the    sides

It’s been a crazy weekend. Preached one of the most difficult sermons I’ve preached in a while - on Noah and the Ark. It’s a hard story because it calls into question the goodness of God. To be honest to the story - you gotta deal with it. (If you want to hear it/critique it - go here.)

I was also supposed to go to Costa Rica on a “mission vision” trip. But…can’t find my passport. I had it last when I got my driver’s license. After destroying the house, the office, and the cars…it’s gone. I’ll get to fill out all the paperwork tomorrow…and deal with the plane ticket.

So when the weather report said that Copper was going to get 7 to 10 inches of new snow…and I was already in Breckenridge. I knew what my therapy was going to be.

I can’t describe the feeling of being on the mountain with no ski tracks, standing at the top of a run knowing that yours are going to be the first set down. I guess it’s like an artist with a canvas…a writer with a blank page…with a lot less responsibility. It’s freeing. Especially in 7 inches of powder.

I wanted to do the backcountry stuff on the South side of the mountain. That was before the chairlift cleared the trees. The wind was screaming straight out of the south slamming into my face. It was snowing fairly hard but most of the white out was from trees and the ground. I pansied out. Decided to stay front side. Snow was good and no one was around…good rationalization…right?

Said my prayer at the top of the first run - “Thanks for the day, the time, the snow and the mountain. Can’t wait to spend the day with You.”

I took off.

It didn’t take long for my legs to remind me that I was on skinny carvers (Bandits, 75 under the foot). They are great on moguls and can handle any speed I can throw at ‘em…but the powder makes them lurch…and I sorta have to nurse them along, pushing them through the snow. Not that it matters. I could already feel my head clearing.

Not really clearing like getting empty but getting focused on just enjoying the day…the run…the moment…the company of One.