My husband and I have been together for over 30 years; celebrating 29 years of marriage next month. For several years now, we have tried to take a trip around our anniversary, usually somewhere to ride our bikes or take hikes and simply be.

A few years ago we went to Moab, UT. Part of the draw was the two National Parks, Canyonlands and Arches, but another draw was that Moab is known to have several mountain bike trails. We hiked and biked and took my Jeep on back road trails, at one point almost getting stuck on a trail in the Arches NP!

We did about everything you could do, except go out into the Canyonlands at night to look up at the stars. This is one of those bucket list items people check off when they go to this park, even being dubbed an “International Dark Sky Park” because rumor has it, you can see the Milky Way. Not going to do this is a regret.

So this year, our plans will include a night out under the stars, though not in Canyonlands, rather in Big Bend National Park. Big Bend is also an “International Dark Sky Park” and the month of April is supposed to be prime time to star gaze. Of course, you don’t have to go to an “International Dark Sky Park” to see stars at night. We’ve been known to take a blanket to the roof of our house and sit out to look at the stars.

The draw or significance of going to see the stars in Canyonlands or Big Bend is to look out into the sky and see nothing but the stars; no other houses or cell towers or any other obstacles, just the stars as God placed them. There is absolutely no way I can look up into the sky and see the stars and NOT see God. I know I can see God is so many things each day, but I am looking forward to being able to see God in the stars on our trip; to connect with God and be filled with wonder and awe of creation.

When I’m there, I’ll say a prayer for you on one of the stars…what prayer would you like me to take with me???