Trekkers

Fisher and I had the amazing and unique experience this week of being part of a Pioneer Trek in our Stake. Back in October, we were asked to go as a ma and pa on the trek. But because were are expecting (have I mentioned we are having a baby) the Stake Presidency decided it would be better for us to go as camp cooks. At first I was disappointed, but now, after seeing how difficult the trail was, I can admit that I was wrong and it would have been very hard for me to keep up the energy required to be a pioneer ma.
As I said the experience was wonderful. We worked hard, but we rubbed shoulders with amazing people. We weren't on vacation, but the people we worked with made it feel like we were. Everyone was happy, ready to help, and quick to laugh. We met people that we probably would never meet - like the head cooks (pictured below) who planned all the food (we were their helpers).
To give you an idea of the group - there were 280 "trekkers" divided into 20 families. There was also a back up camp crew of about 30 people (4 woman and lots of men). The dedication of this crew is what continually amazed me. They spent hours and hours planning and preparing for the trek months in advance. Then, they happily took a week of their time to prepare, run, and clean up the trek. On top of that, most of them volunteered their resources and supplies - semi trucks, forklifts, rhinos, pickups, trailers, water trucks, camp kitchens, camp gear, materials to build handcarts, a small temple replica, crates, pioneer games, a stage... I could go on and on. It was incredible to me to see the sacrifice of so many people to create this 4 day experience for 200 youth.

But, it was worth it! I saw the changes that happened in the youth and heard them share the testimony strengthening experiences that they had. I know it is an experience that they will never forget, and neither will we.