God Listens...

Yes, God does listen, even when we don't even think about it, He listens. So whether it is something big, or just part of everyday life, He listens. He knows. And He cares.

I have been off of work for the last round-about 6 weeks from my back surgery, just a healing up! So, I have been sitting on the couch a lot, watching some T.V., and working on the computer. I have come to leave the T.V. on TBS most of the time, and there are quite a few sitcom shows that come on that I have grown to like. King of Queens, Everybody Loves Raymond, Seinfeld, The Office, and Friends. So, it is safe to say that over the last 6 weeks or so, these shows have kind of grown on me.

Today is Sunday. These sitcoms generally run Monday through Friday. Earlier today I was just driving down the road, and for some reason the urge to watch Everybody Loves Raymond hit me. But I knew it didn't come on until tomorrow. That kind of bummed me out, for about 2 minutes, and then I was over it and didn't think of it again.

Tonight, sitting here half on the computer, half watching T.V. and half talking to my wife, I came across a block of Everybody Loves Raymond. It's funny, but I felt something stir inside of me when I saw this block. Something spoke out of this stirring, and it sounded like "I listen."

This was out of nowhere. It doesn't have any obvious meaning, other than God listens to us. And more than that, He answers things that we don't even ask of Him. Why? Because He loves us. He cares for us. And He wants us to do the same for Him.

But, what about this? God has a plan set before us, that truly was and is before us. We are part of His big plan. Are we not drawn to His plan? Rather than our desires altering what He already has laid out, to make us happy?

The T.V. show Everybody Loves Raymond was scheduled probably way before I had this sudden desire to watch the show today while driving down the road. The T.V. show was on a path, so was I drawn to the path for the simple reason that it was there. What I mean by this is, my desire today, more-than-likely, did not alter the T.V. stations line up; it did not change for me. But what if I changed for it?

The T.V. show Everybody Loves Raymond obviously makes me happy. This is why I desired to see the show. And it was there for me.

God, is the same way, only way bigger than Everybody Loves Raymond! His plan is our desire, or should I say: Our desire is already His plan. His plan is what we desire, and that plan is to desire Him. So, we are drawn to Him, by what He has put inside of us. It is up to us to listen to it, and seek after it. The joy is that if we will simply do this, He will provide. He is there for us. Right now. Waiting to make us smile, and laugh.

What would you change?

I was standing outside my apartment today and could hear everything going on inside because the window was open. It made me think of the movies where someone died but was still around and watched their life. And I wondered what would I think if I was to watch my life from the outside. Would I be on the edge of my seat watching myself? Would I be screaming at myself trying to make myself do something different?

How about you?

Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a guide for my path.

Sticks AT Thru-Hike Gear List (In Progress)

Pack:
Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone $229.00 48 oz
**MLD Med / Lg Pack Rain Cover $35.00 2.9 oz
**Trash Compactor Bag For Liner (2.4 oz)

Shelter:
Tarp Tent Moment w/4 stakes(not seam sealed) $215.00 28.5oz
Tyvek Groundsheet (5 oz)

Sleeping:
(Winter Bag)
Western Mountaineering 5* Antelope Micro Fiber $470.00 42 oz
(Regular, Left Zip, 26 oz + 3 oz overfill = 29 oz DF)
(3-Season Bag)
Mont-bell U.L. Super Spiral Down Hugger # 3 $279.00 21 oz
(Regular, Left Zip, 10 oz DF)
Therm-A-Rest NeoAir (Small) $129.95 9 oz
Jagbag Endura Silk Hi Tech Mummy Bag Liner $46.70 4.75 oz

Kitchen:
700 ml Ti Cook Pot w/ Lid & Stuff Sack 4 oz
Ti Spork 0.5 oz
Optimus Crux Canister Stove 3.1 oz
4 oz Fuel Canister (or 8 oz ~ Depends) 6.9 oz
Primus Windscreen 2.3 oz
Homemade Tyvek Cozy 1.8 oz
Regular Size Bic Lighter (1 oz)
Bandana (0.5 oz)

Water:
100 oz Camelbak Bladder w/ Shut-Off Valve & Bite Block 9.3 oz
**Aqua Mira Water Treatment Drops (2 oz) 3.1 oz
32 oz Gatorade Bottle (2 oz)

Miscellaneous:
Leki Corklite Aergon Speedlock Trekking Poles $119.90 16.6 oz
**Petzl Tikka Plus 2 LED Headlamp(w/ 3 AAA Lith Batt) $39.95 2.9 oz
2 oz Jungle Juice Insect Repellant (As Needed) 2.9 oz
**Travel Size Sun Block (As Needed) (2 oz)
iPod w/ Ear Buds 1.6 oz
**Gerber Ultralight L.S.T. Knife $20.60 0.6 oz
Simblissity LevaGaiter $26.95 1.8 oz
Outsak UL (For Food Bag) 4.3 oz
1 - 20 x 12.5 LokSak To Line Outsak $11.75 (1 oz)
50’ PMI 3 mm Utility Cord For Bear Bag 4 oz
**Sunglasses (4 oz)
Ear Plugs (0.5 oz)
Vivitar Vivicam 8225 Digital Camera 3.52 oz
StickPic $11.99 0.35 oz
As Needed: Ziplocs / Stuff Sacks / Carabiners (5 oz)
Duct Tape (2 oz)
Mueller Jumpers Knee Strap (4 oz)
6” Ace Wrap (2 oz)

Navigation:
**Highgear Axio Max Altimeter Watch (w/ Compass) $139.00 (3 oz)
**Maps w/ Elevation Profiles (4 oz)
**Guide Book Pages(Printed Out And In A Ziploc) (1 oz)

**First Aid Kit: (Weighed together in Ziploc) (6 oz)
Mole Skin
Bandage Scissors
2 Straight Needles
10 Strands 30” Silk Thread
2 - 2” Gauze Pads
4 Alcohol Prep Pads
2 Packets Neosporin
10 Assorted Size Band-Aids
6 - 25 mg Benadryl Tabs
10 - 800 mg Motrin Tabs
Multi-Vitamins
1 Roll of Rolaids
2 Safety Pins
1 Tube of Carmex

Personal Hygiene:
MSR Medium Nano Packtowl 1.2 oz
Small Toothbrush (1 oz)
Travel Size Toothpaste (2 oz)
Small Bottle of Germ-X (3 oz)
Toilet Paper (5 oz)

Emergency / Extras:
**SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger (w/ 3 AAA Lith Batt) $169.99 5.2 oz
**REI Storm Proof Matches w/ Extra Striker 0.8 oz
**1 Package Wet Fire 0.2 oz
**HTC Hero Cell Phone w/ Otter Box 6 oz
**Whistle (0.5 oz)
Extra Batteries (6 AAA Energizer Ultimate Lithium) 1.8 oz
Small Journal with Pen (8 oz)
Ziploc w/ ID, Insurance Cards, Cash to carry ($4,000.00) (2 oz)

Clothing:
(Base Layer)
2 Pair Under Armour Boxer Briefs (3.5 oz/pr.)
1 Patagonia Capilene 2 Long Sleeve Crew 5.8 oz
2 Pair Smart Wool Medium Weight Hiking Socks 2.8 oz/pr
1 Pair Columbia Omni-Dry Silver Ridge II Convertible Pants(w/ Belt) 12.65 oz

(Mid Layer)
1 Pair Terramar Heavy-Weight Long Pants 7.9 oz
1 Patagonia R1 Flash Pullover 12.8 oz
1 Mont-bell Ex Light Down Jacket $164.95 5.6 oz

(**Rain Gear)
Outdoor Research Helium Jacket $139.95 6.8 oz
MLD eVent Mitts (during cold months to layer over gloves) 1.2 oz

(**Sleeping / Town Clothes ~ Kept in Ziploc)
1 Pair Under Armour Polyester / Elastic Shorts (6 oz)
1 Patagonia Capilene 1 Short Sleeve T-Shirt 5.1 oz
1 Pair Light-weight Wool Socks (2 oz)

(Other Misc. Clothing)
Outdoor Research PL150 Gloves 1.7 oz
Mountain Hardwear Dome Perignon Wind Stopper Boggin 2 oz
Outdoor Research Ninjaclava $25.00 1.8 oz
Outdoor Research Bug Bucket Hat (Medium) $27.95 2.7 oz

(Shoes)
Crocs Men’s Size 12(For Water Crossings / Camp) (10 oz)
(Still debating trail runners or light boots)

General Clothes Worn (Summer)
UA Boxer Briefs
Smart Wool Hiking Socks
Columbia Zip-Off Pants
Cap 1 SS Shirt or Cap 2 LS Crew
OR Bug Bucket Hat
Hiking Boots/Trail Runners (?)
Simblissity LevaGaiter

General Clothes Carried (Summer)
1 Extra pr UA Boxer Briefs
1 Extra pr Smart Wool Hiking Socks
OR Helium Jacket
UA Poly/Elastic Shorts For Sleep/Town
1 pr Light-Wt Wool Socks For Sleeping
Crocs

Start ~ April: Late Winter: Use Terramar long bottoms & Cap 2 to sleep in. Layer: Cap 2, R1, Ex-Light, & OR Helium as needed. Boggin/Ninjaclava for head. PL150 Gloves/mitts. Late Spring: Get Cap 1 & swap long bottoms for UA shorts to sleep in. Return Ex-Light and layer Cap 2, R1, and Helium. Swap boggin for OR Bug Bucket. Send back gloves/mitts. Summer: Return R1 and Ninjaclava. Hike in cap 1/cap 2 and zip pants off to shorts. Early Fall - End of Hike: Get R1 and Ninjaclava as needed. Swap UA shorts for long bottoms and pick up gloves, mitts, boggin and the Ex-Light.
Approximate Weights (Minus Food/Water):

Other options to leave out to save weight/money:
Pack Rain Cover -$35.00 -2.90 oz
Jagbag Silk Liner -$46.70 -4.75 oz
Homemade Tyvek Cozy -1.80 oz
iPod w/ Ear Buds -1.60 oz
Simblissity LevaGaiter -$26.95 -1.80 oz
Highgear Watch -$139.00 -3.00 oz
Packtowl -1.20 oz
SPOT Personal Messenger -$169.00 -5.20 oz
Only carry 3 extra AAA Batteries -0.90 oz
Journal and Pen -8.00 oz
MLD eVent Mitts -1.20 oz
12.Crocs -10.00 oz
13.UA Poly/Elastic Sleep Shorts -6.00 oz
Total -$416.65 -48.35 oz / 3 lbs

Other shelter options (compared to the TT Moment) (+/- in weight/money):
1. Tent:
A. TT Contrail w/ Tyvek Groundsheet & 4 included stakes:-$ 4.00 / - 4.00 oz
B. Fly Creek UL 1 w/ footprint & 11 Groundhog stakes: + $134.95 / + 13.31 oz
C. Seedhouse SL 1 w/ footprint & 11 Groundhog stakes: + $ 79.90 / + 22.81 oz
D. Fly Creek UL 2 w/ footprint & 11 Groundhog stakes: + $184.95 / + 18.31 oz
E. Seedhouse SL 2 w/ footprint & 11 Groundhog stakes: + $154.90 / + 33.31 oz

2. Sleeping Bag:
(Winter Bag ~ Compared to the WM 5* Antelope w/ 3 oz overfill)
A. WM 10* VersaLite ~ Total: Wt: 32 oz / DF: 20.0 oz / -$ 30.00 / -10.00 oz
B. Marmot 15* Helium ~ Total: Wt: 34 oz / DF: 19.5 oz / -$101.00 / - 8.00 oz
C. WM 20* AlpinLite ~ Total: Wt: 31 oz / DF: 19.0 oz / -$ 45.00 / -11.00 oz
(3 Season Bag ~ Compared to the Mont-bell UL Spiral Down Hugger # 3)
A. WM 30* Megalite ~ Total: Wt: 24 oz / DF: 12.0 oz / +$ 76.00 / + 3.00 oz
B. Marmot 30* Hydrogen~Total: Wt: 24 oz / DF: 11.0 oz / +$ 40.00 / + 3.00 oz

**All bags(WM & Marmot) listed above are size Regular, preferably with left zip.
**WM Versalite & AlpinLite has option for 3 oz overfill. MegaLite has option for 2 oz overfill. I will plan on getting the overfills if available.

3. Water: Swap out 100 oz Camelbak bladder for 1 or 2 extra Gatorade bottles.

4. Miscellaneous: Use light-weight stuff sack in place of Outsak UL.

Total $$$ for all gear listed: 2,303.18
Optional “leave out” gear: - 416.65
Total $$$ for minimum gear: 1,886.53
Hiking $$$ (emergencies, extra gear, food, etc..): +4,000.00
Total Minimum $$$ for Hike: 5,886.53


** = Part of the “10 Essentials.”

Boulders

Joshua 4: 1-9 (NLT)

1 When all the people had crossed the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 2 “Now choose twelve men, one from each tribe. 3 Tell them, ‘Take twelve stones from the very place where the priests are standing in the middle of the Jordan. Carry them out and pile them up at the place where you will camp tonight.’”

4 So Joshua called together the twelve men he had chosen—one from each of the tribes of Israel. 5 He told them, “Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the Lord your God. Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder—twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 6 We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.”

8 So the men did as Joshua had commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan River, one for each tribe, just as the Lord had told Joshua. They carried them to the place where they camped for the night and constructed the memorial there.

9 Joshua also set up another pile of twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, at the place where the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant were standing. And they are there to this day.

As I was driving to church this morning I was reflecting back on the Marriage Retreat that my wife and I had attended this past Friday and Saturday. Steve and Debbie Wilson came and was a complete blessing. They had a powerful message from God, and you could see God all over them. It was evident. I cannot describe the power that was there, but it was heart felt, and again, a complete blessing.

They were selling t-shirts and books and CD's and Brandy wanted a shirt. But she didn't want one unless I got one too. We had just officially started our Dave Ramsey baby steps yesterday and filled our envelopes. We both knew that if we bought a t-shirt we would have to use our own blow money. I am giddy with my blow money envelope cause, well, I am saving for hiking gear, and that stuff ain't cheap, so I gotta save a lot. I must say though that I did take interest in one particular t-shirt....

The conference went through Friday night. Of course it was a blessing. Just the introduction had me teared up, and at our first break I walked up to Steve & Debbie with tears in my eyes and hugged Steve. I then told them my story of how God spoke to me through Bro. Hight telling me that I was to marry Brandy. They spoke of how God loves me, no matter what, even through divorce, He still loves me. See, I've heard this many many times, I knew this, I mean, c'mon, it's what God does, He loves. But Satan had a curtain pulled over this part of me, and I honestly didn't even know it was there. However when God spoke to me through Steve & Debbie, He not only showed me the curtain that was masking my pain, but he ripped it right in half, and I could feel the presence of God come into this part of me that I didn't even know I had, let alone needed him to come in and heal.

I still did not buy a t-shirt, but I thought about it.

The next morning, I had half decided that I was going to buy one, you know cause Brandy wanted one.... We went in and sat through the retreat, socialized during the breaks, ate through the lunch, and still did not have one after our last break. The conference ended. I knew that I had to get the t-shirt. Because I liked it, because I knew Brandy would get one and be happy if I did, but also because something else... I got the t-shirt.

We got the kids and went home. We went about our day as normal. Of course we had a little pep in our step, we had been to church! And it was good! We felt it in our bones, and we are in love! Crazy in love.....that's what our shirts say....

So on the way to church this morning I was thinking about this. And I thought about the boulders that the Israelites carried, and how they made 2 separate monuments out of them. They made 2. One was built at their camp, where they would always be able to see it. It is in the open and they can physically look at it any time they choose. It's right there. But what about the one covered up in the river? I have wondered why would they do that? They couldn't see it, so what good was it for? What purpose did it serve?

Then it hit me. It was a beginning point. It was the mark that they made that was their signature, their promise to God that He would be their God. That they would love Him. That He would be the groom and they would be the bride, till death do us part.

This is the same thing that Brandy and I did at our marriage ceremony. We made vows, to each other and to God. And we marked it with 2 boulders. The first boulder is the ceremony. We walked down the aisle and with our mouths we set a boulder. Except the river didn't cover it to hide it from us. Time did. Even now, 2 weeks and 1 day later, it is covered. I have the memories of that day, but I cannot see them with my physical eyes. However we also had another boulder that we can see with our eyes every day, just as the Israelites did, our rings. Our rings aren't just a promise to each other but it is a symbol of the covenant that we made with God as well. Our rings are there to mark us and to remind us.

The t-shirt serves as the boulder that I can see everyday, as reminder of another covenant. The retreat was the boulders in the river, again covered by time. The shirt is something that I will remember every time that I see it of how God opened a place inside of me, and ripped the curtain in half. The shirt is for me to remember...this is why I needed the shirt.

To take this one step farther, I understood something about baptism today as well, which was the topic of pastors message today. There are two boulders here. One to mark the time but is left behind and one that is carried everyday to remind us of the covenant made with baptism. The first boulder is the act of baptism and is left in the water, so it is covered in water. The second boulder that is carried around as a reminder is the new life in Jesus.