Time with God and the great outdoors

Mt Lassen way in the distance, glad I brought snow gear.

Hi Everyone, I want to share some photos and trip notes so far.  I was able to find internet connection with cold fingers, but I will type my best.

The trip from Pleasanton to Lake Almador and the Lassen Volcano region of California was quite an adventure with an RV.  I think I said the following scripture in my head about 20 times:

….Do not worry about everyday life…..can all your worries add a single moment to your life. Matthew 6:25-27.

Why did I need to keep saying this, because my GPS suggested to take highway 32 as the route from Chico up to Chester CA.  Now I knew I was facing a 5,000 foot elevation climb, and expected a tough drive, but OH MY, when you are towing 3,000 pounds behind not a huge truck, but a van, I was at the mercy of the equipment performing.  This route was 60 miles of twists, turns, straight drop offs, switch backs, and most of the trip at a maximum speed limit of 35 miles an hour.

I made it through, pulled off the side of the road and just had to breathe for 10 minutes and wonder how I made it. When I arrived at the campground I told them the route I took and they laughed.  10 minutes later I now have a “RV friendly” route to return home.

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.  Keep on seeking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and he door will be opened to you…..everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.  Matthew 7:7-8

I have an agenda for this trip, like I am sure most of you do when you take a week of vacation.  For me this is my first full week of vacation in 6 years.  My last full week vacation was filled with drinking, drugging, and a miserable experience with ex-wife two. For the past years I have not been able to financially take a full week off work, (like millions of us we no longer have jobs that have vacation pay, if you are not there you are not paid). I also have had to get strong enough in sobriety to change my brains thinking of, “hey its vacation time, let the party begin”, to I want to spend one week getting closer to God.

It is also tough to vacation by yourself, with no family, no girlfriend, it is me, myself and I that basically takes out many vacation options which price “double occupancy”.  All these challenges have been solved with God’s help, and the purchase of an RV to vacation with.

So, I have many survival skills that I wanted to work on and test out, but so far nothing has been more important for me than to just breath fresh air, do some hiking, and read scripture. Sounds boring doesn’t it. Well I have some pictures of the hike that I have included, and have spent time in three of the local cities up here, Chester, Westwood, and Susanville.  Let me tell you I have a LOT to share about these cities which scream about all the problems of America today, but I am going to save that for a later article.

In my first hike yesterday I already ran smack into a black bear at about 6500 foot in Mount Harkness. I was a bit busy using my hands preparing to defend myself rather than take a picture. Nothing gets a snap a adrenaline going any faster than the bear sounds and catching eye contact.  Everything turned out fine, I found a different route.

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. Romans 8:5

Today I am able to take a vacation thinking about things that please the spirit, not my very sinful nature, thank you God, thank you!

I will post up more stories as I can, thank you all for reading, and I hope today I brought you a moment of serenity in your life.

Related articles

• Into the wilderness (faithandsurvival.com)