Auschitz
We went to Auschwitz Concentration and extermination camp on Saturday. It was about an hour bus from where we were. They've made it into a memorial and museum to explain what happened there and try to respect those who were massacred. I didn't really know what to expect about how it would feel to be in such a place, actually walking the areas, knowing the ground and areas I was seeing had been the actual area where the Germans had stashed, fed, starved, killed, tortured, and experimented on people. But here was the interesting thing. It was this beautiful, sunny, clear day. It had been raining and pouring the whole day before which had left a few puddles but that day, were we not in a place were so much pain had been inflicted, would have left a person feeling great about the world and life-- this gentle fall breeze, warm air, sunny. It actually changed my experience there in this way. um, actually swap that I'm just gonna tell you about the day chronologically and then my thoughts will make more sense.
We took the bus to Auschwitz. I have been bringing my big camera around to take pictures and I was debating whether or not it was really respectful to take a bunch of pictures while going through a place that has been turned into a memorial and museum for those who went through the holocaust. While I was still debating this we arrived and they had a few signs with peoples stories up as you walk to the main entrance. One of them was the testimony of Jerzy Ulatowski. Basically he says to this younger guy as he is heading to be killed, if you get out of here, tell my story-Let people know what happened to me. And when I read it, I was like that is my permission to take as many pictures as I can. If someone who was killed last plea was to share his story than it doesn't really mater if it is in words, pictures, movies....
We went along with a guide who described what the different buildings were used for, the treatments, killings, torture, experiments, and events that happened there. Then we got on a bus to the other half of Auschwitz-Birkenau--the extermination side. This was interesting, because while the other side was very orderly and structured-take pictures here, you can't take them here- This had the burned remains that we were left to wander and walk around, and think. And this is where the weather impacted me, in the clear air as we could hear the birds, I couldn't help but think this is a beautiful place scenically. It probably was also when it was a concentration camp, or at least not far from it birds still sang and trees still grew. All that was done in open air under the sun. I kinda thought about all the things that still happen throughout the world, the atrocities that we all want to stop, but often don't know about until after they happen. And then it came to me: God knew all this. He knew all of this would happen even before Stalin, Hitler, Rwandan, Cambodian, etc. He knew the individual trials and struggles of all HIs children all over the world. And so he made a way. The atonement was not a desperate attempt to give a way to right these wrongs and broken souls, but a planned, predermined way for us to come to earth and experience these trials and not be left scarred and broken. That the unimaginable wrongs for which which man wants to turn and blame God were all taken into account and way prepared to heal such wounds that seem unfathomable. That through the Atonement we are able to grow and progress and reach our limitless possibilities and not be stopped because of other peoples actions. In the long run, as incredible as it may seem, use those actions against us as a catalyst for our progression. That is nothing short of an eternal miracle. Such is the impact that the Atonement was set in place to have. And then my thoughts kinda turned to what opportunities have been mine, and what Heavenly Father would want me to do differently because of them. As I stared off in the blue sky that was what filled my heart- this gratitude mixed with thoughts of we have been given so many opportunities! what does He want us to do with them? I think it is what you have been called to do and what everyone who has the gospel has been called to do. Live the gospel, love it and ingrain it into the fibers of who we are, and then share it! To let others find peace, comfort, healing, and hope in a world that is terrestrial by nature and meant as a place of learning and growth.
It was really good, albeit in an unexpected way :)
The candle memorial
