Rolando B.

15, Dennehotso (Navajo: Deinihootso), Arizona, USA

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young man

Photograph by Richard M. Romney

I like solitude. I like the scripture that says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). There is no greater place to be still than in the desert. Everything here speaks of Him. God told Adam, “All things are created and made to bear record of me” (Moses 6:63). The desert is a place where you can see the sky, and feel the earth, and know that God is God.

My family has two homes. One is in the city. When you go out the door there, there’s a neighbor. But here in the desert, you go out the door and the nearest neighbor is probably 200 yards (183 meters) away or more.

I like privacy because it helps me appreciate nature. We live in the desert, but all our resources are available—trees, plants, even fresh water. You just have to know where to find them. A lot of people don’t think about it much, but those things are an important part of life. We should respect creation, and we should respect the Creator.

God created all of this. And we serve a purpose in His creation.