Denver Seminary

My healing is coming along. Thanks to all who have forwarded their prayers. I’d like to say that I have been resting quietly in God during this time of gentle healing, but I would be a liar. I have taken it a little easy, but the draw of the wild never seems to rest in me. There’s just something about being out in wild places that makes my heart beat faster.

I had a brief hunting trip planned and was debating whether or not to go. On the “no go” side was the idea that I could slip or fall or hurt myself somehow in my reduced capacity. On the “go” side was pretty much everything else--so I went. This was the first of two hunting excursions. Each year I usually do one weekend elk hunt with a couple friends and a longer hunt with my dad and a group of guys.

I had low expectations for my weekend trip and was still hobbling on a cane. I figured I’d just gaze at the views of the Gore Range, do a little studying and marvel at God’s work.

As the primary support member, I dropped off the other guys and then drove down a 4wd road where I would pick them up later in the day. Just in case a big fat elk came wandering by, I decided to take my rifle and peek into the woods. After just a short hobble, I heard some noise, followed it and found some elk. I took one and called my friends on the radio for assistance.

After shooting an elk, my first action is always to pray a prayer of thanksgiving. I place my hand on the animal and thank God for His creation and provision. These animals are big and can feed a family for months. While the hunt holds excitement, I know that everything out here belongs to God. I’m not going to make some corny statement about how this elk is actually manna or something, but it is pretty cool that this creation can provide for a family of four for many months.

My second trip, although longer, yielded no meat. This trip included setting up a camp and spending eight nights sleeping rough. The snow rolled in and covered the area.

The temps dropped to near record lows, our water froze, and we shivered each night in restless sleep.

Throughout the week, I still felt blessed. The setting was amazing. I marveled at the patterns in the frost, the clouds, trees and vistas.

Most of all, I thanked God that I could share this time with my 70-year-old-father.

What a place and what an experience…I am truly blessed.