Okay. Point taken.
We've been busy, and for us to find an opportunity to go is very difficult. However, a chance opened up last weekend. And so, we and a few friends decided go visit this mountain. We stuffed our backpacks and got on a train, traveled like a "local," and arrived the next morning. (We were groggy and barely slept.)
But the weekend proved to be well worth it. The mountain was gorgeous, engulfed in a sea of fog and cloud. There was a point where we couldn't see anything -- only the white thick fog around us. And there were many moments when we were simply exhausted from climbing the never-ending steps (some hard-working people came before our time and carved out steps all the way to the top!). It sure felt like we climbed a thousand staircases, and much of our time, we could barely see.
There were moments when I just wanted to complain, "Are we there yet?!" The staircase gets narrower and steeper... there were parts where I ended having to crawl on my hands and knees. But, alas, an unforgettable moment came when we finally got high enough that we were able to poke our heads out above the clouds.
And there before us, were mystical peaks surrounded by a sea of drifting clouds. It was so beautiful I wanted to cry. Is this what heav'n will look like?! Maybe this is just a fraction...
And suddenly, all my sweat, pain, exhaustion from the hours of climbing those seemingly endless stairs...all disappeared. Because catching this glimpse was truly all worth it.
This reminds me of A. Paul, in a paraphrase -- fight the good fight of fth and take hold of the e. life to which you are called...
And I am reminded also, the hope in what-is-to-come gives us the strength to persevere.
Here's a pic of Edwin enjoying a view:
On our way, we encountered a funny sign. My favorite one is #3.
