“The Angel’s Trumpet: Unlocking Mysteries in Ancient Landscapes”

Walking through a sandy, arid desert with my trusty two-humped camel named Horace, I wanted to find something special to remember my trip to the far eastern edge of Turkey, near Cappadocia. The scenery is sprinkled with caves and underground caverns. I knew that within this area there had to be something special. This area is rich in history from the Hittites, Phrygians, and Urartians. Then the early Christians hid in the cliffs and caves throughout the area. Monks and hermits have lived there since the 4th century. All this just strengthens my belief that I would find something special.

I was getting tired and starting to see things. I had forgotten my water bottles. I knew I had to move quickly or I would never get back to my hotel. Then there in the sand, I noticed a clay bottle which had a paper in it and was corked with a wooden stopper to keep its contents safe. Falling on my knees, I reached for it only to have Horace step on my hand and push it deep into the sand. This was not going to be like Ali Baba, I thought to myself.

After I got over the initial pain, I attempted again to get what I believed was my treasure. I dug deep into the sand, my heart racing with anticipation, and finally found it nestled beneath layers of golden grains. I had it… It was my treasure, glistening with the promise of adventure and mystery. I uncorked the bottle and looked at the paper inside with excitement. Nothing was in my native language. I squinted at the unfamiliar symbols, trying to make sense of the script. It looked to be Greek??? I decided I understood to hold the paper in the air at noon towards the east; I turned my gaze in that direction. My heart fluttered with hope, as I recalled the phrase that seemed to resonate within me: wherever you can see what appears to be an angel’s trumpet, there you will find treasure.

There I saw it – the angel’s trumpet, known for its stunning beauty and wondrous sound. In my excitement, I had forgotten my thirst, the dry heat of the day fading away as I became transfixed by cave carving like a trumpet . I couldn’t believe my eyes – it was only about 4 miles from me, a distance that seemed both daunting and exhilarating at that moment. I had to make it, driven by an strong overwhelming urge to reach that spot. I knew it would contain something special within.

Horace nudged me in the direction I wanted to go. I would fall, and he would buck me with his head. He even once grabbed me by the neck of my shirt to push me along. When we finally made it, I stopped for a moment. I had to ponder what riches were held inside. What would I find? I had already so much. I had the bottle. It was a great find in itself.

I proceeded inside. I noticed there were writings on the walls. It was a wonder before my eyes. The markings said I had three wishes just within my reach, but they would only be true if they were honest and good and had purpose behind them. I knew I had to make a decision. What would they be?

After much thought, I decided that my wishes were…Wait for it…

Do you want to know?

Really?

Ok, enough toying with you.

• I would wish to continue love the Blessed Trinity, my family, and all that I came in contact with.
• I would wish that everyone would share with each other the beauty of life we are given.
• I would wish that we would all love each other with the love of Christ.

Needless to say, my wishes were granted.

To learn more about Cappadocia and this tale, follow this link.