Sequoia Trip

Hey folks, I know yall have missed my rivetting excerpts of the ongoing tales of Astrid. As most of yall know I went camping to the Sequoia National Park this past weekend. It was my first time camping. To begin I will say that it was amazing on so many levels. I'm officially a camp-a-holic. I love everything about it. The peace and solace of nature, the sleeping in tents and waking to wildlife all around you, the early morning commune with God and the funtastic camp food and banter.
Let's start shall we.
So most of the way up there and back was spent in Wess's car and sleeping. Fortunately for me I do not experience motion sickness like most of the people in my car although all the turns weren't to pleasant.
Saturday we drove and drove and drove and drove some more. When we got to the campsite we were greeted by the park ranger--whose name escapes me but for all intents and purposes is known as Grace (according to Ashley--due to the identical like mole)... We were really just trying to make it seem like she was there. Many of us wished she could have come along. After settling it and pitching the tents and putting everything in the nifty little bear boxes.. these needed due to the roaming yogi's wanting to eat from our pickanic baskets.
Then we went on our first jaunt up to Morro Rock-- I think that's how you say it... Anyways it was great. Not the climbing mind you but the view was spectacular. When you get to the top which was 6,725 ft above sea level you are amidst this beautiful flowing horizon of mountains and towering over tall sequoias. The sunset was breathtaking as it's golden hue rippened orange sank behind the triangle peaks. What a great sight.
As I saw all this majesty unfolding and talked to Lydia, we couldn't help wondering do people see this beauty and still not think it was created. Could the details in the mountain ridges and the specifically carved paths and each tree unique to its neighbor be a mere accident. Definitely not. Then do people who are captivated by the sheer magnititude of that one point realize the magnificents of all the mountains all over the world and know how small we really are. God is unfathomably large and yet his nearness overwhelming. Each step do they ponder the Creator while being in awe of His creation. I did. I'd like to think that when people are blessed to experience these moments they do stop and think... and that some of us stop and praise God for who his is.
After the sunset we went back to the camp to settle in for the night with our chili dogs and a session from Jodi. He talked about the importance of Christ in our lives now. I was blessed personally by these sessions because they really helped drive the point of Christ in a different light... Not only is he Messiah, savior, our Lord but he is our High Priest who intercedes for us, He is our representative because we are no longer in Adam but those having put trust in Him have died to sin, and been risen and lastly he is our King who is going to be pouring out judgement... I like the image of Christ as a warrior... though he was meek...this meekness packed some serious strength. I hope the teens were as blessed and I know that having heard these messages, their hearts are now opened. I pray that they will continue to ask questions and seek truth.
Sunday...
The day breaks and I write :
Woke to God's beauty surrounding with remmants of man's temporary domain.
Quiet slumber across the grounds and the permeating aroma of tall red, moss covered sequioas. Birds calling songs to each other.
Waking campers begining their day
Crisp chilled air cuts right through but I am not detered from basking early in what God's grace has provided.
Breathing deep, exhaling slowly, I notice the stillness and yet it's life --dominates the steel and wood, stillness that overpowers, that gathers in groves, thick solid trunks of beautiful browns, rich chocolates, deep vibrant kelly greens.
Am I amidst this stillness
Are my eyes decieving me or is this blessing one of many
Remembering the past weeks of summer now drawing to an end a new season buds reluctantly as I dig my feet further gripping onto what's left of this moment. Don't pass to quickly. Please linger a little longer before everything is illuminated and warm waves of beautiful rays wash over my face.
This time spent all within God's providence.
Little trips to quell the brewing storm of ungratefulness i harbored in my heart.
How shameful now to think that these very last pauses before the future of hurdles of life...that I squandered so many opportunities to praise my dear sweet God.
But God in his infinite forgiveness had already dealt with my sinful heart as the day continued to break and new mercies kissed gently upon my skin and bid me come. Come into the day and I did.

That was just the begining... then more fun events.. I will put pics in at a later date.
We saw these cool caves, went hiking like 15,000 other times.. not really but the elevation was a killer and oh my lack of cardio didn't help the constant out of breathness that I was in. It didn't matter because it was good to be away from the city and just living and breathing in with each step a new adventure.
Fun finds on the trip was this cool little stream off the road, Jodi, Heather, Cass and I swam in. Thanks to Gio... for grabbing our towels I didn't freeze to death. Water was quite chilly and had these fish.. oh and I ate it trying to climb up... I'll have to get pics from Felicia because this was the day my camera said goodbye and the lovely batteries died. Sadness I know. I didn't even get to use my fourth roll of film.
Well tht evening we were treated to a wonderful stew by Alexius-- albeit a little salty.. tasty nonetheless and exactly what the body needed after all those steep hills.. Gabe if you are reading this I'm coming to train in Colorado during the summers...cuz of the elevation. I can not be all huffin and puffin anymore on this hikes.
The camp fire time was great. I laughed a lot. Not a surprise.. since next to eating it's my favorite pastime. Seriously though I had a blast and got to re-kindle friendships and heard more than just 10 words out of Chad.
And even though none of you will get this.
I'm tickled and signing out this message with my favorite quotes of the trip
"Bust a mission" Lydia, Cass and Gio... although if you know Alexius get him to say it.. it's so awkward
"Chad's all Smiling." ---Chad replies "I'm not even smiling."
"Eeeeeewww Chaaaaad."
"Hey nobody touches my flashlight."-Chad
Response to what else is dark like the caves we were in --" My head."-Carrisa
Also what don't you need in a dark cave, beside air-conditioning, or eyes---" Clothes." -Gio
Yay camping.. it's a must for everyone.
Later peeps