Climbing a Mountain

I was looking through an old notebook this evening for a quote I remembered writing down probably 10 years ago. It was from the book Fahrenheit 451. While looking for it, I stumbled upon some notes I remember jotting down right after my first backpacking trip up in Idaho. It was the first time I had hiked all the way up a mountain. Having grown up in Missouri which is no where near any mountains, I found it to be a wonderful experience I never imagined I'd have. I wrote down some notes relating the experience to life, and reading them tonight was something I really needed. I figured I'd share them here :)

May 7, 2006

Climbing A Mountain

• When we can't see around the corner of the trail, we just need to have faith that Heavenly Father knows what's in store for us. We don't need to see that far ahead if we have faith.
• Sometimes people feel like they have to be strong and brave, and they can't show any weakness. That's why we need to check on them. We need to make sure that our brothers and sisters are okay because they won't always tell us.
• Sometimes the trail seems so long and we're not sure we can make it to the end. We're not even sure we can go a little farther. But then, with Heavenly Father's help, we do go farther. Then we're so tired, we know that since we have Heavenly Father's help, we can keep going if we need to, but He shows us the end. And we're so grateful that we asked for His help, and that we made it to the end. It hurts so good to be where we are, to be a little more acquainted with God.
• When we're in parts where there is no trail, where we only can use our faith to find our way. And you fall down so many times. And you want to just give up, you just want to be done. It's taking so long. And you realize it may seem harder and longer for you than for anyone else, but it's so worth it! You've accomplished something! You did something you didn't think you could, and that gives you strength to go out and conquer some more.

So glad I found that :) Now, if only I could find that Fahrenheit 451 quote . . .

A Few of my Favorite Things . . .

Sometimes I forget about the things I love. I think we all tend to get caught up in different aspects of our lives. But we need to remember to stop and smell the roses. This blog entry is all about two of my "roses" - the things that I enjoy just because they make me happy :)

Reading. 

I LOVE TO READ! Maybe it's my midwest upbringing that makes me love boring books about farmers, the dust bowl, pioneers, etc. just normal everyday people living life on the plains. My favorite authors are:

Willa Cather

Betty Smith

and

I just love words. They're so much better than watching any movie. They paint a much clearer picture in my head.

I also love reading nonfiction, especially hilarious memoirs. Tina Fey, Alan Alda, & Ellen DeGeneres to name a few. And I love collecting and reading beautiful old books.

Maps.

I LOVE TO STUDY MAPS! I think I'm more of a spatial learner. 

I remember sitting in my grandpa's truck or the family van and being enthralled over the contents of the old Rand McNally Road Atlas. Quizzing each other on state capitals or mapping all the possible routes for our trip and calculating the mileage to the next city. I especially love topo maps. I love finding all the backroads and shortcuts.

Now, combine these two loves:

A bookshelf in the shape of the United States! I love this!!!

On a completely unrelated note, my birthday's coming up ;)