This is that you get to go to the

many sowed.

One of the best.

One of the best parts of being from Northeastern Arizona

is that you get to go to the Grand Canyon and on scouting trips.

Like for example, the four-day excursion I took when I was in the Teacher Quorum.

We planned this trip for months down to

the most meticulous detail. In the weeks leading up to it, we practiced skills specifically for this

camp out, putting up tents for a multi-day hike, water purification so we could replenish our supply in the Colorado River,

and not tying to, you know, I'm not really sure what the not time was for, we just always did it,

whatever.

Anyway, eventually the long-awaited day arrived, but it wasn't all roses.

See, a few days earlier forecasts of inclement weather over the north rim started trickling in, and

we were all feeling a little nervous as we stood around our respective piles of gear in the church

four-year waiting to drive to the trailhead.

One kid in particular, Lawrence, was looking particularly unsure of himself.

Lawrence, now he was unique.

I've come to really hate the cliche of describing a person as someone who

walks to the beat of their own drum, but seriously I have never met anyone like Lawrence.

He was equal parts Kramer and Newman and Joe Dirt,

stout and knock-kneed and infused with the strength

you can only get from raising goats, which was his hobby.

...