A taste of surrender

A quick thought...

A number of us went out to Storm Point to hike the quick loop the other day. After a few minutes of taking it all in, I soon found myself hiking beside one of my ministry team members. During the hike, we talked about a number of things, but I can remember him distinctly describing an analogy which has stuck with him for a while. And I bet it's safe to say it will stick with me for a while.

So often, we create our lives on these beautiful drawn out lists. Listed in order of importance, our focus falls right into place in the same way. Then, almost as if applying for a life loan or something, we ask God to sign off. Of course, this is all while praying he will bless it. (If that even is slightly important to us...to have his blessing.)

But, what if God walked up to you today with a completely blank sheet of paper (yes, it could be recycled if you want it to be. But that's beside the point.)...then He asked, "Are you ready to sign it? Having no clue what I'll put on the list? What did you think that word "surrender" meant anyway?

A break from chopping vegetables

Hanging out with girls from the ministry near Canyon after a brief snow.

Every morning I stroll to breakfast as the pristine ice covered body of water...which will one day reflect the Lake Yellowstone Hotel...quietly reminds me, "You live here for the summer." Granted, none of us have even begun to feel even a glimmer of what "summer" actually is here due to the constant snowfall, but it is a break nonetheless.

Unexpectedly, I received three full days off work to become a kid again in the playground surrounding me. We hiked Elephant Back trail where the lake screamed at us far off in the distance...an unexpected but incredible sight. The waterfall at Canyon filled my mind with pictures which photographers from all over the world seek to capture.Yesterday we watched Old Faithful erupt as she always does...nothing new in that one. Yet, even a trip to Walmart in Cody today proved to be an exciting adventure.

And early in the morning I will clock in for my shift in the kitchen pantry. A day full of chopping vegetables and hastily following recipes, many of which I have no idea what the finished product should look like. (Wouldn't you love to eat in our restaurant?) 

Above all, what a great thing to remember that the pressure is off. In my job. In figuring out plans. In every conversation with every other person who seems to be from North Carolina. I walk ahead knowing He goes before me and behind. Heck, the Lord made those oranges which I am dissecting in order to serve with fancy salads. Love it. 

Road Trip Rules

After 3 days, 32 hours in the car, and at least 2317 miles driven...I can confidently say that my summer adventure in Yellowstone has begun.

As a small caravan, we trudged through the windy mountain roads of Tennessee, barely stopped to say "Hi" in Kentucky, straddled Illinois and Missouri in Kansas City, rode astounded by the beautiful terrain of Colorado, became even more astounded by the Rockies lining the hills of Wyoming, and finally placed our feet down in the grand state of Montana. Whew. I still get tired thinking about it.

We sought to present ourselves with motivation through allowing for various stops such as Cabela's in Kansas City and a few restaurants...which includes 17th Street near St. Louis which is very well known for it's nationally famous ribs (as seen on Food Network and Travel Channel). We also had the opportunity to visit Little Bighorn Battlefield where Custer last stood.

As crazy as it sounds, I honestly would drive 32 more hours to see the sunrise painted across the mountains which Amber and I saw as we drove from Billings to the north entrance of Yellowstone. I just kept imagining God laying out the land and pressing his fingers into it. Each time we would come around a bend, just as we were almost speechless, God just gave us another set of mountains to look at. (As if He was saying, "In case you just aren't sure yet." The mountains claim his majesty.

So now, I have a uniform (complete with a chef's hat like the one from Ratatouille, yes! It's pretty sweet.) and a meeting scheduled for the morning. And one thing I have learned quickly: There is something so interesting about living, working, and eating with the same people all summer. I'm sure I will have more stories to come.

Pictures later! I promise.

I hear them.

In the words of John Muir, "The mountains are calling and I must go."

I don't know how much more I could prepare for a three day road trip to Yellowstone. But what I do know is, I can't imagine what the frontiersmen felt in their veins.

After three days and thirty something hours in the car, I bet I will have a few more things say. Until then....

Chapter 67: Yellowstone!

Without a doubt, my journal over this past year has been filled margin to margin with an intense dialogue between Jesus and me. Sometimes my response to His words were based upon open agreement and then willing obedience, and other times, I sat with hands cupped over my ears knowing I did not want to hear His very words which would bring to my life purpose and peace, mainly because they did not fit in my own plan.

However, through desiring a relationship with Him characterized by more consistency, I know it is only by His grace that this is even possible. And so, He continues to write my story for me. Due to all the unexpected events which would take place, I determined to give Him the pen a long time ago. And I claim that this makes the plot line much much better than I could have ever figured out myself. (I am sure He laughs when I ask Him if I can have the pen back just for a little bit. Really thinking about it, that idea just seems so ridiculous.)

As I turn the page, yet a new chapter begins (Hmm...We can call it Chapter 67. Although, who knows how many books He writes about us. This is just my very limited guestimate.). I leave for a long drive to Yellowstone National Park in just a few days. There, I will be volunteering under "A Christian Ministry in the National Parks" (http://www.acmnp.com/). Briefly explained, my team will be leading inter-denominational worship services in our location as well as focusing on relational ministry through my full-time employment in the kitchen crew of a hotel. 

Of course, it did not take long for anyone to convince me that living a summer in Yellowstone would be well worth-it. But I will definitely admit to the various fears and reluctancies which have inundated my conversations with the Lord recently. The good thing is, His promises always seem to far outweigh my own worries.

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3