The Blessing

I've attended daily Mass almost every day since the beginning of January. I hope to get to Mass every week while I'm on the Appalachian Trail so I have the names, addresses, and phone numbers of churches fairly close to the trail (10 miles or so ) written into my AWOL A.T. Guide but only time will tell whether I will find a way. In the pictures below I am wearing the hiking skirt that will be my apparel for Mass.  Oh, that it would look and smell this clean every Sunday ....

After Mass this morning, our Pastor, Fr. John Koziol, prayed a blessing over me. After Ash Wednesday Mass, we'll head to the North Georgia Mountains and I'll sign in as a 2013 thru-hiker at Amicalola Falls State Park; I think I will be given a number (wonder how many have started ahead of  me?).

Sprinkling of Holy Water

The Scriptures at Mass this week have come from Genesis and focus on God creating everything and it was all good. One of the songs we sang this week was How Great Thou Art -- I found myself unable to sing the words from the second verse :

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
and hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze;

 I felt God's hand on me, assuring me He goes with me and I was overwhelmed with joy and you know what comes with joy (for me anyway - tears). 

All the way up front on the right, I'm asking our Blessed Mother to pray for me and to wrap her mantle of protection around me. (The red on my backpack is the Homes For Our Troops bandana). Donate to Homes For Our Troops

More blessings came my way after mass ... Carol Ferguson gave me some Shaklee products to take with me.  They are high in fiber, protein, fruits and veggies (hard to take while hiking). They are super small and lightweight which is important when space is limited in a backpack.  I will order some to be mailed to me along the trail. Tried the Sea Salt Snack Crisps with my cottage cheese for lunch. Loved them plus they have 6 grams of protein in one serving. Saving the bars for this week on the trail.

My pack is fully loaded and weighs 32 lbs. -- about 7 more lbs. than I wanted to carry -- but the forecast for Saturday is a high of 32 degrees dropping to low of 17 degrees, rain/sleet/snow. So I have some extra clothes to sleep in.







After mass we took a little walk (4 miles) to check out how 32 lbs. felt. As we head down Jeff Davis, Nick turns into the gas station for a bathroom break and I continue walking on the sidewalk.  Sue Crawford Donnay, new bride, who recently moved to Florida, pulls into the gas station drive as I approach and says to me "pull over."  I was surprised to see her because I thought she was in Florida. She gets out of the car and hands me a beautiful heart engraved with my name. It has a little red light in the side which can be turned on. She said she had intended to give it to me on Saturday at mass but when she saw me she pulled into the gas station. I will be on a mountain in a shelter on Saturday night. For sure, this was not  a coincidence but a  'God incidence'. 

Beautiful hiker 'bling' which I put on my waist belt pouch.  

Yesterday, after Mass, I took communion to my dear friend, Nona, who lives in the nursing home now about 25 miles away from me. She gave me some chocolate candy, socks, stretchy gloves, and $20 to get a good hamburger when I'm off the trail in town one night. We used to go out for a good hamburger from time to time; she really likes them too. She'll pray every day for me. We hugged and kissed; it was a tear-filled goodbye.

The next post will come from the Appalachian Trail !!!!! Be sure to check the Trail Journals tab on the front page of this blog. I'm not sure yet which will be easier to keep current from the trail. The Trail Journals site will include my mileage for the day.

Goodbyes and Worries

 For almost 43 years now I've been the wife and mother who remained at home. It's been a privilege and a blessing and I'm filled with gratitude. As the day draws closer for me to head into the woods, I've been thinking about the times I said "goodbye" and waited and worried:

1)  We were married in 1970 and 72 days later my husband returned to Vietnam for his second tour of duty. 

2)  A "goodbye" to my Grandpa who was in the hospital when I left to meet my husband in Hawaii for R&R. I told him I would tell him about Hawaii when I returned.  He replied:  "Hell, Margo, I'll be six feet under when you return."  He was buried while I was on my flight home.

3) Goodbye again after spending a week with my husband in Hawaii about 1/2 way through his tour of duty.

4)  Goodbye to my mom and dad when they left Mississippi after visiting us for Christmas in our first home. My mother died unexpectedly from two brain aneurysms about 3 months later. I was able to see her in the ICU.

5) Another goodbye to my husband when he left for Germany. The boys and I had to remain behind with my dad until housing became available for us.

6) Goodbye to my dad at the airport when the boys and I were headed to Germany.

7) Goodbye to my husband when he moved to Belgium and we waited behind in Germany while he looked for housing.

8) Goodbye to the boys (two years apart) when they started Kindergarten. In Belgium a Greyhound-like bus stopped at the end of our drive way and their short legs had to step up onto that big bus. I'll never forget how small they seemed boarding the huge bus.

9) Goodbye to our oldest son when he drove off to college.

10) Goodbye to my sister at the Atlanta airport after her visit to Georgia. Dad had moved here because he couldn't live on his own anymore and she came for a visit after his total knee replacement. She died unexpectedly about 3 months later. 

11) Goodbye to my dad on the day he was born into life everlasting.

12) Goodbye to our youngest son when he left for Army Basic Training and when he moved to Maryland for advanced training. 

13) Goodbye (over the phone) when our youngest left for Afghanistan.

14) Goodbye (over the phone) when our youngest left for Belgium.

And now, for this goodbye, I'll be the one leaving and my husband will wait at home ... I have it pictured in my mind. I will put on my pack, give him a kiss and a hug, walk through the arch, and look back at him and wave. I'll have tears in my eyes; maybe he will too. Will I look back a second time?

My husband is a worrier; our sons are not far behind him. I'm wondering if there is a familial gene which is dominant for worrying.  In the past, worry has created problems for me... once even to the point of bleeding internally. 

So, in an effort to help those who will worry about me as I hike the Appalachian Trail because they care about me and/or love me - this is what the Appalachian Trail Conservancy posts on their website about crime -- 

"The Appalachian Trail is safer than many cities in America, and you are likely safer on the A.T. than in an automobile on your way to the trailhead. Although the A.T. is generally known for being a very friendly place and one where acts of kindness are common, it is not immune from crime. Situational awareness is one of your best defenses against crime. Be aware of what you are doing, where you are, and to whom you are talking. Remember to trust your gut—it’s usually right, even when your brain can’t explain why."

I found this wonderful article about worry. Many, many years ago the last scripture verse she quotes is the first one God used to begin teaching me about letting go of worry.

4 Reasons Not To Worry - What Does The Bible Say ?     (by Mary Fairchild)

I've spent an awful lot of time in my life worrying. I've worried about grades in school, job interviews, approaching deadlines and shrinking budgets. I've worried about bills and expenses, rising gas prices, insurance costs and endless taxes. I've even worried about having my home in perfect condition for "company," and within seconds of their arrival, the house is turned upside down and no one even notices. 

I've worried about first impressions, political correctness, identity theft and contagious infections. In spite of all the worrying, I'm still alive and well, and all my bills are paid. 

Over the span of my lifetime, worrying accounts for hours and hours of invaluable time that I'll never get back. So, I have decided that I'd like to spend my time more wisely and more enjoyably. If you're not convinced yet to give up your worrying, here are four biblical reasons not to worry.

1. Worrying Accomplishes Absolutely Nothing. I don't know about you, but I don't have any time to waste these days. And worrying is a waste of very precious time. Worrying won't help you solve a problem or bring about a solution, so why waste your time and energy on it? 
   
   
   Matthew 6:27-29
   Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
    
2. Worrying is Not Good for You. Worrying is destructive to us in many ways. It becomes a mental burden that can even cause us to grow physically sick. 
   
   
   Proverbs 12:25
   Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. 
    
3. Worrying is the Opposite of Trusting God. The energy that we spend worrying can be put to much better use in prayer. Here's a little formula to remember: Worry replaced by Prayer equals Trust. 
   
   
   Matthew 6:30
   And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?  
    
   Philippians 4:6-7
   Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 
    
4. Worrying Puts Your Focus in the Wrong Direction. When we keep our eyes focused on God, we remember his love for us and we realize we truly have nothing to worry about. God has a wonderful plan for our lives, and part of that plan includes taking care of us. Even in the difficult times, when it seems like God doesn't care, we can put our trust in the Lord and focus on his kingdom. God will take care of our every need. 
   
   
   Matthew 6:25
   That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 
    
   Matthew 6:31-33
   So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 
    
   1 Peter 5:7
   Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.
    
   John Michael Talbot sings "Cast Down Your Cares"
      Almost 30 yrs. ago, I would sing this song again and again to release worry.
                         Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
                                              1 Peter 5:7
   
   
    
   May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back.  May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields.  And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of His hand.  ~Irish Blessing

Thank You Trail Journals AT Class of 2012

I’ve mentioned that my desire to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail has not been a life-long dream. In February of 2012 I learned about Trail Journals and began reading. My interest started to grow by leaps and bounds.  By mid-summer of last year I was watching for sales and buying gear.

In 2012 I followed many as they headed North and a few coming South – solo men, one family, many couples, two father and daughter pairs, and solo women.  Each journal was unique and informative.  I want to say thank you to those I followed for allowing me to “arm chair” hike, for sharing their dreams and experiences, for inspiring me and giving me hope that it might just be possible for me. I followed many more journals than I will list below; injuries, illness, personal matters, etc. thwarted their dreams. Some are coming back this year and I hope they realize their dream in 2013.

So here’s a big THANK YOU to those who walked the trail last year and shared the journey!  You have been my teachers and I am so very grateful.

Couples:  The Charon’s, Gung-Ho and Tagalong, Long Stride & SilverGirl, Myakka Mules, sharing the insanity, Sprite & Snag, the Troverts

Family:  Valerie (Member of the A Team)

Father and Daughter:  Balls and Sunshine; Gumpy and Peeper

Solo Men: Achilles, Badger, Bomber, Daddy-O, Diesel, DirtyGirl, Late 4 Dinner, Lime Green, Seeks It, Trog

Solo Women:  Dos, DreamTime, Five Pair, Lyn “Wildflower”, Mamaw B, Mouse (Mickie Amundson)-two were named Mouse and so I listed her real name; Torii

I emailed Dos inquiring about updating her journal from the trail and the procedure she used. I could always count on her prompt posting which helped me to worry a little less. She responded the same day. I hope I can follow her example so my family, friends and people I don’t know won’t worry about me.

I emailed DreamTime when I was uncertain about the best way to handle food (mail drops, no mail drops, some mail drops or just buy in town). She replied promptly and in such detail that I no longer worried about what I should do in regards to food. She gave me ideas that had not crossed my mind.

Jim O'Brien, husband and Ground Control for Five Pair, for answering questions via email about her blog.

Not everyone lists their gear on Trail Journals but I found that when people took the time to do so, it helped me (a complete novice) to begin researching and  making decisions about the gear that I would need to buy. So, thanks, to those who took the time last year to list your gear.