Valleys & Mountains: Part 1

Valleys & Mountains: I think that (and these cool pic's) pretty much sums up the past post-less six weeks this blog has endured. I search for words to give an 'explanation' for my absence...buuuut, none so sincere as "valleys & mountains" seems to cut it. Hmmmm, okay maybe "lowest valleys & highest mountains".
Have I lost you?
Blogging is such an interesting phenomenon. It's the ultimate battle between making what one thinks will be an interesting post for their readers versus what you really, truly want to say and share....which may not always be interesting, as you are probably finding out now :)
Back to what I was already finished saying: "Valleys & Mountains". K, I'm done.
For now.
MUCH has happened around here. But what really counts is what I will write about. Let's seeeee....yes! Family Camp, what a time! My home church, people receiving the Holy Ghost and being baptized almost every service! Donkey Rock, one of the BEST last minute decisions I have EVER made! My family, all well and accounted for and busy as usual.
And me, renewed and refreshed after a rough trek through the valley. The valley. An interesting place to be, in a spiritual sense. Where what truly matters surfaces from beneath the murkiness of life, where one reaches the turning point or the point of no return; where suffering becomes your companion and sorrow your friend; where the footsteps of God softly traipse alongside you, waiting to be acknowledged, to be reached for; tried, refined, defined; the sharp sting of loneliness, the faithful presence of the omnipresent Creator; where solid foundations form beneath the shifting sand. The valley. Simply a part of the Christian journey, what Peter refers to as "the trial of your faith". We all have them...

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12-13

but what is important is that we hold to Him and come out stronger...

1"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" 1 Peter 1:7

Take it from a guy who should know.

But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10