"Life is there.Stop! Don't step on that soil. It's full of life." We saw this sign continuous while exploring Arches National Park in southern Utah few weeks ago. I peered at that dry tanned dirt and thought nothing is living there. Its stark bareness appeared lifeless and unproductive. How tempting it was to cut across the path over that ground. After all I couldn't really see any evidence of life. The photo above is a shot of what the ranger told us is a mature biological soil crust. Its surface may look just like dry dirt, but it contains lots of living organisms that are vital to the desert ecosystem. In many desert climates, this type of crust makes up 70 percent of the ground cover and is vital for reducing erosion, increasing water retention and increasing soil fertility. The main living creature there is called the cyanobacteria, one of the oldest known life forms. Other characters residing there are lichens, mosses, microfungi and green algae. Most of the … [Read more...]

Horton hears who? Horton Hears a Who!  This fun Dr. Seuss story teaches children and reminds adults the important lesson of loving your neighbor.  I used this book as part of the children's sermon last Sunday when the gospel lessons told the well known parable about the Good Samaritan that starts with the question, "Who is my neighbor?" Does Horton talk about neighbors?  Not exactly. The weather is hot so Horton, the elephant, jumps into the pool to splash the heat away. He is having lots of fun when he hears a small noise. Looking around he sees nothing.  But once again he hears a faint cry for help. "I'll help you," said Horton, 'but who are you? Where?' He looked and he looked. He could see nothing there but a small speck of dust blowing part through the air." Horton ends up discovering a whole group of people barely visible to the eye who need help. And Horton does help. In fact he goes the extra mile for these people he didn't even know and almost missed … [Read more...]

Many of the gift shops we visited on our trip to southern Utah held books and cards featuring Native American proverbs. I thought their wisdom would be fun to share with you.   "Even your silence holds a sort of prayer."  Apache     "The Great Spirit gave us each a song."  Ute     "Wisdom comes only when you stop looking for it and start living the life the Creator intended for you."  Hopi     "Thoughts are like arrows; once released, they strike their mark. Guard them well or one day you may be your own victim."  Navajo     "To gossip is like playing checkers with an evil spirit; you win occasionally but are more often trapped at your own game."  Hopi     "First you are to think always of God. Second you are to use all your powers to care for your people and especially the poor."  Sioux     "It makes no difference as to the name of the God since love is the real God of … [Read more...]

    Do you thrive or just survive in the daily routines of life? We have been camping the past two weeks. After long days of car travel from Ohio to Utah, we ventured around the "Golden Circle" of Moab, Arches and Canyonland National Parks, Mesa Verde, Durango and the four corners, then through northern Arizona to Bryce and Zion National Parks. What a treasure our national parks are! I am amazed at the history of the world found in geology. We discovered the roots of ancient Native Americans and listened to their stories about creation, the stars above, and how we are all connected through the years and through nature. Yes vacation can be moments of learning, adventure and change of scenery. I love planning trips and the anticipation of new sights. My perspective widens and my imagination soars. Trips evolve into more than just sightseeing; they become pilgrimages where we find roots and inspiration. Each day was different. Yet nothing on vacation feels as good to … [Read more...]