May 12, 2018: 100 mile MISSION

MISSION sent us this picture yesterday, May 11. It reminds me of a song I used to sing to my kids. It is based on Psalm 121, the theme verse I chose for this blog. The last verse in the chapter was painted on Stephan’s bedroom wall when he was a tiny baby by our dear friends, Tricia Harvey and Lisa Henson. “The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.” I am counting on those words to be true and this photo Stephan took seems to prove that God is watching over him as he hikes long 20+ mile treks every day in the wilderness of southern California.

He never sleeps, He never slumbers,

He watches me night and day.

He never sleeps, He never slumbers,

He keeps me safe all of the way.

 Today, my through-hiker passed the 100 mile mark, only 2,550 miles to go. Just look at his legs and his shoes!

Our family needs an intervention! We have become addicted to SPOT, the tracking device that Stephan carries on his pack. Yesterday, he turned it off to save battery because he was resting some very sore, tired ankles and feet. We all freaked out. No less than 30 texts went back and forth between all of Stephan’s siblings. Granny Hat had a mild panic attack, was checking and rechecking the SPOT app every five minutes. Then I was reminded about the weeks of backpacking my family members have done over the years with me tending the garden at home. It was rare to get an occasional phone call or text. You get used to the “no news is good news” idea. But now with SPOT we feel entitled to know where he is at all times. We are calming down now and getting used to the rhythm of his trail and his schedule. And learning to trust in God and in Stephan’s trail wisdom more than on a device that needs batteries to blink.

And per my post several days ago, MISSION has officially passed Julian now and is headed toward Warner Springs, a small community where he can rest, get re-supplied and maybe have a really good meal that he didn’t have to flash boil. He says an Aussie friend on the trail named him MISSION because he wears a cross around his neck and is a man on a mission. I like the name, it fits Stephan’s personality. He has tremendous focus and determination. I guess you need those two qualities to endure an adventure like this. Thank you for keeping up with me. And one more: Eagle Rock