Burned.

So, the inconsistency of the internet here is almost a clear explanation of how life itself unfolds here in Yellowstone.

Yet...every day provides unexpected turns. Every hour of work, definitely a challenge. Every hike, an adventure. And hopefully, all of this will add a bit more to my story.

Today I stepped off the trail after my 66th mile hiked while I have lived, eat, slept, worked, and breathed in YNP. It takes everything in me to take days off to sit and rest. There is just so much wilderness to be conquered.

I have seen a grizzly. We came across it while hiking in the backcountry. However, we scared it off with our own ferocity. (That can be interpreted however you please.)

Our services went really well on Sunday. Now everyone has a better knowledge of what to expect. I will have to remind Shannon next time to capo that one hymn. Whew! I didn't think I was going to make it throught the high octave. However, I think the Gospel message was clear. That's all I really care about.

I'll end on this. Today, we were on a 13 mile hike through the bottom of the Howard Eaton trail. After just a few miles, we began to walk slowly through what was once forest before but now completely destroyed by the fire of '88. Barren and desolate, the land just remains as is. Untouched by civilization, the National Park Service has done everything they can to let the natural processes take over. However, it was intriguing to me to see the life that continued to dwell there and the new growth that is spreading through these various parts of the land.

Being refined by fire in my walk with Jesus during these past few weeks hurts immensely. But He has told me the new will come. Though the ashes remain, when He establishes the abundant life He came for into our lives, people will be intrigued. They will see the ashes but smell the new growth. I encourage you, don't fear the fire. Just walk forward.