Adventure camp 2011

June 6, 2011
Psalm 8

I'm a little upset that today my keyboard, which has worked fine up til now, quit working. So now I am using the swype method.

Today we hiked to Laural Falls. It was a 2.8 mile walk. It was only a 300 ft climb and it was not too steep but it still took us a long time to get there and back. Many of us are not in the shape I had hoped we would be in.

After lunch, several of us hiked another 1.5 nature trail which turned out to be a very nice hike.

I so enjoyed playing the guitar tonight with Diana. We played for 2 hours and had a great time.
Tomorrow, we are going to hike to Abrams Falls or about 5 miles round trip. We are hoping to get an earlier start.

Thank you God for a good day. Amen

June 7, 2011
Psalm 10

This Psalm reminds us of the importance of the poor in the eyes of God. Those people that society finds unimportant are the very people God finds important.

On this day we are planning to hikeA
Abrams Falls today. We will side how well we do hiking 5 miles.

I am setting out enjoying the birds this morning. They sounded beautiful until the crows have come in and they are so loud the other birds Can't even be heard.

Lord, help me enjoy this day. Amen.

PM What a great day! It took us all day but we did hike to Abrams Falls. They were beautiful. But they also were refreshing. After a long day of hiking, getting into cool water felt exelorating. Dad was slow but sure. Once we got back we made dinner and visited. Heather did worship and we all helped Carol and Paige set up their tent. Ok. We all watched Carol and Paige set up their tent. Thanks Lord for answerd prayer. Amen.

June 8, 2011
Psalm 11

As I write it is in the afternoon. We drove 1.5 hours to get to Clingman's Dome Parking lot. The trail was steep and one of us at 85 climbed the .5 miles to the top. On the way it began to rain. It was pouring by the time we returned to the car. We ate lunch in the cars trying to decide what to do next. Several wanted to continue even in the rain. We left them there and returned. On our return trip we came through several bad storms. All of this brings me back to my sitting here in the afternoon listening to the sound of thunder crack over my head while I wait for the others to return. But in all my worry, I know that God is in Gods thrown.

Lord, thank you for a beautiful day. Amen.

June 9, 2011
Psalm 12

The last time this scripture Came up while I was on sabbaticali returned to my car to find it had been broken into.yet in spiteof it all, there we good people who helped me through this difficult situation.

Today I have tried to pick out a trail that is mostly down hill yet offers an option for those who want to hike some up hill.it means maneuvering the cars so we will see how this goes.

Creating God, give me eyes to see this day all who do good. Amen.

June 10, 2011
Psalm 13

Well you never know what the day will bring. Yesterday started out well. We had scheduled a hike that would take us down hill for 3.9 miles. Towards the bottom those that wanted would climb the 1.1 miles to the top of the Chimney Tops would break off and do so.
As we started down the trail the path was wide and a very nice trail. About 1 mile down however, the trail became steep and extremely rocky. One of our
members fell and injured a knee. This was the start of more falls until they eventually could go no further. We had to have them rescued. Two people stayed behind with the injured party while the rest of us hurried to get help. It took us an hour to get help and by that time a thunder storm had moved in. It took another hour to get the folk who would do the actual rescue together. It was another 2 hours getting the rescue completed. All involved we wet and cold but safe. That night we all shared stories of the day.

God,
Thank you for those who come out in the wind, rain, and lightening to rescue a total stranger.Thank you for challenging times that make us even stronger. Amen.

June 11, 2011
Psalm 14

Today we hiked 4.2 miles mostly uphill to Indian Creek waterfalls. There was a brook that was too are left the whole way there. It had beautiful scenery with moss covered rocks several waterfalls coming down. On our way up one of the switchbacks we met a couple who told us the marker for the trail that lead back to the Falls. If we haven't met them we would've missed the falls completely. We hide down in the Falls and broke out lunch. Trevor found many salamanders. Some of us got our feet wet and even waited into the cold water. We spent about an hour there eating lunch, finding salamanders, and wading.

After lunch we height of 4.2 miles downhill back to her car along the same beautiful brooks. On our return trip we saw horses and many many beautiful butterflies. Never even picked up to ring necked snakes. I carry baby Sue who with pack weight and his weight must've been about 35 pounds, for the whole journey. At the end of the day we were all tired but well satisfied with a good week of hiking.

Creator God,

we thank you for this beautiful world and for this short opportunity to enjoy the beauty within just a small part of it. Help us to see the beauty and all the small places we find ourselves. Amen.



June 11, 2011
Psalm 15

We spent the morning packing up. And then we moved on the traveling. It was a long day but we all made it home safe with lots of memories and pictures of the week journey.

God,

thank you for traveling mercies during this trip for our safety for the many sites that we had to give you thanks. Amen



June 12, 2011
Psalms 16

I attended Gender Rd., Christian church at the early service. They were celebrating their first Sunday with Rev. Jeff Bartlett. The sermon dealt with what he would be doing with them through the interim period. Jeff is a good friend and a good pastor. I know you will do a good job there.

I spend the rest of the day getting ready for my trip at the end of the week.

Lord God,

thank you for Pentecost a day to remember the birthday of the church and how you continue To empower the church to this day. Through the power of your Holy Spirit your church continues to minister to the needs of all of your people. We give you thanks. Amen