Friday, October 24, 2008

Felt like an orphan

Yesterday and today I went on a backpacking trip to the mountains in PA. The name of the trail I went on was Minister Creek. One of the things I like about backpacking is getting away from the world and just forgetting about daily struggles. I have always wanted to go on this type of a trip solo. The idea of going it alone and facing all the challenges a trip like this offers on your own is something that I wanted to accomplish. There is always a sense of completion/victory after a trip is over. To have faced the wilderness and survived, well without too many injuries that is-haha. Well day one was textbook, the weather was gorgeous, the trail was interesting and I made it to my campsite right on time. Day two, well it ended up that way but along the journey I faced the fear of being lost and alone. I guess you could say I felt like an orphan. Have you ever felt that way? See at one point of the trail there is another trail that runs along the same path, the North Country Scenic Trail. Right after the campsite I chose was a Y in the path. Both were blazed with white signs which is what Minister Creek's trail is designated by. The other has a blue blaze. Well to make a long story short, I was pretty sure I made the right choice, but I was not all that confident. Ever felt like that before, you press on but are fearful that your choice was wrong. My cell phone had died so I had no idea of what time it was, I just kept going, and hoping. Along the way God had one of his little friends show up to say hi to me, laugh if you want to but I felt it was him telling me it would be ok. See the picture of the deer below along with some other shots. After a long and tiring uphill climb I come to a larger area of very large boulders/cliffs. At this point I am getting worried big time. There was nothing on the trip information I got off the web about this. So naturally I begin to fear I took the wrong path. There was the overlook though I saw a sign about on day one. I kept telling myself this had to be it. Just when I get to the top, and begin to get excited thinking first I can breathe again, but more importantly I can find out if Im on the right path, the path begins to descend down into a huge cave like area that is part of this area. At that point I became almost convinced I was going the wrong way. I had to negotiate some rather tricky spots that I had never done before with a backpack strapped on to my back. I really began to worry. Would I have to turn back and go back the 3-4 miles just to begin again going the right way which would be another 3-4 miles. What time was it? Would my water get me back to the creek so I could filter some fresh water. Would it get dark before I made it? I knew rain was coming and it was cold. Would my wife Lisa freak out and send the green berets to look for me? I finally made it to the top and began on a flatter trail my heart and lungs very grateful I might add. I hear a sound and I begin to get excited again. It must be those road workers I saw at the parking area the day before working on the bridge. Keep in mind I saw no human life the entire time I was on the trail. I then was struck with fear as the trail began moving farther and farther away from the sound. Once again all I could think was I am on the wrong trail. Ahh, but then it happened, the trail turned and I began heading towards the sound. The more I walked the louder it became. Then suddenly there it was, the sign I saw the day before explaining how to get to the overlook. I was home free. I actually jumped for joy for a brief second before my newly formed manhood took over and I regained my macho hiking look- see bandana wrapped head in picture below.

Anyway, why am I telling you all about this crazy trip. Do you remember how I said I felt like an orphan. Could you relate to my sense of panic that I was dealing with when I felt I was lost on a mountain by myself. Imagine being all alone in the world, ALL THE TIME! Can you imagine the way a child feels without a family, heading who knows where and seemingly no one cares?

Have you ever felt like an orphan before?

What will you do to help one today?


Overlook area


The creek


Gods little friend he sent me


Part of the path


My campsite


One of several bridges


The conquering hero- notice the tired eyes!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Give me God's eyes

I love the song by Brandon Heath titled "Give me your eyes". It speaks to my heart for the children of the world without a mommy & a daddy. Part of the lyrics say "give me your arms for the broken hearted". Listen to the song and let God move your heart, see the world anew through his eyes. Here is the link- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGr8as7pPBE

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

The economy

Boy its looking tough everywhere you look for economic news these days. As I have been thinking about all of the news we are hearing these days, to be totally transparent with everyone it makes me worry just a bit about my family and the adoption we are right in the middle of. The thought of traveling over seas for a week to ten days in a potentially traumatized world, not to mention the concern for taking care of my family's financial needs has been wearing on me lately. The only thing I can say is that God has called us to this and he will provide the way through and beyond. Its times like these where God can grow faith if we let him. I know my faith needs to grow. I pray that God will continue to work on me in the days ahead. Pray for us guys!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Ethiopian Calendar / Clock

I saw this on the Ethiopian Embassy web site and thought it was interesting information. Here it is-

Ethiopian Time

The time in Ethiopia is eight hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the United States except during Daylight Savings Time in the United States, during which Ethiopian time is seven hours ahead.



The Ethiopian Calendar

While much of the world marks the passing of days according to the Gregorian calendar, Ethiopia has its own calendar, which is also known as the Ge'ez Calendar. Based upon the ancient Coptic Calendar, the Ethiopian Calendar is seven to eight years behind the Gregorian Calendar, owing to alternate calculations in determining the date of the annunciation of the birth of Jesus.

The Ethiopian Calendar has 12 months of 30 days each, plus five or six additional days (sometimes known as the 13th month), which are added at the end of the year to match the calendar to the solar cycle.

The year is currently 2000, according to the Ethiopian Calendar. Ethiopia celebrated the millennium at midnight on September 12, 2007. The year 2001 began in Ethiopia on September 11, 2008 of the Gregorian Calendar.

Ethiopian Calendar: Gregorian Calendar:
Meskerem (New Year) 11 September - 10 October
Tikimt 11 October - 9 November
Hidar 10 November - 9 December
Tahsas 10 December - 8 January
Tir 9 January - 7 February
Yakatit 8 February - 9 March
Maggabit 10 March - 8 April
Miyazya 9 April - 8 May
Ginbot 9 May - 7 June
Sene 8 June - 7 July
Hamle 8 July - 6 August
Nehasa 7 August - 6 September
Pagume 6 - 10 September