The Boise, Idaho area has had cooler temperatures and more snow than normal this year. I forgot to factor this in when planning our latest hike on Saturday. We drove 16 miles up winding switch backs and then four more miles on muddy and partially snow covered logging roads. I soon realized that we would not be able to make it all the way by car to the Mores Mountain trailhead. I had already driven over a few short snow fields and almost gotten stuck. So we parked on the side of a dirt/snow road and decided to hike to the trail head. It wasn’t until we got to the big sign that marked the beginning of the trail that we realized our problem. Where was the trail? The landscape was covered with snow and the trail was now where to be seen. We were the first people who had wondered this far up the mountain since the snow had begun to melt. There wasn’t even a foot print to follow. We decided to walk in the direction that the trail map indicated the trail should be and sure enough in a few minutes we were able to find a little piece of it that had just been exposed by a hole in the melting snow. We continued like this for the next three hours of our hike. Every few minutes we would find a little piece of the trail and we could verify we were on course.
The scenery was breathtaking and the experience was humbling. I had a few opportunities to lead in front and navigate our path. It took all of my concentration because there were no foot prints in front of us. Not even an animals. We were making fresh tracks in the snow. I realized at that moment how dependent I am on others who have gone before me to show me the way. Some have created wide trails that are easy to follow, others have left faint footprints or created maps. I have had few opportunities in life to pioneer into areas where no one has ever been.
I believe that God will be asking our family to pioneer more often over the next few years. This means that we will physically be going into the darkness where there is no light and shining the light that God has given us. Honestly, this does scare me sometimes. But then I remebered that on our spiritual journey we don’t actually get to make “first tracks”. The Bible says in Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord is the one who goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Noel
Wow, again I am in awe of God’s calling upon the lives of you and your family. To know that ya’ll are faithful to His call is both gratifying and humbling. I recall over your lifetime praying that God would raise you up to serve Him, and that He would prepare the one who was to be your bride. He has and is and will!