Thoughts on Trek

-I was amazed by the incredible amount of work put in by the organizers (specifically Mary, Bob and Patti). It was overwhelming. We're talking an 80 page journal/handbook for every person (200+), a half dozen crafts, pioneer stories not just told but re-enacted several times throughout the days, costumes, a trading post, digging enormous pits to roast turkeys, horse riders to serve as the "mobs" to chase us out of Nauvoo and later to be the Pony Express, and an actual city of Nauvoo set up at Mormon Flat. And at first, I admit, I thought a lot of it was unnecessary. But I heard from many youth who noticed the extra details and were completely floored that their leaders loved them enough to go to that much extra effort. After I heard that, I *got* it. I knew that all the extra work (literally thousands of man hours) was worth it to make a life-changing experience for these kids.





-Being so tired at night that I slept through almost everything, except the moose that wandered into our camp the first night, literally ten feet away from my head. It woke me right up and I did my best to frighten it away without getting my head trampled on. Or wetting my sleeping bag from fear. After I shooed it away from our campsite, it lingered near our camp for about 20 minutes, which I spent wide awake, watching it and praying that it would go away. Finally, it did. The next morning, another leader said he heard it too but because he was without his contacts, he was sure it was a bear and that he was a goner.





-Feeling so tired physically that I thought I would pass out, but then somehow summoning the strength to go on. We had an extremely rigorous first day- we trekked about 14 miles over about 10 hours. This killer day included the women's pull, an intimidating series of hills over which only the women pulled and pushed 19 handcarts. I was so proud of all the women, but especially the girls from our family. We were one of the last handcarts in line and we left our cart to go up the hill and assist others. Then we turned around and did it again, and again, and again.







-During the women's pull I needed to take a break and use my inhaler. I was feeling tired but fine, I just needed to catch my breath. However, one of the support personnel (who I'll call HK), who was on a horse, saw me using my inhaler and was extremely concerned about me. He dismounted and insisted that I get on his horse and ride to the top. I declined over and over and he insisted over and over. I told him I didn't know how to ride a horse, that I was afraid, that I was fine, that I just needed a rest but to no avail. This ended the man pushing me up on the horse, with me helpless to stop him because one foot was in the stirrup and the other hopping on the ground trying to get on the horse but failing miserably. Meanwhile the I'm pulling the saddle off and the poor horse is just trying to escape. John finally came to my rescue. It was hilarious!




-The very touching and spiritual testimony meeting. It went for hours without a lull in the line up of those waiting to bear their testimonies. Many of the youth shared their initial reluctance and dread at coming to trek and their complete change of heart after being on trek. One young man shared how he was waiting to turn in his mission papers. His mom convinced him to come on trek and after participating in the young men's fireside and hearing testimony borne from his leaders about the importance of serving missions, he felt the witness from the Holy Ghost that he needed to press "submit" on his papers as soon as he got home.

-Being on the beautiful land where actual pioneers walked, worked, and sorrowed. What a blessing to live in this valley!




-Feeling very tenderly about my trek "children". The last day, some of each family "died" and I cried my eyes out. I really could put myself in the place of the pioneers for a brief moment and imagining losing a child or another family member and then having to leave them behind and continue the arduous journey was very, very sad.







-Learning how to motivate and inspire and encourage teenagers was hard! We had seven teenagers in our family, ranging in age from not quite 12 to 17. They were incredible kids though- they didn't complain, even when we were all exhausted and hot and dirty and had horrendous blisters. The last night we had some rain and wind so we squished all the kids under our tarp shelter. Lying there listening to them laugh and laugh at the flashlight shadow puppets they were making was one of the highlights of the whole trek. Just I as I grew to love them in a short time, they grew to love each other.