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Expectations
Whenever we set our expectations high, a lot of the times we are let down with an abrupt crashing. Our minds tend to create this greater picture that proves to be more than hard to carry out. However, sometimes we are surprised by how an even greater plan, one that superseeds our original idea, overtakes and smashes the limits of any pre-conceived expectation. Well that's exactly what happened to me and my trip to the North Cascades. I was invited to speak at this National Conference with Solid Rock Climbers For Christ. This is how it went:
Better Than Expected
REPORT FROM THE WEST COAST NATIONAL CONFERENCE
By Calvin Landrus
On the nine hour drive to the West Coast National Conference, I was brooding to Ryan Bolen about how small it was going to be this year. We meet Dallas Kloke in the campground and he hands me a flyer from the Mazama Country Store that's promoting a climbing presentation/fundraiser by local climbing guides on the same night our key-note speaker and sponsored climber, Gordon MacArthur, was going to be. "Great! What are we going to?"
I tried to stay in control on the outside but my insides were eating me up knowing that none of the realistic options were any good.
We decided to go drown our sorrows in a few pitches before dark. We pull into the parking lot, start getting our gear out and a climbing pick-up (smallish truck with a canopy covered with climbing stickers). Out pops this dude asking to join us. "Oh great, someone wants to use up some of our fading light!"
"That's fine," I said, knowing that's right thing to do. "My name is Calvin, this is Ryan and you are?" "Mark," he replies. Quickly putting things together, I asked, "Are you the one doing the slide show?" In the next few hours, we climb together, Mark repoints a project and Gord (as he goes by) shows up, finding out that he already knows Mark from the ice climbing circuit.
The next morning, we discuss and prayerfully asked the Lord to open up a way we can get on the agenda of the "other" program. Gord was going to try and connect with him that night. We all headed out to do some "on mission" climbing. Dallas, Ryan, Jason (Cancro) and I headed-out and did a 4 pitch route to the top of Liberty Bell. On the trail down, we began to conversation with a couple of climbers. Although, we were ready to go, one of climbers kept prolonging the chat with probing question. God had something in mind for in a short while Mark, who had been guiding for the day, showed up too. As we hiked out together, we were able to in a causal way, ask him about Gord joining his program. Amazingly (oh us of little faith), he agreed!
Let me step back for a moment and do some teaching. In Parade magazine this past week-end, Dan Brown (author of the mega-seller - "Da Vinci Code") while promoting his new book said, "The power that religion has is that you think nothing is random: If there's a tragedy in my life, that's God testing me or sending me a message." Now, in light of how God arranged this past weekend, compare what Brown said to what the Apostle Paul penned in Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Which makes more sense to you?
On Saturday night, our group of 13 gathered in the Mazama Heli Barn (a.k.a. Community Meeting room) with 50 other climbers and enjoyed a night of climbing presentations. Gord led off and did a great job. The best part of the night was when SRCFC was thanked for being there and that we had given the largest donation to help purchase a climbing cliff at Index, WA. Give glory to God!
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