{please} Prepare me

It feels a bit odd writing on this blog, because it has always been Allison’s space to write, but she has graciously let me guest write for a while. Love you babe! She’s busy anyway right now, as we’ve jumped into homeschooling this semester! But that’s another story she can share.

So I’ll dive right in! During these last 6 months of COVID, It’s been hard for Allison and I to deeply connect with others the way we would like to. We have felt like we are in a period of “preparation.” There is a sense we are being told to hold off what we think God wants us to do and just listen and prepare ourselves for when the time is right. We know this season will come to an end, and when it does we want to be as prepared as we can, taking advantage of this time to prepare our hearts and minds for the future. 

Well you better know the bottom if you wanna be a climber
‘Cause there’s always another one a little bit higher
Just when I think I’m finally done I’m staring at another one
So I reach down deep and I lace ’em up tighter
It was only a mountain, nothing but a big ol’ rock

Over the past 10 years, mountaineering has become a significant part of my life. It has always meant so much more to me than just climbing mountains…it has been my cornerstone to renewing my soul!

In 2015, I spent 21 days on Denali. While it was probably the hardest I have had to push myself mentally and physically, it was also the most full my spirit has ever been. While completely disconnecting from cell phones, computers and even from those I love, I was able to immerse myself in constant communication with God, the Creator of the most spectacular views I’ve ever seen! It is awfully difficult not to praise Him while surrounded by such immense beauty! 

While shivering in my tent for many blizzardy days and nights, I had endless time to pray. And while moving up the mountain, I found that hour after hour the only thing that kept me taking my next step was to talk with God. I had to completely rely on God for EVERYTHING. There was nothing around me I could lean on or get help from except for God. It was just us.  I treasure that time being alone with my Creator, and I came home a new person and ready for what lay ahead.

Fast forward five years and a number of big mountains later… I have a new opportunity before me. I am thrilled to get to be a part of the 2021 Mount Everest expedition! I seriously can’t believe it! I have been dreaming of this climb since the 8^th grade after reading the book Into Thin Air. It inspired me to dream BIG. God has been orchestrating this from the very beginning, and even though I am pretty nervous, I have no doubt I’m supposed to be climbing the tallest mountain in the world in April!

Until then, it’s all about preparation. How fitting right?? Preparation has been our life song for the last 6 months!

One of the things that makes me most excited is the time that I’ll be able to spend with just me and God. But as I was exercising talking to God about going on this expedition, He made it very clear to me that I am not supposed to just renew my soul during the expedition but starting now. God wants to spend time with me while preparing for this adventure. What better time to talk to God than during an hour long, hot, sweaty run?

So for the next 30 weeks, as I train I will devote that time to be prayer time as well. I’ll be talking to God about everything from my own spiritual wellbeing to my business and my family to our country and the world. And of course listening to His voice all the while. 

God has given me another mission…to share my prep and prayer with you. I actually don’t enjoy social media very much, but I am going to try to post every week to update how God showed up in my preparation and what I’ll be praying for each day during the next week. Then maybe you’ll want to join me in praying for the very same things.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I don’t know what I’m more excited for really…this preparation time or the actual climb!

The mountains are calling…. And I must PREPARE!