Is God still relevant in our lives? Does God see the struggles and trials many families go through? Does God have a reason for allowing his children to walk through deep valleys of despair? These are all fair questions.

Does God even have a place in today's world? The leaders of our country don't seem too interested in seeking God's guidance in leading this country. Our school systems have tried to remove God from our classrooms. Wait--these two entities don't seem to be working too well right now. Perhaps we do need divine guidance after all.

As it is for many of you, my life was rolling merrily along. My wife Mary and I had been married 32 years, we had three wonderful children and I enjoyed my job. Sure, like many of you I had house payments, college payments, and the usual job-related stresses. My world was suddenly turned upside down when my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although we did everything possible to fight the disease and believed that God could heal her, on September 7, 2006, she took her last breath and passed away. Either God had not heard our desperate cry for healing, or He had other plans for our lives.

I wanted to know why God put our family through this heartbreaking time, and my questioning led to a radical decision. For years I had dreamed about hiking the Appalachian Trail; and a little more than a year after Mary's death, I decided to quit my job, shoulder a backpack, and hike close to 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine. My plan was to write a book about this adventure with a message for men not to take their spouses and families for granted.

As I hiked north, I began talking with God as if he was my hiking partner. Repeatedly, I would ask God why he took my wife from me. On Sunday morning, July 6, 2008, while hiking towards Eph's Lookout in Massachusetts, I had an encounter with God that left me face down, weeping on the trail. God revealed to me why he took my spouse from me.

You, my friend, were also included in that encounter. You wonder how that is possible? God asked me to include the message of that encounter in my book. I admit, I argued with God. I was certain folks would think I was crazy and the book would not sell. God's reply was, "I'll get it into the hands of people who need to hear this message." You have found this web site and have read this far. Chapter 20, entitled " The Path To Freedom", may have been written for you.

That encounter with God completely changed my life and set me on a path to healing from my grief. I pray that the message of hope brings you peace in this troubled time we live in.
-- Paul Stutzman


Author Resume
Name.. Paul Stutzman
Trail name.. Apostle
Place of birth.. Millersburg, Ohio
Age...58
Marital Status... widowed
Education.. High School
Church affiliation.. Mennonite
Family..Three children, four grandchildren
Occupation...Retired from restaurant management.
Previous published articles...none. This is my first attempt.
Previous writing.. Blog about my hike on www.trailjournals.com/apostle It had 86,000 hits
Hobbies...Hiking and riding bicycle Interests...Smelling flowers and reading books
Future plans... promote my book from coast to coast