Browsing Tag:

deserts

In Arizona, Destinations, France, United States on
April 25, 2019

Travel is the Vehicle that Connects Past, Present, and Future

Black Arizona landforms against a vibrant, flaming sunset

A 5 minute read

While road tripping in 2016 to complete my “All 50 States” tour, I pulled over along a desolate highway. The sunset views against Arizona’s Painted Desert deserved so much more than a passing glance as I drove through. I got out of my car and stood amidst absolute, complete silence and watched nature take place.

I’d never seen anything like it. Iridescence cascaded into/like an overture/coloratura across the sky.  The sun painted murals on rock formations. Fallen, petrified trees from the late Triassic period, 225 million years ago interspersed throughout the barren landscapes soon gave way to majestic silhouettes accented by stars that seemed close enough to pull right out of the sky.

There I stood, somewhere between, “the bright blessed day and dark sacred night” that inspired Armstrong’s crooning and led him to rejoice, “What a wonderful world.” Wonderful world, indeed.

Engulfed in awe of the creator’s innovation, my heart overflowed with gratitude that the composer saw fit to share this masterpiece with me.
At the moment, an elucidation that captured this experience from Forest Gump, long buried in the depths of my mind, rose to the surface, “In the desert, when the sun comes up, I couldn’t tell where heaven stopped, and Earth began. It was so beautiful.” At this moment, I too struggled to distinguish Heaven from Earth. For the first time, I understood.

Surrounded by both vast nothingness and the density of significance at once, all of the people I love came to mind. I wanted them to have a moment like this. I wished they could witness this. I craved for them to feel all of this.  

desert sunrise with beautiful artistic hues of pinks, purples, and blues.
                       I want you to know how these colors feel.

I view the world through a historical lens. Whereas an engineer may look at something and ask how it works, I look for clues left by previous generations to learn the story of why and document to provide clues for the next.  I travel in order to cover as much ground as possible to increase the probability that I trace the steps of my progenitors but also, lay a path for descendants.  I try to have many unique experiences so when others experience the same, it bridges a gap of understanding in a way that it couldn’t by being explained.

For example, I grew up in a military family. Saturday mornings often started with a G.I. Party (the military community knows, this is not an exciting event) and getting ready for school came with the expectation that it only takes three minutes to do the  Three S’s. After 22 years of growing up in that environment, it wasn’t until I experienced military training for myself that I learned it is indeed possible to get ready in three minutes (which is 90 seconds more than what’s actually needed).  That experience helps me relate to every American warfighter that has come before me in a way I couldn’t before.  Visiting Charleston, I was filled with an enormous sense of family connection. Although I don’t know for sure, the statistics make it highly probable that someone from my family’s past walked the same streets centuries before. Even after reading Little Women multiple times and watching both versions of the movie, it wasn’t until visiting the March family home, Orchard House, in Concord, Mass that I felt that I really got to know the family.  Tracing the steps of James Baldwin, Richard Wright, and Lois Mailou Jones in Paris’ Latin Quarter helps to understand their muses and inspires creativity of one’s own. The same goes for visiting the homes and frequented localities of all historical figures. It gives a snapshot of the surroundings of the historical figure, how they lived, and what influenced their thoughts. It helps to understand how they worked through some of their decisions and thought processes. I know, from visiting the Kennedy Library and Museum that Jacqueline took a cruise to Paris with friends while in college and it was the best year of her life. But I don’t know any such information about anyone in my family.

I’d like to able to know and connect with my family in the same way, but so much of my family’s history went undocumented. I do have some say over the documentation prepared for the future of my family to be able to know and connect in the same way that I do historical figures.

So I travel. I do things. I search out a diversity of experiences, not only so I can find some commonality with people I come in contact with today, and so I can relate to people of yesteryear, but also for those who come next will be able to identify with me in some way.

Regardless of France’s past and current transgressions as colonizers, and irrespective of the more impactful uses of contribution money, Notre Dame’s burning is a loss.  The losses of St Mary Baptist, Greater Union Baptist, and Mount Pleasant Baptist in Louisiana and the several mosques also burning at the same time does not detract from the loss of this Catholic Church in France. It is a loss of history — literary history, architectural history, religious history, cultural history, and personal history. And it is a loss of a future. Three generations of women in my family explored this site together during a wonderful summer trip, and now, our future generations will not see it as we saw it.

The backs of a small crowd watch Notre Dame durn from afar on a hill.
I can only imagine what it would be like: To be going about my day, look up, and see the smoke, then realize it’s Notre Dame burning.

In the wake of the devasting fire to Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral, social media users flooded their timelines with the nostalgia of Paris vacations.  Criticisms grew that this act was merely bragging.  When we grieve the loss of a pet, it is common to remember by showing pictures of the memories with them. When we mourn the loss of a loved one, we do the same thing. When a home full of warm memories is lost, we often use pictures to help us remember those memories and grieve. And in the most heartbreaking occasions, when a dream is lost, one of the ways we grieve is by looking at pictures of that dream.  Have we gotten so cynical and disconnected from humanity that we confuse the human emotion of grief for bragging? And really, isn’t that the central focus on social media? A platform to draw attention to yourself?

The places we travel become the setting for the story of our lives.  Perhaps, my progeny won’t give their ancestors a second thought, but at least if they do, the more places I travel, the easier it will become for those who come after me to visit and find a connection if they so wished. When they find themselves randomly out in the middle of the desert, witnessing all its glory, and they’re longing for someone to share it with, they’ll know they had an adventurous ancestor who sent everywhere and saw everything and likely witnessed it and felt the same way too.  Perhaps, if the Earth is still around, four generations from now,  my offspring will visit France’s capital. Perhaps they’ll respond just like me and marvel at finally witnessing the architecture discussed in classes first hand. Perhaps they’ll be like some of my travel companions and be underwhelmed.  Perhaps, if it is rebuilt, they’ll climb the tower. Perhaps if restored properly, they won’t have to climb the steps and take the elevator instead. Maybe my future offspring will see the cathedral for the first time with friends. Perhaps they’ll make their mark on eternity and get engaged right next to the Charlemagne statute, under the shade of the trees.  At the very least, perhaps those scions will at least have the primary source document that shows four generations of women in their family have gone to Paris, strolled the narrow alleyways, delighted in the cuisine, and had their picture taken in front of La Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris.

In Asia, Destinations, Qatar on
January 15, 2014

Growing Faith In Desert Places

…Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the
wilderness and speak tenderly to her.”

— Hosea 2:14

 

Sometimes it takes moving into desert places and out of our routine to reach a new level of understanding and awareness. I’m not talking about going from America to the wonderland a European vacation. I mean really getting into a place that is really completely away from all you know and where you feel safe and comfortable… where all you insecurities, shortcomings, and faults are exposed. Here in Qatar, I don’t have the distractions of ordinary life in America or Europe. Here, I am an obvious outsider, limited by language and cultural understanding. Like many of the Biblical heroes, moving to the desert can test your faith and bring you revelations you couldn’t otherwise receive.
Consider Moses, who grew up in the palace of the pharaoh, then spent 40 years wandering around in the desert where he learned the ways of the true King.  After being baptized, Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the desert.  Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, David, Joseph all spent time in the desert. Granted most of the Bible took place in the desert, being alone in the wilderness is when they heard and saw God’s work.
My 2014 started off rocky to say the least.  I learned I was the daughter of a breast cancer warrior the day after the guy who said he wanted to give me his last name changed his mind. I’ve gone through what I consider major tests only to be surrounded and comforted by God. Clearly, the good Lord wants my attention.  I got the epiphany that I seem to I write about everything else but my testimony. I mean, looking through my blog, you wouldn’t be able to tell I try to follow God’s guidance for my life with varying success because I don’t speak about his goodness. Well, here I am changing that with the messages of encouragement I’ve received during the first 15 days of 2014.
Have faith in God’s Timing
I lead Zumba on Wednesday nights. Last Wednesday as I was cleaning up after class a participant lingered after class and said, “I’d like to give you this.” In her hand was a pewter necklace with a cross on one side and the words, Be still and know that I am God.”  Wow! What a message. Basically, God sent a new friend…we’ll call her and angel… to let me know, “Chill the frick out, I got this!”

 

It’s so easy have faith in God’s plans when they are right in line with my own. Each night I pray, “Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven…” then get so upset when God’s will isn’t in synch with my own.  He has a reputation for doing amazing things and giving me more than I could ever ask for. Why would he stop now? My dreams are coming true. I need to start thanking him for the works he’s already promised me rather than keep asking him to meet my deadline.
I get so annoyed when people question me. When others want to know what I’m doing or why I made the decisions I made, it makes me so uneasy.  So why on Earth do I do the same to God? I have to learn just to accept God’s answer. I need to let God be God. He’s got this.  Now, more than ever I understand Hannah and Sarah wanting what they want right then and there. But I’m learning God uses delays in fulfilling our heart’s desires to strengthen us, train us, and test our obedience. Take the Israelites wandering around the desert for 40 years…you can take the Israelites out of Egypt but you can’t take the Egypt out of the Israelites. The Israelites probably had a lot of Egyptian habits like making idols that God just wouldn’t let them take into the promised land. I’m satisfied to wait for the Isaacs in life, do not rush and end up with an Ishmael. I’m usually pretty spontaneous and take comfort in the “whatever will be will be.”  But when it comes to what really matters to me, I am a meticulous planner. I’ve got to let go.
Maintain a Positive attitude
Disappointments happen with unmet expectations. Instead of dwelling on past disappointments, be excited and optimistic about God’s plan for your future. Look for the silver lining in all misfortunes. Disappointments are opportunities to prove to god you are growing. Maintain a positive attitude regardless of the situation around you. Don’t absorb all the criticisms and negativity around you, make positivity a habit like Polly Anna. Be anxious for nothing but give all your worries to God. Joseph had betrayals, setbacks, and disappointed in his life. But we don’t know of his grumbling. We just know of his patience and his grace with those who hurt him.
Be around people that celebrate you
Not everyone deserves to have a piece of your time.  Some people are just going to be critical of you, no matter what you do or how hard you try to please.  If someone can spend six months or so with you and still fail to realize how fabulous you are, well, that says more about that individual than it does you.  Give up the goal of winning approval of others. Doing so only sets you up to be controlled and manipulated by that individual. Instead, be controlled by God and strive to please him. Know that when you are forgiven by God and living a new life that is pleasing to God, how other’s judge you doesn’t matter.
Proverbs 25:17 says “Iron sharpens Iron; So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Amazingly, I have been bum-rushed with tons of encouraging girl friends who just popped up out of nowhere who encourage and celebrate me. They sharpen me rather than make me dull and unsure of myself.  The good Lord has brought me amazing people who lift me up; people who encourage me to dream and believe in me. In 2014 I will be disciplined to spend my time with people who appreciate my talents, personality and celebrate my accomplishments rather than emphasizing my weaknesses and tell me what I cannot do. There’s power in God’s words. I mean, He did use them to speak the universe into orbit. So surely his words can handle the little things in life.  A co-worker randomly provided me a list of affirmations of who the Bible says I am and capable of. When surrounded by people that say hurtful things, it may take morning affirmations to remember what God thinks about you and how wonderful you are.
 “I am a virtuous woman.” Proverbs 31
“God wants to give me hope and a future” – Jeremiah 29:11
“He who finds me, will find a good thing” – Proverbs 18:22
“I am a Child of the Most High God, fully accepted by the Father.” – John 1:12
“I am more than a conqueror.” – Romans 8:37
“I am forgiven.” 1 John 1:19
“God loves me enough to sacrifice his only son for me.” John 3:16
The Pain of discipline is less than the pain of regret.
Don’t act on emotional impulses. Be disciplined while emotional so you don’t make choices you regret. Be concerned about later on, not how you feel today. You can be right or be kind. God brings peace on earth if you chose to accept it. He causes a cessation of hostility and anxiety. Always maintain your Belle poise and demeanor. You don’t ever want to come off as graceless.
Since the New Year I have received an outpouring of love, acceptance, and encouragement from friends. co-workers, and random strangers. I have developed new networks of people who celebrate me.  I’m not alone in this world. God sent his angels to let me know he is looking out for me.  It takes getting out of my comfort zone and places of distraction to find out who I really am and what I’m made of.  We all go through metaphorical deserts where the days are oppressively hot, dusty, grimy and all around uncomfortable and hope to cross metaphorical River Jordans into the promise land.

Inspiring verses:

Be still, and know that I am God – Psalm 46:10

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths -Proverbs 3:5-6
A person’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way? – Proverbs 20:24
Many plans occupy the mind of a man, but the LORD’s purposes will prevail. – Proverbs 19:21
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. – Proverbs 16:9
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11