Tim's Blog (Original, No?): 12/01/2005

The Exception Proves the Rule

Ordinarily I do not participate in "tags" or "I’ll tell you about me if you tell me about you" lists. Although I do not find anything inherently objectionable about this activity (notice I qualified that statement with the word, "inherently"), my personal preference is not to take part in such doings. However, at the request of my good friend C.S. Hayden, I shall briefly step out of character and respond to his "tag," albeit a rather tardy response.

In this case, the exception proves the rule. :>)

Seven things I hope to do before I die:
1. Travel and explore Great Britain; Switzerland; Italy; Greece; Ireland; Scandinavia; Israel; Australia; Hawaii; Alaska; Egypt; the beaches of Normandy, France.
2. Watch—in person—the Philadelphia Phillies win the World Series.
3. Own a home (not necessarily a year-round home) on 50+ acres in the mountains of Virginia, Colorado, or Montana.
4. Own my own business.
5. Marry a beautiful, godly, like-minded girl who desires—and understands what it means—to be my helpmeet.
6. Become a proficient guitarist.
7. Lead my family, serve in leadership within my local church assembly, and, possibly, serve in local or state government.

Seven things I cannot do well:
1. Play the guitar (it would probably helped if I practiced).
2. Consistently discipline myself in order to reach my personal goals.
3. Keep my room in order.
4. Serve a tennis ball.
5. Maintain regular correspondence with all of my many long-distance friends.
6. Imagine the world without Google.
7. Blog on a regular, consistent basis.

Seven things that would attract me to my future wife (i.e., a list of my "prettyorities"):
1. Demonstrates consistent, visible evidence of her faith in Christ through her works (James 2:18).
2. Has great sense of humor (can "take it" and "give it").
3. Has optimistic, but realistic, personality; loves life, but is ready to accept and embrace God’s workings—"good" and "bad"—as the continued revelation of His sovereign plan for her.
4. Is "real" in every sense of the word.
5. Is a natural beauty. ;>)
6. Is a "Calvinist."
7. Enjoys strenuous outdoor activities.

Seven things I say often:
1. "What in the world?!"
2. "Good gravy, man!"
3. "To the right."
4. "You gotta be kidding me."
5. "Bweee."
6. "I’m sorry, what?"
7. "Heh, heh, heh."

Seven authors, books or series I enjoy:
1. God’s Word
2. Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
3. The Screwtape Letters
4. Charles Dickens
5. Charles Spurgeon
6. Mark Twain
7. The Pilgrim’s Progress

Seven movies I have enjoyed (but do not necessarily endorse):
1. Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
2. The Lord of the Rings (Trilogy)
3. The Quiet Man
4. It’s a Wonderful Life
5. Where Eagles Dare
6. The Man Who Knew Too Much
7. Gladiator

Seven people I want to do this:
Since I am generally not a proponent or participant of this type of activity, the tag stops here. Thanks, though, C.S., for the fun!

Big Bend - The Place to Be

I have now lived in Texas for more than two years. During this time I have found little that appeals to me about this state topographically, instead constantly recalling to mind the scenic pleasures of the East Coast and regretting their conspicuous absence. Missing from my Texas life are lush, green grass, tall and mighty trees, rushing rivers, fall foliage, cold temperatures, snow, and many other delights from my former life.

Fast-forward to this past Tuesday. Joining my dad and brother for a two-day, overnight hike, I rode/drove to Big Bend National Park. Departing the house at 4:00 a.m., we arrived at the outskirts of the park around 11:00 a.m. We stopped at the first visitor’s center we encountered, as we needed a back country camping permit to reserve our evening destination. Regrettably, our desired camping spots were already taken, so we had to choose an alternate location. While waiting in line to offer our new choice, smoke started emanating from one of the center’s back rooms. This caused the Ranger inside to immediately evacuate the building. By default my dad and I temporarily became the outdoor guards, informing late-comers to the evacuation party that they weren’t supposed to enter the building. (Apparently the Ranger had no appropriate, "Evacuation underway inside, please stay outside," signs.)

Although guard duty proved very rewarding—what with all the lives we saved and all—it did not quite fit the purpose for our day. Therefore, we soon returned to our vehicle and continued on to another visitor’s center, this one located an additional 40+ minutes into the park and situated directly adjacent to our intended hiking embarkation point. After successfully obtaining the necessary camping permit, we packed on our respective equipment and hit the trail.

Having previously heard eyewitness accounts of Big Bend’s impressive beauty and grandeur, I should have expected the intensity of its natural wonders. However, possessing a prejudiced perspective of Texas, I had taken these accounts with large measures of a particular white seasoning, sub-consciously ascribing to the glowing reports a degree of exaggeration. If anything, what I had heard was so far understated as to leave me completely exposed to sensory overload and shock.

Genuine mountains loomed in front of and all around us. We were surrounded by a miniature version of the Swiss Alps, minus the snow and a few thousand feet. Trees of all shapes and sizes grew everywhere, an homage to the forests of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maine where I had previously hiked.

Our trek into the mountains soon revealed another very pleasing surprise, namely brilliant autumn foliage! Pockets of leaf-changing forest abounded below, above, and around us, with varying hues of gold, crimson, and umber offering themselves for our collective appreciation. As my previous experience with this manner of foliage had occurred only in the autumn season, my surprise was very great to see such a blessed sight at the end of December. However, autumn color is autumn color no matter in what month it is found, and I rejoiced at the goodness of the Lord to allow me its two-day enjoyment.

The first day of our hike guided us up many switchbacks in the trail, plotting our route along the mountainside and granting us many beautiful views of the surrounding summits. Because of our packs, the hour of the day, and the relative strenuousness of the trail, we soon became quite warm and developed rather annoying sore spots on our shoulders and hips from the combination of sweat and the constant friction of pack straps. However, we persevered through these minor inconveniences, and I am particularly proud of John’s forbearance in the midst of this hardship (his backpack was ill-fitted for his height and weight, and therefore he struggled the most with chafing). This was his first "real" overnight hike, and he acted the part of a man throughout.

Reaching our halting point for the evening—a campsite on the Northeast Rim—around 4:30 p.m., we changed shirts and socks and setup camp. Because ground fires are prohibited in Big Bend, our dinner consisted of canned tuna fish, a whole wheat roll, and applesauce. A few handfuls of trail mix and a seemingly unlimited supply of water rounded out our meal. (The park website repeatedly stressed the importance of packing prodigious amounts of water, and so we did. Give the cool temperature and time of year, suffice it to say that we were more than adequately prepared.)

Following dinner we read from Jeremiah 9, as well as from several other Scripture passages. We discussed the truths outlined in these selections and pondered the goodness of God in revealing Himself to us through His Word. Our time of reading and discussion ended with the darkening of the day, and we retired to our tent to await the appearance of the stars.

What a glorious, awesome night sky we saw! Abraham’s promise of future seed in number "as the stars of the heaven" took on a new dimension as we marveled at the mighty creation of God. Everywhere one looked in the milky blackness above, countless dots of white light shone back at him. Regrettably, being astronomically illiterate I was only able to identify the Big Dipper among the great constellations. However, although I could read very little from the night sky, its sheer brilliance of magnitude was evidence enough of my Creator’s power and might. Shooting stars and planet sightings completed our star gazing for the night, and we retired to bed at the late hour of 8:00 p.m.

My sleep was somewhat restless, being founded upon the solid rock of hard-packed earth, but, save for a single nighttime jaunt into the woods, I slept relatively well until 7:30 a.m. Of the three of us, I can successfully lay claim to having the greatest ability to sleep soundly in a tent with 40 m.p.h. winds whipping around us and the real threat of bears and mountain lions wandering through our camp. (Each campsite is equipped with a bear-proof metal "safe," specifically designed for holding any and all food brought by hikers bedding down for the night. It is mandatory for every edible item in the camp to be placed in this container before one retires to bed.) Sleep is sleep, I suppose. :>)

Breaking camp at about 8:15 a.m. the next morning, we briskly commenced our hiking for the day in an effort to neutralize the chilly morning air. Retracing the previous day’s steps for about a mile, we then took an alternate route down the mountain, one that was steeper but more direct. This path led us down the other side of the mountain, and we enjoyed views that comparatively dwarfed the vistas seen on Tuesday. From our vantage point at the top of precipice we could see the surrounding mountain peaks on level with our own, as well as the visitor’s center and base point located in the middle of the valley below. It was easy to understand why the valley is called "The Basin," as the encompassing mountains appeared to form the walls of a vast bowl. As far as the eye could see stretched mountain, forest, and sky so blue it didn’t seem real. How I did rue the absence of a wide-angle camera lens!

Continuing down the trail we were greeted by a never-ending cascade of awe-inspiring vistas. Between the autumn tones of winter and the glorious sight of rising mounds of rock, our thirst for natural beauty was sated. What a truly mighty and awesome God we serve.

A downhill journey tends to go quickly, in spite of repeated stops along the way to admire the scenic panorama. We reached the visitor’s center parking lot around 11:00 a.m., and soon were on our way out of the park and headed toward home. The unforgettable two-day slice of Heaven was finished.

For this sometimes unwilling and ungrateful resident of Texas, these past two days were an eye-opener into one of Texas’ redeeming features. Big Bend National Park is an earthly treasure of the first degree, and one I hope to partake of again. Many thanks to my dad for putting together this hiking endeavor and for coordinating everything so well. How sweet it was to enjoy a genuine overnight hike with my dad and my brother for the first time. Lord-willing, it will not be our last.

Hmm. An exciting start to any hike.

Yeah, baby!

We headed for Laguna Meadows.

A veritable river of autumn hues.

Lookin' good, kid.

"Doe, a deer, a female deer."

Is that a rifle?

Overnight hiking veteran extraordinaire.

Plotting the next day's route.

Multi-generational hiking at its finest.

Did someone say autumn?

The real thing was even better.

"Heh, heh, heh."

Oh, for a wide-angle lens.

Thank you, C.S. Without your teaching example this shot would have never been possible.

A close-up of our beginning point and final destination.

Posing on the peak.

A little up and down.

Almost at the bottom!

Congrats, young man. You went, you saw, and you made it home to tell the stories. Good hiking!

December BBQ

This post is somewhat "after-the-fact,"but I neglected to finish it in a more timely manner. Thus you shall read a little bit of history today.

Two Saturdays ago, my family and I enjoyed the fine hospitality of the Torreses, joining them, together with several other families, at their home for a magnificent meal of BBQ’d chicken and accompanying fixings. Partaking of the fellowship were the Vaughan, Manteufel, Botkin, and Sarratt families, as well as Michael Fowl.

Although I am often wont to voice my displeasure regarding the year-round warm weather of San Antonio, I must admit that there are times when a warm December day triumphs over my usual wintry preference. A December BBQ in New Jersey would be rather an impossibility, you know.

Mr. Torres commenced our day with Scripture reading and prayer, after which we repaired to conversation, Dutch Blitz, and volleyball. I chose volleyball as my primary activity for the day, and we played game after game (breaking momentarily for a delicious meal) until car headlights were called in to fend off the darkness.

Our day of fellowship was sweet, and the opportunity for godly interaction between families and friends most delightful. How good it is for Christians to commune one with another, be it in worship, work, or play. Many thanks to the Torres family for yet another day of Christian fellowship and hospitality.

Stylin' on the court.

Is that a rising or a falling volleyball?

Hmm. The dessert table guards appear a little guilty.

Lourdes, Elizabeth, Anna Sophia, and David in conversation.

Chocolate cake: a great ending to any day.

Random Pic of the Day - "To the right, my friends."

Here We Come A-Caroling

For the past several years in New Jersey, my family hosted a Christmas caroling get-together, caroling through our neighborhood and at a nearby nursing home. This was a blessed time of fellowship and fun, as well as an opportunity to minister to our unsaved neighbors with songs remembering the precious gift of Christ’s birth. Always a special night, we would sing until our voices grew hoarse and then return to my home for food, drinks, games, and Christian fellowship.

Well, this Christmas season my family is in San Antonio, Texas. Missing is the beautiful cold, the chance for snow, the crisp night air tinged with that special scent reserved solely for frosty temperatures. Missing are the friends of my "younger" youth, my neighbors of fifteen+ years, the familiar haunts of my hometown. Yet these special passing gifts, wonderful as they were, were wonderful only because of God’s grace and His eternal gift of salvation to us. That eternal gift remains mine this year, and therefore this year I was able to enjoy the privilege of Christmas caroling with family and friends in the great city of San Antonio.

Last night our group of carolers descended upon the neighborhood of Fall Creek, gathering at my former residence and current bachelor pad of Shannon Moeller, Michael Fowl, and Nathan Barnes. Shannon, Nathan (in absentia, due to his sister’s 16th birthday party in Colorado), and Michael graciously hosted the night, making their house available for pre- and post-caroling activity and fellowship. Meeting at the house around 7:00 p.m., we divvied up caroling booklets and candles (brought and suggested, respectively, by the Hubers) and headed outside to spread joy and Christmas cheer to the unsuspecting neighborhood.

The neighborhood’s level of unpreparedness for our singing became quite apparent as we received no answers to our doorbell ringing/door knocking at the first two houses we visited. Our third try was successful, but the fourth house also gave no answer to our salutation. However, as we plunged forward with our caroling endeavors, our success rate increased and we ended up singing to an audience at about ten or so homes.

Our list of Christmas carol favorites included Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; Angels from the Realms of Glory; Joy to the World; What Child is This; Silent Night, Holy Night, Good Christian Men Rejoice; It Came Upon the Midnight Clear; and others. After a few "test" sessions, we settled upon two verses of two carols per house, finishing each performance with We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Although our reception varied from house to house, by far the general attitude of the neighborhood was one of gratitude and pleasure. Once couple stated "you have made Christmas season," and a young family came outside while we were across the street and asked us to come sing to them. (‘Tis interesting to note the cultural acceptance of songs about Christ during this time of year, and a general rejection of Him throughout the rest of the year. Certainly this reality varies by community and household, but I doubt we would have received such a warm reception had we gone a-caroling in July.)

Once finished with caroling, we returned to the Bachelor Pad for blessed warmth, hot chocolate, hot cider. . . Oh, wait, this is San Antonio. Never mind.

We repaired to the Bachelor Pad for an evening of games, fellowship, and good food and drink. Before walking inside we discarded our very melted candles, hitherto our means of light and sight. Some of our company had diligently dripped wax onto their persons, thereby molding their candles to their hands. An array of intriguing shapes and designs ensued, with Shannon and Anthony sharing the prize for most "interesting." The requisite photos were taken, and then we tramped inside.

All manner of sweets, snacks, and even some veggies (thank you, Puckes!) greeted our return. Pies, cookies, crackers and cheeseball, chips, etc., satisfied our stomachs, and hot chocolate, hot cider, and sparkling grape juice quenched our thirst. Dutch Blitz and foosball were our games of choice, and plenty of conversation rounded out our evening.

Many, many thanks to Nathan, Shannon, and Michael for their gracious hosting. Without the blessing of their preparation and their house, our night of caroling and fellowship would not have been possible. Thanks also to all who came and made the evening enjoyable through their contributions of food and fellowship. I am truly grateful to have such fine friends with whom to share such a night.

Regrettably, my camera batteries died on me prior to my taking a single photo during our caroling. Therefore, I only have a few photos from our post-caroling fellowship (I changed batteries upon returning to the house). Enjoy.