March 31 - Easter

Beautiful




Before I left the trail on March 22nd, I was trying to figure the miles I could do in order to reach Newfound Gap Rd. before Easter Sunday. If I could do those miles, then my husband would meet me and we'd drive to Gatlinburg to attend Easter Sunday Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Instead he met me at Hwy. 143 Stecoah Gap, NC about a week earlier and brought me home to rehab my ankle and foot.  I have attended daily mass and was home to partake in Holy Week Services ... what blessings. Certainly not what I had planned but I'm thinking this may have been God's plan for me.  Since my return home the weather for thru-hikers has been horrible.  Many sought refuge in motels/hostels or wherever and waited; some braved the elements and made it through but it was very difficult. Newfound Gap Rd. was closed due to all the snow.  Winter storm "Virgil" dumped a bunch of that snow.  It has been cold. I have been very comfortable at home and to say I've enjoyed those comforts is kind of an understatement.  I have a new appreciation for my home and its comforts.

Picture taken by Mack Griffin and put up on his trail journal for March 28th. This is one of the guys in the group I took pictures for atop Cheoah Bald.  Mack's trail journal

Picture above is from ChinMusic's trail journal on March 28.  I met ChinMusic just after passing the GA/NC border. I was debating whether to hike on to Muskrat Shelter or stay at Bly Gap. I stayed and he went on. Read his account of hiking in this - ChinMusic's trail journal 

This is Carlie's account of the bad weather (tail name, Rainbow Braid). We shared a bunk room on March 20th at the NOC.  The next day she passed me and hiked an incredible number of miles that day. Yep, she has her hiker legs now.  Rainbow Braid's Blog

So instead of waiting somewhere in North Carolina for the weather to pass or trying to make it through snow covered trails with high drifts and very cold weather, I've been home rehabbing the ankle and foot, attending mass, and enjoying my home. I am filled with thanks and gratitude.

During the Holy Thursday service, the priests and some of the congregation participate in a foot washing service.  On the night before he died, Jesus dined with his disciples and washed their feet.  John 13:1-7

Little snippets of the foot washing at St. Philip Benizi:





 Easter Sunday mass was beautiful.  This is a song that was sung during the Offertory.



Our oldest son was with us for Easter dinner and we missed the presence of our youngest son who is stationed in Belgium. It's a very warm day here in our part of Georgia; we had some rain and some sun and it is clouding up again.  I wonder what it has been like on the AT ? I hope the snow is melting and the weather is warming and Spring is just around the corner.

Tomorrow I have my 3rd physical therapy appointment for my left ankle and right foot.  The ankle feels great and the foot is better.  

I have a big decision to make tomorrow during my physical therapy appointment.  Do I continue physical therapy and make two more appointments this week for the right foot plantar fasciitis or go back to Stecoah Gap and head North ....

I am praying that somehow I will know what God wants me to do.  


How often when weary do we sigh 
'The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.' 
How often when in prayer our thoughts are distracted by sounds or circumstance or prayers diverted by trivial concerns. 
Baggage carried with us rather than left at your feet. 
How often do we find ourselves apologizing to you for our abbreviated prayer life. 
And yet you draw us still to be in your presence as you did the disciples at Gethsemane 
You want us to share in your life to play our part. 
You told your disciples to watch and pray so that they might not fall into temptation.
Do you ask the same of us and do we also fail you each time we whisper 
'The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.' 
Grant us the strength, Lord, of body and of spirit to offer you the sacrifice of our lives.