Journaling: It is our tradition to hike Spooner Lake the first morning we are in Tahoe. It started out as a practical way to acclimate to the higher altitudes,and ease into the days of hiking that lie ahead. But now when I hike Spooner I have years and years of memories of this first day hike; memories of Austin as a very little boy taking this hike and calling it a walk so, "I won't be tired. Hikes make me tired, walks don't!" memories of the many, many hikes with Anthony checking out the Indian grinding stones, skipping stones, trying to pet the geese, getting attacked by flying beetles, memories of the hikes I would take with Alex when he would work the hike into his training and run around the lake the first time around, catching up with me to walk a second circuit, memories of my "worship walks" when the worship music I listened to on my ipod melded with the surrounding beauty to humble my heart and provide me with a very real sense of Gods intimate presence.

And so, routine becomes tradition and that tradition speaks of something big and important and almost reverent. It speaks of a carving out, a setting apart. It says, This is something special, a treasure to be protected and cared for. It marks the passage of time and hints at the eternality of God. It may seem like a simple walk around a lake but in a very real sense it is, for me, a coming home to the heart of God.

Credits: Template by Anna Aspnes, available in October 2012 Artisan Notebook & Dee Bee Designs Treasured Traditions