Jake and I had the opportunity to go with the youth in our ward on Pioneer trek as "aunt and uncle"! We were not exactly excited for no showers for 4 days, hot sun, no shade, no running water, and a long 6 hour bus ride... But it was an amazing experience, and we feel so incredibly blessed to have gone with the youth. The stake put a tremendous amount of time and money into putting this huge event on, and every penny was worth it. It was amazing to see each of the youth get along with each member of there selected family and see the relationships and friendships form. It was miraculous to see testimonies strengthened by some that were even wavering with the church.
On day 1, our ward was slowly seeing a few youth and 1 leader get sick. It was in the 90's, with wind that I have never experienced before. We luckily had a nurse come with each ward, just in case any emergencies appeared, and we are extremely grateful she was there! 2-3 youth had heat exhaustion, and were slowly all getting sick. They weren't drinking enough water, and the sun caught up with them fast. The leaders started to get worried, considering all we were doing on the first day was drive up to WY, set up camp, and there was square dancing at night. Day 2 and 3 we were doing 8 miles and 10.5 miles on those days! This was nothing! Those youth learned there lesson, and properly hydrated the rest of the trip, and all the problems they faced was constantly running in the sage brush to go to the bathroom :) Unfortunately, one leader had to get sent home because she couldn't get better, even with 2 IV's.
The challenges that we were facing, just on the first day, started to put things into perspective, as to what the Pioneers truly went through. Growing up with parents that were converted to the gospel, I never truly felt like I could relate with the pioneers. I admired there stories and dedication but just never felt like I could connect with them.
On Day 2, we hiked into Martin's Cove and checked out what the pioneers went through there.
It was a huge part of our trip, and here is a little history about it.
(I took this info below from wikipedia.)
Martins Cove, WY
In November 1856, about 500
Mormon emigrants in the
Martin Handcart Company were halted for five days in the Cove by snow and cold while on their way to
Salt Lake City. The Martin Handcart company had begun its journey on July 28, 1856 which was dangerously late in the season and would ultimately lead to the disaster. Although the number who died in the Cove is unknown, more than 145 members of the Martin Company died before reaching Salt Lake City.
A few days prior to their arrival at Martin's Cove, the company was met by a small rescue party with food, supplies, and wagons that
LDS Church President Brigham Young had sent from Salt Lake City, Utah. On November 4 the company and rescuers forded the bitterly cold
Sweetwater River and sought shelter in the cove. That evening a powerful north wind blew the tents to the ground. The tents were set up again, but a blizzard brought heavy snow. The company remained in the camp for five days, unable to proceed due to the snow and cold. A number of the company's cattle died there and were preserved in a frozen state. When the weather warmed, on November 9, the company was able to move on toward Utah. With assistance from the original rescue party and from additional rescue parties that met them along the way, the survivors finally reached Salt Lake City on November 30.
Outlook from Martins Cove... The wind is fierce as you walk out of this cove. Luckily for us, it was in the 90's, not in the bitter cold.
Right after Martins Cove, our group treked to the Sweetwater Crossing. This was a really neat experience to watch the priests (16-18 men) in our ward carry all the women across the river. When the pioneers did this, the water was below 0. The purpose of this was a reenactment of rescuers, of the same age as the Priests, coming to the rescue and carrying the survivors across the icy, cold river. It was a lot warmer for us, but it still brought many struggles for the youth. The young men, 14-16, along with there male leader took the handcarts across the river. Jake had a real touching and testimony building experience trying to push a cart with a 14 year old.
Our family, Chejbljah!!
Justin, Lindsey, Hailey and Carli
Brady and Austin in the back
The whole stake just out in the middle of no where.. trekking along...
We proceeded along on Day 3, the 10.5 mile trek. It was really hot outside, and I just had a sloppy joe sandwich and was praying to keep it down. It wasn't sitting well, and the next thing on the agenda was the Women's Pull. I was really grateful for our group, especially the girls. Two of them, which are now Laurels, were in my group. It was so great to get to know them better! I was impressed by there willingness to keep pushing forward and there positive attitudes!
The women's pull was one of the events that I wasn't really looking forward to. It was a 3/4 mile, uphill, in beach sand! I miraculously started to feel better, and was feeling good by the time we started. The pull was hard.. it was long.. and everyone was breathing heavily. At this point, I knew and could feel a fraction of what those pioneers had to go through. The men were called away, and the women and children were left behind to keep heading towards Zion.
The girls in our group didn't stop, in fear we weren't going to be able to get going again. We each were pushing each other, encouraging each other to keep going. I am so grateful for this experience. When we reached the top, the men were standing on the side of the path waiting for us. It was a
beautiful thing seeing Jake up at the top. And, I was so grateful to make it! The women from all the carts before us, came running down to help all of the other carts that were still struggling to get up the hill. I am so proud of these girls and there willingness to serve and help there fellow sisters! We truly have great youth!!
Jake just taken random pictures...
Our last day... Jake was looking pretty pioneerish :)
Wille Meadow Memorial
On day 4, we packed up camp and headed over to Rock Creek Hollow. We had a little devotional, lunch and got on the road and headed for home. The bus ride seemed to fly by really quick, and didn't drag like the way up.
This experience made me reflect on my own testimony of the gospel. And when the times get tough, am I going to give up or am I going to keep pushing forward? Those pioneers knew the conditions and trials that they were going to go through, but they still went, and they did it all for the gospel! That's incredible to me! What would I have done? I know that there is always going to be hard testimony testing times, but I know this gospel is true and will always be true.
I probably wouldn't have made the best pioneer, but I am so incredibly grateful to have gone with the youth in our ward. I am grateful for there sweet testimonies and the impact they have had on Jake and I's life. I am grateful for the lessons we have learned about the pioneers, and pray that I will have the faith that they had and continue to push forward, despite the trials I will continue to face. I know President Monson leads and guides this church today. I know my Heavenly Father loves me, even through all my imperfections. I am so grateful for my Savior, who has provided the Atonement for all of us to be forgiven of our sins. I am so grateful for my family and the family that I have gained with Jake. I am grateful for parents who raised me in the church, because I wouldn't want to imagine my life without it, and without my amazing husband.
I hope everyone has the opportunity to go on Pioneer trek, or visits the sites that we were able to go to. It was a great, life changing experience, even in good ol' Wyoming :)
