A spiritual experience in Zions

Climbed all the way up in between those two peaks and just below the top of them.

Top of upper pool rock. (there is a green pool underneath, but took pictures of that with another camera. Will add later after developed.)

Stream from middle pool.

One of the many steep stairs I had to climb.

and many more just like this.

view before turning the corner to the stairs. (that is Liz, Kathy, and Emmalee blurs at the lower pool.)

Waterfall from lower pool.

Waterfall from lower pool.

I had a spiritual experience on one of the hikes in Zions National Park that I would like share. There is a hike in Zions that is called The Emerald Pools. They are three layers of pools the lower, middle and upper. The lower pool hike is paved mostly and not too steep, but you have to climb a little. The lower pool had a little waterfall you could walk underneath and it went into a little pool. It was pretty and I felt pretty satisfied I made it without too much of a struggle. So I decided to try to get to the second pool. At first it was just steep and not too bad. Then I got around a corner of a huge rock and saw these rock stairs. There were a few and when I got to the top and turned another corner where there were more stairs that were a lot steeper. I felt like giving up, but I continued where there were about 7 to 8 more steep stairs. Finally we got to the middle pool and I felt really great because I didn't give up. I almost turned back but I said I made it this far might as well keep going. So I went on. The trail to the upper pool was very tricky. There were a lot of rocks and soft sand that you could easily slip on. You took a little more time to figure out where would be the best place to step. It was hard, but not as hard as it was to the middle pool and I felt since I worked so hard on that one I should keep going. Finally I reached the upper pool and it was gorgeous. It was a large cliff with a arch looking hole and at the bottom was a pool of the color of green. It was surrounded by big boulders and a little stream coming from the pool that lead down to the middle pool. As I was sitting there feeling pretty amazed I did it, the Lord put this beautiful message in my head. I could compare my hike to my spirituality. Right now I am at the lower pool. Satisfied with where I am at but knowing I should try to get to the upper one. Now I am attempting to get to the middle pool, but it is getting hard. So many steep obstacles and my own doubts in my way. Wanting at every second to turn back or just stop halfway. Realizing if I keep trying and going I will eventually get there. Trust in the Lord and knowing I am worth it and I can do it. When I finally get there and I am aiming for the top I know it will be hard, but I already went through so much that will not seem as hard. I will have the experiences and the feel for things plus the skills to keep going. I trust and know I can do it because of the tough climb to the middle. When I reach to the upper I will feel even more satisfied and closer to the Lord. Even though I want to be at the upper part right now I need to focus on getting to the middle. I need to get all the tools and experience before attempting to get to the upper. I have to get through the rough middle before reaching to the upper. It is going to be really hard and I might want to give up, but it will be worth it in the end. I am so appreciative to having this experience because I have been having a rough time now. I am trying to get ready to receive my endowments and things have not gone so smoothly. I have had struggles and doubts that I am ready for that commitment. I realize that is because I want to skip the middle pool and just get to the upper. I know that I need to gain some tools and knowledge first. I am not going to reach the upper by just receiving my endowments. My endowments are part of halfway getting to the middle. Anyways I thought that was a pretty cool thing I wanted to share. I have more pictures, but I used a disposable camera. I didn't take more with my phone for some reason. I will put up more of the upper pool because the rock is just part of it and it is more beautiful.