new

Since my last post I had the opportunity to hike the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina some and let me just say that it gave me goose bumps! The first step was exhilarating and it just got better from there! After leaving NC I spent two nights in Charleston and then was off to Weston for two days of boating/fishing on Stonewall Jackson Lake. That place defines serenity for me. From there I met Uncle Tom, Cousin Tommy, Carly, Amber and Laurel @ the Laurel Fork Campground in the Monongahela National Forest for trout fishing, hiking and mountain biking. What a great time! Again, another place of serenity. There’s nothing like the feeling of being deep, I mean real deep in the woods with no one around for miles! Pics coming soon….honestly, I post most of my pics on my Facebook account and have neglected uploading them here. Not to worry, they’re coming soon. From there I made my way to Wheeling to spend some quality time with Brent, Cheri and baby Lily. Bless her precious heart she’s warming up to me. I really miss Wheeling. On Saturday we boarded a bus for the Dave Matthews Band concert and had a blast amongst the blasted people! On Sunday I did the usual….made a stop in Fairmont to see KC Carlson & family & Chris Bostic. The thing about fraternity brothers is that they will always always be my very best friends. Stopped in Weston to see the Shreves, again. Of course there was good quality time with baby Brody. That boy has my heart. Finally got back in Charleston about 9:30p and started a new week. Brought back some great memories and some cool rocks for Tab. It was only a few days ago but it seems like a lifetime. So much has happened. Unfortunately, it has been 95% trials since I got back. Sometimes I wonder if Charleston is really the place I’m supposed to be but I have to trust God that He will open and close the doors for the path He has for me. If you would please, some extra prayers for my health and for my family would REALLY be appreciated! A few major blessings: the Gleevec finally arrived in Charleston, some dear friends with big brains and hearts provide solice in trials have been there and knowing that loved ones are safe. I know God will see me through my health concerns and our family challenges. He has always provided for our needs and will continue to do so because we put complete faith in Him and that our/your prayers will be answered. Until the next great adventure or blessing to share…..

Chip

Wow! I love nature!

I saw one of the most amazing things this morning. First let me set it up. Yesterday I drove down from WV to my Aunt’s home in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Franklin to be exact. It’s been since about 1980 since I was last here. Anyway, I offered to water some of her plants as it was predicted to be a hot, dry day. I started with this large Lilac bush by the corner of the house. The bush is about 6 ft tall and 5 ft wide with large branches coming straight up from the ground. I pointed the hose about two feet up from the bottom and the stream hadn’t been going but about 30 seconds when out of the corner of my eye I saw a hummingbird swoop in on a side branch horizontal from where I was spraying. It was a female and I know this because her tiny body was covered with green feathers that shimmered in the sunlight. Anyway, she began to flap and flutter her wings in the mist and spray that was originating from the hose. At first I was just shocked because she wasn’t anymore than 4 feet from the hose. Once I realized she was bathing I became transfixed as she fluttered about and kept hopping back and forth so that the mist was catching her on her back, breast and sides. I still remember feeling the smile on my face while watching her immerse herself in a mid-morning bath on an already hot day. This went on for a good 3 or 4 minutes. I would move the stream closer to her and she would flutter with more exuberance until hopping to another branch until returning for another dousing. You can imagine my amazement while bringing such joy to one of God’s creatures. Eventually she moved to branch high in the bush and fluttered about until she was dry enough to fly again. She looked magnificent! I could sense her joy and excitement in being clean. She perched there for a moment, motionless, facing me and I could feel her gaze upon me. I smiled, said, “your welcome!” and wished her a good day. She flew off to the nearby feeder for few moments and then disappeared into the woods.
What really amazed me is that I was blessed to have that few moments of the day with her. We often see God’s blessings, if we’re paying attention, and one of my favorites is interacting with animals and nature. I hope you take the time to interact with nature. You may be surprised at what God has in store for you…..

where it starts and where it ends

Sometimes when I have a trial in life I am lucky enough to see it end. Not all trials we have on earth will be worked out before going to heaven (if you’re going). When reflecting back on trials I try to understand where and why it began. Most of the time I can point to an imbalance of some kind and in the natural order of our planet and biology there is always a result of some kind to have a balance. Whether good or bad. In looking back over the past 7 years I’ve seen how trials of all kinds have come and gone. Some without so much as even a breath of air was wasted on them and some that lasted for extended periods of time. I can say with complete humbleness and sorrow that I’ve handled many trials in ways that make it difficult to say I’m a christian. I’m not perfect. I’m always a work in progress (as I am trying to improve). Some trials I’ve handled so very very well and can point to how God has given me courage, strength, patience and love to see them through. I guess what really matters is that I learn from the trial and avoid making the same mistake again. Even though history has a tendency to repeat itself I am working to buck the trend. I guess the saying, “what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger” originates from this very topic. One thing I will say is that not all trials are bad. Some just seem bad but it’s really open to interpretation. Like many things in life….it’s open to interpretation. One person’s perspective may be VERY different from another persons. That’s why we hear, “there are two sides to every story.” Lately I’ve been hearing different interpretations of stories dating back over 7 years ago. All I can say is that when you hear a story remember that you may not be getting the whole story. So back to where it starts and where it ends. If I’m lucky enough to see the trial through then I guess it will make me stronger. Either way, I’m blessed to be alive. I’m blessed to have so many caring and kind people who support, understand, appreciate and are true friends to me. I think I do a pretty good job of being a blessing in return and am promising myself to make sure I affirm how much you all mean to me. I can never say thank you enough.

In the spirit of peace and happiness,

Chip