Early last Sunday I set out from my downtown Boston hotel room, fully packed up and ready, excited, and a little nervous for what the next four days would hold. I met my new friend Sue, and we headed out of the city via rental car. We drove the couple of beautiful hours out of the city to the small town of New Adams, Massachusetts. Leaving the rental car behind in an AT parking lot, catching the AT shuttle, I knew deep down that I would be different when I saw that car again.
Our shuttle (a nice man named Dave!) drove us to our starting point of Kelly Stand Road in Vermont (with a quick stop for a grand view and looking for MOOSE!). My friend Sue started hiking the trail in sections 7 years ago and this was a small (41 mile!) piece she needed to come back and complete (now she only has New Hampshire and Maine to complete! Impressive by far!). I am forever grateful that God gave me a new friend and the most beautiful adventure with Him.
We took our picture by MY very first white blaze and we started off. This day one included 8.2 miles to Kit Gore Shelter. On the way we made new friends (that at the time we didn’t know we would journey with all four days) and took in the rich, yellow and reds that the Green Mountain Forest of Vermont had to offer. Not to mention the sweet glow of the sun through the trees as she prepared herself to set for the evening. We arrived just before sunset at 6:30pm.
Upon arrival at the shelter, we met a man named Dan and his sweet daughter Finley…out for their very first hike as well. Maggie their dog was a fun addition – she even carried her own pack! They had started a fire and we started setting up for the night (my first outdoor shelter sleep over!).
Jesus is of course sweet and in the conversations with Finley I remembered my deep love for this age group. Lately I’ve been bogged down in the ick, so to sit with a sweet young lady and hear her thoughts on life, brought me back to the reality of who I am and who He’s created ME to be.
I don’t know what my future holds, but in that valley, on day one, I remembered my passion. To speak life into the area (those teenage years) that were once dead and resurrected for me. Redemption is my life song and I am excited to continue to sing.