Hello!
These past two weeks have been incredible. The chance to relax and enjoy Southern Utah is just incredible. It couldn't have happened at a better time. We are now in our peak season at the resort and have been sold out nearly each night. Along with registering over 150 rooms each night, this past week was marked with a washing machine breaking down in the laundry department, slowing housekeeping down. Some evenings, guests could not check into their rooms until after 5:00 p.m.! It was a crazy experience. Throughout August we are expecting it to remain just as busy.
In the midst of the craziness though, I have been blessed to have a slower study pace and the ability to enjoy my days off while exploring the area. My friends, Ron and Richard, got to visit from Portland during their recent trip around Southern Utah. They joined Jamie, Andrea, Kevin, and I as we got to explore Monument Valley. It was such a perfect day as we drove through the valley, stopping at all the sights and sharing time together.
The following week, Jamie, Andrea, Stephanie and I got to walk in the Zion Narrows, an area within Zion Canyon where the canyon walls come so close together that the river touches both walls while the canyon reaches over 1,000 feet above the river. There was a thunderstorm the previous day with heavy rain, leaving the Virgin River muddy for our hike. The adventurous part to this hike was carrying camera equipment while making sure it remained dry. Hikers in the Narrows frequently slip on rocks--especially when they cannot see the river bottom. I had to walk slow to make sure that didn't happen to me. I carried a dry bag in case the water became too deep, but the water level never exceeded my waist.
Along the Narrows, there is a side canyon called Orderville, which is a narrower slot canyon that leads to a couple waterfalls. In some areas, the canyon walls were still towered 800 feet above us, with the walls only 8 feet apart. It was so magnificent. This was my third time hiking in Orderville and the Narrows, but this was just as spectacular as my first visit. Jamie, Andrea, and Stephanie were all amazed.
In the midst of both Monument Valley and the Zion Narrows, Jamie took a small amount of time aside to sit in silence and pray. This was so inspiring to see as Jamie made sure to seek God in the midst of these beautiful places. I can testify to the challenge of the wilderness--there is so much that is awe-inspiring that enraptures you that it is hard to stop looking. Being in such beautiful places draws an element of transcendence to you, but just as the wilderness can bring you into something bigger than yourself, it can also prevent you from going even further to look up and commune with the Creator in the midst of His creation. Watching Jamie intentionally step aside from exploring these places for a time of silent prayer was so good to watch. When I'm by myself, it is much easier for me to take time out to do this, but when I am the "tour guide" of the group, helping everyone explore the area, I realized that I sometimes miss out on this opportunity to seek God in the midst of the exploration.
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It's been a while since I've posted any updates regarding the ministry team. Things are still going well for us. We greatly appreciate your prayers as we are approaching the end of our season. Only five Sundays remain. Doors have been opening with the National Park Service and the park concessioner so that we are able to put up signs to advertise our Sunday services, as well as start campground walking on Saturday evenings. The challenge for our Saturday evenings is that we get off work around 6 (if we are so lucky), then have only a short while to walk the campground before the sun sets. Hopefully, with the signs posted, we'll be able to spread the word better.
Please pray for Jamie especially, as she is at her one-month marker before she heads home. She still has a lot she wants to do, but there is also the lingering transition back to school for her. KelLee is taking a semester off, so she'll be working later into the season, as I will also do.
As for me, I have three more weeks before my fall semester begins. This is a "final lap" for me, as I'll be starting my final year of school before I graduate. There's a lot that is upcoming....starting a more permanent career, using my connections in order to hopefully find way to continue ministry in the parks while engaging in ministry. There are a few prospects, so I'm doing a lot of praying as I try to follow God's call for the next steps after all this school subsides.
Blessings to you! I have posted my Photos of the Week. Enjoy!
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