One of the breakthroughs we experienced during the early part of the year of no spending was the opportunity to reach a major financial goal with the cash purchase of acreage. We had been saving money and when the right amount of land became available at the right price in the right location, we jumped on it. Although we took a quick trip to see it before closing on the deal, we had not spent much time exploring. This past weekend we took a trip to the land with my three older kids, my dad, and some friends. Our goal was to clear a trail, clear a campsite, set up camp, and survive a night of roughin’ it. Our plans were almost derailed by the forecast of rain, but we decided to go ahead with our adventure.

We left Saturday morning so we could arrive before noon and have time to find a place suitable for setting up our tents. After trekking through the middle of the property with a couple detours, we arrived at a spot that was fairly level and had enough space between trees to set up the three tents we brought with us. We set to work moving logs, clearing leaves, and blazing a trail back to the road to retrieve our gear from the two minivans. Our first order of business was to get the tents set up. Two of the kids decided they would scout a spot nearby for the bathroom. With clippers and an ax, they “renovated” a couple of smaller trees, complete with a branch to hold the toilet paper, to make a somewhat private area that would house the bathroom. After the tents were set-up, a firepit was dug and a fire started to make dinner. By four o’clock we had accomplished a lot and were beginning to relax in our lawn chairs to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.

Our adventure was both exciting and relaxing as it took us out of our normal routine and gave us an opportunity to unplug. Plus, we got to dream of what could be on our land. Most of all, I came away with new lessons learned from our overnight in the woods.

1. Plan well then adjust. When we planned for the trip, we tried to anticipate what we would need and what we could leave behind because we did have limited space. When we arrived, we made good use of the tools we brought, but some of them didn’t work as expected. For instance, the headlamps and lantern we brought for light after dark didn’t work (we’ll call it battery malfunctions!). So we had to adjust by using the light of the fire and a handful of glow sticks to light the night. In life things don’t always go our way in spite of careful planning. When this happens, we have to adjust and make use of the resources we have.

2. Cut a new trail and mark it. The land is thickly wooded and we had to cut our own trail through the branches, upshoots of new trees, and thorny vines. Once a small trail was cut, we marked it with paint so we could remember which way to go. When we go through life, it is important to make thoughtful choices about the trail we make. Each step takes us in a certain direction, sometimes it’s a good trail and sometimes there’s a better one. Either way, marking the trail so we can find our way makes the path easier the next time.

3. Sleep when it’s dark. In the woods after dark it is abundantly clear that it is time to sleep. We sometimes forget this in our electric light-filled homes where sleep seems more like a luxury than a necessity. We went to bed early because the lights were out and our bodies were ready for rest.

4. Explore the uncharted. Our land is raw, which means there is nothing on it but nature itself. We know the basic boundaries marked on the plat from a survey performed over a decade ago, but otherwise there is no map to show us the way. The dips and inclines of the property are new to us. But this made it fun to explore. The kids ran free playing hide and seek, and we took a couple hikes trying to find clearings or valleys and just see what was there. In life we may shy away from the unknown. Uncharted paths through education or career opportunities seem risky. But there is an exhilaration in discovering new paths – or making one where there wasn’t one before.

5. Dream of possibilities. Sitting in my lawn chair by the fire I imagined a cabin and a tiny house that would serve as relaxing retreats from a busy world. I pictured bringing other families to camp there or even a trip to the “wilderness” for youth. I envisioned what the land could be like if we continue to camp there and how it might become a family vacation spot when my children are grown and return with their children. Most of all, I thanked God for our little piece of creation and blessed it.

6. Name it. As we sat around the campfire in our newly cleared campsite, we decided it deserved a proper name. We needed something to call it. One of the kids suggested Camp Cedar in honor of the cedar wood we found in the area that has a beautiful purple core. So the campsite has been dubbed Camp Cedar. Our lives have their own milestones and memories that deserve names. When the ancient Israelites traveled to the promised land, God told them to build altars and name the places they encountered God so they could remember them. We need to do this too. What are the places in your life that need names? Maybe you choose a name like “Bitter Waters” because the events left you with a sad and bitter taste. Or maybe you choose “Joyful Return” because you saw the hand of God’s redemption at work in your life. In each place, we mark our travels and trace our progress.

I don’t know how soon we’ll be back to visit our land or the newly minted Camp Cedar, but I do know that the lessons from our excursion to nature will stay with me. They invite me to be more connected with nature and to apply the lessons of creation to my everyday life.

Please share your thoughts in the comments. What lessons have you learned from nature?