To the moon!

On a television screen, black and white images of a control room and numerous nervous people sit waiting and watching for Apollo 11 to safely descend upon the face of the moon. Although I am viewing these images via recordings made 50 years ago, the scene leaves me breathless! I cannot fathom what it must have been like five decades ago to not know the outcome of this mission. Would it be an incredible triumph or an epic failure?

Since I was a child, space and space exploration has fascinated me. One of my earliest childhood memories is visiting the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It was mesmerizing to see up-close the enormous rockets and other vehicles used in space. It seemed nearly impossible for anyone to have left the confines of this earth and visited outer space. A seed of love for God's universe was planted in my heart.

Growing up, my dream was to attend space camp. I knew, however, that the camp was located too far away for me to travel there on my own. Moreover, the cost to attend space camp was beyond my meager allowance of $1 a week, which I received only if I completed all my chores.

When I was in eighth grade, a female engineer from NASA was a guest speaker in my science class. For 45 brief minutes, the scientist effortlessly spoke about mathematics and technology. She had a number of amazing science experiments which highlighted engineering feats NASA created for the space program.

Several years later, I had the incredible opportunity to visit the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Although it was not space camp, there were numerous hands-on exhibits and interactive media which allowed a visitor to feel as though he had visited space. It was a sublime experience.

In 2013, as my mom and I were passing through Houston on a road trip, we spent a few nights in the city to give ourselves the opportunity to visit the Johnson Space Center. Some friends of ours, who have extensive knowledge about NASA and the space program, gave us a magnificent tour of the Johnson Space Center. I was overwhelmed with excitement to finally be at the real mission control! It was heart-stopping to listen to the numerous obstacles which constantly plagued the first mission to the moon. There were so many things which could (and perhaps should have) gone wrong. It was nothing but God's divine grace and guidance which sent Apollo 11 to the moon.

Since visiting the Johnson Space Center in Houston, I have longed to travel back to again explore the vast complex. I have discovered the Space Center hosts an event in which participants can have lunch with an astronaut! Although my ultimate fantasy is to blast off into space and explore the far reaches of the universe, the next best thing would be to talk to someone who has accomplished my dream. What a thrill that would be!

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge."
Psalm 19:1-2