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Beth Brownson White’s La Vida Experience

La Vida participant in 1986
 

Pre-kindergarten Teacher
Shore Country Day School
Beverly, MA

My experience at La Vida changed my path. It encouraged me to be a more outgoing person who isn’t afraid to take risks and trust more. As I prepared to graduate from Gordon and become a teacher, I knew my path towards my chosen career was directed by God because of the experiences I had during La Vida and with the people I met along the way. 

I think the most transformative experience that affirmed my calling was the relationships I made on La Vida. You build relationships through walking together, talking together, and being honest in space that is unknown to all of you.

A pivotal part of my La Vida experience occurred five days into our journey when we were bushwacking the saddle between Cascade and Porter/Little Porter, and we lost the trail. Descending the mountain in complete darkness into Keene Valley, each person needed to work with the person in front and behind the whole way down. The hiker in front of me would climb down a series of rocks, turn around to help me, and I, in the same fashion, would turn and help the hiker behind me down the mountain. We never found our campsite, so we pitched tents in the middle of a trail fork. The lesson I learned that night prepared me to teach my future elementary students that we are designed to help, encourage and pray for one another—that we are a community who works together as a body. For me, the lesson is that there can be joy in the struggle because my strength and trust come from the Lord.