Overdue Update

It's been awhile since I've needed to update, but I'm sort of trying to catch up on my life these next two days before leaving for 12 days and then getting back to start right into the swing of school. This summer has been NON STOP!!! And we haven't even been on vacation!! But I did want to share a bit of Trand's travel adventures.

Last week (either Wednesday or Thursday, I can't remember) he connected with a family in MA through a FB friend of mine (who I've actually never met in person--love FB.) This family has homeschooled 8 kids and only has one left at home. Surprisingly, he was very happy to call them and go to their home for the night. Y'all, he NEVER would have done this two months ago!! But as I've said, he's changing, and God is shaping him little by little. Part of what he's doing is showing him that he does need other people. This family was wonderful as they took him in and made him a part of their family for the evening. He texted me to say that he was so happy to have a bed, no bugs, and not have old men snoring around him all night.

I had sent him his phone and put this couple's phone number in it. I texted him to let him know to call them if he got to a certain point. I was sure he was probably past it because he was very south in MA. Providentially, the day he got his phone he was on the exact highway that they mentioned where they could pick him up. And he had already walked about 23 miles that day and was ready for a rest. God is good.

He told me that night that, as nice as their family was, it was very difficult to sit and have conversation with "normal" people. He knows it's going to be hard to assimilate back into society. He's feeling like he doesn't even want to go into towns or be around people. He loves when he meets up with one of his trail buddies or connects with a north bounder every so often for one night of conversation and sharing about what's to come on the trail. But I can imagine that it will be very hard for him to come off of this. He had been planning to only stay in Knoxville for a week before heading down to Naples, but I'm pretty sure now that will be longer. And I will be glad!

He is feeling more connected now that he has his phone and he can call or text almost daily. He's gone through lots of ups and downs emotionally. Sometimes he'll text me feeling like he just wants to quit--although he immediately says he WILL NOT QUIT no matter what. But he just mentally wants to at times. He's struggling. He's wondering if he's really going to get anything out of this. Oh, he has no idea. I believe at 18 he really can't know exactly what he's going to get out of it. It may be years before he realizes it all. But he will one day.

He is an inspiration to me everyday. I see him learning and adjusting his steps as he learns even if he can't see it. He was doing great at a pace that he was happy with--22-28 miles a day. Then his feet just wouldn't let him. He had to do a 17 mile then a 15 mile day, and he was so discouraged. He is a planner. He is a strategist. He always knows what his next step will be--much like his dad. He told me that being a thru hiker is for people who don't have a plan. :) He said the happy ones are the ones who can just take what comes day by day, relax and not worry about when they are finishing or making goals. That's not him. He spends every evening strategizing where he's going next, how long to his next stop, planning out weeks in advance all the way to his ending date. And then when he veers from that, he beats himself up. If only I could just transfuse a little of myself into him right now!!! I'm so NOT a planner. I take life as it comes, and I enjoy it. Flexibility is my middle name. He is about as flexible as a metal rod. ;) Once again, this is something that he is learning on this adventure. Please pray that he is able to learn this quickly. He recognizes it, but he just thinks he can't change to feel that way. He will always be a planner. That's a great thing. But maybe he could learn to bend a bit as well. And to not beat himself up when he doesn't meet his goals.

My prayer is that he's not miserable right now. My prayer is that he will find joy in his journey. I really believe that his journey is this right now because he's 18. He's learning lots of things that most people learn much more gradually just living life. But for some reason, God had plans for him to learn them now--all at once. :) If anyone feels like they would like to send him some encouragement, please let me know. I know he would appreciate hearing from people. Even if you don't know him well but he's been put on your heart, I know it would mean a lot to him. I have an address that he should be at in about a week. Thanks so much for your prayers and kind words.

He crossed over into NY on Monday. He will probably be in NJ on Friday or Saturday.