feeling kind of "churchy"
terlingua abajo cemetery
from david's "nirvana point"
sunrise over grapevine hills
at chata ortega's
i have taken a while to write this memory, because i have been pretty sick.
the night of our trip out to big bend national park, i realized i was catching a cold. it evolved into one of the worst colds i have had in a long while.
on our second day in the park, we hiked up the pinnacles trail to the north east section of the rim. the south rim is the best known hike in the park, and perhaps, the state. this trail we took is merely an extension of the primary route. we began the hike up WAY past the time i had planned for the start of the ascent. we had spent the morning and early afternoon exploring a village that is being reclaimed by the desert, a cemetery, and DOM. it was a good day. nevertheless, we started up the mountain about three hours later than i would have liked to.
combining the excess weight of my pack, the grade of the trail, and my cold; it was a slow-moving hike. i was feeling pretty weak, and lacking much energy. the effects of the cold, the altitude, and my asthma were really inhibiting my breathing which only added to my lack of stamina. fortunately, dad was with me, and he was willing to walk slowly with me. i am a believer that hiking at one's natural gait is the best way to preserve energy and enthusiasm for the trek. thus, dad and i were happy to send neil and brian up the trail at their own pace.
when we reached the end of pinnacles trail, we were pretty darned tired. as we descended into boot canyon, the sun was following our lead. by the time we arrived at the springs, it was dark, and getting colder. we were in no hurry to run up the slope, so we took quite a few rests along the way. during one such stop, i could not catch my breath. we sat for 10 or 15 minutes, and things didn't improve for me. dad asked me if i would like a priesthood blessing. embarrassed that i had not thought to ask, i said, "yes." there, on the side of a mountain, in the cold, moonless dark; my father laid his hands on my head and blessed me. he asked God the reveal His Almighty Hand. those words struck me with great force. He is almighty and all He desires will be done. that feeling struck me so soundly as to bring tears to my eyes. he told the Father that i was a good man and asked Him to return to me some of the good that i had given to others, as i was in such need at the current time. i could feel God's love for me very intensely. before my father finished conveying his thoughts and blessing; i was breathing at a normal rate. when the blessing was over, i was felt invigorated, and was ready to get on the trail. we sat for a few minutes to reflect on the moment.
with the help of neil and brian who had returned down the trail to find us, we finally reached our campsite at NE1. it was a beautiful spot, high on a mountain, with stars overhead shining in all their brilliance. it was the perfect place to offer a prayer of thanksgiving to my Heavenly Father.
i knew without a doubt, that God had heard the prayer offered on my behalf. in an instant, He delivered an answer that was revealed in such a way to give me physical strength when very little was present. it also reinforced the strength of my spirit, and my faith. after an experience such as this, how could i doubt the reality of the gospel of Christ? it is confirmed to me over and over throughout my life. in ways both small and large. this one was glaringly bright to me.
i'm glad the the Lord sees fit to bless me in my weakness. He is merciful, all powerful, and loving. i thank God for my earthly parents for teaching me the ways of the gospel, and for being such superlative examples of ones who will serve the Lord and put their faith in Him.
from david's "nirvana point"
sunrise over grapevine hills
at chata ortega's
i have taken a while to write this memory, because i have been pretty sick.
the night of our trip out to big bend national park, i realized i was catching a cold. it evolved into one of the worst colds i have had in a long while.
on our second day in the park, we hiked up the pinnacles trail to the north east section of the rim. the south rim is the best known hike in the park, and perhaps, the state. this trail we took is merely an extension of the primary route. we began the hike up WAY past the time i had planned for the start of the ascent. we had spent the morning and early afternoon exploring a village that is being reclaimed by the desert, a cemetery, and DOM. it was a good day. nevertheless, we started up the mountain about three hours later than i would have liked to.
combining the excess weight of my pack, the grade of the trail, and my cold; it was a slow-moving hike. i was feeling pretty weak, and lacking much energy. the effects of the cold, the altitude, and my asthma were really inhibiting my breathing which only added to my lack of stamina. fortunately, dad was with me, and he was willing to walk slowly with me. i am a believer that hiking at one's natural gait is the best way to preserve energy and enthusiasm for the trek. thus, dad and i were happy to send neil and brian up the trail at their own pace.
when we reached the end of pinnacles trail, we were pretty darned tired. as we descended into boot canyon, the sun was following our lead. by the time we arrived at the springs, it was dark, and getting colder. we were in no hurry to run up the slope, so we took quite a few rests along the way. during one such stop, i could not catch my breath. we sat for 10 or 15 minutes, and things didn't improve for me. dad asked me if i would like a priesthood blessing. embarrassed that i had not thought to ask, i said, "yes." there, on the side of a mountain, in the cold, moonless dark; my father laid his hands on my head and blessed me. he asked God the reveal His Almighty Hand. those words struck me with great force. He is almighty and all He desires will be done. that feeling struck me so soundly as to bring tears to my eyes. he told the Father that i was a good man and asked Him to return to me some of the good that i had given to others, as i was in such need at the current time. i could feel God's love for me very intensely. before my father finished conveying his thoughts and blessing; i was breathing at a normal rate. when the blessing was over, i was felt invigorated, and was ready to get on the trail. we sat for a few minutes to reflect on the moment.
with the help of neil and brian who had returned down the trail to find us, we finally reached our campsite at NE1. it was a beautiful spot, high on a mountain, with stars overhead shining in all their brilliance. it was the perfect place to offer a prayer of thanksgiving to my Heavenly Father.
i knew without a doubt, that God had heard the prayer offered on my behalf. in an instant, He delivered an answer that was revealed in such a way to give me physical strength when very little was present. it also reinforced the strength of my spirit, and my faith. after an experience such as this, how could i doubt the reality of the gospel of Christ? it is confirmed to me over and over throughout my life. in ways both small and large. this one was glaringly bright to me.
i'm glad the the Lord sees fit to bless me in my weakness. He is merciful, all powerful, and loving. i thank God for my earthly parents for teaching me the ways of the gospel, and for being such superlative examples of ones who will serve the Lord and put their faith in Him.
posted by cm at 12/04/2006
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