Day 1
Anyway, we got to Wyoming, unloaded and they assigned families. I didn't know ONE of our kids. However I had nothing to worry about. They were all simply amazing. Austin, Quade Gideon, Beka, Sydni, Brook and Ashley all gathered around and as we ate lunch we tried to learn names and get acquainted. After lunch we packed up the cart and started trekking! The first day wasn't too much. A few miles. We all rolled into camp feeling pretty good about ourselves. A little tired but still ready for more! We set up camp, AFTER scooping cow pies to make room for the tents! Then the wonderful food committee fed us dinner and while we were eating we passed out our "Who we're walking for" bracelets. They were leather and we could write the name of the pioneer on it.
After dinner there was a square dance. Some weren't to thrilled but in the end we all had fun! The bandanna dance was a new one for me and Mike and I had to teach a few kids how to waltz.......and then we were done!
Day 2
Day 2 started WAY too early. We had a 6:30 meeting. ugh. Well, the powers that be weren't too happy about the mischief makers. They informed us that our "agenda" for the day had just gotten a little harder. We were also told not to help the kids with the hand cart. I wasn't really sure what that meant for our day but, I was ready to make the best of it!
Breakfast was quick and we were all chomping at the bit to get going. Our company was leading out and our kids wanted to be in the VERY front, so we had our cart loaded and ready before the devotional. TRUE we had to sit on the ground since our buckets were packed but it was worth it to be setting the pace!
The plan had been to follow the trail at the base of a hill. Thanks to our little trouble makers we went straight up the hill. STRAIGHT up. Mike and I both looked at it and said "No way". It was a crazy, steep, sage brush covered hill. Followed by another hill. And another. Yeah you get the picture. Well needless to say Mike and I couldn't just walk along side the cart and watch our kids struggle. I've always felt like I need to do everything I expect my kids to do. This was no exception. We had to push just as hard as they did. It's amazing how working hard with people you care about seems to cement your relationship. Our work mules (Quade and Austin) seemed to set the pace but everyone else worked every bit as hard and without a single complaint. Sydni had blister that covered the entire back's of both heels. The medical team kept telling her to ride in the truck but she wouldn't. She was NOT giving up.
Trekking on our feet are very sore oh
pushing pulling see the handcarts go
Up the hill and over lots of sage brush
four more bumpy miles to go
trekking stumbling trekking as we push and pull the yoke
trekking stumbling trekking, I think our tarp just broke
trekking stumbling trekking holy cow pie my feet hurt
only four more bumpy miles till we all can stop for lunch
Up the hill and over lots of sage brush
four more bumpy miles to go
trekking stumbling trekking as we push and pull the yoke
trekking stumbling trekking, I think our tarp just broke
trekking stumbling trekking holy cow pie my feet hurt
only four more bumpy miles till we all can stop for lunch
Anyway after laughing so hard that my sides hurt, we headed back to camp and our oh so toasty lantern! We all took a minute to share about the Pioneer that we were talking for. Mike and I were walking for Elizabeth Horrocks Jackson and Aaron Jackson. It was fun. Little by little I think that Trek and the handcart pioneers became very real and it all became VERY personal. It struck me that people were willing to suffer and die just so that they could get to the temple. I know that there were also other factors, but that was the huge one. And once their family members died it became even more necessary. I am so thankful for my family members that sacrificed so much so that our family could be an eternal one.
We were all so tired. I couldn't wait to go to sleep! the ground was starting to feel VERY soft!
Day 3
Day 3 started with the knowledge that the "Womens Pull" was coming. We had been reassured that it wouldn't be overly hard but the girls were kinda worried. We packed up, had breakfast, a devotional and......waited. Our company was last today. After being first it was hard to spend so much time "waiting". A couple of miles in we were stopped at the bottom of a pretty steep (but graded road) hill. The boys were told to get their buckets off of the hand carts. The boys went one way and the girls went another. Sister Shaw spoke to us for a little bit. She talked about how much the Lord loves His daughters. How special we all are as women, and how ready he is to answer our prayers. President Banner talked to the boys. Mike can't remember what he said.....Shocker. But I assume it was good:) ANYWAY, that hill was tough and we were feeling ok but tired and a little shaky when we got to the top. AND THEN....we turned and looked to our right to see the men at the top of a VERY steep, sage brush covered, bumpy rutted hill. We were all a little shocked and nervous. We said another prayer and started. It was SO HARD. About half way up I started to feel like we weren't going to make it. As I looked up I could see the men lined up on both side of the path. I knew that they couldn't help us. It seemed so far away. Then a wave of girls and women came running down the hill. We weren't alone. Not on this side of the veil or the other. It was a very emotional experience. I couldn't look up at the boys and Mike. I knew that I wouldn't be able to keep going. It was a life changing event for me. The strength of a group of righteous women is unlike anything else. A group of righteous women can pull together and accomplish anything.
Day 4 started with a delicious breakfast cooked FOR us by the food committee! We had camp cleaned up and were ready to go. The day before when we saw the hill that was just past camp one of the boys said "Oh Satan". Well our day started with that hill. UGH. But as usual we made it only to find another one! On the way down the second hill I felt a POP and felt a gush and knew that a blister had formed and popped since leaving camp! We sent the kids on and Mike fixed up my foot. By the time we were done Mike and I were done we were at the back of the train! I ran and ran to try to catch up with the kids but MAN they were moving so fast! Quade had fallen behind because of his feet and so once we caught up with him Mike stayed with him and I ran ahead. There was a "vignette" set up on a hillside above the trail that just about put me over the edge. On the hillside there were people dressed in white waving. Adults, children, families. All representing the 6,000 people that died while making their way to Salt Lake. I now was trying to run while crying. UGH. I almost caught up to the kids but before I knew it we were done! "Brigham Young" was there to greet us and welcome us "to the Valley" and Riverdale City band was there playing! It was a very touching end to a great week!
No comments:
Post a Comment