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20TH IN OREGON (PART 6… THE LAST OF OUR ANNIVERSARY TRIP)
Jen Mininger • Oct 28, 2019
20th in Oregon, Part 6
Korey and I spent our last morning soaking in the farm, walking around and exploring. With very little pressure of time, we got to talk about all sorts of things in these slow moments.
Together, we imagined the stories that were lived there on that farm, which led us into conversations of imagining fun ideas for our story. One was of us flying out to the west coast and paying $50 bucks to some farmer for his old abandoned truck. We would then (somehow) fix it up enough to drive it all the way back to PA… and, of course, we would take all the back roads and I would be sipping more ginger water!
Such fun we had dreaming and imagining out in the fields with broken down trucks. And now, when I see this picture (above), I am reminded of the value of being slow together…its not always easy to slow down, relax and be present like that… but , oh SO WORTH THE INVESTMENT! It was so good to get away. To clear our schedules for a bit and spend time with the lite side of each other. Life is full, really intense at times... and God gives breathers!
So we looked off into the distance…do you see it? That mountain peak beyond the red truck?
“Smith Rock," said to be one of the 7 wonders of Oregon… and the possible birthplace of the American sport, mountain climbing. That was our next destination… our last destination before we would head to the airport. We were looking forward to this beautiful hike… more sweet moments together… and seeing something so majestic…
Sort of ironic name for the trail we chose to take. “Misery Ridge." ”Most difficult!" Seriously?! We just enjoyed a “breather” from the heaviness... we relaxed and soaked in the lite parts of life… and now here we are next to a beautiful mountain having a very heavy, honest and difficult conversation! Amazing how quickly things can turn, huh?!!
We almost left, skipped the hike, we just didn’t feel like it anymore..
But instead, we stepped into an honest conversation… more tears were shed… and somehow God brought some healing to another broken place inside of us. After sitting in it for a bit… after considering leaving… we somehow got up! We got up, we chose life amidst the pain of our hard talk. We hiked “misery trail” and it was so good.
And, ya know…I think this picture (above) sums it all up perfectly… our Oregon trip, our marriage… heck, life in general!
Cause, do you see those people? They were SO HIGH up there relishing in the moment… seeing the beauty and feeling their accomplishment. We could hear their voices from the distance. They were laughing and talking… and soaking in their victory over defeat. It took hard work, great risk, investment, dependence on friends, adrenaline…trust… no doubt, it also required; disappointment, failures, mistakes, injury (of heart and bones), it also took hope, dreaming, and believing that there was something beautiful to look forward to. It took resolve to not quit, a will to keep pressing on and looking forward to the goal.
And there they stood, at the top…they arrived… and it was worth it! Worth the struggle, worth the risk, worth the injuries, worth the falling and slipping and getting back up again.
Honestly, our marriage has had moments of enjoying places of beauty and arrival… and it IS. SO. GOOD.
But, ya know..these mountain climbers… they can’t stay up there... they will run out of food. They need to go to work. They need to continue living the rest of life.
…and so do we. Mountain top experiences are great… they are worth the effort to get there... but in reality, you don’t stay there- you can’t… but you can look forward, with hope that their will be another one. The best is not always behind you….and not necessarily ahead of you either.
The life that happens “in between” the mountain top experiences can be so painful, sometimes mundane, sometimes unknown, sometimes hard work, sometimes hopeless, sometimes...you name it! But, the “in between” is REAL life and is SO valuable. The in between is what makes those mountain top moments so stunning! The “in between” seasons will require patience, hope, hard work, longing, perseverance, tears…and looking at life honestly, so we can embrace and stay focused on our reality…our right now…all the while focusing and hoping for what lies ahead.
What’s ahead? Well, if you look at that photo again… real close… you will see other climbers on the side of that mountain. Some sitting, some climbing… they were doing the “in between”… they were pressing towards their goal (or possibly, sitting down and considering “going back down”). They didn’t reach that mountain top yet, they didn’t know EXACTLY what it would look like, how long it would take to get there, what struggles would come upon them. In a sense they couldn’t see the forest through the trees. They had to stay very focused on each small and valuable step in front of them…all the while knowing that each “little” step was worth it..it was progress.
Are you like me? Do you also forget how valuable today’s little steps are? I can’t see the big picture… I don’t always know why I am stepping in a certain direction… but God does. He sees… He knows .. He has the big picture perspective… and I just need to take my moment by moment, day by day steps… (I am not simplifying this…remember what the climbers possible experienced on their way up?)
So the picture reminds me to embrace the process of the here and now…or at least be ok with it and choose to LIVE IN it - or despite it! To keep going, to trust and know that God is good, He is creative and can be trusted.
With this big picture perspective, I hope that I can better relish in the mountain top experiences AND continue doing the struggle in between, where memories are made and strength of heart is built.
Psalm 84:5-7… (Jen’s blending of versions here) “blessed is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to God’s presence. Passing through valleys of weeping and winding through lonesome valleys. They come upon brooks, discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain! They go from strength to strength while on these God-traveled roads. They curve up the mountain, and at the last turn—Zion! God in full view!”
If our trip, our visuals, our brokenness, or our hope encouraged you, please let me know how… email me at jen@layeredphotography.com. Or share these posts on facebook or instagram (@jenminingerphotography) or over coffee with a friend, so that you too can encourage someone else with the encouragement that you have received!
Has this picture inspired YOU like it has me?
…if you are encouraged to embrace the process that your in the middle of, to trust and accept the struggle when you can’t see the end result…or to relish in your mountain top moments... then maybe you also want to hang THIS on YOUR wall…
If that is you, then I would love for you to order it right here!
It is an 8×10 print (available in either color or black and white) in an 11×14 black frame that is hand lettered by @bethmartin (um..yes, she is amazing and you can definitely hire her for your own hand lettering projects! email Beth at emrmartin58@gmail.com).
To purchase… just click here my friends!!
Thank you for walking with me…with us!
Sincerely,
Korey and Jen
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Bobbie went from full hustle to full halt and discovered what God can do in a valley season.
It ached to hear the harsh words that she knew could be her own, yet it felt so safe and reassuring to know that God sees her and wants her to have new lyrics in her own heart.
Acknowledging the dark as well as the light feels so honest and helpful in these moments. Although, I will warn, that it can also feel raw and not always easy, YET it is a kindness to ourselves when we start with honesty, isn't it? It is both, difficult and kind.
Letting go.. or saying "no" can be SO HARD ! We don't want to, we'd rather be awesome, all the time, in all the things! BUT... is that really working for you and your people? What do you need to steward (manage, maximize or multiply) better? Do you need to let go of something so that you may better steward something of more value… for a season?
Tracy leaned into the old car unafraid of the dirt and rust that she was now touching.
As I said in an email to my Belize Trip Prayer Team.. “ I am thankful. Actually, I am dumbfounded, humbled and in awe.”
C O N T A C T
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