the Low Down

Into the Wilderness

         I have some solid men in my life.  The kind of guys that you would go to war with.  Literally!  Guys that are trustworthy, courageous, inspiring, honest, and adventurous.  Last month we were hanging out during our normal Wednesday night Bible Study and we were talking about how distracting our lives can be with everything that is going on.  In a moment of inspiration he came up with an idea….” We need to go out to the desert”!! 

Now let me clarify what “going out to the desert means in this context.  It means heading out to the wilderness. It does not mean going out to a condo in Palm Springs.  It does not mean renting a room in Las Vegas.  It does not mean driving out for a round of Golf at La Quinta.  And it most certainly does not mean visiting friends overnight for a relaxing getaway.  It means grabbing the tents and sleeping bags and driving out to a remote road where we can set up camp.

When he threw this idea out there we were all amped.  So we settled on a date and the 3 of us began looking forward to our adventure.  Quickly three became 4 and a fifth was added and leading up to the day of the trip we had 6 guys on board.  There was another last minute adjustment to our plans. A 30 year storm that hit Southern California with the lowest snow levels it has seem in 3 decades.  It was amazing. 

So that Saturday morning we met before sunrise and began to transfer all the gear into two cars.  A Ford F150 and a Toyota Sequoia.  We were on the road in time to see the sun creep over the horizon.  We were fired up and looking forward to a day in solitude.  We made great time into Vacaville and then cut into the mountains on a side road.  The terrain was amazing everything had a fresh coat of powder turning the desert into a winter playground.  We made it to Pioneer town and took one final rest before making our way to camp. 

The main road was nothing more than worn gravel and two shoulders that could barely fit a car if it had to pull over.  We turned off to head into the foothills and were met with roads that were wide enough for one car with snow pilled high on each side of us.  We came to a fork and came to a stop.  Our guide bounced out of his car and asked…”how committed are we?”  We all said “lets do this” and with that we took the road to the left and made our way down a fresh packed road flanked with snow.  Feeling the car slip from left to right and right to left we kept going until we came around the bend only to see our guide’s car gently deposited into the snowy bank.  As we slowed our car followed suit and slid sideways into the 3 foot high white embankment. 

            It was 8am and both cars were stuck on a one way snowy trail.  At this point it is important to disclose that both truck and SUV are 2 wheel drive.  After numerous attempts to push and pull the truck free, we humbled ourselves and went up the road to ask for help.  What we thought was a road was actually a driveway and as we made it to the house we learned that the family had a party to get to and that road we were stuck on was the only way out. 

            The only help he could offer was a huge piece of used carpet.  Used Carpet?? What good was that going to be?  So with 4 shovels and a big piece of Carpet we went to work.  6 hours….SIX hours it took us to dig out and inch our way on the carpet (for traction) down the driveway to a cleared landing that we dug with our own hands.  We made it just in time to get the family out and be free before the sun went down.  So we made it back to the road and decided that the best idea was to just go ho…..errr go look for a campsite at Joshua Tree.

            So we went to the park and found a campsite.  Yeah we were committed to staying the night in the desert.  We found a great site set up two tents and all our gear just in time to enjoy a raging fire.  So we rested and got out of our damp pants and clothes….well most of us.  Some of the guys hadn’t planned for a day of Snow walking and plowing with working up a sweat.  They had nothing to change into. 

It was nice by the fire and the sun was completely down by now.  28 degrees started to drop to 26 then 24.  It was a beautiful night and the guys were starting to make observations.  “did it just get considerably colder?” “My sleeping bag was only $20 at Target will it keep me warm enough?” “My feet can barely feel the fire”.  “The fire seems to be going out” and my favorite upon looking at our friends pants the comment came. “dude you have icicles growing off your jeans”.

            We all started to admit what was really on our minds.  “It was way too cold to sleep out here”, “I’m miserable and want to go home”, “we could be in the car on the way out of here in 30 minutes”, “we could be home and in warm beds by 10pm.”  So that’s exactly what happened.  We broke down camp in record time and were on our way home by 7pm.

            We didn’t end up spending the night in the desert but we certainly went into the wilderness.  We might have come back a little earlier than originally planned but we packed more into that trip than humanly possible.  We came back with great stories, great memories and stronger friendships.  All in all it was worth every minute!!!  Want to go with us on the next trip??  

Pastor Low

I Hope It Fits

I don’t have a tradition or philosophy regarding Christmas Shopping but in my older years I have become more proactive in buying presents for my family.  I am not a big fan of buying presents just because you have to, or buying anything just so you have something to give.  I like to buy present that have meaning or that I know fits someone’s style.  This year I have been uncharacteristically ahead of the game.  This summer I came across a few things for my brother and the rest of the men in my family.  This Fall I was able to go to Peru where I saw a few items that would be perfect for my nieces and Nephews.

When December finally arrived I was almost completely done with my shopping. 

Now this proactive approach comes with a couple very real challenges.  The first challenge is waiting to give these gifts. I just knew that this year’s gifts were going to be enjoyed by my family.  I’m not a very patient man and I genuinely like finding that very cool gift.  So at times it can be torture just waiting. But I have learned that if you just pile them away in a place you don’t see very often you quickly forget you even have them.

            The second challenge comes as a result of buying as you go.  When you pick up presents on vacation its not that easy to drive down to the store and exchange the item in the event it’s not the right one.  When you buy gifts in other countries it’s kinda a pain to return it.  Luckily for me I know my families style but where I am not completely confident is when it came to size. 

            So as I began to wrap this years presents I started to feel a certain anxiety creep in.  I started having a frequent concern echo in my mind…”I Hope it Fits”.  I hope the shirt fits because It was from a store that’s out of business now.  I hope that hat fits because it was from a store that is out of state.  I hope that sweater fits because I’m not sure I’m going back to Peru any time soon.  I hope those slippers fit because I don’t think Miguel does shipping and receiving from his Corner stall at the Lima marketplace.  I hope the sweat suit fits or I’m going to have to explain that they were one of a kind and can’t be exchanged.

            I Hope It Fits.  One by one the presents were unwrapped and the faces lit up.  One by one I had peace of mind return to me.  There was only one last hurdle to navigate.  That was when I noticed how Christmas morning was shaping up.  As everyone made their way through their pile of presents I noticed that three people had placed my gift to them aside to open it last.  The suspense was thick.  I was going to have to endure a grand finale of anxiety.  I’m happy to report that I made it.  To my knowledge all is well and everyone was pleased with their gift. 

So another Christmas is behind us and it was a wonderful celebration of not only the Gift of Jesus Christ to us, but also of the gift we have in each other.  And if that is not enough the icing on the cake was…..It All Fit!!

 

 

Pastor Low