Summer Fun: Trails

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

National Trails Day is June 7, 2009. Hiking, horseback riding, and biking can be enjoyable forms of exercise. It is a wonderful way to explore and experience God’s creation. Taking the proper precautions can keep these activities fun and safe. Neglecting to do so can lead to an emergency.

The most important thing to bring is water. Never go on a hike, no matter how short or easy you may think it is, without a water supply. It is a good idea to bring water purifying tablets or some other means of purifying water along as well. No matter what the weather is like, you can easily become dehydrated or suffer from heat exhaustion if you do not drink plenty of water. In addition, it is a good idea to bring food along. It will help give you energy for the hike and in the event of an emergency (i.e. getting lost), it can help sustain you. These things as well as the other essentials should be stored in a backpack.


10 essentials (besides food and water) are:
1. Map
2. Flashlight/headlamp. Make sure you have extra batteries. Better yet, have some that are not battery operated but that you wind up instead.
3. Compass or hand-held GPS
4. First aid supplies. Bring extra of any medicines you must take.
5. Matches (stored in a waterproof container)
6. Fire starter
7. Pocket knife
8. Extra clothing
9. Sturdy hiking boots that grip the ground well and don’t hurt your feet.
10. Hat


Other things to bring include:
sunglasses, sun screen, rain gear, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, trash bag, insect repellent, rope, and more. Depending on the terrain you will be hiking in, other essentials may apply. Hiking in cold climates and on mountains requires special care. You do not want to get hypothermia or frostbite. Find out if you are in an avalanche prone area. Research the necessary equipment and make sure you are well equipped! Some things you might need include: gloves, ice picks, special kinds of warm clothing, special spiked boots, etc.


If you plan to take dogs along, check to see if the trail allows dogs. Also, is the trail appropriate for dogs? Some may be too dangerous for a dog to come along on; the dog may pull you over a cliff or may accidentally run off the cliff itself. The normal rule for trails that allow dogs is that dogs must be on a leash and the owner must clean up after the dog.


Most of the recommended supplies for hiking would also apply to horseback riding and biking. If you want to ride on horseback or bicycle, please check first to see if the trail is suitable. The trail should be as flat as possible, wide enough, and of course, allow horses or cycling.


Hiking trails range from easy to strenuous and from safe to dangerous/risky. Babies and little kids should, as a general rule, not be taken on strenuous or risky hikes. I personally have hiked a trail where a few steps to the left would have sent me plummeting to the ocean hundreds of feet below. I definitely clung to the natural rock wall on my right! At the end of the hike, the view of the ocean and skyline was gorgeous but I still would not do it again especially with a young one! Most of our hikes have an element of danger to them but that one was just too dangerous. Please use common sense while hiking. If it begins to grow dark, you run out of water, or some other mishap occurs and you have not reached the end of the hike yet, do not hesitate to turn back, return to your vehicle, and try again a different day. It is not worth risking your life over.


Some final safety tips:
Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. Once you return, be sure to call the person and let him/her know you are safe.
Do not wander off the trail.
Do not eat any mushrooms (or other plants) along the trail; most of them are poisonous.
Make a moderate amount of noise (talking, singing, etc.) when walking in bear territory; bears are not likely to approach you and this way neither you nor the bear will be caught by surprise.
Pay attention to weather reports and the conditions you will be hiking in.
Stay together. Keep a close eye on little ones and hold their hands while hiking.

Is anybody happier
Because you passed his way?
Does anyone remember
That you spoke to him today?
This day is almost over,
And its toiling time is through;
Is there anyone to utter now
A friendly word for you?
Can you say tonight in passing
With the days that slipped so fast,
That you helped a single person,
Of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing
Over what you did or said?
Does one whose hopes were fading
Now with courage look ahead?
Did you waste the day, or lose it?
Was it well or poorly spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness
Or a scar of discontent?
~Anonymous (emphasis mine)

Miss Alyssa, a 15 year old homeschooler, is interested in writing and film-making for the glory of God and the furtherance of His Kingdom. She is passionate about reaching the unreached with the Gospel. She blogs at One Nation Under GOD.

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A Family Thanksgiving

by Lady Jess

A few years ago a dear friend to our family went to heaven. We had had him over to our Thanksgiving dinner just a few weeks before his death. As I found out about this, I turned to my dad and told him that I wanted to have people over, who didn't have any family, every year at Thanksgiving. We have been doing that ever since. I enjoy it so much. All of our family lives so far away that, we sort of adopt different people every year, whose family is not alive, or is also too far away.

Last year we had over a dear sweet elderly lady that is deaf. Our family kinda adopted her as a grandma several years ago and we hope to have her over again this year. Do you have a neighbor that your parents can invite over for dinner? How about an elderly widow from your church? Our family saw the need to invite over people who don't have anyone, but maybe the people you know feel uncomfortable coming over. For them you can take a hot plate of food over to them with some flowers. Maybe you can think about anonymously delivering a turkey and a box of groceries to a needy family too.

Every year we have a healthy dinner. We plan it around the South Beach Diet. It is always so good. We use whole wheat bread for our homemade stuffing, sweet potatoes, sugar free jam and things like that. I love not feeling sluggish after I have finished eating. My mom and I worked hard at eliminating as much fat and sugar from our Thanksgiving dinner. Our guests never know the difference.

It's The Journey That Matters

The other day I saw a bride hug her daddy for the last time as she prepared to leave for her honeymoon. What a sweet moment that was! My daughter, Moni, looked at me and said, "Mom, are you crying?" As a matter of fact I was crying. You see I can remember the last hug I ever gave my daddy before he passed away. I recall that moment like it was yesterday. He walked into my room and out of no where just hugged me and didn't let go. He held me in his arms and told me how much he loved me. I remember thinking, "Wow this is nice, but I wonder what this is all about." You see, it wasn't like my dad to do that with me. I can remember that hug as if it just happened five minutes ago. I was standing in the doorway of my room, facing the hallway, when he came in.

About a year later, my dad and I parted ways. It was not a good parting. I was a bitter, immature teen and closed the door of my heart on my dad. The last time I saw him was from a distance as I drove away after refusing to speak to him. A few months later he passed away. I cannot explain to you how much of a burden that was on me for many years later. God dealt mightily with my heart and it took much prayer to come to the place where I could forgive him for his mistakes and confess my own.

Here we are sixteen years later and each time I see a tender moment between a daughter and her daddy, I cry. Father's day is always painful for me. I arrive at church with a smile on my face, wishing all the other dads a happy Father's Day, yet I bite my tongue and hold back the tears. By the time our Pastor stands to give his Father's Day greetings to the congregation I have to excuse myself and take a walk outside. For many years I spend that hour in my car waiting for my family to get out of church.

In my arrogance and immaturity I failed to enjoy the journey. The journey that I took with my dad in the years we did have together. I have a half sister from his second marriage, named Heidi. I didn't get to grow up with my sister, as a matter of fact I barely know her. I had a few days where I got to finally reunite with her before our daddy passed away. I lost touch with her after my departure from town, but she called me a few years after he left this world. You see, she didn't get to know him very well while she was growing up. Heidi wanted to know if everything her mother told her about our daddy was true or not.

I responded with this, "Heidi, our daddy wasn't perfect by any means. He made mistakes just like we do. I can tell you about his mistakes or I can tell you about the wonderful memories I had with him and about the good things." I was so happy to hear her tell me that she chose to know the good things. I was able to share with her all the good times I had with him and about all his interests and hobbies. I bragged about what a good husband he was to our stepmother, Alisha.

My children have never met their Grandpa Philip. Yet, I do all I can to use my mistake as an example to them when it comes to their relationship with their own daddy, my husband. Each day you have an opportunity to spend time with your dad should be seen as a journey. Here is a short list of Do's and Don'ts to consider in honor of Father's Day.

Do tell your daddy that he's your favorite guy in the whole world.
Do tell your daddy how much you love him.
Do kiss him good night every night!
Call him at work and tell him that he's your hero.
Speak kindly and reverently to him.
Greet him at the door when he gets home and offer to carry something for him.
Serve him first at meal time.
Speak softy when he gets upset with you and apologize right away. Even if you think he's wrong.

Don't go to sleep angry with him.
Don't raise your voice at him.
Don't talk back. (Titus 2:9, " Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again" KJV)
Don't talk negative about him to others.
Don't walk away when he's talking to you.
Don't refuse to speak to him. (Giving him the silent treatment is not good for your relationship.)

Some girls hope for the day their dad buys them a red Ford Mustang, takes them to Hawaii, or buys them their first cell phone, but don't make that your focus in your relationship with your daddy. It's not what he gives you that makes the relationship good, it's the journey that matters. Cherish every hug you get!





Topics of Interest: children, fathers, relationships, hugs, dads, parenting, daughters, love, father's day, forgiveness,