Crabtree Falls

This past weekend I had the opportunity to go on a camping trip. My oldest daughter is in the youth group at our new church and they were going to Crabtree Falls for a 3 day-2 night camping trip. The problem was that they had had close to 20 girls and only 1 female chaperone! The rest were Men and boys so they were fine. I made the decision to go with them and help to chaperone the girls.

It was a wonderful weekend in the mountains of Virginia, but it was cold! I believe the temperature was in the upper 30's the first night and in the lower 40's the second night, bbbrrrr!!

The challenge for me was the day that we decided to climb Crabtree Falls. It was a two hour hike UP the mountain and a one hour hike back down. I happen to be quite out of shape right now and I knew that this was going to challenge me and it did.

I made the decision that I would climb all the way to the top of this mountain, no matter what! Apparently, this is the tallest water fall east of the Mississippi river. The interesting part of the falls was that it was like steps, it came down in different tiers. I took pictures of the different tiers as I climbed up, any excuse to stop and rest.

The bulk of the group flew up the mountain in record time (probably not even looking at the scenery!). There were four of us who were slower and we were called the caboose of the group. I will tell you that I wasn't sure if I was going to make it. My heart was pounding so hard in my chest and the air was so thin there! I was drenched with sweat and I was dizzy at times, but because I had 3 others with me we encouraged one another and I/we pressed on toward the mark.

Finally, we made it to the top of the falls. I was so proud of myself! I had set a difficult goal and I had obtained it, even though it was difficult, painful, and I wanted to quit.
Here is a picture of my daughter and I at the top of the mountain. Victory is so sweet, when the journey to get it is met with difficulties. As I floated down the mountain, I was on cloud 9! I felt like I had accomplished great things on that day. I felt like I could do anything.

I wonder if this is why God allows us to encounter trials along the way? 1Peter 1:6-7 says: On that day you will be glad, even if you have to go through many hard trials for a while. Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire. And these trials will prove that your faith is worth much more than gold that can be destroyed. They will show that you will be given praise and honor and glory when Jesus Christ returns.

If you are going through a difficult trial right now, be encouraged the victory will be worth it if you don't quit, just press on toward the goal!