It's hard to sum up such an amazing, challenging, and uplifting experience as the Youth Pioneer Trek with words. Most of my feelings and experiences are in my Trek journal, but since I can't share all of that here, hopefully these pictures will help me tell some of the story of our Trek...
After about 20 yards, one of our cute "daughters" said, "This isn't too bad!" Little did she know that after three days of this...
...that she probably would be singing a different tune.
Along the trail, we stopped to hear stories of the pioneers. We heard from leaders who portrayed the actual pioneers such as William Clayton, Jefferson Hunt, Brigham Young, and many others. The message and music of "Come, Come, Ye Saints" was weaved throughout the vignettes.
We also had family time, where we would huddle together and talk more about the pioneers. We wanted the youth to catch the spirit of the theme "Legacy of Faith" and help them think about what their legacy would be for those who come after them.
The journal played a key part in helping them process their experience and record their testimonies.
After long and exhausting days of pushing and pulling the handcarts, we were in awe at the energy these guys found to play games (stick pull, watermelon seed spitting, relays, etc), sing songs (Hoxie stew!--a tribute to the camp chef, Br. Hoxie), and dance! We had a blast watching these kids kick up some dust and square dance! We were the proudest ma and pa when our family won the square dance competition.
From the minute we met this group, we knew they were something special. Because we were helping in the planning of Trek, Brad and I were not planning to be a ma and pa, until we became the "best" option because of the last-minute drop-out. All we could think of as we got to know these kids and have these awesome experiences together with them was how much we would have missed out on if we hadn't been given this opportunity. We truly felt it wasn't an accident that we got to be Ma and Pa Allred. They touched us forever with their...
amazing strength (physical and spiritual),
their positive attitudes and sense of humor,
Their kindness and thoughtfulness to each other.
their cheers, songs, and jokes (and a little friendly competition, too), that united us so quickly and effortlessly as the Allred familiy.
So glad I could have this awesome experience with my sweetheart...
(Pa being romantic)
Who needs a five-star-hotel weekend getaway for our anniversary?
This was an experience of a lifetime! And I survived my 2nd (and last?) Trek! Whew! Too bad Brad and I didn't get that "after" picture--we were coated in grime and dirt, but our smiles were bigger than before.
This little poem written by one of our Allred boys, sums up Trek better than anything I could write....
By Jason H.
Waiting at the church
About to leave for Trek
I knew not what to think
Not sure what to expect
Everyone dressed classy
I speak for all attenders
But I’ll never feel the same
After three days with suspenders
The days were full of fun
Yet made me kinda sore
No matter what we did
I always wanted more
Trek was really special
I cherished every hour
But I’ve never been so thankful
for a warm bed and a shower
My family was so happy
I couldn’t find a flaw
We all grew really close
with help from Ma and Pa
We wouldn’t have survived
Without our strength and wits
Or without our lunches
of salami, cheese, and Ritz
Remembering the journey
Makes me want to tear
We got a taste of life
as a pioneer
2 comments:
What a neat experience! Those kids were so lucky to have the two of you as their Ma and Pa (and you might be the cutest pioneer gal ever). Loved all the pictures and that sweet poem. (And loving all of your catch-up blogging.) xo
That was such a great re-cap, sis! Loved hearing more details about trek. I think you summed up your experiences so well. Fun memories of your 2nd (and last?!) trek!
xoxo
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