Kevin – Saturday. If you’ve been following along, you know that Denny isn’t with me for yet another week. She is attending a sister’s sealing in Utah and I am left a lone man in the middle of Wyoming. Yep, unsupervised and left to my own devices.
Denny is the organizer and brains of the outfit. I’m more inclined to inspiring chaos and flying by the seat of my pants. Squirrel???
And, in the absence of my marvelous help-meet (and she is marvelous), the little things tend to become larger time sucks. Keeping the RV organized. Some shopping has to be done. Meal prep and cleanup afterwards. Photography while I’m out on the trail. Conceiving, writing and re-editing these blog posts. People e-mailing for answers to specific questions which requires looking up obscure details in the computer or in the Essential Traveling Library.
In this coming week, I’m committed to at least the following big ticket items; hiking at least a few hours on one private property (probably in the rain), driving another 100+ miles over two road sections seeking trail access from owners, giving an interview, preparing and presenting at the Historic National Trails Center (Casper), coordinating with others to see what the Battalion Association wants to propose for RootsTech 2026, moving the trailer to Casper, refueling the propane tanks and vehicles, answering questions, etc. There are other things on my ‘to do’ list that just aren’t going to get done. Inevitably, things start to slip and you’re forced to ‘choose the better part.’ What’s most important?
How does this apply to 1847?
Acquaintances who were on the 1996-97 Mormon Trail Wagon Train relate that they had wanted and expected to have a ‘true pioneer experience.’ They thought that they would make the day’s distance, pull into camp, put up their tent, cook and eat their meal, then sit around the campfire journaling, telling pioneer stories, singing the songs of Zion and dancing at hoe-downs. Camp Kumbaya.
While that did happen some of the time, they related that all too frequently ‘modern life’ intruded, that it just couldn’t be left completely behind. Pagers and cell phones rang (a decade before smart phones!) with family calling to ‘see how things are going.’ Media outlets wanted interviews. Time was wasted waiting on others in the line to move forward. Basic activities like cooking, eating and setting camp took FAR more time than anticipated leaving precious little time for journal writing, singing and dancing. They relate that they felt lucky just to make it to camp, eat and crash for a few hours of sleep. Day after day after day after day. Wash, Rinse, Repeat.
All of which is to say, this is hard work. It’s a grind. It takes discipline. It takes daily attention to a multitude of details. You did note above that that is not my strong suit, yes?
And many of you, Dear Readers, likewise are overwhelmed at times with all that is required, expected and desired OF you. Add to that YOUR aspirations, goals and wishes and we set ourselves up for disappointment, unrealized futures and despair. That’s not how it should be. That’s not God’s plan for us.
’Sufficient is the day to the evil thereof.’ Matthew 6:14
Which, according to Bible.com, means in essence, Don’t worry too much about tomorrow. You have enough to do today. Focus on the present. Don’t get overanxious and overwhelmed.
If Christ had to warn his followers of 30 AD to not get overwrought, what would he say to us today? Perhaps we ought to simplify and attend to the most important things each day. Give up some of the fluff. That hasn’t changed since 1847 or 30 AD.
’Let God prevail.’ What does that mean TO you? What does that mean FOR you?