Joy Jot #18 The Oregon Trail
Dear Joy Jot friends,
Thank you for reading these Joy Jots! I appreciate your messages when something I write resonates with you. :)
Do you ever feel like you're in the game Oregon Trail? I do.
Remember that game?
Oregon Trail was one of the very first text-based video games. It was released in 1974 and quickly became a classic. It was a staple game in elementary school, especially for 4th graders, because Utah history is studied that year.
As you can guess by the name, in the game, you travel across the plains from Missouri to Oregon. You name your family members, make purchases like oxen, flour, and sugar for your journey, and then you start. As you travel, situations arise, and you make decisions. Your goal is to make it to Oregon with enough supplies and not die. Some days the weather is warm, and you make good time, but sometimes, you're given circumstances like:
Mary has a broken arm.
One of the oxen has died.
A thief comes in the night and steals 17 pounds of food.
You have died of dysentery.
One day, I was joking with my sister about this analogy, and the next day she called me and started the conversation with, “We have more Oregon Trail over here, Aim.”
We are all on the Oregon Trail together. And kudos to everyone here—good job, everybody! You’re doing it. I’m thankful you're all on the trail with me. I don’t think I could survive the Oregon Trail without you.
Think about how others help you on your Oregon Trail.
Look at some of the things you've done for me to make my trail easier:
Feeding my cat.
Breaking into my house to wake up a child and drive him to an activity.
Making me dinner.
Listening to me complain about my injuries.
Attending my children’s baby blessings, baptisms, and weddings.
Letting me borrow fans for a flooded basement.
Calling me to say hi.
Driving me to Snowbasin.
Hearing me vent about my children not getting the parts, awards, or teams they wanted.
Inviting me to tread water in your pool.
Forgiven me.
Writing me heartfelt notes.
And MORE!
One of my favorite scriptures describing Christ is: “He went about doing good.” (Acts 10:38)
You are doing this.
May we all go "about doing good" and help others along the Oregon Trail!
Happy Spring!
You’ve got this!
Amy
