Mammoth

We got back from Mammoth on Monday. Of course, it was a great time. It seems that the more I'm in the mountains, the more I long to stay there. I feel very much at home there. We saw three deer, two bears, a fox (or maybe coyote) in addition to the "regular" wildlife such as squirrels, chipmunks, and blue birds. The air was clean, the water was pure, the scenery was breathtaking. Perhaps it's the purity that draws me there-I long for the purity I experience on the outside to reach into the deepest part of me. There's a song I always sing to myself while I'm there and for a while after I get back home:

Mountain

I want to build a house up on this mountain, way up high where the peaceful waters flow.
To quench my thirsty soul, up on the mountain.
I can see for miles up on this mountain. Troubles seem so small they almost disappear.
Lord, I love it here up on the mountain.

My faith is strengthened by all that I see
You make it easy for me to believe, up on the mountain
I would love to live up on this mountain, to keep the pain of living life so far away.
But I know I can't stay up on the mountain.

I said I'd go Lord wherever you lead-for where You are is where I most want to be
And I can tell that we're headed for the valley.
My faith is strengthened by all that I see, so Lord help me remember what You've shown me
Up on the mountain

You bring me up here on the mountain for me to rest and learn and grow.
I see the Truth up on the mountain and I carry it to the world far below.
So as I go down to the valley, knowing that You will go with me,
This is my prayer, Lord, help me to remember what You've shown me up on the mountain.

I cherish these times up on the mountain.
I can leave this place because I know
Someday You'll take me home to live forever
Up on the mountain.

Steven Curtis Chapman