Snowshoeing and a baby

It had snowed quite a bit this week and Bob had been watching the snow accumulation in the mountains. As we looked at options for Saturday, the most reasonable seemed like going to watch the Hornschlittenrennen, a horned sledge race in Alt St. Joanna. (Traditionally the horn sled was used by farmers to bring down hay from the mountain pasture. It's larger than a regular sled and this is a "group" race! More fun than serious from all I've read.) But as there are other times this type of race is held in other areas, and you can't always expect wonderful snowshoeing snow, the final vote came to a day in the mountains rather than watching others have fun.

Definitely the right choice! Although the drive from home to the Amden area was through quite a bit of rain and clouds, once we got above Amden, into the town of Arvenbühl, it looked to be a nice day. Last time we had snowshoed here, it had been awhile since the last snow and there were large portions of the snowshoe trail for which you didn't even need snowshoes as well as portions of the trail which were quite icy.


However, on Saturday the snow was perfect. It was also a day where many others anticipated good snowshoeing. At one point on the trail we saw a group of about 30 heading, thankfully, the oppposite direction we where going. We also watched a group of 20 or so that were hiking up to a mountain peak using a type of cross country ski and then skiing down through the virgin powder. Seems like a lot of work for a short ride. I prefer a chair lift, thank you. Of course, some may say the same about snowshoeing.

We were about halfway into our trek when my cell phone rang. Here we are in a beautiful mountain region of the Alps and I've got cell phone coverage. I have horrible cell phone coverage in our house in NC, but not in the Alps. (Is there something wrong with this??)

Now, I usually carry my cell phone when we are out on our Saturday adventures, but it's usually not turned on. But today was different. As soon as I had gotten out of bed, I immediately had logged on. Nope, no email. Nope, nothing on their blog. Nope, no SMS on my cell phone. I had talked with Kasey on Friday and knew that she had gone into the hospital the night before and that they were planning on inducing labor that evening. I was hoping that their little girl had arrived. And since I hadn't heard yet, I thought I would carry my cell phone turned on, just in case. SO glad I did. Kasey called and I learned of Alea's safe arrival. Bob got a kick out of the fact that I had cell phone coverage and wanted to document for Kasey and Daniel where we were when I got the call, so as I'm talking specifics with Kasey, Bob whips out the camera to document the event. How fun.

As we came out of the wooded area and into a clearing that overlooks the town of Arvenbühl, the views were spectacular. In some ways I enjoy the days with clouds even more than those with perfectly clear skies. The clouds add to the contasts of light and dark and provide the depth that is sometimes missing on the cloudless days.

Life is often that way as well, is it not? Sometimes when all is well I miss the beauty around me. I take for granted all that God has made, all that He has provided, all that He has given, all His many benefits. It's often when I am going through some difficulties, some trying times, some times where there are many clouds to block my views, that I begin to look for and find God's hand. Oh may the clouds on the mountains always remind me to never forget your daily mercies toward me.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget none of His benefits,
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your disease;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion,
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagles."
Psalm 103:1-5 (emphasis mine)