If today had a theme, it would be journeying. In Greek the word for "journey" is poreuomai and it is used to describe either a long trip, a life changing trip, or a way of life. The word is used by God in Acts 22:10 when God tells Paul to journey along the road to Damascus, where he will receive more instruction for his new life as an evangelist. It's also an appropriate word to describe the stories we heard today at the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, aka "the Archway". In both cases the traveling takes the traveler from one way of life to an entirely new way of life, and often it is the journey itself which truly changes the person.
The Archway is a huge arch spanning over I-80 just outside of Kearney, NE. The sides are made to match up to the line of the horizon and the burnished plates on the side show either a rising or a setting sun, depending on your direction of travel. It's a monument to the hundreds of thousands of pioneers who journeyed west on the California, Mormon, and Oregon trails. Fort Kearney was the site of the convergence of all major trails West and is often seen as the place where the West begins. East of Kearney are fertile lands with plenty of rainfall to support crops. West of Kearney are dry plains suitable for little more than grazing (although with advanced irrigation techniques even this has changed).
"Two-Gun Pete" greeted us as we entered the Archway. This grizzly old man was one of the highlights for my entire day. His smile was classic and always ready. Shelisa especially got a kick out of him. He passed out headphones and away we went, up into the Arch. For those of you who have never been to the Archway, it's a self-guided tour which tells the history of everyone and everything that passed by from the pioneers to present day fiber-optic cables. Hearing the tales of these past travelers made me want to go on an extended journey of my own. I already have a thirst for adventure, and this monument made me even thirstier.
Vethanayagamony made a statement after we had all gathered back together after going through the exhibits. "I definitely have a new respect for the Mormon people, seeing the hardships that they had to go through for their faith." It's true too, the Mormons did suffer a lot to make it all the way out to Utah. One of my favorite stories was about the 1200 Mormons who got snowed into the mountains by an early blizzard. Brigham Young noticed they were late and sent out a search party to find them and rescue them. The rescue party found the trapped travelers and rescued over 800 men, women, and children from what would have been certain death.
We don't face death anymore in the same way that people used to. In this country, most of us have insulated ourselves from the elements and the world. Don't get me wrong, it's great to be healthy and secure. But I wonder if we are becoming too removed from our own humanity in the process? We aren't challenged in the same ways. If we don't risk anything, then there is no commitment. This lack of commitment has created a vast ocean of shallow beliefs. I believe that as Christians we are called to discomfort and risk. God is committed to us. God has risked something for us. This point is clear. Now what do we risk in return? What commitment can we make for the glory of God?
The afternoon's agenda included four stops, which I'm going run through slapdash since I waxed prolific on the Archway. First was MONA (The Museum of Nebraska Art). There were a lot of nice pieces of art there, but the Spirit Boat sculpture was what grabbed me the most. It spoke to the journeyer in me and reminded me that the greatest adventure I will ever take won't occur until I leave this world.
Second was Rowe Sanctuary. It was a beautiful nature preserve along the Platte River where thousands and thousands of sandhill cranes congregate every year between Valentine's Day and Tax Day. They stop to fatten up on leftover corn before continuing their journey north, some going as far as Siberia. Carcass Kelli found a dead mouse in the parking lot and shared a tender moment with the dead animal before telling me stories about how she once turned Thanksgiving turkeys into meat puppets!
Third was the grave of pioneer woman Susan C Haile. This pioneer woman died of poisoning along the Mormon trail. Her husband went all the way back to Missouri to bring back a marble headstone in a handcart so that his beloved would have a lasting memorial. The people of the area have protected the grave and cared for it ever since.
Last was a visit with the parish nurse of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Shirley Winter. I finally figured out what a parish nurse does! Shirley promotes wellness within the congregation and works with the parishioners on preventative care. She also offers additional pastoral care for parishioners when they are experiencing illness.
The night ended with a dinner out with my mother and grandmother, who drove over 2 hours just to have dinner with me! I feel truly blessed to have a family that loves me. Now it's getting late and I must get some sleep. Only a few more days of our immersion left! It's going so fast!
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