Trek!

It is absolutely amazing to me that a year has passed. It was a year ago that Steve and I were called to head up the Youth Conference Trek committee for the Stake. In the beginning we were extremely overwhelmed at the task at hand. We had no idea where to even start. So we researched, we talked to many other people who had been on treks before, and we got to work.

Luckily for us, we called a wonderful committee who went to great lengths and spent many hours helping us to accomplish this great task. We certainly could not have done this without them. We had been overwhelmed, and over worked at many times as we prepared this youth conference. There were times that I wanted to quit. There were times that I didn't think we would ever be done. There were times that I even questioned if it was all worth it. If what we were doing would even work. The purpose of youth conference is to help people strengthen or even gain a testimony of their Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ. Somehow, I didn't know if this monumental task of reenacting a pioneer journey was something that would bring these kids closer to their Father in Heaven. But still, we plugged along.

As the days drew closer, I couldn't believe that it was actually here. The phone calls, and knocks at our door became almost constant. Our kids stopped answering the phone and the door, because they said it was never for them, it was only Trek. They struggled as the demands on Steve and I grew almost constant, and we talked with them constantly pleading with them for their patience. If they could endure this challenge, their Dad and I would certainly make it up to them. I have great kids. They did develop patience. They have endured to the end and we have some great things planned so that they can enjoy what little is left of the summer.

When we actually got to the church on Wednesday morning, it all seemed very surreal. I seriously, couldn't believe the day had come. I stood looking at all of the hard work start to take shape and was in awe that it was coming together.

We had a devotional at the church that really was touching and inspiring, then we loaded the buses.

The first day was easy, the kids nearly ran with their handcarts and they made great time. It was hard to slow them down.

Along the trail we had prepared many vignettes. Someone would be standing along the side of the road waiting to tell 'their story' a pioneer story about their journey or trials, or successes. Most had an underlying purpose. They were something that the youth could relate to, knowing that the challenges that they face today do have solutions which are in reach for them. They taught about how to rely on their Heavenly Father, and the Savior in all that they do.

At one point along the trail, we were attacked by Indians. It was fantastic. The kids loved the squirt guns, it felt great in the heat of the day. But there was also, screaming and running that was funny. This one was followed by a pioneer telling about the challenges and dangers that the pioneers faced along the trail.


The Womans pull, was on the 3rd day. It was first thing in the morning. Though I know not historically accurate (the Mormon Battalion took place in the late 1840's and handcarts were being used nearly 10 years later) it still showed the difficulties of women who had to do this alone, for their were many. Some had lost their husbands along the trail. Many lost their children, and their struggles were huge.

There were many adults on trek who were very anxious about the womens pull. As strange as it is, in our stake, the Young Men out number our Young Women 2 or 3 to one. There were some families who would be left with two girls and a ma and big sister to pull the carts. The lucky ones had three girls. Some had lost some of their help due to injury, and were down to only 2 or 3 girls in the family to pull.


After the boys left, this is the group we had. This was it, to pull 15 handcarts up a large hill. I guess I can see their point about being concerned. But I wasn't. I had worried about many things on this trek. But not for one moment, was I ever worried about this pull. This generation of girls is amazing. I don't think they realize their own strength and determination. They have tremendous spirit and they don't give up. When it all came down to it. They proved that. They have strengths that they were not even aware of, and they did it. Before I could even step in and quietly influence them. They had all redistributed themselves among the carts, and the numbers were even. 5 people to each cart, with one or two having 6. When those in front got to the top of the hill, they handed their cart off to the men standing at the top, and ran back down to help the others. It was amazing and touching and I couldn't have been more proud of these Young Women who will be leading and teaching future generations in just a few years time.

This was the Army coming to take the Battalion away. They did a great job.

And this is the huge mass of our men walking away. There are definately more men than women on this trek, ( which even made our hoedown on the first day interesting. We worked it out, but that meant ALL of the women had to dance. Including me!!! Ha,ha that was funny on my sore feet ).

At the end of the trail, the sense of accomplishment was tremendous. There were many on this trek who didn't believe that they would be able to walk the whole way. There were some who didn't know if they could do hard things. But they all found out that they could. In the end...testimonies were strengthened, strangers became friends and even families, and I found out that it really was all worth it. All of the time and preparation, the hours and sleepless nights, were worth it. As I sat and listened to the testimonies of the kids, both on Friday night at trek, and Sunday at church. I became very grateful that I got to be a part of it. I was delighted with our committee, and so grateful to them for their hard work.

It was all worth it. Even with the humongous bruise on my arm...(I was hit in the arm by a cowpie...ya I know, this is almost as funny as falling off the treadmill at the gym...It was during our cowpie throwing contest. It is amazing how hard those things get when baked in the sun, and really how far they fly.) I need to have someone take a picture of it so that I can post it.

I'm grateful trek is over, I'm grateful that there were no surprises, and I am grateful for the experience I had, and the opportunity I had to be part of it.