Trek

Mike and I had the opportunity to be a Ma and Pa for some of the youth in our ward for our ward's Pioneer Trek this past summer.  It was definitely an interesting experience for us, not being big campers and my never having worked with the youth before.  It turned out to be a great experience for us both.

 First we were put into families.  We had such a great family.  Our "kids" were always so happy and fun to be around.  We were always the first to break into song...even if it annoyed those around us.  It made the miles go by much faster when we had a game to play or marching song to sing.

 We walked 10 miles the first day, 4 the second, 10 the third and 4 the final day.  Those 10 mile days were so long, but made the shorter days feel really short.  The kids did a great job pulling the handcart.  They never complained.

 Once we got to camp, we would set up our tents and get cooking.  The ingredients were already gathered, we just needed to cook it.  Having never used a camping stove before, this was a new experience for me.  I relied a lot on my young men to help me there.

 By far, the hardest (yet most rewarding and memorable) part of Trek, was the Women's pull.  The Bishop came to each family and called the Pa and boys off on a mission.  We were left with a blessing, said a prayer and off the guys went up the hill.  The girls and I were left to pull the handcart almost 3/4 of a mile uphill.  There were many prayers said going up that hill and many tears shed after we reached the top.  The guys stood at the top and reverently watched us struggle up that hill.  It was hard on the boys that were so used to being the physically strong ones to see us struggle.  We made it though and hopefully some of the girls left that experience with greater faith and trust in their Heavenly Father.  I know I did.

 Here is Mike with our neighbor, Drew.  It was the last day and we were so excited to get home, shower and SLEEP!  I don't sleep well when I camp, so I was so sleep deprived, I could hardly function that last day or so.

 It was a great experience.  I really grew to love those kids that we were in charge of.  They became our children and we will always have a place in our hearts for them.  What a great group of youth for the next generation.

Mike and I loved being able to go on Trek.  Hopefully, we will have an opportunity to go again.  (Thanks to Mike's parents for watching our little ones so we could go!)  We both grew physically and spiritually from this experience and have a much greater respect for those pioneers that traveled much farther and in much harsher conditions than we did.