I am currently writing this blog with seemingly ideal circumstances. I’m relaxing on the couch watching The Office while my stepmom graciously serves me a large glass of pinot noir and dark chocolate. My dad gets me a big bucket of ice cold water. The catch is that it’s to soak my left foot in. I’ve rarely had any injuries in my life despite being involved in one of the most dangerous sports (cheerleading). Today though, I’ve sprained my ankle and it’s swelled up to an unrecognizable size.
I have been on four short hikes today. They were all unique, beautiful and some great time enjoying God’s creation. It was great practice for climbing South Sister later this summer. I have always loved exploring and being adventurous, but I have found a new passion for hiking like never before.
There was one particular location that was mentioned in the newspaper yesterday that my family and I hiked. It’s a little past Shotgun Creek and it had the most amazing view of tons of trees and hills. No indication of civilization. On the way down we were running late for a church volunteer appreciation picnic so my stepbrother, dad, and I started running down the trail. There were tons of trees in the way of the trail so we started jumping over the trees as if we were jumping over hurdles. I guess I was getting so into it that I started being over ambitious about my jumps because on one very high jump I landed right on the side of my foot. I heard a crack and I’m still not sure if that was my ankle or a branch I landed on. I was in so much pain I couldn’t talk for awhile to tell anyone what had happened. My eyes were uncontrollably watering because of the pain. I ended up getting right back up though and hobbling my way back to the car. It wasn’t until later when the pain and swelling started setting in and getting worse.
We arrived at the church picnic and I was trying my best to be joyful despite the pain. Yesterday evening was the first service I have attended at my home church in a long time since I had been traveling for the last 8 months. Last night was an amazing service of excellent music and healings of all kinds. The fire that was lit inside me was ten times stronger than usual. I really feel like that is the new normal for me now. I have so much to be hopeful and thankful for. It also really helped that I don’t have any strong holds in my life and I’m trying my best to run from sin.
It’s been so great to see so many people that I’ve grown up around and reconnect with people that I usually would have been shy around. I have felt like sometimes my shyness has been misread and come across as unfriendly, but in reality one of my biggest passions is getting to know and connecting with people. God has lately placed a fearlessness within me that doesn’t care about judgement or even physical pain for that matter. The real me is shining through and people are taking notice. More important, God is taking notice. Thank you God for this time in my hometown to be around these wonderful people. Your plans and timing is perfect.
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