from where I am right now in Lexington.

Bodhie finishes church and picks me up. We get caught up and spend the afternoon together. This is exactly what Jesus had intended all along. How beautifully orchestrated is that! My Lord wanted me to spend this final week on the trail, filled with love and gratitude, as a reminder of what I have experienced, both this year and last.

Such a lovely and sometimes wild and crazy ride I have had on the East Coast. This trail is more than just a ribbon of dirt but rather a conduit to life! The Lord that I love and praise has taught me more in the past three plus months about acceptance of where I am. It doesn’t matter what the weather is, how much mud you trek through or if the rain is ever going to stop. Now I am absolutely certain that whatever circumstance I am dealing with, there is always a way to get through. When I focus on the problem rather than looking to Jesus, I get sidetracked and derailed. Weather changes, mud dries up and the sun comes out! I’ll bet my life on that.

Once I flipped and started hiking southbound, the trail was clear of any major obstacles. I was relying on my own abilities and that’s when pride takes ahold. The trail was starting to get a bit more technical, with steeper climbs and boulders, rocks and slate. On my way down Three Ridges, I was full of myself, and bam! I stepped off trail and down I went, rolling in a field of Poison Ivy. Ends up I rolled my ankle, which I didn’t really think much of. Yet, it was a big reminder that pride comes before the fall. And it slapped me upside the head!

Needless to say, a couple of days to regroup is what I needed. I’m all ears, and once again, my Lord has demonstrated an abundance of mercy and grace. I have only small patches of Poison Ivy breakouts, and my ankle is healing quicker than ever. I’ll be heading back to the trail after Labor Day. It’s such a good reminder to keep my focus on God alone, and not the destination.

Looking forward, I vacillate with emotions and realize that this truly has been a team effort. Without Jesus, I wouldn’t be here. So many people I have met on the trail are back home. Many completed their journeys, others lost interest while some had injuries that prevented them from finishing their goal. Yet, here we are, so close to completing what we started last year. Knowing that I have a partner makes all the difference, and not just any partner. My precious Lord planned this, executed it and walked every step with me. There were many falls along the way, too many times I yelled in frustration, yet He always picked me up and gave me the strength and endurance to continue on. What an incredible and wonderful partner my God, truly is!