Even a picture cannot capture the beauty of this place. It is rugged, beautiful, magnificent, grand, treacherous, and awesome.
We forget to respect nature.
We forget how big our world is.
We forget to respect our Creator.
I couldn't help but feel renewed and see a broader picture here. One that does not include those details, worries, and stresses of the worlds and environments we create and participate in. A world apart. One that does not bend to our demands and our rules.
I could not help but think of Jesus. 40 days fasting in the desert. I was nearly at the point of collapse after a 4 hour hike. 40 days!!!! I feel like I get it now. The depth of his faith. The extremity of his temptation. I think part of me never really computed the temptation part. That it was real. That it was tempting. I always glossed over that part, failing to see his humanity through his divinity. But it all started to click for me on my hikes there. It was the best church I've experienced in awhile. It was definitely a spiritual experience for me. I might even venture to say an awakening.
I am honored that I had the opportunity to share this adventure with my husband. To see the big smile on his face as we drove into the park. Sheer joy and excitement. And complete awe.
I love this picture! It captures the exhilaration of seeing this place better than words can describe. It captures the joy of a beautiful memory together in a beautiful place.
This trip was exactly what we needed. Something had to give! To be clear, I would not say that we have experienced anything remotely resembling marital strife. We truly have a great life. I am thankful for him every day and vice versa. But I would say that our exhaustion, routine, worries, and stress were stealing joy. We had lost some perspective and forgotten what it means to relax. Oddly enough, relaxing = lots of sweat and funny hats with an inspiring backdrop.
Let me tell you. My husband really loves me. Remember that episode of Friends where Monica's hair is frizzy and awful? My desert hair is both poofy and strange but sweaty and limp at the same time. Mix that up with some major hat hair. That was me, the entire trip. I wore a hat most of the time 1) to cover up the craziness and 2) to protect my scalp from the relentless, scorching sun.
But none of that seemed to matter. We were having a wonderful time, and we make a great team!
Can't wait for many more adventures to come!
