across the universe

Over 60 hours and 3000 miles later Spring Break 2011 is complete.  The word complete gives a sense of being finite, having a end mark yet, I believe this past week will forever be ingrained in my memory.  This past week full of laughter, struggle, short tempers, love, and tranquillity taught me a lot about myself and how I interact in the relationships I am in, both with God and with people.

There were a few themes that resounded throughout this trip.  These included variations on enjoyment of God's amazing wonders and also on the principles of joy and love.

The most successful day of the trip, hiking down into the
canyon to see the Colorado River.

Wonder.   The Grand Canyon is filled with the amazing majesty and wonder that God created.  He created it all for our enjoyment, for us to sit speechless in total awe of just how awesome He truly is.  One of the 7 wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon, is one of God's most prize masterpieces.  He knows every single rock formation, every single creature, every single plant that adds to the majestic canyon.  He controls the Colorado River, which shapes and molds the landscape each and every day.  Everything is His, it is all a part of the beautiful creation story painted in Genesis 1.  Sitting out on a rock ledge overlooking the river that passage was read to me and all I could do was think WOW.  God created this amazingly beautiful planet because of how much agape He has for us.  Everything He created was good!  He says that over and over in Genesis 1, He is the artist sitting back and looking over his work picturing just how good it will be.  Our creative God left me, a girl known to talk too much, speechless as I listened to the words of the creation feeling every bit a part of that narrative.

Joy/Love.  When I say this trip tested my patience that is an understatement.  I was tested up the wazoo on the trek to Arizona and, actually, while in Arizona as well.  Being together almost every single moment allowed for each of us to experience the real and the rough aspects of our personalities.  All five of us on the trip are very different, having different pet peeves, dislikes, annoyances, and beauties but, at the same time we all share many commonalities.  The constant ebb and flow of grievances being replaced with love, in the end, I feel strengthened our relationships.  In many instances I found my self slipping farther and farther from God when I looked at my companions without love filled eyes.  In certain instances God gave me a wake up call, reminding me that all joy comes from Him and without Him in my life the joy that I am sometimes known for dried up.  I found myself needing constant reminding of the fact that I have the power to make the trip the best and the most fun it could possibly be and looking at my friends with frustration and consternation was not going to help any causes.  Yet, despite the warnings God was giving me I definitely struggled with this a lot a lot.  I realized how much I need to rely on the Spirit to guide me and to help me be the best version of myself.  I also realized I need to pray.  I need to be constantly asking for guidance and help and for a hand to hold.  I need to pray even if I don't always get an answer when I am expecting one.  I learned that I love each and everyone of the girls and Patrick with whom I went on this tranquil retreat on even after all of us reaching our breaking points and then some.  I love the fact that I have an amazing community to share my passion for Jesus and for God's amazing wonders.  I love God.

The Grand Canyon put everything in perspective for me and now I am renewed in and refocused on God's amazing plan which He has for me.  I only hope that I can be faithful and joyful in what He has in store for me.