Early Monday morning, we boarded the buses and took the long drive to get to Camp LoMia. Needless to say, everyone was sprawled out in the seats sleeping. We arrived to a nice campsite. The first day included certification and zip lining. Tomorrow would be the "big" hike. It included a five mile hike up with 'giganto' backpacks that carried all of the essentials: tents, sleeping bags, toilet paper for the log I would be using later, and other things. At first, it didn't seem like a big deal. A five mile hike, pff....please. And for a while, it was fine. Until we got to the enormous mountain we had to climb! There were too many switch backs to count, and as we asked, "how much longer?" the answer was always, "just a half mile more." To top it off, it started to rain. I clung tighter to my jacket as I looked over the side of a tall mountain, imagining the plummet to my death if I were to roll down. Of course, that is a bit of an exaggeration--but that's what it felt like. It was a never ending cry fest of a hike, but our leaders cheered us on as we kept going. With a determined, "BOOYAH!" we continued. My legs felt like Jello, each step just a numb continuation of the other. I wanted to lay in the fetal position and cry until they air lifted me back home. But I would not do that. Just as I thought I really could not continue any more, I heard a faint car honking, and shouts of heroic achievement. My face lit up as we took the last steps to the top of a freaking mountain! It was still raining, and as we set up our tents, a nice stream slid down the mountain, drenching all of our stuff. Exhausted, I slid into my sleeping back and took a well needed nap. Then...
BOOM!
I shot up out of my sleeping bag and nearly jumped to my friend and tent-mate Reagan. Thunder and lightning had begun. Great. Each earth crushing boom was worse than the previous. I thought I was going to die. That was it. Goodbye parents. Goodbye sunshine and all goodness. I was going to die in less than fashionable hiking clothes and without one last shower. To my surprise though, as both I and Reagan peered out of the tent, there was not a big crack in the earth where the thunder had hit. We crawled out to join the other 4th years and leaders around the fire. Damp, cold, and tired, the fire was like Christmas morning. We all huddled around the warmth, our teeth chattering as we laughed at how pitiful the situation was. The important thing was, no one got hurt. We all lived. I turned around to look at the view, and all of a sudden, all of the miserable feelings that hung over me faded away. I looked over at neighboring mountains blanketed in beautiful fog and cloud. I realized there that it would be alright. And even if it had been a pretty disheartening day, it had all been for this. Bonding, learning, growing, and love. I had finally looked up. I smiled, comforted because I knew that I was going to be okay. Despite the "astronaut" dehydrated food, lack of indoor plumbing, and the ever present rain, I was going to live. And I did.
The Church's youth theme for the year is Stand Ye in Holy Places. I learned this year, that yes, life is hard. Life is hard like the hike. But you have got people around you going through the same things. And when you support each other, you can make it through. But in the end, you'll never see the beauty in it unless you look up.
Booyah!
Thanks! Au Revoir!! xx
A cartoon from the New Era, Aug. 2013
Theme Illustration for Youth 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment