[Continued from 1.3]

After the sleepless night we really needed something good to go our ways. It was a fresh day and we were miles down the trail. To keep moving past the mosquito haven, we ate breakfast on the trail. It was a quiet hike. Most were either sleepy, tired or itchy. But before we knew it (after about 2 hours of hiking) we dropped down into Merritt Lake. It was sweet relief. The shoes came off and we all waded around in the lake.

Half of us found shady spots and took naps, the rest vegged with their feet in the lake. Soon we were (those of us who were sleeping) awoken by the sound of visitors. Our guide had called for back up. Some of our adventure staff guides (YD Adventures) hiked in a different trail to bring us needed supplies. The calvary had arrived bearing tents and more. The tents were so we’d have relief when we slept. They also came bearing ice cream. I’ve never experienced eating ice cream in the backcountry, but it is truly amazing. We all broke out our spoons passed around the cartons of strawberry and mint. It was straight up majesty.

We slept well that night. [to be continued...]

There was also a bittersweet ending to this trip. We had to say ‘goodbye’ to one of my dear friends Jesse, who has been volunteering with us for a while. The Lord has taken Jesse on an amazing journey over the past few months and I have been honored to be apart of his story. Our kids loved Jesse, or ‘the Hobbit’ as they called him. The Lord is leading him into full time ministry and his first stop is working for the adventure branch of our ministry for the summer. The he’s going to go to bible school for a year and the work next summer at YD Adventures again. He’s not gone, but he will be out of our lives and community for the next year and a half. I know the Lord is going to do great things in this young man’s life and I’ll be excited to see where he goes. It’s just hard to say goodbye. To the kids he’s an to an amazing volunteer with loves them all dearly and spent countless hours investing in their lives. To me, I lose a close friend and confidant.

So may the Lord bless you Jesse Windle. God speed and a swift foot in your journey. Walking with God is an amazing road that will forever change your life.

You can read Jesse’s blog and keep track of his journey at The Hobbit.

[Side note: there was one more bittersweet goodbye on the trip. I said goodbye to my 'chops'. Yes, I mean my sideburns/handle bar mustache combo. I had grown to love them, where everyone else loathed them. We lived through adversity and had grown closer because of it. It may have only three short days I spent with them, but I would be forever changed. Our love was deep, lasting, and will not be easily forgotten. Good by Mr. Chops! Maybe someday we will meet again.]

Here’s our weekend in pictures. I’ll give you the story behind the weekend soon.