Nature has a unique way of impacting our lives and creating transformational experiences. Being surrounded by natural beauty and awe-inspiring landscapes can help to open our minds and hearts, allowing us to tap into our innermost thoughts and feelings.

Born and raised in Guatemala until the age of fourteen, I grew up playing and exploring the outdoors. My fondest memories there involve hiking to Rio Motagua to explore, swimming in the river, and sometimes looking for caimans (lagartos).

Since I was much younger than my siblings, I was very independent. My brother is ten years older, and my sister is eight. The age difference made me almost an only child. In Guatemala, after secondary school, if you live in a small town, families send kids to boarding school or away to continue their studies.  So, with my siblings gone, I was left alone with my parents. My parent’s marriage was far from perfect, and in the years my siblings were away, I endured the worst of their marital discord.  To avoid the chaos, I went outdoors.   The outdoors became my sanctuary. 

To this day, the outdoors is where I go to disconnect, clear my mind, and think. It’s a place where everything dissolves and somehow becomes whole again. I seek the outdoors when bored, sad, upset, or tired.  But usually, I seek it when I need to clear my mind or reconnect with myself.

Being outside in nature has a way of making time irrelevant and bringing a sense of clarity to my thoughts. There, I converse with God. There, I feel his presence everywhere. I sense Him in the trees and flowers, I hear Him in the wind, and most of all, I see Him daily in each glorious sunrise and sunset. 

From nature, I have found a deeper connection with God, and it helps me share my passion for exploration with others.  The great outdoors has a hold on me that will never let go, and I will continue to seek its solace and beauty for the rest of my life.