An Adventure Hat

I've seldom worn a hat. Even as a kid. Then in 2000 while in New Zealand building a church with a short term mission group, I bought an out-lander Aussie hat. While in Malawi, Africa, a gal made me a beaded necklace. Since I also don't wear necklaces the gift went around the crown of the hat. I  often wear this hat when vacationing or attending events. Kurt and Emily's, Jackson, calls it an adventure hat and I think it fits. Below Kurt, I, and Jayden are all wearing our "adventure" hats.

An adventure is an exciting, sometimes unusual, sometimes even hazardous experience or activity. It's often embracing the unknown. It's usually taking a risk. It's living fully.

Yes, a week ago last Saturday we took off again. This time to southern Colorado with Kurt and Emily, Karl and Kristin, Jon and Glenda, and families. Thanks for the picture.

We stayed in a large home in South Fork, Colorado along the Rio Grande River. This is the 4th largest river in North America starting in southern Colorado, running down through the Rocky Mountains, and emptying in the Gulf of Mexico. The Rio Grande River bottom is a rich farming area, just needing irrigated water.

We took our Rangers and spent much of the week exploring and appreciating God's creation. We rode over 350 miles of trails ranging from small gravel roads to very difficult rocky paths. Our elevation went from 8600 feet in South Fork to 13000 feet when we drove to the top of the Continental Divide and had a snow ball fight.

The gals prepared and packed a lunch for our crew every morning after a large breakfast. We would stop in a shady area or near a stream around noon and spend 45 minutes relaxing.

One of the favorite adventures of the grandkids was to drive Grandpa and Grandma's Ranger over the difficult trails and through the streams. Grandpa sat in the middle ready to nudge the steering wheel over or slightly step on the brake when the kids would occasionally lose their focus on driving. Thanks for the picture Jan.

Obstacles are part of the adventure. Monday we towed a broken Ranger back down the mountain. Wednesday we experienced a flat tire. It was a difficult sidewall hole. We triple plugged it, aired it up, and made it home for the day.

Creede, Colorado is in Mineral County, the 3rd least populated county in Colorado with 800 residents. On Wednesday evening we attended a rodeo in Creede. The coordinators, the participants, and the audience were all mostly home town folks that either farmed or ranched in the area.

Karl and Kristin's, Sydnie, a first grader, participated in an event where kids chase a goat. The kid who retrieves the ribbon off the tail wins.

Thursday was a slower riding day. Jan and I took our pickup and visited the country side including an Amish community started in 2002 south of Monte Vista. We enjoyed all 3 of our Amish stops and even had mutual friends in the Drakesville, Bloomfield, Iowa Amish community. On this particular visit 6 teams of 4 horses each were mowing alfalfa hay. The neighbors were helping a family whose daughter had been seriously injured in an accident the week before. We promised the family we would keep 17 year old Mary Lou in our prayers while she recovers in a hospital in Colorado Springs.

We also stopped and said hello to George and Richarla who pastor in a CRC country church 13 miles south of Alamosa, Colorado. George and his wife formerly pastored at the Peoria, Iowa CRC church and are friends with Brian and Becky. Richarla also has dozens of cousins here in our community.

After personal devotions Jon, I, Kurt, and Karl had some great early morning visits. As you can see the next generation joined us.

We weren't intended to be just safe and comfortable. Risk brings blessings we never expect. We have adventures not only in our families but our occupations and even in our relationships. What we often forget is God is always able and often willing to bless an activity or a relationship that fits our God-given purpose. Living life shouldn't just happen out of a playbook. But boundaried by a set of principles.

Are there adventures in God's work? Absolutely. It's where my hat and the beads on it came from. How about locally? You bet. I listened to a sermon last Sunday about not becoming comfortable and neglecting our first love. The apostle Paul tells the Corinthian church in II Corinthians 11:26, "I've been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, bandits, my fellow Jews, and Gentiles. I've been in danger in the city, country, and even at sea. And from false believers". We are to live in faith and not fear as we do the unknown, adventurous work of God. And as we face the adversity and evil in our world today.

Do you have an adventure hat? Not for prominence and popularity. Not to draw attention to self. But to be an example to the next generations that each and every day is to be enjoyed and lived to the fullest. Back home this coming week. Blessings.