Last week I went camping down near Moab and Arches National Park with some youth from my church. This was my first time ever visiting that part of the state, and what an adventure!
I learned a lot about myself and what I can do, even when stretched beyond what I think are my abilities. One of the days there we went on a fairly rigorous hike. We started at nine in the morning and didn’t return to our cars until 5:30 that evening. We hiked in hot sun and occasional shade. We hiked through sand washes, over slick rock and up a steep incline. We rapelled down a canyon, including a thirty-foot free fall that was exhilarating.
I was never at the front of the pack. Typically I stayed in the middle or near the rear. I wasn’t as fast as our trail-setters, but I tried to maintain my own steady pace. Most important, I didn’t quit. Not one of us did. Our entire group, despite running out of water near the end and hiking in high summer temperatures, all made it to the end.
And that to me is the lesson I hope never to forget.
In life we may not feel like the trailblazers with all their pep and talent. We might even be coming along at the rear, but we’re coming. There are times of blistering sun and challenge, but there are also moments or seasons of cool shade and rest. No matter our pace, no matter our circumstances, the important thing is to keep pressing onward. Don’t quit, no matter how tough things may get. It’s not how fast or well we come along; it’s that we keep going, one footstep at a time.
Have you ever been to Arches National Park? Do you like camping? What life lessons did you learn this week?
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It looks beautiful! I like camping, but I haven't been in awhile. My husband is a big outdoorsman, so it helps to have him along when I do that kind of thing.
Thanks for the reminder. Perfect timing for me. 🙂
I'm not a big camper. The last time I went it was freezing and I swore I wouldn't go again. Unfortunately my family wants to go again. 🙁
I haven't been camping in years. I loved it then, not sure I would now. That picture is amazing!
What a fun experience! My husband was in Moab at Arches National Park four years ago and he loved it! He keeps telling me he wants to take a road trip out to Utah with our Jeep. We live in Minnesota, so you can imagine what a hike that would be in a Jeep! 🙂 Our camping takes place in the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota. The challenge is canoeing from lake to lake and portaging all your supplies on your back. It's a lot of work, but worth the effort to be on unspoiled, pristine lakes.
Such rewarding lessons and I love that you learned right alongside the youth.
I've been learning once again to trust God and His timing. Kinda never gets old.
~ Wendy
Wow!!! What a cool experience.
My life lesson today is no more cartoons for the kids. Heh. Or at least no more Cartoon Network. Grrrr.
btw, I just saw that you have your cover!!! *squee!* It's GORGEOUS!! Congrats, girl. 😉
I've never been there but I do like hiking. I learned how far I can push my body when I did a relay race. Yeah, at mile 4 of my 3rd run in 18 hours I was wondering if I could go on. But I did it. And it's one of the reasons I've been able to push myself as a writer. I keep telling myself if I can do that, I can do anything.
The pic makes it looks so beautiful. But I know it can be really hot. Glad you guys all finished.
Ooh, I've never been there but from the photo it looks beautiful.
I've felt stretched in a happy way this week…working hard toward a couple goals and seeing results. My mantra for the summer is "Work Hard. Trust God." And it's fun to see hard work pay off…and even more so to recognize God at work.
Julie – It was definitely nice to have people there who are more experienced with camping/hiking!
Stina – Some of those less-than stellar camping experiences make great stories later, right? 🙂
Jess – It was super cool to finally see Delicate Arch in person!
Gabrielle – Yes, a road trip from Minnesota to Utah in a jeep would be an adventure! 🙂 What a cool experience traveling by canoe to go camping.
Wendy – The youth in our group really were great examples to us adults! And yes, the lesson of the Lord's timing – I keep repeating that one. 🙂
Jessica – Ah yes, the summer TV battle!
Jenny – What an amazing thing to do – your relay race! Way to go!
Melissa – I love that – stretched in a happy way! Need to remember that phrase. Way to go with all you're working on and learning!
I love how you tied your adventure into a life lesson. We're always learning, aren't we?
The place sounds beautiful. I've never been there. I do love hiking and camping. I feel so close to God in His nature there.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
"We might even be coming along at the rear, but we're coming."
Yes. There's something to say for persistence.
And I absolutely LOVE the Arches. I'm glad you enjoyed your visit – despite the heat and near dehydration 🙂
Loree – Yes, always learning, even from these youth half my age. 🙂
Kim – I would love to visit Arches again and get to Canyonlands too.
I'm so glad you survived! Oh, how I loathe hiking. But I love how you say "we are coming." That really hit home for me.
You rappelled down a wall? Wow! Your time away amazes me and I love the analogy.
That's awesome you went camping! Wow! I know I need to do it soon, but I'm going to wait at least a bit more. I prefer something like princess camping. Yeah, that's more my speed.
Love your cover BTW. Beautiful, Stacy!
Never been there but sounds awesome. I normally hate camping–except when we went to Glacier with our friends from Montana. They knew how to camp! 🙂
Elana – I like moderate to easy hiking. 🙂
Terri – We rapeled down a canyon that was like a giant staircase. Then there was a ledge with a 30 foot drop to the ground below. Going over the lip of that ledge was nerve-wracking, but the descent was awesome!
Mina – I'll go princess camping! 🙂 A day of roughing it followed by several days of pampered camping (ie. hotel) – now that would be fun!
Jennifer – I've heard Glacier is amazing. My hubby and I drove out of our way one time to see it, but the park closed the day before because of the first snowfall. Some day we'll get back up there!