Today, the ladies met at Hargus Lake for Prayer Breakfast and it turned out to be anything but ordinary. After we had our breakfast/fellowship, Kathy shared her incredible life story that left us all in tears. We prayed for each other and interceded for those who were unable to come but had requested prayer. It was a glorious moment to be able to pray together!
Then, the ladies decided to walk the trail around Hargus Lake in Circleville, Ohio. I was excited to hike the trail with my lady buddies...but, I was not dressed for it ~ I had a long sleeved top and a jacket. My jacket ended up around my waist. So, did my lanyard with a bunch of keys. I thought keeping it around my neck would not be a good idea since it will make me really hot once we started hiking. I did have leggings on so it kept the bugs from feasting on me. I wore my comfortable tennis shoes, not really suitable for hiking, but well, I should still be okay with it as long as there are no slippery slopes along the way. I didn't have a hat but I thought we would be hiking in the wooded area so there should be enough shade from the trees. I decided to take my cellphone with me so we can call for help in case of an emergency.
We saw beautiful, breath-taking sceneries of the lake as we started the hike. The lake was so serene... My mind started wandering while engaging my thoughts in the good things God has created for us to enjoy!
I let my mind wander a little bit longer as I watched the trees turning different colors ~ from green to red and gold... Kathy showed us different kinds of nuts and mushrooms she found along the way. I marveled in the magnificence of God's creation!
I have to confess the hike was not easy after about 500 feet and it seemed to get worse as we went deeper into the woods. The terrain started to change constantly ~ some terrains became rough in the rolling hills... We had to climb up and down several man-made, steep stairs. There were several large overgrown tree roots on the trail that made it challenging to step over them. We had to cross a couple of creeks. Thank goodness, the first one was dry, but I had to borrow Roxanne's walking stick with Kathy guarding behind me to ensure I made it safely crossing the second creek. Kathy was concerned about my safety since that was my very first hiking adventure... We had to stop a few times to catch our (mostly my) breath! Our guide and hiking leader and our pastor's wife Sharon, was taking it easy with us. She is an experienced hiker and hikes the Hargus Lake trail all the time.
So, we all relied on her leadership and expertise as we walked through the sometimes treacherous terrains. There were a couple of times where, in my mind, I wanted to quit especially when I looked up to those steep and long, never-ending steps that seemed to go on and on and on to the heavens! Although I was already committed, I was still thinking of quitting and I thought, "How can I get off the trail? Would I be able to make it back without a guide?" At the time, I didn't seem to have any other options. I had to push through! I watched my lady buddies walk through the terrains and I can see their determination! That gave me encouragement. I pushed myself even harder to make it to the finish line!
After an hour and 39 minutes, and 6.62 kilometers, we finally reached the end of the trail! It felt like we walked forever. I felt a great sense of accomplishment although the bottom of my feet started to hurt. I cannot believe I made it to the finish line without falling or getting injured. We all made it safely. I was exhausted and ready to get in my car, turn on the air-conditioner, sit down and rest. So I started feeling for my keys that was attached to my lanyard around my waist... but, I could not seem to feel them.
I looked down, my keys were not hanging at the end of my lanyard. They were all gone! Holding on to the end my my lanyard, I calmly announced, "I lost my keys!" The ladies started to figure out when they last heard my keys jingle. Amy thought, she heard them in the beginning of the hike but had not heard them jingle since then. Sharon, the leader of the pack, decided to back track to find my keys. I was exhausted so I apologized for not being able to go with her. Sherry, one of the young ones, volunteered to go with her. Before they started, Sharon called her husband, our very own Pastor Chris. He was working with my husband Mel renovating a house in Avon Drive at the time. While Sharon was talking to Pastor Chris on the phone, I called my husband Mel. When he answered, I told him I had bad news. He interrupted me and said, "I know, you lost your keys in the trail." "How did you know?", I blurted out. He said, Pastor Chris just told him. They stopped what they were doing in the house and came to the lake to look for my keys. Sharon and Sherry started at the end of the trail, Pastor Chris started in the middle and Mel started at the beginning of the trail.
Roxanne walked over to the concession and asked the people working there if someone had turned in a bundle of keys. Nobody did so she came back to talk to me and advised me to leave my name and cellphone number with them in case someone turns them in. So, I did. At this time Roxanne and Kathy left to go home... We were getting hungry and Amy popped her car trunk open and we ate leftover fruits from breakfast. Then, we sat in the car with the car doors open. A nice breeze blew. I closed my eyes and started to pray,
"Lord, show me where my keys are."
Roxanne walked over to the concession and asked the people working there if someone had turned in a bundle of keys. Nobody did so she came back to talk to me and advised me to leave my name and cellphone number with them in case someone turns them in. So, I did. At this time Roxanne and Kathy left to go home... We were getting hungry and Amy popped her car trunk open and we ate leftover fruits from breakfast. Then, we sat in the car with the car doors open. A nice breeze blew. I closed my eyes and started to pray,
"Lord, show me where my keys are."
The Holy Spirit showed me a vision of the campground, about midway around the lake, where there was a short break of the trail... I thank God for the vision. Then, Amy's phone rang, it was Sharon on the other line. Excitedly she announced, "We found Ofelia's keys." So, I called Mel back to the parking lot... We drove to Pastor Chris' and Sharon's house to pick up my keys.
Sharon reported that a couple of hikers found them at the edge of the trail at the campgrounds and turned them in at the Hargus Lake office. The office is normally closed on the weekends (this was Saturday). Didn't I tell you in the beginning of this article that it was anything but ordinary? It was! The office was open that day. So, Sharon and Pastor Chris were able to retrieve my keys.
GLORY TO GOD! I mean GLORY TO GOD! Thank you, Lord, for orchestrating the turn of events today that seemed to be turning "bad". But, you took the "bad" and turned it to good for your glory! I give you all the praise and honor! Be glorified, God!
Sharon reported that a couple of hikers found them at the edge of the trail at the campgrounds and turned them in at the Hargus Lake office. The office is normally closed on the weekends (this was Saturday). Didn't I tell you in the beginning of this article that it was anything but ordinary? It was! The office was open that day. So, Sharon and Pastor Chris were able to retrieve my keys.
GLORY TO GOD! I mean GLORY TO GOD! Thank you, Lord, for orchestrating the turn of events today that seemed to be turning "bad". But, you took the "bad" and turned it to good for your glory! I give you all the praise and honor! Be glorified, God!