Date: 2004-04-09
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Big Butt Mountain
Miles today: 17.5

Yo I hiked Big Butt and I cannot lie,All the other hikers can't deny....   Sorry, I could not help it, I am camped on the far side of a mountain called "Big Butt". Who named this mountain? What were they thinking? The mountain does not look like a butt, the geographic term is usually spelled butte......I miss rapping at karaoke.......but not too much.   What an unforgetable day. I started the day with massive pain in both calf muscles, especially my left one. I grimmaced with every step, I was hurting. Then it hit me, it's Good Friday. I could barely walk 3 miles with a 25 pound pack due to sore legs; I can't imagine carrying a full cross on a whipped beaten back, not to mention carrying the sins of the world. This thought really touched me as I struggled to walk. My legs were still killing me. Finally, during my time of prayer, I prayed God would help me with my legs. Almost instantly I found a stick that I could use as a 2nd walking pole. Within 10 minutes of using it my right leg was fine and my left leg felt somewhat better. I was so amazed. Others can call it what they want, but I feel that God healed me. I ended up walking 17.5 miles today.   I prayed more today than any day on the trail so far, or in my life for that matter. I was alone all day, only I wasn't - he was with me. I prayed for my father, mother, brother, sisters, friends, everyone on my e-mail list, my church and our nation. I prayed wholeheartedly, and with the way my day had begun I knew God was there. I really hope I can be a prayer-warrior at home. I know that God listens. In addition to prayer I had an intense time singing worship songs to God. I was so lost in him. I know that God has blessed me musically and I enjoy few things more than singing to him. The nature around me only adds to the sense of his majesty.   By the time the day was done, I knew my faith was stronger. I am also beginning to truly trust that God has every part of my life and has his own special plan for me (friends, family, eventual job, eventual wife, etc.).My favorite song was singing the kid's song "My God Is So Big". Through early pain I sang that song and recited Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It was one of multiple times I was brought to tears today.   I passed few people today, but at 6pm I passed a couple visiting the cliffs just off the trail: Adam and Julia. They caught me off guard singing Amazing Grace and told me to keep going. Adam said: "Julia told me I was crazy but I told her I was sure I heard southern gospel music". I talked with them adn told them how God had blessed me with my leg and finding the walking stick. We also talked about how beautiful everything was. Part of my blessings for the day included: taking a nap on a log, hiking bare back (no shirt), listening to woodpeckers, seeing blooming bloodroot, hearing birds call each other back and forth, and climbing beautiful cliffs. Now I am falling asleep beneath a clear sky and gorgeous stars again. Not only do I feel blessed, I feel the need to share it.   Tomorrow I will wake early and hike 15 miles. At 3 PM Walk Softly's family will pick us up. I am going to an Easter service in Ashville and I am very excited. My body can use the 2 days rest as well. I will eat real food, update my e-mail, update my journal, and make contacts to home. I love hiking, but it is nice to connect with my friends.In case it is not overwhelmingly apparent let me make this clear: my hike was amazing today. It really was a "Good Friday". Below are some closing thoughts:1. My confidence grows out here daily.....it takes the form of a mangy beard.2. I feel empty if I do not pray in a day.3. Psalms 139 describes how God is everywhere no matter how far away we think we are. I sense his presence out here.4. This hike was meant to be an escape from life, but I feel like I am living more than ever (and I still have 1875 more miles).5. I LOVE my church and miss it.6. I enjoy learning about flowers.7. I saw big cliffs today that reminded me of "Golgotha". It blows my mind whenever I think about what Jesus did (I think of the song Amazing Love).8. My heart's desire is to know God and fall in love with him.9. I've decided that being godly is manly .10. I write more in my journal than any hiker I know. God always gives me something to say though.                        Goodnight my friends, BEATBOX   ttt