Be inspired by Laurie's story of forgiveness and restoration on the hike of a lifetime.
After completing Revelation Wellness Instructor Training in 2017 and RevWild Outdoor Leadership Training in 2019, I knew the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Hike was next. My goal was October of 2020, and this was an experience that I could not imagine having on my own.
Finally, after navigating through Covid and patiently waiting for the Lord to move, I was ready to register for Rim to Him in October 2021. I signed up for early notice emails, saved for the deposit, and waited. I had the registration date marked on my calendar, and my daughter would go with me too. The instant I pressed the sign-up button and received the confirmation email, I remember thinking, “alright Jesus, we’re going to do this thing.”
Being involved with the ministry of Revelation Wellness has taught me to expect an encounter with Jesus. The Lord’s purpose is bigger than I can imagine, and my “yes” has ripple effects. I knew it would not be an easy journey, but I knew He would do remarkable things through the experience for both my daughter and me.
The day after registration, I reminded my daughter to sign up, and to my surprise, it was full. Wait, what? Full? In twenty-four hours? This was supposed to be for both of us. What do you mean I am going by myself? I could not see it then, but this was the Lord’s plan all along. There was something He needed me to experience, just Him and I.
Called to forgive
I trained through a hot and humid Maryland summer. Being sweaty took on a whole new meaning, one that only puppy pads could solve.
About halfway through training, the Lord put the word “forgiveness” in my heart. Ok, forgiveness, I got that. Asking forgiveness when needed and forgiving others. My husband and I have tried to teach, model, and practice this with our families and children. This should be easy!
Then it hit me.
I realized this was an extremely specific request, and it did not come once, but twice. God knew what my heart needed to continue to do His work in the Kingdom. He knew that unforgiveness was holding me back from being able to move forward, leaving it all behind fully.
This specific request related to two relationships, two significant people, who were no longer in my life. People I had shared life with, made memories with, raised kids in tandem with, and knew everything there was to know about me. Losing them hurt a lot. I had never imagined my life without them, and within a two-year time span (2018-2020) both had chosen to walk out of my life.
Don’t get me wrong, I did experience healing from those broken relationships before I stepped foot in the Canyon, but God had more for me.
God showed me that this journey was one for me to forgive myself, forgive others, and be restored to Him.
Walk the Words of Jesus
Forgiven and Free
There I was, standing on the South Rim after a 4-hour plane ride and a 3-hour van ride out to the Grand Canyon. It took my breath away. Looking at this magnanimous canyon in all its beauty, I reflected on what it took to get there, the sweat, the sore legs, the flies, the doubt about completing the training, and the sacrifice for my family.
In my pocket, I had two secrets. The Lord asked me to carry two wooden hearts on the hike through the canyon and trust Him to know what to do with them. One heart read in Sharpie, “forgiven,” and the other, “restored.” Through my Rim to Him training, He showed me that this journey was one for me to forgive myself, forgive others, and be restored.
Before we made the ascent out of the canyon, we took communion as a group. God asked me to drop those hearts from my pocket into the Colorado River at that time. I had carried them long enough, and it was the weight I no longer needed to carry. We had a five-mile ascent, those hearts and the ones associated with them were now His. I remember the feeling of walking over the grated bridge and looking at them one last time, and then they were gone, down to the bottom of the river.
When I rejoined my group, Erin Scheu, one of my shepherds that I had shared the story with on the way down the canyon, asked me how I felt, I said, “lighter,” to which Erin replied, “you are free.”
I’m thankful for this encounter with Jesus as I walked the Grand Canyon. I found freedom by walking with Jesus and doing what He said, to forgive others as He has forgiven me.
You may not be walking in the Grand Canyon, but you can still walk with Jesus. Will you?
Laurie Vasquez (Platoon 19) is a work-from-home, homeschooling mom with four amazing kids from ages 12 to 21. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Rodrigo, and lives in the Frederick, MD area. She teaches RevFit classes and is the Worship Leader/Volunteer Coordinator for her church.
New Walking Program
For 21 days, you’ll bring your body and your mind closer to God as you journey through the words of Jesus.
Each day you’ll walk and pray through scripture with an audio recording as your guide. With each daily walk only 20 minutes long, you can easily fit them in any time throughout your day!
4 Responses
Thank you for your testimony. I needed it!!
Thank you for reading, Reba!!
My first meet up was with Laurie. So glad to see how God is working in her life. His promises we can count on. Be blessed. Amen
Yes! Thank you for sharing, Tiffany!