A Search for PEACE: Finding Solace in Nature

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In the midst of COVID-19 and this season of social distancing, the family and I have become creative in how we spend special time together.  Let me make this clear, the Crawford Family is not outdoorsy AT ALL!  Ha!  We’d rather go to the movies, a museum, or out to eat, but we’ve chosen to adjust to this new normal of social distancing and we’re slowly embracing the outdoors.   

Recently, we took a trip to go crystal digging at the Great Salt Plains Selenite Digging Area in Cherokee, Oklahoma.  The timing was perfect because we’d all just began to experience what I call the “social distancing blues”: a funk brought about by lack of contact with the world around us.  This was a much needed distraction to shake off the blues!

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During our time there, the hub and I both kept talking about how therapeutic the searching/digging was; just what we needed. From the drive there to the trip back, it was an enjoyable adventure.  To others it may have seemed like just a bunch of sand, but there was a perfect peace to gazing across the vast distance and standing in the stillness.  I found myself whispering, “Thank you Jesus”.   It was a ‘thank you’ for the reminder of how great the Lord’s creation is, and that I’m included in even a small fragment of his plan.  

Who knew we would find peace and solace in something so ordinary! 

LESSONS LEARNED:

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If you have mine digging in your local area I encourage you to go for a dig!!

Here are a few lessons we learned from our experience: 

1. Wear Comfy Clothes:  The salt plains is basically a bunch of sand that stretches for miles… keep your cute clothes home Mommas!  Because there’s no sand, there’s no shade, I’d recommend a hat and sun glasses depending on the time of year you visit.  When we went we didn’t consider that it had rained the night before so we would have benefitted from a pair or rainboots, but otherwise, our comfy clothes were perfect for the occasion.  If you’re bringing your little ones, I’d recommend a change of clothes for them; our little guy had sand in places that we were surprised by!
2. Bring a REAL Shovel: The day before our trip, I asked the hub to pick up a kids shovel from the store for the little guy.  Thankfully he’d gotten some advice from a friend who told him, “Nah man, you need a REAL shovel!” Ha! I’m so glad we got this guidance because we did some deep digging and a toy shovel wouldn’t have cut it!  Our little guy used a half shovel similar to this one , and the hub used a full one .
3. Pack a Lunch: This digging area is in the middle of nowhere and the closest restaurant is about 45 mins away.  You’ll be mining for a while and if you’re anything like us, you get hangry.  Save yourself the growling stomach and come prepared with sandwiches and plenty of bottled water.  (The bottled water will also come in handy for rinsing the crystals when you’re done.)
4. Consider Seating: One thing we regretted was not bringing tailgating chairs.  Most of the families there dug in one location and had chairs to rest.  We have a 3-year-old and we let him take the lead on digging, so we moved around a lot.  We stayed for an hour but feel we would have stayed longer if we had a seat to rest our legs.  If you’re going to dig you’ll want to enjoy the adventure; bring a seat to stay a while. 
5. Bring a Bucket for Storage: We failed to bring a storage container or bucket for the crystals we’d collect.  We resorted to an old grocery store bag that was in my hub’s truck.  It did the job, but we both agreed that next time we’ll bring a bucket for convenience.   

THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE:

The “social distancing blues” is real and the lack of interaction can have a negative impact on us mentally, physically, and spiritually.  I challenge you to find creative ways to seek adventure even in the midst of the pandemic.  There are plenty of national parks and outdoor areas that are perfect for social distancing quests.  Do some research and go explore the world around you.  You’ll be glad you did!

APPLICABLE BIBLE VERSE: 

Isaiah 26: 3 & 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Our trip to search/dig for crystals was so much more than just a 45 minute drive to a salty plain; it was a moment of spiritual restoration.  The quiet stillness offered us a distraction from the worries and confusion of the pandemic and the country’s racial tensions.  It was the peaceful outdoor adventure we didn’t know we needed; we look forward to the next trip!  If you’re reading this, let me know of any ways you’ve found peace through connecting with nature.  We’ll chat again next week as we share REAL LIFE, FROM ONE MOM TO ANOTHER.