YQ 2011 Part 3

Stress Day...it's called that for a reason!! This is the day we climb the mountain.
We pair up the kids with someone from the group they don't know. Usually it's
someone that will push them up the mountain if they need help. It's a 3 mile hike
up the mountain so by the time you are done...it's 6 miles!!

Lauren's first Mountain Top Experience!

Our Mountain climbing partners....Heather & Mike

Our staff that was there

The Thomason Clan...our nieces with us!

One of our sponsors hide this quarter last year under a rock

& it was still there a year later!! SO cool!!

We have devo time once we are up there.

Our view is breath taking...

Lauren & Matt went to the summit.

Too be honest this year I did not want to climb that mountain. Last

 year I was in much better shape & looked forward to it. If it hadn't been

 Lauren's first year I probably would have made an excuse to not climb the 

mountain. Makes me think about my life & missed opportunities due to my lack

 of preparation or feeling inadequate. There 

are times I just don't want to climb that mountain...take that chance...

put myself out there...reach out to someone...and I walk away from

 a challenge...give up & rationalize my feelings. 

I know I do it & I get so frustrated with myself. 

Every year when I reach the top of that mountain I think...

that wasn't that hard...I can do this...if I want too. 

But I couldn't make it up that mountain with out my partners

walking up that path with me, encouraging me, taking breaks with me,

pushing me & cheering me on. I'm thankful for people in my life

that push me when I don't want to, encourage me when I am down 

& love me in spite of my imperfections. 

But more importantly I'm thankful for a God who loves me,

carries me, forgives me & knows me yet still wants to use 

me in His kingdom work. 

I have mountains in my life, but I know God will move them

in His time & His will. 

Go have a mountain top experience soon.