Take a Hike!

Fuzzy and I were in New York State this past weekend to celebrate Christopher and Katie's calling to mission and to witness their Sending Ceremony. It was an intense weekend of emotions and not a lot of sleep, but it was utterly priceless. I feel like I understand better their desire to go to Tanzania, and meeting the people that they have been training with and from over the past few months was really special.

Kicking off the weekend, my colleague Karen and her husband Ira took us on a hike up the West Mountain in Bear Mountain State Park. I am still in a lot of pain with my knee, but I had hiking poles, my knee was all taped up, and Karen assured me that the hike wasn't going to be that challenging--just a little uphill at the very beginning. It is also worth mentioning that Karen and Ira has already been on one hike earlier in the day. So Christopher, Fuzzy, and I took off for what we assumed to be a leisurely walk in the woods.

Christopher and I are ready to go!

IT WAS HARD! It was essentially mountain climbing. Rock walls, mega inclines, the works. I am not going to lie, it was really hard. But I did it, and it was so nice being in nature away from all the stress and everything. It was great to spend time with Karen, whom I adore. It was great to have some time with my brother and my husband and just let it go. It was awesome.

Our mountain looked out at Bear Mountain. I didn't even know New York had mountains.

Christopher points to the future.

Me with Christopher and Karen in the background. Please note: I was wearing 4 shirts (3 of them long sleeved), a coat, 2 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of socks, winter boots (waterproof, which was an asset) and hat and gloves.