Life often takes its twists and turns. Its ups and downs. It’s like we are on a constant roller coaster ride wondering if it will ever slow down enough for us to breath.
I don’t mind the constant movement of life and events happening around me. It shows in a way that I am still alive and still part of this world. It shows that I can be helpful and productive with multiple opportunities. It leaves room for adventure and exploration. It lets us take in the wonders of this world through the people, places, and events that are happening all around us.
However, there is always a need to slow down or stop for a little while and reflect on all that is happening around us in order for us to grow and become the person we ought to be. Reflection helps us mature and become better. It helps us not to make the same mistake over and over again. It builds us into the person we want to be and wish to be.
I do a lot of reflections in teaching. I reflect on my lessons and how they went or how my students responded to them. I often reflect on my responses to my students during trialing moments or moments of gratitude. It’s not easy, but it is so necessary in order for me to grow as a teacher and future educator.
I also reflect on how I am living my life and how I am reflecting God through it all. Sometimes these reflections don’t come as often as they should, sometimes I forget to sit back and think through what all God is doing. However, I often find this time of reflection when I am outside in His beautiful creation. I always feel at peace and in awe of all that He does and has done. This is why I love to be outside and love to go hiking and exploring.
To the Grand Canyon!
This last spring break, I was able to go on a trip of a lifetime with my friend and roommate to the Grand Canyon. This was a dream and a great way to spend our senior year. I also used this opportunity to test out my big pack and see what all I needed to bring for my World Race journey. I was able to see how much work it was to lug a giant pack up and down hills and all around. I was able to see how my tent could be set up and how my packing arrangements worked for me. I was able to test out key elements to have for staying warm in case the countries I will be in are cold and I am camping (because the Grand Canyon does get COLD!).
Through this trip, I saw the awe and wonder of the Grand Canyon. I saw the breathtaking views of it through sunny, cloudy, AND snowy skies! It was beyond incredible. It was absolutely wonderful! It was an experience that probably not many get to endure. I was happy to be there even if it took a lot of hiking stamina, lack of sleep, and freezing temperatures. It was all definitely worth it, and I was so glad to share this experience with my sweet friend.
With all that said, I was not expecting all the things and people we encountered on our trip. I never expected to have so many conversations with strangers because we were two girls lugging around giant packs. Our packs were definitely the majority of conversation starters! We met many people on our 22 hour train rides where we were able to chat, play games, and laugh alongside each other. Some people were closer to our age, while others had more life experiences.
All these people came from different areas, different backgrounds, and lifestyles. We chatted and laughed alongside a fellow teacher. We played card games with some. We made conversations with conductors, fellow campers, and Grand Canyon explorers. Each of us parting ways, wondering if our conversation will ever be remembered or just be forgotten. Who knows maybe one of our conversations made a difference in someone’s life without us ever knowing. Maybe one simple hello or caring conversation brought life and encouragement to them. I will probably never know the outcome and life of most of the people we met, but I hope that God was at work through every conversation we had (even if he wasn’t mentioned).
On one of our trains, we met a woman whose life was not in the best of places. She told us of some of her struggles and hardships. She wasn’t sure how she would get from one place to another. She wasn’t sure how she was going to stay warm or where she might find her next meal. She was hurting and we hurt for her. We were able to supply her with our protein bars, kind and loving words, and we were able to pray for her. Although we were not able to do much for her, I hope and pray that she knew that we wanted to help her in every way we could. I hope she left with an encouraged heart and a filled soul.
I would never have expected things to happen this way. I never would have expected people to be so kind, social, and present. I never expected that an early return was probably good. This Grand Canyon experience took my breath away in more ways than one. I know that God had His hand throughout all of this. Through every encounter we had, through every experience, God was there.
With everything that happened within this small week long adventure, I cannot begin to imagine what all God is going to do while I am on an 11 month world journey. I can’t imagine the conversations and people God will place in my life that will impact me or those around me. I can only imagine that He has something incredible to show me, and I just need to be open to Him and follow.
God bless,
Laura Leigh Armstrong
