PIONEER TREK

Our Stake had a Pioneer Trek for our youth. Zachary and Joshua were both old enough to go. I have to admit both of them were a little hesitent to go, as most of the youth were. But after wards they could not quit talking about what a great time they had and how many great experiences they had. I had the opportunity of going up one day with the Ym & Yw presidency to be in charge of the Log Sawing game. We also had to dress in authentic Pioneer clothing. What a powerful experience it was to see the handcart come off the mountain and into the valley where we were waiting for them. I got so choked up, they were all smiling and so excited that they had made it and proud of the huge task they had just completed. The first day, started out at 4am meeting at the stake center to drive to Heber, AZ. When they arrived in Heber, they broke the kids up into families gave them a handcart and they push the carts 16 miles to their first camp. During that time they also had a womens pull where the men were taken away to the Batalon and the women push the cart alone!! The testimony my boys gained by watching the women due this alone was so powerful. The next few days were games and family/team building tasks. They grew to love their ma's and pa's and family. Saturday at the end of the trek all the parents drove to Heber and waited to see the handcart come over the horizon to cheering parents!!! Lots of tears that moment that they were safe and happy, and strengthened!!