Hiking the trail

The three big girls had the opportunity to hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail this past weekend. There girl scout troop had voted that they wanted to do more wilderness activities and so backpacking the AT was added as a spring activity. The adventure would mean being dropped off at on section of the trail and carrying everything they would need with them for 2 nights and hiking over 10 miles to a pick up point.

My kids were keen for this adventure and I helped them gather backpacking supplies. I bought 2 internal frame backpacks at an online yard sale and borrowed another pack, a compression sleeping bag, and mats. They were all geared up and full of smiles as I dropped them off at the meeting place.

A little bit of me worries about them when they do things like this but most of me is thrilled for their experience. I know it is good for their souls to be out amidst God's creation and I know that any bad experiences will build character as well as teach them lessons.

On Sunday, when they arrived home. They were exhausted. I mean barely keeping their eyes open: exhausted. I walked Megan to the ladder of her bunk bed and she crashed hard. Em showered first but Rachael also fell asleep immediately. At dinner they were perkier and ready to share some of their experience.

I asked each one about what they wanted to remember from the trip.
Rachael : the stars and the fire
Emma: the stars and the fire
Megan: the views

They were simple memories of visual and physical moments in time. They were moments of beauty.
The girls continued talking and shared that the stars at night were noticeably brilliant, the fire was appreciated for its warmth on a chilly spring night and because it is fire. The views they all agreed were amazing. It did rain the first night and Megan's tent leaked. Emma's hiking boots rubbed her ankles and made them very tender, so much so that Rachael wore them on Sunday to give Em a respite. All of these experiences totaled and shook out to be enjoyable and memorable. We are so privileged to have been able to make this happen.

It's Decision Time

It is coming down to the final weeks of this process. By the end of the month we need to finalize the decision for Emma's college. She applied to 4 colleges and was accepted to all four colleges. She was also awarded scholarships at all four schools. We visited campuses and then went back again for Decision Day events. It was fun and exciting to walk campuses and envision Emma embarking on new adventures. Then as it got closer to the decision deadline and we had to consider the finances of every increasing tuition and lack of federal aid, the joy for me got sucked out of the journey. Emma has been avoiding conversations about college decisions and I think the money aspect is weighing on her as well. Now we are reviewing the financial aid packages and discussing the debt / value of each option. We have contacted the schools in a hope that they can put some more aid together and now we wait.

Please join us in praying for discernment in the right path for Emma. Please ask God to provide the finances for the path he wants her to take.

Easter 2016

Stations of the Cross, Tenebrae, and Easter Mass. We are so blessed to be able to celebrate the sacrifice and triumph of our Lord.