What an amazing experience we had over the 24th of July! We were asked to be a Ma and Pa for Youth Conference this year. We had 8 kids in our family and did 12 miles the first day, 13 miles the second, and about 4 miles the last. The last day we marched out of camp and into the 24th parade in Lund. Needless to say the blisters on my feet prevented me from walking too fast. I still have one toenail that is really purple and still might fall off. But the overall experience was well worth the heat, exhaustion, and soreness. I loved getting know our kids and they were so amazing! They all worked really hard and had great attitudes!
We experienced all kinds of trials along the way, some were expected by the leaders, others were not. Handcarts broke down, people suffered from heat exhaustion, and some had their feet run over by a cart. We were also robbed by "bandits", had mail brought in by the Pony Express, and had all the men and boys taken away to march in the Mormon Battalion. 
I was able to finally get an idea of what the pioneers went through. I always knew it must have been extremely difficult, but most accounts from journals say how much it was worth it. What those Saints did to be able to worship without persecution and have the faith to follow the Prophet is truly inspiring. I have a new, very personal respect for them.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Handart Trek 2009
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5 comments:
Amazing! What a cool experience!
Wow! What an experience. That's great that you got to be Ma and Pa since the pioneer trek didn't become a big youth activity until we were not longer "youth" (at least that was my experience).
How cool! Your kids didn't go along did they? That would have made it really real.
Hope your feet feel better soon
Teri was having a hard time with the heat at Girl's Camp, but when she read about your "Handcart Trek" and your feet, she decided she had the easier time. How great it was that you could come in to town and be apart of the parade. So you are our hero! But as one writer said you should have had the kids along and it really would have been real. But we do get gifts in life.
How fun for you, and what an amazing thing for the kids to experience! They are all getting old. :).
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