It was February when my guy friends from church invited me to join them to hike Mt. Maculot. It was my first time and it was surreal! I really had so much fun plus friends who won’t give up on you. Anyway, that was my first and halos sinumpa ko yun dahil sa dami kong “slide” moments. But it didn’t stop me, my next trek was in Mt. Daraitan but our goal was Tinipak River. Such a beautiful sight! Then supposedly will go to Mt. Gulugod Baboy, but I decided to spend time with my workmates instead in Camayan Beach. Oh well, I have missed a lot that day indeed! Tsk!
Anyway, this hike is memorable! Kahit nalilito parin ako sa mga terms na HIKE, TREK, And RAPEL. Basta alam ko nilalakbay ko bundok. A friend of mine once asked herself “Why am I doing this? What am I trying to prove here? What is my purpose?”. Napaisip ako bakit nga ba? Then came Batulao.
Before we climb Batulao, the past few days, the weather was very discouraging. But still majority of us are decided to go. My friends are good to go and as usual late parin kaming umalis AT dahil sa chicken sandwich with celery ng kaibigan namin! HAHA
So nagumpisa yung trek namin around 9am ata yun? Sobrang memorable kasi ang dami kong nawitness na character ng mga kaibigan ko. At lalong lalo na yung faithfulness ni God!!! Sobraaaa! This one is so genuine, sobrang totoo, all out ako dito. Ibang klase to! ❤️
Habang naglalakad ako paakyat, nakailang tawag ako kay God!!!! Sobrang dami, “God! I’m so tired!!!! Naghhyperventilate na ako. Naghhyperventilate na sila.” Pero sabi nga ni Dory ng Finding Nemo “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming…” Ako naman, “Just keep walking, just keep walking.” Mind over matter nga daw kahit sobrang pawisan ka na plus natulo pa sipon mo… HAHA
Mt. Batulao is very dangerous nga talaga konting kalokohan mo lang pwede ka na gumulong gulong pababa. Kung gusto mo ng shortcut, isang dulas mo lang sa baba ka na, ewan ko lang kung buhay ka pa pagbaba mo. Sobrang narrowed way lang siya talaga. And NO TREES! I finally saw the LONELY TREE, lonely nga pero lagi naman nadadaanan, kaya siguro standing strong siya kasi dinadalaw naman ng marami. Wasn’t able to take a photo with it because there were bystanders.
I’m not sure if ako lang talaga yun, pero mas napagod ako dito compared to Mt. Maculot! It was a long trek and hike plus rapelling! My favorite part is the rapelling and rock climbing- 90 degrees!!! Pero grabe talaga yung pagod siguro nga sabi ng friend ko, “Kasi nakikita natin ung goal kaya siguro mas napapagod tayo, hindi tulad sa Mt. Maculot kahit ilang beses sabihin na dalawang oras, go parin tayo.” Ahh I got his point. Pero hindi talaga! Sobrang nakakapagod eh.
So here’s the unforgettable talaga. Majority of us are women and I am speechless by their unwavering faith. That’s why we pushed the plan. And we are really favored because it was a very very fine weather! ❤️
Things I’ve discovered and learned:
1. “Lord. Lord. Lord.” – we were calling God along the way. It still amazes me that even we’re tired, si Lord parin ang tinatawag namin.
“I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, ” Psalm 17:6-8
2. “Malapit na tayo guys!!!” – we have to reach camp 10! But we were still at Camp 1, non stop ang pagmmotivate samin ng mga boys!
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. – “1 Thessalonians 5:11
3. Courage heart– we all need courage! To pursue life, to finish the race!
” Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
4. Overcome your fears – we all have fears, (fear of heights, fear of social, mountain and whatever that it) someday we will all face them but instead of dwelling on them turn ’em to faith.
5. Have FAITH– God reminded me to have faith and be in faith. Faith. Faith. “Trust Me and just hold My hand.” Very encouraging. All of us have struggles and God has solutions to them.
“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. -” 1 Timothy 6:12
6. Glorify the Creator of all things– there were plenty of complains, stumbled moments, walked alone, but I did not see my friends give up, meron “almost” but they continued. And instead of complaining they looked at the beautiful creations instead. Kahit pagod na, they would still call upon God. Kahit wala ka ng katabi sa pagakyat ng bundok, natuto kaming maging independent and dependent kay God lang. Even in the wildest form, we will only learn to appreciate the small things if we have tasted the goodness and faithfulness of our Creator knowing that even in front of the stumbling block we know that we will never be alone. Just like this wild orchid.
I am super uber blessed to be with these great people. Character building indeed and its part of building stronger friendship. At the end of the day, we were all smiling dahil kumpleto kaming umakyat at kumpleto din kaming nakababa. Laughter is indeed one of the best medicine. I am excited Lord! Thank you.
Looking forward with the whole gang!!!
On Bended Knees 