Last night was THE BEAR! The Bear is a hill climb five miles from the bottom of the hill (221) in Linville to the top of Grandfather Mountain. Runners pretty much climb a mile in elevation as they run UP. They have very little flat area and only one little dip. It is tough. It is grueling. It is an accomplishment to finish!
Andrew came up strong - running hard. He passed a guy on the last switchback. He stopped at the top and then realized the finish was pushed back just a little. The guy passed him, but he still was 6th place of about 850 runners with a time below 35 minutes! I was so excited! I was so thankful. Today, as I drove down the 421 mountain, my eyes filled with tears as I thanked God for giving Andrew this great race and great encouragement - which mean so much after almost a year of struggles. He still struggles - he even did some last night - but he can see how it is to overcome with the help of God Who loves him even more than his parents!
We sat in traffic on 105 for a long long time. I was so worried I would not make it up to see him. I knew I would probably get him to the race. We dropped him off and went on up. The first parking lot was full, so they sent us on up to the next which made me very nervous. We were sitting on the mountain in traffic, and it was not fun. I cannot stand that. Then they seemed to be turning us around. By that time, Sam's sugar had not been checked in a while. I was planning on checking him right when we got there. A very nice lady made a way for us to go on up to the very top. It made the night so much easier to get to his snacks, check his bsl, and give him shots. We are thankful for Diana - wherever she is!
We got to see so many people and see so many people fulfill their goals and dreams to finish this race. There is none like it!
When you are on top of Grandfather Mountain, you cannot help but see and feel the majesty of God. The views are beautiful and beyond anything you see anywhere else. The air is different. The thunder rumbled last night and some lightning flashed, but it never rained on us. It cooled a little, and a breeze was blowing. It was such a peaceful night - well, for me. The race organizers were busy working and cleaning up. But you just cannot help but know you are in one of the most special places in the world on top of that mountain. When we relate our good times to being at the top or on the top of the mountain, you can certainly feel where that comes from when you are up there! Such a difference from the bottom to the top. So many places to fall or struggle or fail, but just like those runners pushed through running almost straight up in places, we can get to the top with His help. Sometimes we walk, sometimes we roll back, but He is with us and will keep us on the path and is faithful to be beside us even when we get off the path - if we ask Him.
I thank God for letting me be a part of such a special night. Andrew is 16 1/2, and it weighs heavily on me that he is growing up too fast. When we should be pushing him for independence, we are having to hold him closer and keep him safe - while still trying to show him how to do for himself. It's harder than the usual, much harder. But God is working on me - to show me what to do, to reveal things, and to teach me to trust Him instead of worrying about my feelings or anything I can dream up to worry about! Maybe I will learn more to help me with the other boys and Sam who will have a different situation too.
Isaiah 40:31 has been my favorite verse since high school. I hear it more and more in songs and other places. It amazes me that it has the same meaning but how it helps me more and more. I don't twist the words, but it holds so much meaning that it does fit so many times I have gone through in my life. God knew that when He first brought it to my attention.
Happy Weekend! Some of the boys will help Pete with the Grandfather Mountain Marathon tomorrow. Part of us just went to work on a project and worked hard - the boys helped so much. We need to work on our house tomorrow! They are learning more and more about cleaning, washing clothes, etc. But they have a great handle on helping with Sam's stuff. For that, I am so so thankful. Sunday I have a special service to attend, for Mrs. Cummins. I will be returning to a church I have not been in for years. I grew up there. My dad grew up there. My grandparents were married there and both had their funerals there. I was baptized and married there. The building holds many memories and will probably be much the same. I look forward to being there, as the last time was not a good one. I am hopeful to see how God worked so many tough situations in drawing away from there and hope to feel a peace about the place.
It is thundering here. We hope to have lots of rain. Crack, crack! I love the sound of a thunderstorm.
Have a great weekend!
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