Lassen Peak

Labor Day morning came early with a 5:20am alarm clock.  Dean arrived at my house at 5:45am and we drove over to pick up two other guys, Justin & Josh, and then headed over to Adam’s house by 6:00am. 

Justin, a coffee connoisseur, brought two French press’s along with him of some freshly brewed black magic of some beans he had roasted the night before.  Josh, a purist health nut, brought a box of doughnuts for everyone else to eat so that he could feel better about his own health conscience choices encouraging us to “eat up.”  Dean, who is half French, half Cree Native, is easily identified by his Saskatchewanian-Canadian accent (eh?), in the same way Adam, who hails from North Carolina, is recognized by his “ya’ll.”

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Mica and I have connected very well with these guys, their wives and children.  This would include James, who was unable to make this hike, and his wife, Fiona (read Blog Entry “English Pool Party” to meet them).  We have only been here three weeks now but have shared some incredible memories with these families already.  The common link that we all share is Bethel Church – the Christian school that all our kids’ are attending as well as the school of ministry.  The common bond that unites us is Christ and our desire to see Him continually shape us and use us to fulfill His kingdom work. 

In moving here I quickly learned that our “sacrifice” in putting our life on hold back home in Springfield was not much compared to our new friends.  They have left good-paying career occupations and businesses, sold most all of what they own to travel across the states and around the world to Redding, California.  About the time I start to think they’re crazy, I realize that I’m here too. 

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We had all taken our families up to Lassen Volcanic National Park the previous Saturday to tour around: picnic, swim and hike, when Justin had suggested “the dad’s” come back to hike Lassen Peak -- the stoic, volcanic mountain standing 10,400 feet into the atmosphere, situated at the very center of the park. Turns out Labor Day was the last day the trail would be open for the summer, re-opening July first of next year (some kind of government scheduling deal), so we made it a date. 

We drove from Redding, which is about 600 feet in elevation to the base of Lassen Peak at  8,500 feet.  We arrived by 8:00am and started hiking by a quarter after.  We shared all kind of stories on the hike up, mostly guy stuff – bear attacks and cougar siting’s.  By 10:45am we had reached the summit of 10,400 feet.  This was a much more enjoyable experience compared to my hike the previous Monday up the mountain that will remain my nemesis, Shasta.  I could see her towering over 14,000’ on the horizon glaring back at me.

Standing on top of Lassen, I got a pure sense of satisfaction knowing that I had stood atop both snowed covered peaks that can be seen from Redding.  Beyond the ego of “conquering mountains” there is overwhelming closeness to our Creator that is gained from such a perspective.  The dichotomy in standing on such a vantage point is seeing my significance swallowed up in the vastness of His creation yet realizing He created all of this for me to enjoy.  The only response is a heart of worship!