As I settled into my morning bible study God started
speaking again, “take me with you!”, “why are you still inside?”. I closed the
book and headed out the door with all my books in tow. Today’s plan is Mammoth
Hot Springs and possibly Lamar Valley. There will be more driving today and
less walking as my legs are hammered from yesterday.
I stopped and
picked up breakfast before heading to Mammoth I had planned to stop and eat
along the side of the road. I was really getting hungry and God said, “wait”,
but I said it’s getting cold. I passed Norris Junction and headed towards
Mammoth and passed the Geyser Basin Overlook. This looked like a perfect place
to enjoy breakfast so I turned around. I sat quietly eating my breakfast as I
watched the steam from the earth God said, “see I am defiantly here and I am
definitely with you. I am alive and breathing more than ever… just look around
you.” As I look at the steam rising from the earth the softest voice said,
“just as you needed Terry to get over Larry, you need Tex to help heal your
heart. You just have to let him in.” I can feel the pressure begin to build in
my chest. Why is it so hard? Why am I so scared? “Just trust me”, HE said. “Tex
loves you, he loves you more than anything”, “Let’s move on, we will learn more
about trust today.”
I was back on the
road to Mammoth, at the crest of the pass was this incredible rock formations.
I pulled of as I felt I needed to get out of the car. As I sat among the stones
each one placed here one by one by YOUR hand, I think too about how you made me
just as individually as you did these stones. “Trust” that I have a plan.
“Trust” that you are right where you need to be. Everyone in your life is there
for a reason. I placed them there. I know some days seem harder than others on
those days trust ME. Now just sit.”
As I gazed at my surrounding, I see what looks to be a bear
den and I hear, “yes they are here” Time to collect my rocks and head out. I
grabbed a rock for my fountain in my back yard and one for my meditation space
to help remind me of this day. While I am collecting those rocks, I am remined
of the day when the rock was in fact rolled away and that HE died for me in
order to forgive my sins. This is the reminder of that great day when HE rose
again.
IT IS FINISHED!
As I entered the Mammoth terrace, I took a short
scenic drive that overlooked the upper terrace. I stop and gaze upon this small
terrace and I see many layers that have been created just like you have many
layers. “Trust that I am peeling back those layers once they are ready. There
are occasions you fight ME on this and things seems to get rough. TRUST ME! Trust
that I will take care of not only you but Tex and Tristan as well.” As the
light shines upon these many layers know that it is ME there peeling them back
with all the love and care that you deserve. Can you see ME? Can you feel ME?
“We are almost their daughter, don’t give up. You are complex my love.”
I proceeded down
into the Mammoth Valley and I could feel God with me. I know you are a visual
person so let’s take a walk. I pulled int the parking lot of what I thought was
the bottom of the terrace. I explored many individual platforms looking at all
their intricacies and characters.
As I rounded the bottom of the platform, I could
see the top. I could tell it was going to be steep. There was even a gentleman
coming down that said, “super steep”. I felt like I was stamped with a sign
that says “you are here”, you know, like the one’s on the maps? I laughed a
little as I continued to climb. The path got very steep. I kept thinking this
better not be one of those “false summits” that Patti always tells me about! As
I approached the top, I was greeted by a very intricate space but before we go there,
I want to take you where I am. I call it “the stairway to heaven”. As I climbed
the final step’s I was reminded that life is not always easy
I took some time to admire the view then headed back down to
revisit the intricate terrace.
I was drawn to all the different layers, levels, colors.
“Don’t miss the beauty in all of the chaos.” I steal a few photos then I
proceed to head down the path.
While walking down the path I was reminded not to stray too
far from the path, to fix my eyes on Him, even on the days I want to give up I
am reminded of YOUR presence. As I take time to think about all of the many
platforms, I have rested on whether they are good or bad, I was reminded that
HE was always there and all of those people and specifically those at The
Pursuit were placed in my path because they could be trusted, specifically the
men, “don’t be afraid. I know it wasn’t easy but I can feel your heart
beginning to soften and your soul beginning to TRUST, let it happen.” HE says.
After HE finished
walking me through the blue print of my life I got in the car and headed
further down into the valley. When I got to the bottom, I realized I was half
way up the hill when I set out on that journey. I stopped to take a snap shot
of the metaphor of my life that I was just walked through by God Himself.
I am now headed to Lamar Valley in hopes to see a wolf. I
stopped for lunch at Undine Falls. As I breached the pass out of the Mammoth Valley,
I was greeted by the shimmering leaves of the fall colors. The memory of mom
ran through my mind and tears welled up in my eyes. I could feel her with me.
What an amazing place to enjoy lunch and catch up on my journal.
Once I caught up
on my journal and finished my lunch, I headed to the Lamar Valley. I had heard
there was a wolf kill that morning and the wolves have been active. I was
excited to see one. There were hundreds of buffalo roaming the valley floor and
sure enough the wolf showed up. He was a little too far away for a photo but I
sat and watched him for 2 hours before heading back to the Canyon Village.
On my way home I
was greeted by a black bear. As well as a “cranky” bull elk in Mammoth Hot
Springs.
