Torch, Spring 2001

Bob: After two long days of driving through Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas, we reached the incredible Rocky Mountains. This was only the beginning of a trip filled with the amazing sights of God’s creation. The next day, we traveled to Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, where we spent 1 1 / 2 days hiking to and through beautiful archways and windows formed by the pounding of the hot winds upon the sandstone. The paths were laid with fine sand, and we were reminded of the Wilderness of Moab (Deut. 2:8) out of which would come the beautiful Ruth who would be the great- grandmother of King David (Ruth 4:21, 22). Arches served as a great visual aid for our family’s devotional time. The story of Ruth coming out of Moab reminded us of the grace of God and the beauty He can bring out of anything. Seeing the dryness of the Arches desert area gave us a picture of how desolate the Wilderness of Moab must have been and therefore how great God’s grace was in bringing something so beautiful out of something so desolate. Our devotionals continued regularly as our family prepared for bed after each exhausting day of so many sights and wonders. Our format was diverse, but generally I would search for a Bible passage which related well to what we had seen that day. The goal was to help the kids connect all they had seen with Bible stories and truths they had already learned—to “fix” the visual in their minds. I wanted to reinforce to them that God’s creation is incredible and was given to us as a gift. From Arches we traveled south to Bryce Canyon, Utah, where we gazed upon pillars of sandstone. Besides thoughts of Lot’s wife turning to a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26), we saw the results of flood waters leaving their solid remains as described in Psalm 75:2, 3: When I select an appointed time, it is I who judge with equity. The earth and all who dwell in it melt; It is I who have firmly set its pillars. Opposite page: Bryce Canyon, Utah, stretched out before the Chasnovs. Middle row, top to bottom: Seeing the cattle on the rolling hills of Kansas broke the monotony of the long drive. ... The Chasnovs were awestruck by their first view of the majestic Rocky Mountains. ... The Chasnovs called this RV “home” during their month- long trip. ... While in Arches National Park, Utah, the family hiked from Sand Dune Arch to Broken Arch. ... Cove of Caves was another enjoyable part of Arches National Park. Top right: Though stable, Broken Arch was formed when wind erosion and the freezing of water into the rock’s cracks caused chunks of rock to fall loose. Spring 2001 / TORCH 9