The Top of the World
The most precious gifts come from unimaginable sacrifice.
Like waking up at 3:30 a.m.
Driving nearly straight up the side of a mountain.
Freezing your peas off while huddling tightly in a hotel blanket that just a few hours earlier you were picking off the bed with salad tongs.
Haleakala Crater is the highest point on the island of Maui, reaching almost two miles up in the sky. When we booked our first trip back to the Islands without kids, Pea Daddy had his heart set on surf lessons.
I had my heart set on watching the sunrise from the top of the world.
On Sunday morning, our car snaked up and down the mountain in the dark for what seemed like hours.
We sipped coffee and talked about our lives over the last eight years. The dreams we chased and those we let die. The triumphs and the tragedies. The ways we’ve changed and the ways we still hope to grow.
A single road sign lightened the mood as we reached the top, the bold words saying “NO LEFT TURN” and pointing directly right off the side of the mountain we’d just climbed.
We turned right, parked the car, and made our way to the edge of the crater.
Just in time.
Shivering in thin air.
Waiting.
Shuffling my feet in the gravel, not really going anywhere, just trying to stay warm.
Waiting.
Edging around other people, huddled in their own blankets, trying to find what would be my place.
Waiting.
And then it happened.
Warmth.
Grace.
Forgiveness.
Peace.
Acceptance.
Healing.
My heart was set on fire.
I felt so very small, but filled with Something so big.
Everyone who has ever felt broken–and we all have–deserves that kind of peace. To know that the climb, the shivering, the gravel shuffling and the search for your place will all be worth what is waiting on the other side of it.
The most precious gifts come from unimaginable sacrifice.
Somehow, even after returning home to dark, rainy skies, knowing this makes everything seems so much brighter.
Oh wow. I can only imagine what that must have been like in person! Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure.
Beautiful! Sunlight is one of the greatest medicines.
So sweet. Though I can feel your shivering from here.
Last week, we had the most amazing sunset and our CEO, who is a big Believer, turned off all the office lights and pulled up a chair. His devotion brought tears to my eyes.
Sorry you had to come back to such crazy weatherness. We’re looking forward to a more “normal” week, for sure.
I have a feeling your CEO and I would get along smashingly. Hope you and Chris are well!
Love this post. Watching the sunrise is spectacular. Definitely seeing and feeling the warmth, grace and amazement through pictures is gorgeous, but in person it must have been simply breathtaking.
Even just looking at the pictures had in me in tears again today.
beautiful! I had the same feeling on Haleakala. (This feeling was temporary as I got lost on the bicycle ride down!)
I cannot believe people do/did that! You are crazy!
beautiful
wow. wow. I’m seriously speechless and that sunrise may be exactly what I needed today. Thank you.
You are quite welcome.
Wow. How breathtakingly beautiful. I can only imagine what it was like to see in person. Your words are also just as beautiful, what an important message that is often hard to remember
Thank you. I don’t think I came close to doing it justice, though.
Beautiful!
My eyes are swelling and my nose is tingling with tears. Thank you for this post. Love you, MP.
We were talking about you to Pea Daddy today on the way home from church and my heart was just so heavy for you. You are in our prayers, love.
That is absolutely breathtaking. I hope I get to see that one day.
Ah, I have been there! Isn’t it the most amazing place ever? So quiet and beautiful.
It was so much better than I even could have imagined.
WOW!! Thanks for sharing. I really want to go there someday
I hope you get to. You deserve it!
You are too sweet!!
Wow, an amazing experience for sure–just did this in Maui 2 weeks ago!!
I’m glad you got to do it too!
You have a gift. Thank you for using it for all the rest to enjoy.
That is so kind of you to say. Thank you, Mish.
Lovely…. I can’t wait to go back in a couple months. Many beautiful sites.
I want to go back NOW!
That sounds absolutely magical! Thank you for sharing this beautiful experience with us; hoping I can experience it one day too
I hope you do too.
What an amazing experience to feel that comfort wash over you with the nothing sun!
I have been fortunate to see a Haleakala sunset. One of the most beautiful places on earth!
Agreed!
Also I’d love to hear how Pea Daddy did with his surfing. I felt like I paid to paddle around for 2 hours (SO MUCH Paddling!)
He did awesome! I didn’t go, but he brought back a CD full of pictures and he actually got up several times! I was quite proud.
i’m practically sobbing right now…everything you wrote is so true! thank you for always reminding us of the important things with your beautiful words
Thanks, Heather. I am so very grateful that you’ve had your faith to help get you through the rough patches in this last year. You have such a beautiful time about to come on your horizon!
Reason #157 that I want to go to Hawaii one day. So beautiful.
Sarah this is such a touching post and the photographs are beautiful. I almost feel like I am right there..shivering, transforming, and soaking it all in.
And the last shot of you is gorgeous. Frame it!
Thank you, hon.
Beautiful!
After reading this I am so sad we didn’t go up there when we were in Maui a couple years ago. I think I need to go back now.
If you do get a chance to go back, it is worth every second.
Beautiful! I was there a few months ago during the day.. it was absolutely amazing then.. I can only imagine what the sunrise was like.. wow.
I bet you were a lot warmer!
I was there during the day, too, in October. And I still froze my peas off
.
We did this!!!! Like 10 years ago, when I was far too young to fully appreciate it. We did the biking trip so we had to get up at 2 AM. It was awesome to see the sunrise though and well, biking down was interesting/I fell and almost ran off a cliff.
I don’t think they let people bike down anymore. I’m not sure who ever thought that was a good idea…
your expression is so child-like in that photo. in the presence of His majestic beauty, it’s a good place to feel like a child. His child.
I feel so blessed to have experienced that feeling and hope to remember it every day.
Beautiful photo of you! Love this post.
My husband and I drove up to Haleakala to watch the sunrise last year when in Maui. It took some persuasion on my part, but even he couldn’t deny the beauty! It is an extraordinary experience. Were there chanters when you were there? The day we went there was a group chanting and dancing with the sun; it was magical.
No, there were no chanters, but Pea Daddy and I were both so deeply moved.
Beautiful!
Where did you stay on Maui?
We stayed in the Westin Villas in Kaanapali.
What an experience. Clearly so very worth the early start, the cold, and everything else. I’m so glad for your sakes you squeezed that climb in
wow! amazing! thanks for sharing! You make me want to go there!
“Everyone who has ever felt broken–and we all have–deserves that kind of peace. To know that the climb, the shivering, the gravel shuffling and the search for your place will all be worth what is waiting on the other side of it.”
-Thank you, thank you, for your words, when I needed to hear them. He lives and He is great. Thank you.
Indeed, He does live and He is great. You are welcome.
Thank you for sharing the beautiful gift of writing He has blessed you with! So inspiring.
That means so much to me, thank you.
There is *so* much beauty in this post.
I don’t know that I even came close to capturing it.
I want to see a sunrise that pretty someday. I’ve seen sunsets that rival it, but I think a sunrise naturally has more magic in it than a sunset. Welcoming in a new day is so much better than seeing the end of one. Doesn’t happen for me often, as I am a big fan of sleeping in.
So beautiful mama. Thank you for sharing. <3
These pictures and what you said, resonate so well with me right now. Feeling that peace and grace is worth everything. This looks like some place I should travel to in the near future, perhaps as a post graduation adventure =) I was in Hawaii once upon a time about 3 years ago and went sky diving, which was one of the most thrilling and beautiful adventures ever! Now I am definitely wanting to return, thank you for such uplifting inspiration tonight <3
Oh yes, you deserve a graduation trip. And skydiving? You are braver than I am!
Beautiful, Mama Pea, just beautiful. You are a shining light yourself, you know.
I truly hope to be, Lou. Thank you.
Absolutely beautiful–both pictures and words
There’s something about watching the sun rise on a mountain top…it’s beautiful and breath taking and leaves you utterly speechless and feeling small but big and powerful in your own light, too.
Biking down (in 2009) wasn’t what I’d call biking…more like two hours of steady braking (we weren’t allowed to go ahead of the tour guide).
=)
Yeah, that doesn’t sound so great.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I want to experience something so amazingly beautiful that it’s worth the sacrifices I have to make to get there. I don’t exactly know how to word it, but thanks for letting me live vicariously through you for a moment!
What an incredible experience and breathtaking sunrise. I want to go to Maui now!
These photos were breathtaking and the picture you paint is unreal….It is moments like those that stay with you throughout life hey?
Thank you…
Breathtaking.
Some serious words of wisdom there… thanks for helping me remember that I deserve that kind of peace.
You absolutely do.
Love this post and those photos. So glad it sounds like it was an amazing trip!
How beautiful! Mike and I did not venture to do that, but we heard it is amazing! I can see how amazing it is from these photos <3
Soooooooo no surfing lessons then?!
Happy Monday! xo
He definitely got those surfing lessons–and he did great!
I love this post!! I had a similar experience when I was in Egypt. I cursed at myself for getting up in the middle of the night (we actually had to WALK the mountain and then hike up), but boy, it was so worth it. I will never forget how I felt when the sun rose.
Oh my goodness–Egypt?! Now I bet you have some AMAZING stories and pictures.
What an amazing experience. I just love moments like that.
Awesome post. Awesome place. I got to spend my last birthday there and somehow I don’t think any future birthdays will be able to top it
Beautiful. I’ve never seen the sunrise over Hawaii, but I did get to see it rise over the Dead Sea at Masada in Israel. Like you, I don’t think I’ve ever seen or felt anything like that in my life. Thanks for sharing, MP!
Oh wow, that must have been so powerful!
I remember doing that on our honeymoon! Froze out butts off! We actually road bikes down from there – do they do that anymore?
I don’t think so. Too many lawsuits (stupid lawyers).
What a beautiful recap of this experience.
This is such a beautiful post…We might go to Hawaii for our honeymoon this summer and if we do this will definitely be a must-see.
That’s beautiful! Did you go to Maui on your honeymoon? My fiance and I are trying to book a trip there, but our original plans fell through because of a scam
. Do you have any hotel/resort suggestions that could fit within a budget?
We stayed at the Westin Villas in Kaanapali and it was a complete steal! (around $800 for the whole week) I would suggest checking with them for any sort of special deals. We also ate breakfasts and lunches in our room (they were equipped with mini-kitchens) and that saved us a ton of money too.
Oh wow, that photo of the sunrise is breathtaking. I can’t imagine how amazing it must have been to see it in person. Gorgeous!
I love Haleakala so much. I’ve hiked around the craters but have never gone up there to see the sunrise. Next time, if I ever am fortunate enough to make it out there again, I will definitely do that. And maybe the sunset too.
Thanks for sharing your pictures – sounds like an amazing trip full of quiet reflection and meaningful time with your husband.
It was a very special trip.
I did that with the bike tour that bikes back down. It was the best thing that I did in Maui.
I don’t think they even allow the bikes anymore. People flying off the side of the mountain!
You can’t start at the top any more. There’s a place about halfway down where there are a bunch of bikers. You probably passed them. I guess they didn’t want people getting hit by cars.
Wow, I still wouldn’t ever do that! Scary!
weepin ‘……….
This is exactly why I go to Easter sunrise service – for that experience. It’s awesome and my official start of Spring. Thanks.
I’m not sure I could ever get up that early WITH kids.
The photos are beautiful. I am sure they don’t even give it a ten of the credit it deserves.
Not even close.
Stop it! You’re making me cry at work.
Beautiful-thanks for sharing.
Sorry (but not really).
I am so blown away. I was reading this on my phone over my breakfast and let a few tears splash into my oatmeal.
This post spoke to me on so many levels – as an ED recover-er, as a young woman. Thank you, Mama Pea!
We were just there in May. I have some gorgeous pictures from “our sunrise”. Did you think that you were going to fall down the mountain on the drive up, since there was no guardrail?
Yes! But thankfully it was dark and then on the way down I was on the inside. Phew!
It was definitely scary! I really thought that Matt would run us down the side of the mountain. But the view at the top was worth it!
What an amazing experience to feel so close to nature and God.
The Heavens declare His glory! Oh yes indeed.
Absolutely!
Absolutely incredible.
You have me crying at my desk. Embarassing. But a beautiful post!
Beautiful, thank you. I needed something like this. Peace, strength, and happiness to you and yours.
i didn’t think anyone could every write something so beautiful…and just move me to tears…
i thank you for this post, from the very bottom of my heart. you truly wowed me.
Oh, thanks, Nelly. I was scared to write it because I didn’t think I could do the moment justice. But I felt obligated to try.
How beautiful to even feel God’s presence even more! God’s marvelous presence spoken through creation.
Amen!!!
I too have been there, but I haven’t gone to see the sunrise. It looks magnificent. Thank you for sharing this story. I have traveled to this location twice, and I know what kind of peace you’re talking about. My husband and I hiked down into the creator a little way and I couldn’t help but be awed. The colors, the rugged beauty, the massiveness. It’s difficult to take it all in. I am so happy that you got to see Maui. It truly is a beautiful place.
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I hope next time we get to hike the crater as well. We did a bit of hiking near Kapalua, but this trip up the crater was my absolute favorite.
I had a very similar experience at the Sun Gate watching the sun rise over Machu Picchu a few months ago. Amazing. If only we could somehow have more breathtaking moments in our lives
Oh wow, I bet that was AMAZING.
Absolutely Beautiful! Speechless!
Amazing post!! Brought tears to my eyes! Thank you for sharing this!!!
Holy Moly friend- this is juts fabulous. Best message ever. I’m choked up reading it. Thank you for this. I’ve got some big life decisions coming up in the next week or so and this message just came at the perfect time. You are a great great friend.
If there’s anything I can do, let me know. I’ll be praying for you, either way
Wow!
Maybe this is something I need to do when I’m in Maui in 3 short weeks!
Oh yes, do it!
This brought tears to my eyes. Was this that beautiful or did I just not get enough sleep last night? I’m thinking both…
Thank you. I hope you get a little rest today and maybe I’ll make you smile instead tomorrow
We did Cadillac Mountain over the summer (highest pt on the East Coast) and I totally understand that feeling. In fact just last week I switched my desktop back to a picture of the sunrise. Everyone should have the experience…and next time, I’m hiking it on foot.
It’s my desktop too! And my iPhone background
I love it!
Awesome. Being fortunate to live by the ocean, a thought I have daily is: “The ocean is very healing”; and so is the magnificence you were blessed to experience. Life is wonderful and hard. And it is in these special moments that you so eloquently expressed that it all seems to make sense and allows us to put the pieces back together and move forward. May you hold onto that centered and present awareness, always
Now you are the eloquent one. Such a lovely comment, Marla. Thank you.
Thank you for this post. Your words brought such emotion to my Monday morning. I even felt my heart racing as I scrolled down to see that beautiful sunrise. It’s the little things.
That’s very cool. Thank you for reading, Lu.
Beautiful…
YEP! That’s our God!!
Amen!
Oh this is a beautiful post. To have your heart warmed by the love of God is like nothing else.
You look fantastic all wrapped up, who knew it could be so cold in Hawaii.
Thank you, Rachel. It was such a special moment.
loved this post
Thank you.
a lovely, uplifting post for Monday…I needed that
Good! You deserve it. Have a beautiful day, friend!
What a beautiful post to share a beautiful moment – awesome!
My spouse did a bike tour down this. Just breathtaking and beautiful!!!
I tried to view the sunrise when I was in Maui in 2004 but when the sun came up, there were too many clouds and we couldn’t see the sun; sad times. Just means I need to go back to try and see it again! And I agree, watching those kinds of sunrises makes you really think about all the things you have and appreciate…
Of course you have to go back! I actually read that some clouds make it even more spectacular.
That must have been such a profound experience and it looks absolutely stunning. Ah Hawaii you are on my to-visit list!
WOW that is incredible! Definitely on my bucket list of things to witness one day! I didn’t know you two went without the kids….what a nice little getaway! Hawaii must be your very favorite vacation spot!
That last photo is so beautiful. It really captures the feeling everyone should have viewing a sunrise. Especially one in Hawaii.. =)
Enjoy the rest of your trip!
I am going to Maui for my honeymoon in October and I can’t wait to do this! Thanks for sharing!
Not sure what it is about a sunrise or sunset, but they are my most favorite time of day. Everything seems to pale and fade out when I stop and enjoy it. They suck me in and make me feel so peaceful. Thanks for sharing one from afar!
Wowza.. amazing. Both the photos and your words.
So beautiful! My Aunt did something similar when she was in Hawaii for her 10th anniversary and also had wonderful pictures! If I ever go it will be on my must do list!
Wow…. that’s amazing. I love the last picture of you and your expression of awe.
I was bawling, and Pea D got teary too.
I did that bike ride before. It’s been a while and I didn’t take it in like I should have, but it was still awesome. We drove up, saw the sunrise, then biked down the whole mountain. Definitely something I will never forget.
So cool that you got to experience it!
goosebumps
we missed you!
Well, there was my cry for the day. I think this was exactly what I was supposed to read today. Thank you.
Well, then I’m very glad I wrote it. Thank YOU.
Just looking at these pictures I heard the hymn in my head: “holy holy holy…Lord God Almighty…early in the morning my song shall rise to thee…” I can only imagine what it would have been like to witness in person-in my mind somehow it’s Abraham, up there with Isaac on the mountain, comprehending fully that although he was willing to do it, he wouldn’t have to, and it’s Isaac, realizing the mercy that was also given to him. Somehow this makes me wonder at Isaac’s devotion. To be almost sacrificed and then saved by a word from the same Almighty…this is a beautiful post on so many levels. Thank you.
I was singing hymns in my head (fortunately for those around me), the whole time we were up there. Thanks for hearing the Message and sharing it too.
I got engaged here, so so beautiful.
What a lovely post. May that peace stay with you for a long time during “re-entry”.
Great post, Sarah! I loved this.
Simply beautiful.
God has given us some seriously beautiful and inspirational things to look at, so long as we take the time to open our eyes and really see. So gorgeous!
Yes. Let’s vow to keep our eyes open more!
We visited that same spot on our honeymoon to Maui, soooo beautiful. The only problem is that we ran out of gas and had to coast down the mountain without power steering, my husband did an awesome job of not letting us die on those sharp curves. Thankfully we made it to the nearest gas station 22 miles away from the top! If we ever go back we will go at sunrise like you and have a full tank!
Oh no! I kept seeing the signs that said “NO GAS” and made sure that we were full. I’m glad you got to see it at least!
Yeah my husband was at a very confident, invincible place back then, convinced our car could make it the whole way. Something about being 21!
I was at a “I will kill you if we are on the side of the road” place, guess I still am, haha. Beautiful post!
i love how you write. i just needed to read that today. and love that pic of you. you look so amazed and yet so peaceful.
Thanks so much. I’m happy to have touched you.
Amazing. Such beautiful writing. Thanks for sharing.
I can not tell you how much this post blessed me today. I am beyond broken and desperately searching for peace. Six weeks ago, my daughter was stillborn after my water broke at 17w 2d, and nothing could be done to save her. I am struggling with a lot of anger at God, and feelings of being lost & alone. I hope & pray that I can find peace, and acceptance on my journey to healing.
Oh Heather. I am so very sorry for your loss. I know there isn’t anything I can say to ease your pain, but I too have experienced losses in my life, though not as closely as yours. He is good. He is holding your daughter in his arms. And at that moment on the mountain, I truly felt not only His presence, but the presence of the person I have lost. And it felt like a promise. He’ll make good on that promise for you and I both. I just know it. My heart and prayers go out to you, hon.
Ha, I loved that you tagged this ‘why so serious’. Great post
Thanks for sharing.
Oh girl, we have such and awesome God!!!! Thank you for your post… I have been seeing blessings and miracles in my life from him lately, when I thought life was going to be in the pits. He works in mysterious ways! (I’ll email you soon, i promise!)
You should see the huge grin on my face. I had no doubt He would do good things in your life. I can’t wait to hear!
Awww, YOUR reply put a smile on my face! I thank God daily for the Christian friendships I have… the ones in the church I have been going to, and you from afar. You have no idea how much your support has helped me emotionally and spiritually. Thank you, friend!
love love love this post! and just want we needed to read this evening! and next time we go to Maui we shall do this as well. absolutely amazing site to see!
You can have no idea how much this post meant to me today. I’m in tears yet comforted. Thank you. God is good!
Yes, He is! I am happy to have touched you somehow.
I’ve read your blog for awhile and have your book (LOVE it!), but have never commented before. Your post really hit home with me today and I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your beautiful words. They were just what I needed and your last few paragraphs sent me to tears. I pray that you continue to have peace in your heart.
On another note. I made your tofu dippers tonight. They were delicious. I only set the smoke detector off once. No real fire though, so we’re good.
Thanks so much, Amanda. I appreciate you reading and I appreciate your prayers. We all are so loved and should fight each day not to lose sight of that.
Glad you liked the dippers and that you didn’t burn your house down!
After reading this post, a new prayer in my life is that I will now return from vacations feeling not only rejuvenated and rested for myself, but that God will show me ways of sharing that rest with others. A great souvenir to bring home.
Thank you so much or your post today. And I thought I was just going to learn some yummy recipes from you…
I like your new vacation prayer. And I hope to be able to share more than food more often! My life is about so much more and I’d love to tell if you all are willing to listen!
Scanning the comments above, I’d say we are! Have a great night & thanks again for making the day of so many.
Thank you so much for this post. It really is incredible to have those moments that literally take your breath away and make you appreciate how beautiful this world is. I hope someday I’ll get a chance to see a sunrise like this one in person too!
Oh yes, Mama Pea. Thank you. Sometimes an experience like this can be more powerful than all the secret, private affirmations we tell ourselves when we need to find strength to keep going. And they provide something almost-tangible to hold onto, when all feels heavy and grey. Thank you.
Thank you! This is what I need to hear today!
Beautfiul post. Love that picture of you!
Lovely post and gorgeous sunrise!! Such an amazing thing to have experienced!
you look so gorgeous without makeup!
Wow, thank you!
Stunning!!! There is nothing more breathtaking than a beautiful sunrise. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful, beautiful post — and the view ain’t so bad either!
I loved this post. Your honesty, your perspective, your experience – it really connects with others because everyone can relate to suffering but ALSO to the joy that comes in the morning – literally in this case!
I don’t “know” you, but I love you. 
Thanks, sweet Bonnie.
I used to be religious, and don’t consider myself religious anymore, but your devotion and the way you articulate your faith are absolutely beautiful. So glad you had such a renewing vacation! You deserve it.
Thank you, Anna. I can’t help but want to share, just because I’ve had times when I didn’t have my faith to lean on and it has made all the difference in my life.
Omg!! It’s SO funny because my boyfriend (who just moved to Hawaii last Aug. for grad school) — went on this hike over the long wknd! I saw some pics and he said it was freeeeeeeeezing as well (we’re from Cali).
Glad you enjoyed it. Cannot wait to go to Hawaii soon myself!
I’ve gone to Mt. Haleakala before and it’s an experience that I will never forget.
We were so cold but it was all worth it….frozen snot and all..lol
Wow, that post was so beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes!
Sounds magnificent. Thanks for an inspiring post!
this gave me the chills! beautiful!
Wonderful. Just wonderful.