First Church of God

Saturday morning we arrive in Vedavoo.  We joke that it sounds like a place from the Star Wars movies, and with it's towering rock formations it kind of looks like we're on another planet.  Our group of 45 is split into 4 groups.  We meet our guides and gather our gear. 

An hour later we're on the trail in the Medicine Bow National Forest of Wyoming.  We hike all day, taking in breathtaking views of crystal clear cold lakes fed by snow covered rocky mountains.  There are many small creeks to cross, and the mountain meadows are scattered with scraggy low pines and a variety of wild flowers.  We are all in awe of God's creation. 

We arrive at our first destination and learn how to set up camp.  We all take some solo time and ponder Jesus' question to the blind man, "What do you want me to do for you?" (Luke 18)  What do I want Jesus to do for me this week in the mountains?  What are my expectations?  What do I hope to happen?  I want to enjoy not being in control, not leading on this trip.  I want to trust our guides, Adam and Rob, to lead, so I can let go of my temptation to control things.  I also want to see miracles.  I write these things in my journal. 

God answers my first request quite quickly.  Things get out of control.  The high altitude proves to be too much for many of us this first day out; headaches and upset stomachs are the result.  But for me it triggers a migraine.  I am desperate, with none of my usual techniques at hand to put an end to this migraine.  No fiorinol.  No hot bath.  No frozen can of orange juice.  No Candi to take care of me.  No access to any help at all.  This is something I cannot fix on my own.  It's a scary place to be.  With none of my usual options available I must turn to God.  My group of guys all pray for me.  My son Brian prays over me, which brings me to tears, and almost makes the pain worth it just to hear his voice pleading for me in prayer.  I only think that thought for a moment, and then return to puking and moaning.

God, what am I going to do if this migraine does not end?  Have I come all this way to just hike back out and quit?  How will this end?  It's out of my hands, Lord.  I put it in Yours.