Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience

While we camp with the family throughout the summer, Brandi and I have always tried to take a fall camping trip by ourselves. We’re spending a few days camping in the Smoky Mountains right now.

Today was wet and cold but we didn’t let it slow us down. We went to Cades Cove where we spent the day hiking back to the Abrams Creek Falls. Of course I did a little fishing along the way.

We’ve tried really hard over these two days to just slow down the pace. We’re discovering as we slow down…

Some of our best conversations happen on the hiking trails.

Some of our best dreaming about the future happens around the camp fire.

Some of her most relaxing times come sitting on a rock reading a book while I fly fish.

Some of our most awe inspiring God moments happen just looking around at God’s creation.

Here’s a few of my favorite pics from the day. Hope you can find a way to slow down today.

I love to fly fish.

I used to think I was out there on the river searching for the elusive big trout.

In reality I think I’m searching for more.

Maybe it’s a few moments where nothing is ringing, nobody is pulling at me and I don’t feel the need to be “on”.

Maybe it’s that quiet moment where I hear nothing but the river drifting by me and God’s whisper that He created this for my enjoyment.

Maybe it’s friendship and great conversation that can only be created over a common passion.

I’m searching for more.

Brandi asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday and I said I wanted to go camping. So yesterday, after work we loaded up, drove about an hour east, and pitched our tents. It was a nice break from the chaos of life.

Thought you might enjoy a few pics of our adventure!

have a great weekend,

Pete

They will be moving in a few months to St. Louis so Nate can complete his orthopedic fellowship as a hand surgeon. While we will miss them, we have so many incredible memories from the past 5 years. Here are a few of my favorites…

-Fly fishing trips on the Caney

-”God inspired” trips to Lowe’s

-Spontaneous cookouts in the backyard

-Vacation to Destin

-Baptizing Nate 3 years ago

-Climbing Mt. Leconte

Here are a few more pictures from the hike. You can click on each picture for a description.

I heard a great story on Sunday about a couple of guys from Cross Point who set aside time from their busy weekends to invest in the life of some children. They took a group of kids from Preston Taylor Ministries fishing for the day. Preston Taylor Ministries is a ministry partner of Cross Point Church designed to minister to inner city kids. They are doing an amazing job and it’s a real joy to watch Cross Point partner with them.

Derek Murphy and Brian Slack I am so proud of you guys! You are living out the Cross Point vision to become radically devoted to Christ, irrevocably committed to one another and relentlessly dedicated to reaching the lost.

Tomorrow I will tell you how you can make a difference in the life of a child!