west

 

grand canyon. bryce canyon. zion canyon. death valley. sequoia. yosemite. redwoods. crater lake. mount saint helens. mount rainier. olympic. san juan islands. glacier. yellowstone. grand tetons. black hills. badlands.

It's hard to put into words, really. Fifteen of us, plus two professors, two bus drivers (see: burly white beard and cutoff tshirt), one bus driver's wife, and one yipping dog traveling our country for twenty five days. Most of us quite unfamiliar with it all; waking up some mornings not knowing what state we were in, or whether we should wear sandals or snow boots. Each morning brought a new illustration of our Creator's incomprehensible glory. We learned about the details of our earth's grand design and left with a new sense of awe and adventure. I met a lot of beautiful souls, on the bus and off. The memories feel like a dream where everything runs together in one big wonderful mess. The end was unwelcomed, but I know there is so much more where this came from.

 

The celestial realms announce God’s glory;

    the skies testify of His hands’ great work. 

Each day pours out more of their sayings;

    each night, more to hear and more to learn. 

Inaudible words are their manner of speech,

    and silence, their means to convey. 

Yet from here to the ends of the earth, their voices have gone out;

    the whole world can hear what they say. 

God stretched out in these heavens a tent for the sun,

And the sun is like a groom

    who, after leaving his room, arrives at the wedding in splendor; He is the strong runner who, favored to win in his race, is eager to face his challenge. 

He rises at one end of the skies

    and runs in an arc overhead; nothing can hide from his heat, from the swelter of his daily tread.

The Eternal’s law is perfect,

    turning lives around. His words are reliable and true, instilling wisdom to open minds. 

The Eternal’s directions are correct,

    giving satisfaction to the heart.

psalm 19:1-8 (VOICE)