|
|
Silver Lake!| | Ah, today was amaaazing! My twin brother made the suggestion last night that we all (minus my older brother in Modesto) go up to Silver Lake for the day--fishing seemed prospectable according to the Sacramento news, and it's simply one of our family's favorite places to go, and a wonderful place to be.
Last night (or this morning?) I stayed up until 4:30 cleaning my room. It has been long overdue, and postponed for a variety of things--applications, buying a car, spending time with friends, day trips (Lake Tahoe).... and now with one day less to work on it, since we were gone today, I wanted to get the biggest chunk of it done last night. Jolt gum (caffeinated gum) kept me going, as well as some encouragement from reading through signatures from old high school year books. And, of course, the Lord's strength... and the motivation to get my room clean because it pleases Him when I am a good steward of all that He gives me.
Anyway... because I was fairly tired come 7:30 am, I drove to Starbucks and bought my family drinks--a sugar free, non-fat vanilla latte for me, an iced decaf for my mom, a light orange mocha frap for my brother, and a coffee of the day for my padre. I bought it mainly for him and the long road ahead of it, even half thinking I woudn't buy anything for myself, but then decided that since I do have extra money right now, and I had the car to transport me there, I would buy for all.  And what a blessing to see a smile on all their faces.
Right...... at about 11 am, we headed off on our day's journey, stopping by Wal-Mart to buy some fortifications and other necessities (fishing liscences, etc.), and a yogurt place in Florin (I had a few small bites, but am on a sugar fast with Heather Zorichak and refrained, although that's got to be one of the most amazing textures of yogurt I have ever had!!). Instead of driving the same ol', same ol' freeways, we drove the backway up to Silver Lake through Ione. Ah, it was lovely! Shortly after leaving the general Sacramento area country immediately hit, with a much slower-paced feeling, and down-to-earth people. It was a bit dry for this time of the year, but cows were still grazing and fields were wide open to gaze upon in splendor. The little old towns that we drove too were also wonderful and quaint as well--I get a thrill driving through them each time we do. If I could relocate now, perhaps I'd move to one of this little quaint towns... quite simply lovely, quite simply peaceful, room to think and bask.... room to reflect upon all the Lord has been and is teaching me (now, of course, perhaps I verge on idolizing comfort--I'm not saying I'd actually move here--I'm just saying it would be pretty amazing!).
On the way there I listened to some of the soundtrack from Braveheart (amazing music, and fitting for a whimsical country drive), read some from Piper's Book "When I Don't Desire God: How to Fight for Joy" and some from Francine River's book, "A Voice in the Wind" (part of the Mark of the Lion Series--good reads, and so hard to put down!!). It got to be windy, and books, cars and windy roads do not suit my equilibrium well, so I promptly snatched my twin brother's sidekick, a stuffed camel, and used him for a pillow to take a nap. Of course, he didn't mind--he's very good about serving others (especially me) in this manner, even if his backside is pressed up against the car window and his plastic eye smooshed and scratched. No, he suits me just fine.
I noticed it get breezier and cooler and realized that we were heading into the Silver Lake area--wohoo! The elevation here is between 7000-7500 feet, and there was still some snow on the ground, more so in some places than others. We saw the lake ("I saw the lake!" "I saw the lake!", or so the family tradition goes), and then stopped at Kay's for fishing. I actually didn't fish. I didn't want to buy a $17+ provisional liscence for one day, and though it would be great fun, I'm not sure if I'll be out much more on lakes and rivers to fish again. Instead, I brought everything I needed to go on some good runs. My parents and brother scrambled down on the rocks, and I wiggled in the car's tight corners, changing my clothes and lacing up my running shoes.
The run was wonderful. Since the elevation is so high, it was actually quite difficult to run (in comparison to say, yesterday's run), but it still felt great, and running around Silver Lake was just sooo beautiful and refreshing. I smelled the pine trees, felt the snow, gazed at the silver-sparkling lake, watched an aluminum boat from afar, and let myself free to run, at least up to the end of the 1.5 mile road or so to the Boy Scout cabins (which were all vacant). I then got onto a nearby trail after crossing a bridge with a bubbling snow brook beneath, found a great patch of granite rocks, and sat down and prayed.
There has been so much on my mind, too much or too specific or too personal to elaborate completely in detail here, but I loved spending some solitary time in the mountains and in such beauty alone with the Lord. It was as if the run was a metaphor for my racing, often confused mind, and finally at rest, talking sweetly with my Lord. Unfortunately, the prayer time ( at least in the sitting position on the rock) was cut short because swarms of mosquitos were attacking me. (I woudln't be surprised if I wake up with mosquito "chicken pox" tomorrow!). I did, however, continue it for the remainder of my run, somewhat sporadically, but also spending time to reflect and think. I did the first trek there and back listening to Braveheart on my ipod, and then I ran it all over again, this time "naked" (that is, without an ipod), which allowed so much more freedom, freedom in thought, freedom in movement, etc. I ran with my digital camera with me this time and took a handful of beautiful shots--my camera's not the greatest of quality, but I was at least able to capture some good shots. I even found a sign in front of the house that read "The Parker's"--I had to take that picture for my roommate, Kim Parker.
We left the lake, and my bro and I did a mini hike up Tragedy Springs to get some really good spring water. (Ah, sure beats Woodland water any day!). We then drove back home, this time via the Immigrant Trail backroads--again, some beautiful, beautiful stuff as the sun was beginning to set.
We arrived in Placerville and had Pizza Factory--this has been tradition to eat here ever since we have been going to Apple Hill in the fall (for as long as I remember), and the pizza was, as always, great! My mom liked the cheese, I liked the sweet crust, and so we were all happy. It just brought back some good, nostalgic memories, since I have not been able to go to Apple Hill since I've been away at college. I kept reading Francine Rivers until we arrived in Woodland....
On a deeper level, there are some great things I appreciated about the day. For one, the entire family was in amazingly good spirits, and I just grew in my appreciation for my beloved family. It sure was great for my dad especially to just visit some of HIS favorite places, bringing back a flood of memories, letting his own mind free to be cleared and think again after a very busy week. Praise God for that. Secondly, it spurred my thinking about the purpose of enjoyment, which was very fitting to Piper's first chapter in "When I Don't Desire God: How to Fight for Joy." I often feel like I should not be enjoying anything--I realize this is skewed, but partly this stems from the often very serious minded TMC students with some convictions that I don't always agree with (and don't get me wrong there! I do love the truth and teaching at Master's, as well as the people). I just feel tugged with the lie that if I am enjoying something, then I am probably doing something wrong. I enjoyed this day so much, the amazing beauty of God's creation throughout Northern CA, the peace it brought to my mind, the time I had to pray and reflect, the run, and how much I love running, etc. And I do believer, with the proper mindset, we can enjoy these things, and ultimately MUST have joy, joy in the Lord, as it is commanded!! There are certain things that are unique to me, things I am passionate about. And perhaps TMC puts too much emphasis on placing head knowledge above all else, or fitting a cookie cutter mold, but God has created each of us so uniquely, with different gifts, with different passions, with different things that make our hearts leap with excitement. We have but a short time on this earth, and I believe it IS wasted if we do not respond to the individual ways God has created us and enjoy these things for His praise and glory. So I ran a lot, and maybe others woudln't do this--so what? I loved it!! So I was in bliss for the beauty of God's creation, and maybe others would find their time better spent studying books in a library--oh, I loved the Creation!! And praise God for who He's made ME to be, praise Him that is is HIM on who we fix our hope, the one who "richly supplies us with all things to enjoy" (1 timothy 6:17).
How Great Thou Art... praise Him!!
| | | Posted 5/25/2007 11:35 PM - 39 Views - 4 eProps - 2 comments
- recommend
  - recs0
- share
- email
 - sent0
|
|
