First Rainy Day

CUSTER TO BELLINGHAM

Well, for the second day in a row I got all weepy when I left Lorri & Randy’s house in Abbotsford. It’s not unusual for me to wear my heart on my sleeve, but these past few days have set a new level of ’emo’ with me.  I think it’s a combination of nerves and feeling totally overwhelmed with the generosity and kindness of the people I’ve met thus far.

It was raining significantly, and I was pretty well soaked after I got the car loaded up – then I crossed the border for the last time and once again got a kick out of the questions the agents ask me. Four different agents, 3 different crossing stations, and they all have a knack of making ME believe I’m lying to them!

“Where are you from?”
“El Segundo, California.”
“Where did you go in Canada?”
“Abbotsford.”
“What were you doing in Abbotsford?”
“Visiting friends.”
“For how long?”
“Two nights.”
“You came all the way from California for two nights?”
“No, I’m here to start a trek.”
“How do you know these people?”
“Through my church.”
“People from Canada go to your church in California?”

Oy!

Just prior to meeting up with Joann (she drove a support vehicle for me along the route today), I heard the weather report: Rain all day, high in the mid to high 40’s, winds gusting up to FIFTY miles per hour.  I almost choked on my Gatorade.

However, the rain never got to be much more than a drizzle and only for about 3 miles in total.  The rest of the time it was only a sprinkle or no rain at all!  The layering I chose for the day worked perfectly.  I was warm and dry, even though the temp never got over 45 degrees.  Praise God!  In the final 3 miles, though, the wind lived up to its billing on the weather report.  Tomorrow will be slightly warmer, and only a 20-30 percent chance of rain.

I had my first dog encounter. ‘Charlie’, a beautiful boxer, came roaring out of his house with the hair standing up on his back.  He charged across the street, ignoring his owner’s calls. It was pretty apparent as he got closer that he was just bluffing, and I was just glad he didn’t get hit by a car!

On my way to Lynden and my host home for the next 3 nights, I saw this beautiful rainbow at sunset:

Philippians 4:6 popped into my head during one of the rainiest moments today: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” 

Church Spotlight: Life Foursquare Church – Yreka, CA
Charity Spotlight: Desire Street Ministries
And, as Always: Hope Chapel Missions