This morning I woke up to see the search for the Mt. Hood hikers, Anthony Vietiti and Katie Nolan, has been suspended. Though any outdoor enthusiast is heartbroken when one of our own doesn’t come home, this one hits me square between the eyes.  I worked and lived with Anthony at a camp a few years back.  We were actually training to climb Mt. Hood together in the summer, something we never really got around to doing.

Anthony was a big influence on my life.  I was, and still am, a recovering pastor’s kid confused about life and angry at what may or may not be God.  More than a friend, he was an example of something which the world has a short supply- A down-to-Earth, humble and gracious Christian.  Now I don’t write this to bash on Christians (after a life of church I have the right to say these things).  It’s a testament to Anthony.

Now maybe he is still alive, if there is anyone that could survive it’d be him.  But, if he has passed, he showed me something that no church or pastor or missionary or Bible Study or late night Evangelical Preacher could ever touch: God’s Love.

My heart goes out to Anthony and Katie’s families.