Trey's Trek 2012...!

Simply.................................................................................. Trey!

I know that I am not finished with writing about Trey's Trek 2011.  There is just simply too much to talk about along with what happened and what we experienced last year as we walked from Dearborn to the Mackinaw Bridge!  (328.2 miles)  

Mission Accomplished for Trey's Trek 2011!

So... I have decided (with the help of  "Grace!") to interject new posts from this year's "Trey's Trek 2012" into the blog site; one week at a time and then later on... elaborate on what we experienced as we walk along from Port Huron to Michiana, MI!  

Grace, my daughter, is the one kneeling!

My daughter "Grace" Halford is going to help me with loading the weekly photos onto the blog site, that we have taken along the way and then I will write a short comment for that group.  Then after we finish, I will go back and 'fill in the blanks' so to speak... as to the details of Trey's Trek 2012!

With my "sore" feet on the ground!

Simply Trey

p.s. we are on schedule as we walked into Brighton, Michigan yesterday after starting in Port Huron on Monday morning!

Day Nine d. WEEK TWO, 

Wednesday, September the 14th, 2011

Cows are cool!  They can teach us a lesson!

As we are Trekking North on M-18 to Gladwin, the "folks" along the way offered us a wide variety of viewing options!  

These 'characters' above noticed us as we walked along... we saw that they were just 'parked' out in the field along the side of the road!  As we traversed up the highway...they actually turned and looked at us curiously!  Folks don't usually think that cows pay any attention to much but let me tell you, they are aware or their surroundings!  By the looks on their faces, it was as if they had never seen anyone 'walk by', out here, like this...!  

I have to tell you from experience, cow are curious creatures!  At one time when I was younger, we owned about 25 of them. I can tell you that if they see something that is unusual they will just stare it down!  Have you ever been stared at by a cow?  LOL!  You should try it sometime!  Cows have huge eyelashes and sometimes while they are looking at you intently... their tongues can come out of their mouthes and slides up into their nose like a big ole' snake!  It will freak you out, if you are not prepared for that kind of  'thang!"  

But that is the nature of a cow!  That is what they do!  And they will 'mooo' at you too!  They are like having a 'watch dawg' around...!  What a concept!  A 'watch cow!'  They are interesting creatures!   It doesn't make me mad because they are like that... that is just the nature of a cow!  So I deal with it!  

But if I impose my cultural values over on the cow... it makes me feel better about myself because the cows are 'uncouth' and they use their 12" tongues to clean out their noses and... 'they are not as cultured as me!'  But in reality, if I don't get close enough to notice... the cows, which are always different than me, I will always misunderstand them!  

I told you that they stare!

For most of us, it is convenient and time saving to just keep our distance!  It is less trouble too!  We end up flying past folks so fast that we don't really notice anything outside of our point of reference and if we do notice... it is because something has usually inconvienced us and the 'outsider' is just there staring and moooing and cleaning out their noses!  And we mindlessly see them as just 'folks on the other side of the fence.'  

This is why walking is such a good thing!   In a car; as you speed by, life is happening all around you; you hardly even notice what is on the side of the road... but when you walk, it gives you time to focus on what you see because you are not speeding along at 70!  Life is really too precious to just be speeding around from here to there and all the while missing those who are on the way!  So slow down!  Ask yourself!  "Why am I in such a hurry?"

With my feet on the Ground... 'slowly'

Simply Trey

DAY NINE c, WEEK TWO,  Wednesday, September the 14th of 2011! 

Trey's Trek cont... 

Change?  What change

After connecting with Becky at the Motor Home in Beaverton, MI the day was well spent and she drove us up M-18 to the Assembly of God Church in Gladwin, MI.  That was where we were to spend the night and we were to be involved in presenting the ministry in Dearborn and praying for our church there.  

Life in Northern Mid Michign seems to run at a slower pace than what governs the 'speed of life' in the Metro Area of Detroit!  The sign above shows that pace!  Even though automobiles are used here...they must 'move over' for the buggys and horses that traverse the area!   But I did get 'tickled' when I read the smaller white sign down on the left sign post.  It says "NO STOPPING  STANDING  PARKING"  Now is that for the horse or the driver?  

The next morning after spending the night in Gladwin, Becky drove me back to Beaverton to start where we left off  our walk the evening before.

This morning not like the others was a bit 'chillier' so I donned my winter coat to start with and later abandoned it as sun crossed the sky.  

Also there was a very nice young man at the church who was at the meeting last night that after hearing us speak desired to walk with us today!

As I was speaking in the Service, this young man had an "Alabama" hat that was (sittin' on his head!)   That was enough to get my attention and we struck up an conversation! Not many in the North know about the Crimson Tide...  Come to find out, he really was from Alabama which was nice... But that still does not mean I gotta like his hat!  

Anyway!  He wanted to walk with me and that he did!  I was really appreciative of his company!  We talked about Alabama and family matters and we harassed each other about Auburn and Alabama!  That was kinda fun! ... 'Way up North in Michigan',  no one really knows about such thangs as "down South"  SEC Football and what it means to Southern Reality!  It can even seem like, "Life and Death"  at times but when the dust settles, rivals are really blood relatives!  

Like when that huge tornado went through Tuscaloosa, Alabama a couple of years ago (where the University of Alabama is located) and the whole Auburn University Football Team loaded up in a bus and traveled to Tuscaloosa and aided the town in a massive clean up after a 'mega tornado' that was reported to be almost a mile wide at it's base, destroyed so much in town.  It was a heart rending time for everyone but "warriors" that did battle on the grid iron dropped their differences to actually aid their athletic arch enemy in what mattered most in life!   "Doing to others as you would have them do to you."   Those words are from Jesus and have been labeled as "The Golden Rule!"   In this case if you have the "Gold" you "Rule!"  

With my feet on the Ground

Simply Trey

DAY NINE b, WEEK TWO,  Wednesday, September the 14th of 2011! 

Trey's Trek cont... 

After watching the Brothers from North Carolina drive away...and completely get out of sight, I again stood there all alone!  Bu Hu!  LOL!  .  Thoughtfully, I just turned back around and headed West "uh'gin".  

There were still several hours left in this day for me to reach my destination which was Beaverton, MI.  When I rounded the Eastern shore of Ross Lake at the corner of Pearson and Porter, I saw the Motor Home parked under the SHELL sign!  When I got closer, guess who popped out!  You guessed it!!!! How did you know?  Just kidding!

Becky!  Oh my Becky!  I bet you didn't know that she could drive a big ole' rig like that!  She is so talented!  I "rilly" like  her!!!

I had called her before I arrived in town, so I knew where see was located.  That way when I got close to the location where the Motor Home was parked... I pulled out my phone and was ready to take her picture when she can out!  I was ready with my 'handy dandy' Blackberry;  she came out... and the photo above turned out great, at least I think so!!!  She was a sight for sour eyes (and feet!)

"How beautiful are the feet..." but nothing was ever said about being..."sore"!

How is it that "feet" and "Good News" are related?  Hummm? 

If feet are related to walking... and The Scripture says that the feet of those who bring Good News are beautiful then why was there no mention of tireness or soreness or blisters or the like?  

Because from personal experience, I can tell you that walking makes your feet tired!  Walking makes your feet sore!  Walking tends to create blisters!  I guess the only thing that I am to surmise from this is that no matter how "beautiful" you look... the work that your feet create, causes wear and tear!  

Getting to where you are going is not an easy prospect, ever!  Maybe this has something to do with the "News" that you carry!  Not just plain ole' news but GOOD news!  News that refreshes others!  News that strengthens and encourages others!  News that breathes life back into a worn out situation!   But the whole while... your feet hurt!

Personally for me... the reality of getting the Good News to anyone is no easy task as far as being easy goes!  So the lesson I think I need to learn and learn well is that walking means that you are going somewhere.  That you have a direction!  That in perusing that direction (no matter how 'right' your missions is...) that the path you are on will drain you!  The effort you expend in expediting you task can and will make you feel weak!  

The persistent plotting of being consistent in completing your task will cause the emotional and 'heart' issues of your life to seem to loose their mobility and get rigid thus making you less patient and more anxious!   

Then lastly but not least, the friction that can be created when people work closely together in tight spaces can create blisters on your heart and soul and cause you to stop doing what you are doing altogether and just check out!   

So the lesson for me is that... This is just what life is made of.  It is not strange!  It is not out of the ordinary!  It is not unusual... it is life in this realm!  But it does not stop me from attaining and maintaining a Beautiful attitude in the process! 

Just trying to think this THANG.. through!

With my FEET on the Ground!

Simply Trey

DAY NINE, WEEK TWO,  
Wednesday, September 14th! of 2011 
Trey's Trek cont... 

Saying good bye to our friends at Albright Shores, we headed out again due West of Town where we walked on Estey Road for a few miles until we came to M-30 and we turned North for a bit until we came to West Knox Road.  We walked on W. Knox Road until we came into Beaverton.  Well, not really... because this time the Brothers from North Carolina had walked as far as they could go today and needed to start back home!  This time it was for keeps!  So we prayed and they left (me all alone... bu hu! - poor pitiful me! LOL!)

I have to tell you that their encouragement for me, in effort expended... toward the ministry and work of Dearborn Assembly was humbling!  They took off of work!  They paid their own way to travel to Michigan!  Then spent at least 14 hours traveling (ONE WAY) to get to us, not to mention traveling back to Carolina again!  They paid for their own hotel to stay the night!  They did not complain!  They encouraged me to continue the Trek and serve the Lord with gladness!  They walked the road with me!  They committed their prayer support and resources toward 'the work' in Dearborn.  They showed their love and concern by the sacrifice that they made!  In my heart I am flabbergasted and amazed at how they allowed the Holy Spirit to work through them!  Thank you Brothers!  I love ya'll!

With my feet on the Ground

Simply Trey

DAY EIGHT c, WEEK TWO,  
Tuesday, September 13th! of 2011 
Trey's Trek cont...

Guess who came back?

Well, as I am writing this and going back down memory lane...It hit me like a ton of bricks!  'The Brothers from North Carolina who did leave me beside the side of the road and drove away 'yesterday' did not go back to North Carolina'... like I wrote in the last post!  "I plum' forgot"! 

They actually went back to the Detroit area and attended a meeting there for the evening and on the next morning, they came up from Midland after spending the night there... again!  

My wife Becky had made a trip to Grayling,  MI the day before and picked up a Motor home that we  borrowed from Becky's Sister and Brother in Law, Ron and Sue Voelker!  

Our Home away from Home for Trey's Trek

The 'rig' was to be 'our home' for the next two weeks and let me tell you, it was a royal blessing! 
After Becky arrived with the motor home that evening, we bedded down for the night by the church and I slept like a rock!  That day I had walked my first 15 mile trek (second leg of the trip from Midland that day) by myself and it drained me both mentally and physically.

After we arrived, the Pastor warmly welcomed us and we went into the church and greeted some other folks who were there waiting on us, to pray with us... for Dearborn.  

When this Brother opened up his mouth... all I heard was 'sweet' English!  It was like music to my ears!  He was from the South!  This precious couple are in their 90's and have spent their lives in the Service of The King... Jesus!  They were some of the most delightful people that I met along the way North!

The Breakfast Crew at Albright Shores

When we woke up the next morning the Brothers from North Carolina had driven up from Midland where they 'camped' for the night!  Some of the men of the church met with us along with Pastor and we walked down to the local restaurant and had an awesome meal!  Those Northern Michigan, back woods restaurants, serve some of the most delicious, "down home" cooking that fills you up and gets you ready for the Winter!  Nuff said!  It is good stuff!  

The Breakfast place in Albright Shores!  

Getting ready for Breakfast!  

These Brothers 'chowed down' and the fellowship together was filling!   



These men in the NORTH are hearty, strong and alive with the Love and power of Jesus!

There were a lot of FIRSTS... this day for the Trek.  The first day walking at least 15 miles through the 'Michigan Outback!'... by my self!  A first night camping in a Motor home with Becky for the Trek!  And a first...on this Trek for spending time with awesome men UP NORTH!   Thanks Brother!  Your fellowship soothed my soar 'ever'thang!"

With my feet on the Ground!

Simply Trey

DAY EIGHT b, WEEK TWO,  
Tuesday, September 13th! of    
Trey's Trek cont...

Starting out after lunch today looked like this!

 The Brothers walked 'a ways' with me after lunch but the time came for them to return home!  So we stopped on the side of the road and thanked Jesus for their sacrifice in time, effort and money to come and walk with me on this leg of the Trek.  In my heart, I was so thankful for their presence!  "Jesus, watch over them as they travel home to North Carolina!  Bless them for their efforts!  Change eternity because of what they have done!  In Jesus' name!

Then as the road stretched out in front me... I put one foot in front of the other and resolved to make this day count!  From Pastor Calvin's home it was almost 15 miles to Albright Shores Assembly of God.  The photo below shows the road through part of the way.

You know you are not "in town" when the "used car lots" start looking like this!!!

On trips like this, especially when you are by yourself... it is harder to stop because you want to get to your destination as soon as possible!  But there are some things that just will not let you continue on your journey. Things that you must tend to.  Things that will just bug you to death if you don't pay attention to it!

Well, as nature would have it... if you eat, you must rest!  And in resting, you must find room on the 'road of life' to do just that!  But I have to tell you... "out there on the road," sometimes... there just 'ain't no' place or room to rest!

Like when you drive a car on the expressway from one town to the next.  You drive and you drive and you look and you look and there is no place to stop!  There is not even a McDonalds Restaurant within sight, so you begin to think... "where can I go?"  At this point,  you really get motivated when the pressure you are under begins to build!  It is at that point that your brain becomes really perceptive and aware and your neurons fire within your brain that have not... 'here to fore' engaged themselves because there was no special necessity to do so!  But now there is sufficient motivation to bare down and get the job done!

Then all of the sudden... like a light coming on in my head, I see a corn field! Yes, a beautiful corn field!  It stretches as far as I can see on the side of the road!  So I say to myself...."Self", 'there you go!!!  Then all of the sudden... I look this way; and then that way;  not a car or a truck or a farm vehicle is within sight!  SO now is my chance, I think to my self!

Straight away, I dart from the side of the road, 'tween the tall, standing, green, corn stalks and instantly I am out of sight!  But also the thought hits me!  I better pay attention...because there are not signs in here telling me where I am or which way I am doing!  All I can see are rows and rows of corn stalks!  I have to tell you that I have never been more relieved!  And as I looked up, there was no 'ceiling fan' noise, just open sky!  Oh what a view!

With my feet on the Ground!

Simply Trey

p.s. I did eventually find my way out!