One thing I remember well from that hike was getting above tree line and sensing that we were nearing the peak. We would climb and climb only to discover the spot we’d been striving for was only just a false peak. After so many hopeful, assumed summit experiences, we began to tease that there surely must be 47 false peaks! The climb took much longer than I’d imagined. False peak after false peak, I began to wonder if we’d ever reach the end of our journey. We kept on climbing, and hit a spot where we had to carefully scramble on a tiny ridge (able to tumble down the mountainside if we fell either direction), before finally laying eyes on the summit. Though my mind had played games with me, doubting the peak was truly there, we were in the home stretch! After that final ridge, it was an easy walk along the top, and we had made it to the summit! Hiking with friends made the experience fun as well as doable. I can’t imagine ever doing something like that alone.
Today I find myself in a very different season of life than I was in just a few years ago. The adventures I’m living now involve being married to my wonderful Andrew, raising (and growing!) munchkins, and lately, picking up and moving back down south. The latter has seemed much like my mountain climbing experience. Our transition started in May, and has been a long and arduous journey up to this point. Some of our false peaks have included our house taking 3 weeks to list, selling for much less than we’d hoped because the appraiser refused to include the square footage of our sunroom, diligently searching for 2 months and not finding a home to move into. These and others, on top of being a pregnant mommy, chasing a toddler, and only having Andrew home from work on the weekends.
**beginning of the climb**
Other calamities included getting rid of those pesky roosters a week before our move, the shifting of closing dates, and jeopardy of the only house we had pursued being a no-go…even days before we were supposed to move. It was chaotic, but even when we were down to the wire; the Lord always worked things out. He provided timely messages from our pastor calling us to hold fast through trials and remain faithful, dear friends to help me through the week while Andrew was away, family to visit or call daily to encourage us, and a corporate move than included the packing and loading of our belongings.
**breaths of fresh air**
With all of the pains that it took to finally move, we were anxiously anticipating the downhill slope once we arrived. Only days after we moved into our new-to-us home, the propane tank ran dry, and a leak was detected in the line. Not having propane to fuel our water tank or gas range meant no indoor cooking, or warm water for showers (or the laundry or dishes). Several remedies to fixing our problem were pursued, but in the end, we were told the only solution would be to lay brand new propane lines…at our expense. Despite diligence to handle the situation as quickly as possible, I have learned that home warranty and repair folks are in little hurry. The days without propane have turned into weeks. Three weeks to be exact.
**keep climbing**
As if to discourage us further, the propane drama was quickly followed by the decommissioning of a belt-eating riding lawn mower, the filter on the pool breaking, the discovery that our house’s water filter isn’t working, and the electric oven beginning to malfunction. And all of this has occurred in less than a month of our arrival!!! Scriptures like “Do not grow weary”, and “Count it all joy” have become recurring favorites, some even sung in operatic tones during cold showers.
It’s going to take a while to get everything up and running around here, but the Lord has been gracious and allowed us to remain (mostly) cheerful through these unexpected trials. The pool has a new filter and looks fabulous, the home warranty will cover the oven repair, and as of the phone call yesterday morning, our contractor will be able to start work on the new propane line on Tuesday. Hot showers and indoor cooking may only be just a few days away!
**an end in sight**
While this season of life hasn’t been as easy as we’d hoped, it’s not going to waste. God is growing greater thankfulness in my heart. I’m thankful for my family’s great health, for dear friends who’ve kindly offered their power and showers. Thankful that the propane issue happened now and not in the winter, or when we’re welcoming a new baby! I’m also thankful for my creative husband who, a week into our “going without”, rigged up a solar powered camping shower over our patio so I wouldn’t have to hit the high notes in order to fully wash my hair! His thoughtfulness during this time has been so endearing, and his great attitude such an awesome example to me.
I would love to be able to tell you that we can see the top of this mountain, and will soon be done climbing, but I can’t. I don’t know what a day may hold, or what circumstances may change. What I do know, for sure and for certain, is that God is caring for us, and He always does a beautiful job of providing. Someday soon that provision may include hot indoor showers, and cooking on more than one pan, on one burner on the grill outside. In the meantime, I’ve been reminded that hot water is a blessing, not a right. That indoor cooking is a fabulous convenience, but not a necessity to still feed one’s family well. Also, that we can do with far less of the things we take for granted, and still function. But more importantly, that we can be joyful and praise our faithful Father, who will see us through the valleys as well as the mountain tops.
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