Are we there yet?.

  How many times have you heard that on a trip? Well, this time it was me saying it.

  I had heard about how great these stores were with such artistic grandeur and

exotic wildlife exhibits with actual aquariums filled with native fish and all the other

sites to see. I was so excited to have one of these stores in my home state.

I couldn’t wait for the doors to open so I could experience it for myself.

Nearly a year and a half later, on August 2004, Cabela’s opened their doors to

the public; however, I could not get there for the grand opening. To be honest,

I didn’t want to fight "Grand Opening" size crowds. After several planned trips had

failed to materialize, I would finally find my way to Wheeling two years later on

April 22, 2006. The men’s group from my church planned a trip and I wasn’t missing

the boat (van) this time. Initial planning had at least fifteen men going but by the

departure date had dwindled to six. I was still excited! In fact I felt like a little kid the

day before Christmas on his way to the toy store. I could just imagine the simulated

trout stream with native brook and rainbow trout swimming by and all of the exotic

wildlife exhibits on display, not to mention being able to touch and feel all the hunting

clothes I’d spent hours looking at in the catalogs. It was going to be a great day!

  Our group arrived around 11:00am and we began to explore. The aquarium was nice

but honestly it didn’t compare with what I had imagined. The wildlife exhibits were

impressive and unique but it was still not what my mind had built it up to be.

Even the 18,000 square foot building filled to the gills (pun intended) with fishing and

hunting gear wasn’t quite enough to blow my socks off. I’m not disappointed I went.

It’s nice to say I’ve been there. It was an impressive sight and we had a great time;

it just didn’t measure up to what my mind had created and ended up being a little bit of

a let down.

That’s when God spoke and got my attention. He knew how excited I was about going

on that trip. What he reminded me of was the trip I’m on every day - a trip that is

leading toward eternity in heaven with Him. He tells us in his Word in 1 Corinthians 2:9

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for

those who love him". There will be no let down when we reach the Holy City and

behold what he has prepared for us. No matter what we may dream up we can’t even

get close to what God has prepared. Isn’t that amazing!

  No, we aren’t there yet. But that is good because there are still more we need to take

with us. Just like the men that could not make the trip with us for one reason or

another, there are those around us on the wrong path in life. God, help us take those

around us on this trip that will never end for it is your will that none shall perish but all

have everlasting life!

Aiming for a higher mark,

Ed McMinn

Secretary, Almost Heaven Archers

WV’s 1st Chapter of CBA