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(Posting note: This was recorded on Wednesday, July 11th but I didn’t find time to edit, transcribe and post until today, Thursday July 26th. Also, I apologize for the *HORRIBLE* video quality and my ridiculously ugly mug. I don’t think I really looked that bad in person, but the combo of the lighting, poor video quality and the such made me look ridiculously bad. The good news is I think the following two days, which were recorded inside the tent, look a little better.)
A blessed Feast of St. Benedict to all of you, and blessing to you and your family. I’m Deacon Ken Crawford and this is the 8th in my video series as a newly ordained Deacon. As a reminder I was ordained Saturday June 30th, a week and a half ago.
As promised I’m doing video diaries from the field. This is me at my first campsite for the evening. As you can see, I’ve been working hard all day. This is not the most attractive mug you’ve ever seen but oh well!
It was a beautiful day today. We hiked up a very large hill to get up on the plateau above the river canyon, the boys and I. It just reminded me how special of a creation that God created for us. I love getting out here and being amongst the trees and nature and all those sorts of things. The other thing that struck me, we past a ton of hiker today. The Pacific Crest trail has become amazingly popular. We passed 70 people today going the other way on the trail. It’s the peak period. At some level it’s not surprising the number is high. It is surprising that it is THAT high. In any case, people are very nice on the trail. They greet each other, they say hi, all those things. And I noticed I wasn’t willing to give them any sort of a Catholic or Christian greeting. You know, ‘God bless you’ or ‘God’s spirit be with you’ or anything like that. I was very secular in what I would say.
I’m not sure I like that. I think that this is something I need to consider and work on. But on the other hand I need to do it in a way that is tactful and not derisive to anyone. (Sorry for the mosquito swatting. I’m wearing repellent but these suckers are very, very determined to get to me.)
So I think that’s my thought for the day. How far do we go? How much do we challenge ourselves? As a deacon, do I challenge myself further than I would have as a lay person. I don’t know…
I’m going to keep these short as always. God’s blessing to all of you. I hope all of you have opportunities like this to get out into nature to commune with the creation that God made for us. I will pray for you. I will pray for your families. I continue to ask for you prayers for my ministry and in the short term (although you won’t see this until after I get back) I wouldn’t mind prayer for our safe journey.
And with that, I’ll see you tomorrow.