Confessions of a Wilderness Woman

I must confess....I really enjoyed camping!

Who knew I would actually enjoy being in nature? Certainly NOT me.

We hiked in to our campsite around 5:30 Friday night. It was a 30 minute hike all down hill. So, it wasn't bad at all! I barely even broke a sweat! Soon after we arrived we set up our tents and began to work on dinner. It was really nice to set up our "home" for the night and to bond with the rest of my classmates on the trip!

Almost immediately after dinner the bottom dropped out. It was POURING. I think the rain holding off until we ate dinner was the first sweet mercy from the Lord. I thanked him for that. We all rushed for our tents around 9 and me and Bri (my wonderful tent-mate) finally fell asleep around 10. Of course I tossed and turned a little, but overall it was a pretty good night out on the trail!

The next morning we woke up, ate breakfast, and set out for a couple hours of hiking to our next camp site. We made great time and set up camp fairly quickly. After lunch we all hiked a little further to see a beautiful waterfall! It was amazing to see the water rushing over the rocks. I loved it!

After we got back from the waterfall it was time for our "solos." This is an hour set aside for each of us to spend alone with God in the woods. Honestly when our professor told us we would be doing solos I was nervous. I have never felt safe in the woods alone, but once I got out there it was great! I enjoyed every minute of it. This was yet another sweet mercy from the Lord. He spoke to me and comforted me during my alone time with Him. I am so thankful for that time.

I was sitting near the trail on my solo. Therefore, I wasn't surprised when I saw other hikers coming down the path. I politely said hello and observed that the pair of hikers must be a father and son. I saw them laughing and setting up their camp in the distance and I began day dreaming of when George will hopefully get the chance to take our son camping. In that moment I prayed that someday I would have the opportunity to be sitting and worrying at home while my boys are out in the woods! :)

Speaking of George.....He was SO amazing to me on this trip! I am so blessed to have such a humble, caring, and compassionate fiance. He made sure I had everything I needed, and told me how proud he was of me every single chance he got. Yet another sweet sweet mercy from my God. I even told him that I would love to come back camping after we get married (Shocking huh?)! He made my heart melt when he told me that it always made him so nervous when I was behind him on the trail. He said he wanted me in front of him so he would know I was safe. Be jealous ladies, I've got a keeper!

Our second night, deep in the woods, was pretty good but quite a bit colder than the first! I wasn't all that upset about the cooler temperature though (I'm VERY hot natured). We woke up Sunday morning and headed out of the woods! The hike back to our 1st campsite wasn't all that bad. We had one injury. My tent-mate fell and hurt her knee! She was definitely a trooper though, and we made great time on the way back! After Bri injured her leg I ended up taking the lead and LOVED it! It felt great to set the pace for the rest of the group. It's hard to believe that I thought I would be struggling to catch up to the rest of the group at the beginning of the weekend. I not only kept up but I actually got the opportunity to lead. I cannot express how encouraging that was!

We ate our last meal out in the wilderness at the 1st camp site. I was under the impression that the last small leg of our journey would be no problem. Boy, was I wrong! The last mile was excruciating. The easy all down hill hike in, was now an extremely difficult all up hill hike out. That last mile nearly did me in! Though it was really tough, myself, and the rest of the group finished strong!

I am proud to say that I am now officially a backpacker! :)

However, I could never have gotten through this weekend without the Lord completely taking over my physical body and attitude. He whispered encouragement and love to me all weekend. His sweet mercies filled me with the strength to go on. I felt so much closer to him by simply embracing His creation. I consider this past weekend in the woods a precious gift.

So, this professed non-nature girl has had a change of heart. You can just call me Wilderness Woman from now on! ;)

Thank you all so much for your prayers. I felt them, immensely!

Here's another few thousand words about my weekend....

First photo of the weekend! Just starting out the hike. 

Virginia Hawkins Falls.

Short girl with short legs! :) 

My hot soon-to-be husband!

Waterfall smooches!

The whole crew!

Hiking to our second camp site

In front of Laurel Fork Falls

Our tent the second night! 

The fire on our last night!

Me and my tent-mate Bri on our last morning!

Our last morning on the trail!

:)

WE MADE IT!!