In this powerful Season 1 finale, Travis and Adelle share a deeply personal and transformative chapter of their journey, focusing on Travis's life-altering encounter with God in 2018. This episode, unlike previous ones, delves into the specifics of their story, marked by bitterness, resentment, and profound spiritual transformation. The Best Year Ever...Until It Wasn't The episode picks up in 2018, following Travis's rehab in 2016. Adelle describes the beginning of 2018 as their "best year ever": business was thriving, their marriage was improving with consistent counseling and retreats, communication and intimacy were growing, and arguments were decreasing. However, she candidly admits that many of these improvements were "Band-Aid things," setting the stage for future challenges. Travis emphasizes his desire for "a new perspective on life" and a break from his destructive past, actively "seeking" what that new path would be. The Men's Hike: A Turning Point Adelle shares how she had been praying for Godly men to enter Travis's life, and a men's hike organized by their new church became the answer. Travis, having never hiked before, was drawn to the opportunity for connection and personal growth. Travis describes the preparatory meetings for the hike as a profound experience. He witnessed men "sharing vulnerably" about their struggles, including sexual sin, something he had struggled with since childhood and believed he was "broken and alone" in. This openness was a revelation for him: "People talk about that, men talk about that! I'm not the only one that's experiencing this issue." He desperately desired the authenticity he saw in these men. Life Before Jesus: The Weight of Secrecy and Control Travis reflects on his life before this spiritual breakthrough, highlighting struggles that many can relate to: Drowning in worry, consumed by shame and condemnation from his past. An inability to surrender and a desperate need to control everything due to feeling "out of control." Secrets that were "destroying my life," echoing John 10:10a, where the thief (enemy) "comes only to steal, kill, and destroy." These secrets were "killing my thoughts, stealing my self-worth, and ruining my relationships." Isolation and fear of judgment and rejection, making him feel "trapped" and unable to be vulnerable. Self-reliance, constantly trying to be "the little-g God" of his own life, unwilling to surrender control. They both acknowledge that the "healing" they experienced prior to this was often "temporary" and "superficial." A Crossroad: Faith, Surrender, and a Ruptured Disc Two weeks before the hike in April 2018, Adelle suffered a ruptured disc, leading to excruciating pain and fears she might never walk again. Her surgery was scheduled just two days before Travis's departure for the hike, creating an immense conflict for Adelle. She desperately wanted Travis to stay, battling feelings of wanting to be "chosen" and not "second," especially given her serious medical situation. Despite her internal struggle, her words ultimately gave him permission to go, guided by an intuition that "something bigger than me was happening." Travis also wrestled with the decision, feeling a strong pull towards the hike, sensing "there's something for me on that mountain." He recognized his past tendency to choose himself over their marriage, but this time, he genuinely wanted to be there for Adelle while also knowing he needed this personal journey. The Mountain Top Experience: Releasing Burdens and a Transformed Heart While Travis was on the 4-day hike, Adelle's pain and resentment grew. She felt isolated and unable to communicate her struggles to him. Meanwhile, Travis's experience on the mountain was deeply symbolic. On day one, he was instructed to pick up a rock, representing weight or burdens. Despite his already ambitious 45-pound pack, he carried this rock. On day three, he wrote down "burdens" he wanted to "let go of" on the rock, things that held him back. This culminated on the last day when he threw the rock off a waterfall, signifying his surrender and release of these weights. Travis describes his prevailing view of God prior to this moment: "God loved everyone and just tolerated me." He felt "unworthy," "not good enough," a "failure," and believed God was "disappointed" in him. However, during the hike, his heart softened, and he gained a new perspective: "God sent Jesus to come and die for me, even if I was the only person on this entire Earth, he loves me that much that he would come to me... If I chose to surrender to him, that all these things will be washed away, that I will be transformed in my mind." This realization led to a profound moment of surrender: "I am done being on the throne of my life... I am ready to surrender everything over to you, God." The instantaneous transformation Travis experienced was powerful: His "hardened heart was softened." "Chains of bondage" were broken. Depression lifted. He felt "renewed in my mind, in my body, and my spirit." He saw a "new opportunity for a new life" with Jesus, where the "old can be washed away." Despite it not being planned, Travis requested to be baptized in the Chattooga River as a public declaration of his commitment. Twelve men held him in the wild current as he was baptized, forever changing him. The Return to the Valley: Sanctification and Transparency Travis acknowledges that life with Jesus isn't without "trials and hardships." While the mountaintop experience was "Blissful," he knew he was "meant for the valley" where real life happens. His return home presented immediate challenges: Fear of judgment: "What are people going to think about me now? What are you going to think about me, Adelle?" New conviction for transparency: He desired an "honest, truthful, humble, open, and transparent marriage" but didn't know how to achieve it. Adelle's bitterness: He came home to a "bitter, resentful wife" who was upset about his absence during her surgery recovery. Miscommunication: Adelle's hurtful phrase, "What happens on the mountain stays on the mountain," led Travis to "downplay" his experience, fearing she wouldn't accept the new him. This resulted in Adelle feeling "left out of the transformation" and putting him "under the microscope." They both acknowledge that while Travis's spirit was transformed instantly, his soul (mind, will, emotions) and body required the ongoing process of sanctification to align with his new spirit. Adelle explains that while she didn't witness the immediate spiritual transformation, she observed Travis "showing up different," "loving me different," and "seeing me for the first time," which ultimately led her to "fall back in love with you." This sanctification, though slower, built lasting change. They reference Romans 7 and 8, highlighting the human struggle to do right and the need for a "spirit-led life" that leads to continually sinning less, not becoming sinless. Looking Ahead: Your Journey and Season 2 They invite listeners to reflect on their own lives: What areas are not working for you right now? Are you ready to surrender your life to Jesus Christ and experience freedom from the burdens of sin and misery? They encourage listeners who have experienced a spiritual transformation but struggle with sanctification, reassuring them they are "not alone" and that it's a continuous journey of aligning their soul and body with their transformed spirit. Journaling Questions: What are the areas of your life that are not working currently? Holy Spirit, what is the first action step you want me to take right now in this area that is not working? The hosts express deep gratitude for each other: Travis for Adelle's gentle help in decluttering their home after Hurricane Helen, and Adelle for Travis's surrender to Jesus, making him a leader she deeply respects and is inspired by. They invite listeners to subscribe to their channel and join them for Season 2, promising to delve into the drastic changes that occurred after this pivotal 2018 period. They also announce a special miniseries to kick off the new year, focusing on setting listeners up for their "best year ever" by involving God in their intentional planning for 2025. They close by wishing everyone Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, praying for peace during the holiday season, especially for those facing difficulties. What part of Travis's transformation story resonated most with your own spiritual journey or desire for a new perspective?
