It's been a wonderful summer. Nothing has gone exactly as planned, but everything has had a purpose. I am excited about seeing it draw to a close.
August 20, 2013
This morning found me driving the backroads that lead out to the beautiful Riverwood Campus outside of Louisville, TN. I had an appointment with Gary Spangler, the Executive Director of CCDM at 9 am for the purpose of wrapping up any loose ends about the hike and discussing what might lie ahead. It has been a busy summer for Gary. While I have been off hiking and Blazing New Trails, he has been working with several new challenges in the operation of Riverwood, plus being involved with possible plans for opening another campus location in the mid-west. I also knew that finances were stretched over the past months by unexpected expenses and slower support giving. I really didn't know what to expect from our meeting together.
Gary is an unusual person. Growing up the son of a preacher, he also sensed a desire to serve God in some special way. Blessed with a great voice and a love for music, he grew up singing and performing in many venues. He also enrolled in college to prepare for ministry. His life journey, however, led him to a career in management with Delta airlines. After years of working and rising up within their corporate structure, Gary resigned to take oversite of CCDM. Over the last few years, Gary's gifts of administration and his passion for God and people have done wonders to restore life and stability to the organization.
Something happens when Gary and I get together. It is like one plus one equals four. I have missed those times over the summer while out on the trail.
This morning we fell right back into step, starting back where we had left off in the spring. I left Riverwood today with pages of notes and dreams, and a green light to move ahead in developing them into practical working goals. I also took with me a glimmering hope for seeing the online community developed and the dreams of Blazing New Trails coming to pass.
This afternoon found me driving up the interstate towards the Maryland suburbs of Washington D.C. I will be spending a week or so with my friends, Roger and Helen Ward. Roger is the one who rescued me off the trail a few weeks ago in the heat. He owns a music business and has offered me some much needed temporary work. I will be helping him with inventory and shipping out orders, while at the same time getting ready for the last leg of my hike this year. At some point in the weeks ahead, he will drop me back on the trail to hike into Harpers Ferry.
It's been a wonderful summer. Nothing has gone exactly as planned, but everything has had a purpose. I am excited about seeing it draw to a close.
This morning found me driving the backroads that lead out to the beautiful Riverwood Campus outside of Louisville, TN. I had an appointment with Gary Spangler, the Executive Director of CCDM at 9 am for the purpose of wrapping up any loose ends about the hike and discussing what might lie ahead. It has been a busy summer for Gary. While I have been off hiking and Blazing New Trails, he has been working with several new challenges in the operation of Riverwood, plus being involved with possible plans for opening another campus location in the mid-west. I also knew that finances were stretched over the past months by unexpected expenses and slower support giving. I really didn't know what to expect from our meeting together.
Gary is an unusual person. Growing up the son of a preacher, he also sensed a desire to serve God in some special way. Blessed with a great voice and a love for music, he grew up singing and performing in many venues. He also enrolled in college to prepare for ministry. His life journey, however, led him to a career in management with Delta airlines. After years of working and rising up within their corporate structure, Gary resigned to take oversite of CCDM. Over the last few years, Gary's gifts of administration and his passion for God and people have done wonders to restore life and stability to the organization.
Something happens when Gary and I get together. It is like one plus one equals four. I have missed those times over the summer while out on the trail.
This morning we fell right back into step, starting back where we had left off in the spring. I left Riverwood today with pages of notes and dreams, and a green light to move ahead in developing them into practical working goals. I also took with me a glimmering hope for seeing the online community developed and the dreams of Blazing New Trails coming to pass.
This afternoon found me driving up the interstate towards the Maryland suburbs of Washington D.C. I will be spending a week or so with my friends, Roger and Helen Ward. Roger is the one who rescued me off the trail a few weeks ago in the heat. He owns a music business and has offered me some much needed temporary work. I will be helping him with inventory and shipping out orders, while at the same time getting ready for the last leg of my hike this year. At some point in the weeks ahead, he will drop me back on the trail to hike into Harpers Ferry.
It's been a wonderful summer. Nothing has gone exactly as planned, but everything has had a purpose. I am excited about seeing it draw to a close.
RSS Feed