Today was a really big deal!!! The first joy was an email exchange with Rob confirming the time for our hike this Saturday at Frozen Head. Chris will pick me up about 8:30 and we should meet Rob about 10:30 for a 6 mile hike and about a third of a mile up. Rob is 67, so he will be the senior member of our group. We met him 3 miles into our 16 mile hike at Savage Gulf. I anticipate a great hike.

Then I did a typical hike that was to be about 8 miles. However, after three tries, a short hike with Gary was added at the end. My goal has been to get Gary out of his house as he spends way too much time there sitting in his motorized chair. He has had heart surgery twice I think, knee surgery a few times and then his leg was amputated. His hands don’t flex well so he has limitations. But today he got out of the house and took a hike with me that we planned on for months.

Julia sent a photo some time ago of a climb up a hill she did. I responded by sending a photo of the hill I do here, which is 100 foot up and the last of it is a 50% grade. You can see it below. That is Gary in his chair, but to the surprise of both of us, Lynn also made it to the top. Gary simply moves a lever, and Lynn had to walk.

The top was a time of rest for Lynn, but Gary was fine. I had nine miles behind me and felt no stress as this is my norm. For Lynn this was remarkable.

In the conversation back to their house Lynn was very encouraged that she did it all the way. When she got to sit down on her chair there was a clear joy in her for what she had done.

For me this was the “sumparakaleō” that I described April 26, 2020. It was a privilege and a gift from the Lord to me to be a part of this. I would like to do the same with my family.

George, Big Frog Mountain is beckoning us both. Let’s do it!

My Lady, let’s take a walk together again! I love you!