train – Amy Dagit

October 8, 2024

Accepting the Invitation

Three-course dinner menu propped against a vase of flowers in the foreground of the train window.

Luke 10:8-11 (ESV)—Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’

Settling in my coach class seat, I shot my hubby a hopeful look. “Maybe the train attendants will offer dining reservations to us today.” I crossed my fingers. From past experience I knew that the staff would offer the three-course dining-car meal to the coach passengers only when room was available. My reservation wasn’t guaranteed, and even if I received one, it locked us into a specific time.

Unlike a reservation, Jesus’ invitation of salvation is available to everyone, everywhere, at any time. This formal request for us to live for him on earth while we wait to live with him in heaven is ours for acceptance.

When we accept this invitation, we accept God’s mission for our lives, the same as the seventy-two’s: to spread the message of salvation.

December 1, 2022

Glenwood Springs, Colorado: A Photo Journey

Planning

Glenwood Springs sign that gives the elevation and date the town was settled. Elev: 5746. Inc: 1885. — My hubby wanted to see mountains. So I visited the Amtrak website and browsed the route maps. I followed the California Zephyr route with my finger. Shortly past Denver, I found Glenwood Springs, Colorado. A few minutes on Tripadvisor and it was decided—we were going to Glenwood Springs.

Days 1–2: On the Train

A flight of bacon on a plate — A one-hour stopover in Denver. We de-boarded the train and ate at Snooze in Denver Union Station. Who doesn’t love a bacon flight? Not to mention the pumpkin pancakes.

A mountainous landscape of pine trees and yellow aspen — A view from the train between Denver and Glenwood Springs. Fall color on full display.

Day 3

A mountainous landscape with a river at the base of the mountain — The Rio Grande Trail. A little rainy, but so beautiful.

A mountainous landscape overlooking Glenwood Springs — Another scenic view. This time from the Doc Holliday Trail.

A view of the mineral hot springs swimming pool with steam rising from the water — A soak in the mineral hot springs swimming pool after a hard day of hiking.

Day 4

A mountainous landscape with pine trees and yellow aspens — Somewhere along the hike, I stopped to take a picture. Okay…I stopped several times. The views were just so lovely!

A mountainous landscape with a dirt path winding into the trees — Down the mountain! I love this photo. It makes me want to explore!

Day 5

A mountainous landscape with a river — We spent the morning in a coffee shop and said we’d take it easy. But we were in Colorado and the weather was perfect. So another hike, this time the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path.

A plate filled with a base of vegetables topped with trout topped with an avocado — Dinner at the Co. Ranch House.

Day 6

A walking path with a snow-covered mountain in the background — A hike on another portion of the Rio Grande Trail to cap off a day of soaking in the hot springs and reading in a coffee shop.

Day 7

A "do not disturb wildlife" sign with a picture of a bighorn sheep — An early morning hike at the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Trail. I had big hopes of seeing a bighorn sheep. No such luck. On the train ride in, I spotted one on a mountain ledge with its cream-colored butt facing the train. My hubby informed me there were at least seventeen others surrounding this one sheep.

Day 8

Amtrak train — The Amtrak arrives to pick us up. But wait…repairs to the track allow us three more hours in Glenwood Springs!

A canyon landscape — One last view from the train.

January 25, 2022June 13, 2023

As Far as the East Is From the West: A Train Adventure

The train rumbled along a stretch of track heading north from Fargo to Grand Forks, North Dakota. The overhead lights were turned down low and the train car quiet. My husband and I were headed to Montana for a mission trip sponsored by our church.

My eyes fell shut, but after endless shifting to find a comfortable position, I could not fall back asleep. The coach seats and my tall frame didn’t afford me the luxury of more sleep.

(The silver lining: Train seats afford much more legroom than airplane seats, so at least I wasn’t shoved into a tiny space, knees crunched to my chest!)

So, at last, at four in the morning, I stared out the window and saw flashes of lightning on the horizon. I decided to escape to the lounge care.

My only obstacle: passing by my sleeping husband without waking him. Did I crawl under or over his legs? Either way I risked jarring him awake. Over his legs seemed the more dangerous option because I could easily (and probably would) tumble over (or kick or elbow) him, so I crawled into the aisle (without jarring him!) and walked to the lounge car with its wide windows and scenic views.

To the east, the sunrise painted a blaze of red across the horizon. To the west, lightning flashed and dark clouds brewed.

That day, I witnessed two spectacular displays of nature, both created by God. This scene makes me think of Psalm 103:12:

As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
—Psalm 103:12 (ESV)