Torch, Spring 2001

Katie: At the time, I saw the Crazy Horse sculpture as a memorial and not as something that was being worshiped. Becky: I didn’t think that the sculpture was being made to be worshiped either, but Dad explained that people were worshiping it through their time and energy. On the surface, the monument is neat to see and beautiful, but if you go deeper, you see that it is being worshiped. We saw a video there that said spirits rested in the monument. We looked at the monument as something to help us understand Native American culture, but to those who think there are spirits in it, it might be viewed as sacred. Bob: Our trip home took us eastward across South Dakota, past Nebraska, through Illinois, and home to Cedarville, Ohio. What great memories we have of this trip! I don’t think any of us will ever forget it. Nora: I had fun. I’d do it again! Ben: ...maybe with a bigger RV. Becky: The trip gave me the feeling that I want to see more. Everything we saw is under God’s hand. He knows every single thing. Being that close to nature and God’s work brought me peace and made me feel close to God. Nora: I was impressed by the walks through nature. Just walking through His creation, I could feel His presence— more than ever before. I think that’s why He made it so beautiful—so we could walk through it and enjoy it. Katie: This trip definitely brought me closer to God and helped me learn more about Him. Ben: I liked it all, especially the buffalo. Everything we saw was neat in that it took God hardly any time at all to create it. Sue: There’s so much we saw and so much we didn’t see. There’s so much to God that we can’t understand. If the West is so amazing to us, and heaven is so much better, I can’t imagine what heaven will be like. Bob: God is so good and was so gracious to our family over this long journey (Deut. 7:9): D r. Robert Chasnov serves as associate professor of engineering at Cedarville University. Part of the Cedarville family since 1991, he earned his degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of Illinois. As a registered professional engineer, he enjoys consulting in engineering areas where materials fail to live up to expectations. Dr. Chasnov is a deacon and AWANA leader at his church and serves the Cedarville community as referee coordinator for SAY soccer. Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments. May you and your family experience God’s presence and blessings in all your travels. A buffalo and her young calf walked along the highway leading into Yellowstone National Park. T Spring 2001 / TORCH 15