Be hospitable to one another without complaint. – 1 Peter 4:9
Our destination was the town of Salmon, in southern Idaho. We started from our home in northern Idaho. We drove west for several hours up the Clearwater River and over the winding Lolo Pass.
That put us in Montana.
Then we drove several more hours south along the craggy Bitterroot Mountains. At the top of Lost Trail Pass, several inches of snow greeted us. Down the other side of the valley, we followed a meandering river through lovely groves of golden trees and hills scarred by some recent fire.
That put us back in Idaho.
Such are the rigors of travel in the Inland Northwest. People in our neck of the woods are used to traveling long distances between towns. Much of Idaho is still wild, forged of mountains and valleys largely unscathed by the insult of a four-lane highway. Or anything resembling a highway.
The drive, though slow, was glorious. My long-suffering son Daniel offered to drive me to the town of Salmon to speak to the ladies of the Salmon Valley Baptist Church and their guests on October 11. Dan and I took the opportunity to talk and enjoy the panoramic views of the Lochsa River country.
For caregivers, even a drive is a gift.
In Salmon, I had the chance to reconnect with Ron and Connie Seibert, the couple who led my husband and me to the Lord nearly forty years ago. As pastor of the Southern Baptist church we attended, Ron baptized both of us in the faith. Ron and Connie discipled us through those first crucial years of walking with God. Connie and I recently found each other online and discovered our common love of writing.
The ladies of the Salmon Valley Baptist Church were warm and welcoming; their hospitality rich; their hearts open. I was blessed to be there and reluctant to leave them so soon. God encouraged me to just “give them Jesus” as I prepared for the trip. I can tell you I received Jesus back with much love from my Southern Baptist sisters.
Thanks to all of you who prayed for the trip. Special thanks to Aaron and Grace for holding down the fort at home while I was gone. Thanks, Dan, for your generous heart!
Photos courtesy Dan Thorson