Where do you find your satisfaction?

Yesterday the Rose BCM had invited a preacher to come speak to us. At first I was like, sure whatever, that's fine. Then he started to talk. He spoke about how people have a need to be satisfied, and how different people try to gain that satisfied. He used the analogy of how he and his wife usually end up going to McDonalds after being indecisive on which type of food (i.e. Mexican, Italian, Chinese) they felt like eating. People know they are hungry, but they just don't know what they are hungry for. So they fill up on 'junk' food, unhealthy food that really isn't that enjoyable. What am I filling up on? TV? Internet? Friends? I know I don't have to do these things to fill up my life... they won't (and can't) make me satisfied. I need to eat those healthy foods like reading and meditating on God's Word, reading other worth while books, spending time with godly people, and of course, talking to the God Who loves me so! God is the only thing that will bring true satisfaction.

Soo... what are you eating? what are you spending your time doing? where are you finding satisfaction?

All my life I had a longing
For a drink from some clear spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.

Refrain

Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings,
Through His blood I now am saved.

Feeding on the husks around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.

Refrain

Poor I was, and sought for riches,
Something that would satisfy,
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul’s sad cry.

Refrain

Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.

Refrain

A Ski Trip Story- from the Sister's Point of View

It was a day of beauty beyond compare. The sun had risen and sparkled on the new snow. It was a day of great promise. A day of skiing! A day of new challenges and unknown trials. Two sisters had planned to spend time together that day on the green slopes at Eldora Mountain Resort in the Rocky Colorado Mountains. I began the day helping a friend learn on the bunny hill before I was to meet my younger sister. As I was about to load onto the ski lift I heard the discomforting words directed to me, "have you heard about Mary?" My heart skipped a beat not knowing what this friend was referring to. No, what? I asked. She fell and is bleeding, she replied. We both got onto the lift, trying to wait patiently as we rode while the concern for my sister grew. As we neared the top, I saw several people gathered near the wooden fence- that must be her on the ground. I called out to them… not fully expecting an answer. No response. I hoped and prayed that I would reach them before they took her away. I skied over and told them she was my sister; asking again if she was alright. The man said it was just precautionary and that I was welcome to follow them down to the First Aid building. There she was, my younger sister and dear friend, being skied down the mountain in what appeared to be a bright red mummy sack. I began to follow them down as fast as I could- I thought I would fall- and it took forever. My mind was racing, I did not know what was to happen next.

By the time I entered the small, red-crossed building, they had my dear strapped onto a stretcher, lying on a table. Her nose and chin were covered in blood. One man asked if he could cut off her glove and another poked her to find pain. They soon spoke of ambulances, x-rays, concussions, broken bones and fractures. A single tear fell from her calm face. I could not handle such tragic and sudden news, so I stepped into the outer room. Tears could not be contained. Friends were there to comfort me with sympathetic words, tender looks and encouraging hugs. The leader of our group had arrived and told me I could go to the hospital if I wanted. I knew I needed to be there for her. I had to go. Shocked, and probably shaking, I started back to the lodge to prepare to leave for Boulder Community Hospital. Someone carried my skis, while someone else helped me up the snowy incline. A group of girls, maybe 4 or 5, were waiting outside as we approached. I tried to update them on my sister's condition, but more tears came instead. After another round of hugs, I eventually went inside to remove my ski attire and gather my things.

I don't remember how I got back to the first aid building, but I was waiting there when Mrs. Sauer, a mother from our group, drove up. I had been told she would be in the ambulance with my sister and that I would ride with Mr. Coday, another sponsor, in the car behind them. A friend was setting in the front seat and quickly moved to the back so I could set there- he wanted to come with us. Two younger girls saw him and wished to join our little party down the mountain. Tears were coming and going. Mr. Coday and Mr. Jestes came to the car to talk with me. They repeated that I didn't need to go... and that Mary wanted me to stay and ski. Joe (who had witnessed the accident) came and told me she was in the ambulance and they were about ready to leave. I was faced with an immediate decision: to go or stay? Mr. Coday decided for me; I was to stay because of my "emotional instability." Besides, there would be nothing for me to do at the hospital except wait.

I walked back to the lodge with the others who had been waiting to leave. I sat... I cried... I was told to eat cake... I waited for the call. I listened to the many different versions and details of the accident: how those ahead thought it was someone else, how Joe took charge and told the others to continue skiing, how Jake ran up the mountain to get assistance, and how Matt cried “blood! Blood!” when he saw her.

About an hour later I went back out on the slopes, this time a blue, with Jared. On the way up, we heard about another girl from our group who had- she had twisted her leg badly. The cool winter breeze felt good on my still slightly wet face. The ski down was enjoyable... although somewhat difficult due to my tiredness and lack of skiing skills. After I went down a green slope alone to calm myself further, I went back to the lodge in hopes of news of my sister.

Mrs. McGuinness had heard nothing about her. The other girl, Jenna, had already been to the First Aid building and was then sitting in a van waiting to be taken back to our lodge. Some of us volunteered to return with her early, we were told that my sister was already there. I was sent to buy our new patient something to eat, so I went over to the other building with two friends. After Julya left to deliver the food, Kaleb and I went to the gift store. There a key chain was selected and bought for my sister as a souvenir, a reminder of this unforgettable day. We had to wait for quite a while before enough people came to fill up the van. Then we started our long journey to our lodge.

After stopping at the gas station, Mr. Huskey decided his daughter needed crutches. He found a man who would sell them to him. Tanker, as we learned was his name, got in our van. He looked slightly odd. Not tall, quite large, bald and most un-fasionably dressed to say the least. Tape held his large glasses together, his name was written (in Sharpie) on his denim jacket and he carried a long stick with a 'mountain crystal' on the end. During the short ride to his home he told us many things: from losing nearly 200 pounds, having a tank drive over his leg (thus his name), and multiple leg surgeries, to making his living on Social Security, pawn shops and his 'mountain crystal' walking sticks. After stopping at his home and returning him to where we picked him up, we were finally on our way to the lodge. After thirty more minutes of beautiful mountain scenery and a few pictures, we arrived. I rushed inside while the others helped our 'crippled' friend. Up the stairs to the main room, down those same stairs to our room... but she was not anywhere.

Frantically I called Mr. Coday and Mrs. Sauer, neither answered. Someone suggested I call the hospital. I asked the owner of the lodge if she happened to have the number.... she brings out her cell phone (I thought, 'oh great, this must happen often'). Surprisingly, I only had to go through 2 or 3 people before someone knew how she was. The lady said she was fine, although she had broken her wrist.

Now the only thing we could do was wait... and wait... and wait. Corban, Courtney, Kaci, and I waited on the landing, this year’s favorite hangout. Almost an hour and a half later, we heard van doors and then feet climbing the stairs- but it wasn't Mary. Everyone else had arrived, most with questions in their eyes. Some voiced their concern but I didn't have sufficient answers. Another 45 minutes passed before I heard rumors that they had driven up. I ran down the stairs and what I saw slightly surprised me.

There was my sister, the sleeves of her new shirt were cut, her left arm in a sling, her face smiling, but sad. We walked together to our room. She wanted to clean up and change clothes before the others saw her. Within the 10 minutes we were in the room, several girls knocked on our door to see her. I think it was Angela who referred to her as 'bloody Mary.'

After 2 casts, 8 stitches, 3 weeks of therapy and several months, her wrist and face have healed. I, however, have yet to live down my reputation of 'emotional instability.'

Here my story ends, but this is just the beginning of Mary’s. This was one day I won't forget- the kindness of my friends, how life can change in an insistent, this man named Tanker, and how Great my God is.