Warning!!!!! Long post below!!!!

I have been promising Trek info and I finally have a few minutes to post while the Wee One is napping!

Myself and 649 other members of the Wellsville, UT stake went up to Martin's Cove and Rock Creek Hollow, WY for a 4 day trek. This was such a wonderful opportunity for the young men and women of our stake to experience and learn more about the trials their pioneer ancestors went though on their trek out west in the 1850s. The kids were each given a name of one of the actual pioneers from either the Martin or Willie Handcart companies whom they were to remember while they were treking. Along with the name was a history and a journal entry from that pioneer. It was neat to see our kids get excited about representing someone they didn't know. By the end of trek each of my kids felt they could really identify with their particular pioneer.

We loaded up 10 buses Tuesday morning the 6th with all 650 of us divided into "families". The families consisted of a "Ma and Pa," and 10 "kids" ranging in ages from 11 to 17. Danny and I had 5 girls and 5 boys in our group. Each person was allowed to bring a 5 gallon bucket that was to contain everything they would need for the 4 days with the exception of their bed roll. (That was one of the biggest challenges for sure. To imagine that many who went to CA and UT on the trails were only able to bring with them of their worldly possessions those that would take up the equivalent space of a 5 gallon bucket. That was very eye opening to many of the youth!)

We rode the buses for 6 hours, with a small break for lunch and arrived at what's known as the "6th crossing" in WY. It was literally out in the middle of NOWHERE and it was super windy and cold. (I think Danny told me that when he checked the thermometer that night it was 42 degrees in our tent!) Once there, each family grabbed a handcart and loaded up their buckets and bed rolls and walked a mile or so to camp. We pitched our tents and got dinner and then gathered for a short company meeting and family prayer. Then it was off to bed by 10:30 to make sure the kids got enough rest for the short trek the next day (5 miles in total).

6:30 am came mighty quickly and the whole camp gathered for breakfast and then departed for Martin's Cove. A short background about Martin's Cove can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin%27s_Cove . Our youth had such wonderful experiences while we were there. Some were just fun, like when we reenacted the river crossing but most were spiritual as we toured the museums and listened to the missionaries there tell the stories of the pioneers and their sacrifices. I found myself tearing up at the thought of those pioneers suffering such hardships because they believed the words of the prophet Brigham Young and heeded his call to join the gathering body of Mormons in Utah. These faithful members of the church left very late in the season and were caught in terrible snow storms and all of their handcart company would have perished if not for the word of their plight reaching Salt Lake. Upon receiving this news Brigham Young called on all the LDS members there to give food, clothing, tents, and teams and wagons to go east and find those companies stuck on the plains. Many, many, many responded quickly to the words of President Young and the rescue parties were assembled, supplies gathered, and they departed within 2 days to gather in their brothers and sisters safely home. Once arriving where the poor pioneers were holed up at Martin's Cove and seeing their desperate state the rescuers proceeded to build fires, erect shelters, distribute food and clothes, and tend to the sick and wounded. Many of those in the company still died due to exposure and starvation but many did make it to the Salt Lake Valley and are the ancestors of many of the present day citizens of the state of Utah. After departing Martin's Cove we returned to camp and had dinner, a square dance, and a wonderful fireside in which we learned more about some of those who were in the rescue party and heard stories from the journals they kept during that experience.

The next day we grabbed our hand carts again and proceeded to trek 10 miles around 6th crossing. Walking 10 miles might not seem like much but by then the weather had really warmed up and hauling everything you own around with you in a handcart can be a little exhausting. Plus this day included 3 river crossings over the Sweetwater River where we had to ford the carts, and either walk or be carried across the river. With my bad left foot I had Danny carry me! :)

All the women also participated in a very sweet and significant reenactment event called the "Women's' Pull." As our company arrived at the bottom of the biggest and sandiest hill I had ever seen the men in our group were called away symbolizing those men who were called away in the 1850s to serve in the Mormon Battalion (in the war with Mexico) and those who were called to serve missions by Brigham Young. They walked to the top of the hill leaving the women and the handcarts below. We then as "mothers, daughters and sisters," had to pull the loaded handcarts up the hill unassisted by the men. It was truly both a physical and spiritual test. But I knew my girls and I could make it! (Even though 200 yards from the top of the hill I was doubting my bravado!) :) As we neared the top of the hill all the men in our company were lining the trail on either side with the hats off and solemn expressions on their faces out of respect for what the women were doing. I was weeping openly from the spiritual power and presence I was feeling of those who had gone on before and I was about to give up out of sheer exhaustion when I felt a renewed push from the back of the cart and I assumed it was my girls giving it one final burst of effort. It wasn't until we reached the top and were on our way down the other side of the hill that I asked the girls, who happened to be pushing in the back, where they got that burst of energy from? They then told me they thought myself and the girls in the front had started pulling harder to lighten their load! Truly there are angels among us and those who have passed on are never far when we need them!

After the 10 mile trek came to an end we broke camp and hopped on the buses to head to Rock Creek Hollow for our last night. We arrived, had dinner, set up camp, and all the youth received letters from home via the "Pony Express!" It was neat to see their expressions reading these letters and how touched they were by what their parents had written. We then had a wonderful testimony meeting with most of the youth in our company standing up and sharing their thoughts and feelings about the Lord and the trek experience. I was so proud of my kids and it gave me so much confidence that I can be a good mom someday! :)

We then visited the grave sites of the pioneers at the Hollow and the monument erected there by President Hinckley in 1992 in remembrance of those who died and then turned in for a good nights sleep. They last day we loaded the buses and headed home and had some good times on the buses. :) I was amazed how well all my kids got along considering they didn't necessarily know each other before trek given their varying ages and social groups, but they really became very close and I am looking forward to our "family reunion" with them once Danny is home!

My personal testimony of the importance of remembering with respect our ancestors grew immensely with this trek. Now I know none of my personal ancestors crossed the plains...but those that did helped build the church that I am a part of and which has truly made me the woman I am today. I owe EVERYTHING I have been blessed with to the Lord. And I am so grateful for Him and His love for me.