Monday September 21

On a day when school's are closed in Atlanta for flooding--it's another gorgeous day in upstate New York! The weather has been amazing the few weeks I've been up here, and this weekend I was able to hike several mountains and hills and see God's wonderful creation.

On Saturday, Tim and myself received a terrific tour of the surrounding Albany area by the local Geico man Dave who is one of Tim's residents. We started the afternoon by picking our own apples at the Indian Ladder Orchard. That was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. But the part I was most excited about was going up to Thacher Park.

Thacher Park is a New York state park that overlooks the Mohawk Valley. From the overlook you can see all of Albany, some of Schenectady and all the way to the Green Mountains in Vermont and the Adirondacks. (The Adirondack Park Preserve is larger than both Yosemite and Yellow National Parks. I'm really excited becaused I am planning to go to Lake Placid in the Adirondacks on Saturday. ) Dave made the comment that the view we had Saturday was the best he has ever had from the overlook and he's lived in Albany since the 1960s!

Yesterday, we had a good service. We had one young lady come forward and ask for the prayers of the group as her life has been very tough as of late. So I'd ask all of you to please pray for "Little Francis."

The point of the sermon yesterday was simple: God's given you a gift(s): use it to serve others, and thereby glorifying God.

After the service, I went on another hike. I met Vicki Fedde (a member at Mohawk) and her husband Jerry at their home in Quaker Street, NY for a shor hike. We drove about 20 miles from their home to a town called New Middleburgh. New Middleburgh was a bread basket for the American's during the revolutionary war...and the town is very proud of that fact. About a mile or two outside of New Middleburgh we hiked a trail called Vrome's Nose Trail.

The peak of this climb had a pretty view of the Scoharie Valley. You could see all the surrounding mountains, the orchards below and the Catskill Mountains. (I'm hoping to be in the Catskills on Wednesday or Thursday at Minnewaska state park.) Jerry said that yesterday was the best view he's ever had from the top. I couldn't have asked for better weather! But at the top there was a solid slate of rock called "The Dance Floor" it has an enscryption all the way back to 1868! People have been climbing that peak for quite some time.

After the hike, I went back and had dinner with Vicki & Jerry and had a great time. I was thankful for them inviting me on the hike and for dinner.

I think that catches you guys up on the weekend. This is my last full week in Albany. Time flies when you're having fun and busy. This coming week will fly by for sure. I'm excited about it and must get back to work so the brethren don't get jipped.

Hope is well wherever you are especially those in Atlanta with the flooding,

God bless,

Wes