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The Long Walk 2010
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Walking back a lifetime.
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I decided on this destination for my Long Walk, because I hadn't been there for 30 years. Last time I went there was with a youth group from church. I was a Christian at the time and it was a fantastic weekend. I remember Rainbow Falls so well. Remembered the ferns lining the walls of the gorge, the crystal clear rock pool. Having walked away from Jesus for the ensuing years and turned back to Him in September 2008, I decided to return to the place that inspired me so much as a child.
I took my 4WD and sleeping bag with an abundance of food (as it turned out) and went off-road. There were a number of beautiful lookouts and then a 2 km walk to the falls themselves. It was a cool but clear day and I loved the exhilaration of the walk. There were beautiful birdsongs all around. I had my iPhone and recorded little snippets of messages and inspiration as I walked or felt close to God.
Overnight, I had a glorious sleep and woke before the sun. It was drizzling rain. Ate breakfast and decided on a whim to revisit the falls. As I walked along the path, the mist was thick. In places I couldn't even see the next turn in the path. Eventually I went past the lookout and couldn't see anything but mist. Hoping that the trek wasnt going to be a waste now. Finally got to the falls and snapped off some awesome pictures. Just felt so inspired. The rain didnt bother me, coz I knew that it would just be me and God. Just the way I wanted it. But the message from God in this weekend was that even when things look very gloomy and cheerless, that I should press on and know that at the end of it all is a great prize.
So, it was just God's way of saying, "Andrew, just keep doing what you are doing. Eventually it is going to turn around for you. Be patient and trust me". If somebody else said that to me, I would have second thoughts, but when it is God talking - I just know that He loves me and wants to help and bless me. Having the initial outing behind me now, I reckon that the next one will happen not too far away. There is just something amazing about waiting on the Lord.
Photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=229352&id=546899282&l=36e4ca5f7b
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jackoslife 07/09/2010 08:11 |
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Yoli-Ann
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07/09/2010 11:38 |
Wow! What a beautiful experience! :-) God is amazing!
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Calico
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07/09/2010 11:41 |
Nice, brother,
I resonate with what you've said here: "it was just God's way of saying, 'Andrew, just keep doing what you are doing. Eventually it is going to turn around for you. Be patient and trust me.' "
My experience on The Long Walk met with a similar intonation from Him. :-)
Blessings, Andrew,
Tom
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Kelley
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07/14/2010 21:55 |
Awww I can't see your pics, can you email them to me?
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jackoslife
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07/18/2010 05:22 |
I sent the pics to Kelley. If anyone else has problems viewing them, let me know. They are awesome pics :)
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Claire Stanniland
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07/18/2010 19:18 |
Wow, stunning pics. Praise God that you had such a blessed time with Him.
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in His name
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07/19/2010 13:54 |
wow! I love it when God shows up like that! It gives me chills!
Awesome pictures too!
Thanks for sharing. Sometimes, I pathetically forget about the times when God has very clearly shown up in my life and i then He brings an inspiring story (such as yours) to remind me of the times he's shown up in my life!
God bless you!
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