Paul and I had the amazing experience to go on Trek with the youth to Tabiona, UT (I did not know there was a city Tabiona in Utah, and I have lived here my whole life). It is over the mountain from Heber. Our kids were all over the state and into another, the girls went to Idaho with Paul's brother and sister-in-law, the boys went to Riverton with my brother and sister-in-law, and Sterling was in Provo with my sister. We were Ma's and Pa's over a group of 3 boys and 3 girls (most "families" had more, ours was the smallest) reinacting and experiencing the pioneer stories of crossing the plains to get to Salt Lake. I have ties from my side of the family from the Loader family who came in the Martin's Cove company so I felt a genuine connection for the pioneers. I won't bore you with the details of each day but I want to write down my feelings and emotions I had on Trek. The most memorable experiences were the Women's Pull (Faith Hill) and the last day.
Faith Hill (aka Women's Pull)
The men left to go fight in the "Mormon Battalion". This was an actual event. The men left and the women had to continue pulling the handcarts by themselves. The hill they chose for us was soft dirt and it just kept going up and up and up. It was so hard, probably the most physically demanding. We had a devotional before we started. We sang Sister in Zion and Sister Twiggs (the young women president) spoke to us and motivated us by saying Satan will try to make us believe we can't do it, it's too hard, to give up but WE CAN DO THIS! What this taught me about myself-I have more strength and endurance than I thought I did. I thought I was in good shape but I was breathing so hard plus it didn't help to be hot and at a higher elevation. But, at the end I did and the sense of accomplishment was overwhelming.
I can't do it alone, I need others to help me push and pull. We all have our own "handcarts" we are pushing. We need to each other. We are very powerful TOGETHER against the evils of Satan.
We all walked by the boys and they couldn't help but just look at us and encourage us. It was hard for those boys to do that but it taught them valuable lessons as well-respect for the women, the capabilities of women, and that women can do hard things. At the end of the hill, the boys could step in and take over. What a relief! And it seemed to be at the perfect time when I didn't think I could take another step. Sister Twiggs spoke again that night and told us that is like the Savior. He had to let us do it on our own watching us, encouraging us but it isn't until we can't do it anymore that He steps in. Powerful!
Angels among us (the last day)
Unlike previous days that were physically draining, this day was emotionally draining. The previous day our rice baby died. But, this day one of our siblings died which happened very often in the Martin and Willie Handcart Companies. Each family on trek had a sibling die. Ours was sweet, little Kimmie. As we were packing up she had to leave and go with the Stake. Our family walked down the trail without her. At a certain point on the trail they told us it was sacred ground and we needed to be quiet and reverent. As we turned the corner we saw the most magestic, beautiful, awe-inspiring sight I have ever seen. Against the red rock were the youth who had been chosen to die holding the rice babies we buried the day before. The spirit was so strong. I saw our sweet girl and she gave a little, discreet wave and then I saw her holding the baby. I lost it. I thought of my own family and I missed them. My emotions were at the surface because I was physically drained and then the spirit touched me so much I became emotionally drained. My love for those saints grew, my love for the youth grew, and my testimony of the plan of salvation grew. Death is not the end and I know heaven will be glorious as I felt a glimpse of it in Tabiona, UT. We all have angels among us-helping us, cheering us on, and praying for us.
There is no other place stronger than when the youth are gathered together. I feel blessed and privileged to be with the youth in my calling as a counselor in the young women's. I also feel extremely humbled to have been a part of that wonderful experience on trek. It was a moment in there life they will say they KNEW the gospel was true. This experience once again testified to me that the church is true, that Christ is our Savior, and Joseph Smith restored the gospel here on earth. It also reaffirmed by faith in the plan of salvation. I am grateful to have this knowledge and to have the gift of the Holy Ghost testify to me.
