Trip to Colorado

Part of the reason I decided to attend the Women of the Harvest retreat in July was that I was already planning to be in Colorado Springs that same week anyway. My childhood friend and next-door-neighbor, Laura, had invited me to spend the weekend with her at a lodge up in the mountains. We had such a sweet time sharing memories of the past, realities of the present, and hopes for the future.

Here she is in front of our little cabin. This was the first time we had seen each other in ten years. It's interesting to be with someone who has known me since I was seven, even before I knew the Lord. The way she tells it I was always such a timid little chicken, and then after I got saved I was totally transformed into the person I am today. Of all our friends, I would have been voted least likely to do anything risky or adventurous. That was then....

This was the dining hall which we shared with others who were there for a missionary training session. The first morning, we hiked up a short way and had breakfast served from a chuck wagon. The cook made pancakes in a ring, and fried an egg inside the circle. That and sausage made for a great meal. I would have enjoyed it more if I'd realized the altitude was over 9000 feet. As it was I was huffing and puffing and thinking I was terribly out of shape. (Where we live in Oaxaca it's only a little over 5000 feet, and it takes me a day or two to adjust once we get back from Ohio.)

There aren't many people I can say I have known for over forty years! Laura and I used to ride the train from Texas up to Kansas to visit her grandmothers during the summer. We have so many great memories together. One highlight of my time in Colorado was going to lunch with Laura and her sister, Sara, who discipled us both back when we were in junior high and she was in college. Now we all just seem the same age.

Bear Trap is owned by Intervarsity, a campus ministry. Before that I was at Glen Eyrie Castle, which is now owned by Navigators. Both provided scenic views and restoration for my desert-weary soul. Two retreats back-to-back were beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you, Lord. (And thanks, Jim, for holding down the fort in Akron while I was away.)