Me Thinks

A few lessons that I learned on pioneer trek:

1.  Young people can do hard things.  They performed better than I thought they would.  The leaders of our stake planned a rigorous trek, and some people thought it would be too hard and too taxing, but the youth performed admirably.

2.  Trek, as in life, is better organized in families, where a ma and pa are over a group of children.

3. Attitude is important, a willingness to work is important, water is important, and sunscreen is important.

4.  When you have youth push a handcart for 12.8 miles in one day, you will have no problem getting them to bed that night.

5.  An activity or experience is best when you have a mix of fun, social opportunities, physical activity, variety, and of course, a spiritual component.  This pioneer trek had all of these things and it was successful.

6.  When you step away from your "normal" world, even if only for a few days, your vision becomes clearer as to what is really important in life.

7.  Youth will jump up to meet high expectations.

8.  Our stake "Trail Boss" was a wonderful leader named Jim Nordquist.  Jim was highly organized, he never yelled or seemed frustrated, he made a detailed plan and followed it but he was flexible when obstacles which were out of his control came up, and he led in firmness and love.

9.  A big activity takes a lot of people helping in different ways.  Oh, how I love a sense of teamwork.

10.  I liked walking hand in hand with my husband.

11.  I felt a sacred feeling as I passed the pioneer graves on the trail.  I love and admire the pioneers.

12.  Many prayers were said and many petitions were sent upwards for safety and protection and our prayers were answered.  I am grateful to the Lord for watching over this trek.