What a busy a full week we’ve spent. Our group of trek missionaries, spent Monday morning (Apr 28) at the temple. The rest of the week we had training meetings every day. We learned all about the logistics and ecology preservation measures that we need to know to be good trek shepherds and watchful guardian angels too keep trekkers on the right trail and safe. A heap of stuff!!!!!!! So many things to learn!!!! Our lead couple say we’re kind of like police men when it comes to no trace camping (eco-cops as Arnold has put it).
Each couple were assigned a share of trek groups to keep tabs on and we were given the assignment to contact each group. We made contact with all but one – didn’t have much contact info on that one so it took us several days to track down that last one. But we finally made contact on Sunday by calling their Stake office.
I have been designated “care taker” of the “church” computer. As I was tidying up the computer, I found trek files all over the place so I put them all in a folder and organized them into appropriate sub folders. Someone removed the My Computer icon from the system and even the guru’s couldn’t find it again. So I must rely on key strokes to open it (FYI Windows Flag key + E opens My Computer).
In one of the files, I found excerpts of comments kids had made after going on a trek……tear jerkers, all of them!!!! I read the list to our group the following day. We’ll probably never hear such comments from the kids we assist, but just knowing many of them will come away with the same feelings about themselves and their lives is quite enough. Here’s a sample. Enjoy!!!
Boy- “….on trek I saw ruts on the road—as in life, despite the ruts we just keep pushing forward”
Boy- “I saw the strength of our YW-it put me to shame. As I pushed I saw my own weakness. I must rely on the Savior.”
Girl- “I came here to get closer to God and it worked!”
Boy- “The first day was the hardest day. The first day was my favorite day. The rain storm unified us.”
Girl- “My parents made me come—so glad—I found new friends, learned about pioneer struggles. I asked for help at the hardest time, and it came.”
Boy- “Trek has helped me gain a better understanding of what’s important. I think it was getting away from the world. I am recommitted to doing what’s right and serving a mission.”
Boy- “Before I came I thought about all I would miss ie. TV, CD player, computer, but I didn’t miss any of it. Trek has lit my fire!!!”
Girl- “Trek is now a piece of my testimony puzzle”
Girl- “My pa told me something cool. In church they are always telling us to have faith to move mountains. But sometimes it can take even more faith to climb over that mountain.”
Girl- “I will settle for nothing but a worthy priesthood holder in my home as a husband.”
Boy- “Because the pioneers were willing to sacrifice their lives for the Lord, I can easily sacrifice two years of mine.” (This youth was sharing his testimony of now wanting to serve the Lord by serving a mission.)
Girl- “I expected to gain a testimony of the gospel and pioneers but never expected to gain a testimony of the priesthood.”
Boy- “At home I was only worried about myself, but on trek I was always worrying about others…I wanted them to be ok and have water.”
Boy- “Every ounce of lazy and selfishness was drained from me, I never wanted to work so hard in my life!”
Girl- “I’ve never felt the spirit so strong for so long. It was in the scenery and the hardships”
Boy- “My mom does a “woman’s pull” everyday”
Girl- “Solo time was so neat. At home in a big room full of people I could feel alone and out here sitting far away from everyone, I could feel so complete and bonded to everyone. I started reading the Book of Mormon on day one for the first time. I love this book.”
Girl- “I shouldn’t judge others before getting to know them”
“Trek made me see how I live my life. ”
“I didn’t need strength from myself, I needed strength from the Lord”
“I want to strive for a pioneer testimony and an unshakable testimony in Christ”
And we are blessed to be a small part of such wonderful happenings!!! What a priviledge!!
We also heard a story about a past trek group whose leaders had micro-managed the details of their trek. The first day the leaders planned to have a mock rain storm from which the trekkers would have to scurry to seek shelter in order to not get drenched. Then, the first evening the leaders were going to tell the trekkers there was no food only to produce a dinner a few hours later. At least that was the plan.
Well, shortly after they started their trek, it really did rain. Later that evening they told the trekkers the planned story only to discover there really wasn’t any food. Come to find out the food for that evening’s meal had mistakenly been used at the send off dinner at the church house the previous evening. The kids really did go to bed hungry. Sometimes Heavenly Father has other plans, and a mere mortal’s plans go flying out the window.
Friday Dustina Garrison’s baby girl, Dustriana Lynn-Marie Garrison, arrived. Dustina is the daughter of our friend Tina whom we knew in Indian Springs and who now lives here in Provo. Hopefully, Arnold will be able to give the baby her blessing before we leave town.
Saturday (3 May) was designated our first Preparation-day, or P-day as it is better known. P-day is when missionaries do everything else we don’t have time to the other days, like grocery shopping and washing. We attended Jessica’s graduation in Logan for our P-day. She graduated from Utah State with a triple major. WOW!!!
Andre, Robin and the boys all came from Oregon. Ellery had a prom to attend so she stayed behind in Hood River. What a grand time we had with them and what a wonderful young woman Jessica is!!!
The guest speaker at the graduation was L. Tom Perry. About 40 years ago when Arnold was a brand new church member, Arnold came to Salt Lake for conference. When he was crossing the street to Temple Square, here came L. Tom Perry crossing the other way. At that time, Elder Perry had just recently been called as an Apostle. Elder Perry reached out and shook Arnold’s hand as they crossed the street. On Saturday, Arnold got to shake his hand again. Arnold thought that was pretty neat – so did I.
Adam and Maddy had their birthdays this last week. Maddy is now five and Adam is three. When we went up for the family birthday, Cash (Allen’s son who will be three shortly) was out in the yard as we arrived. I gave him a holler and he came running with arms in the air for a big hello hug. So neat!!!
Again this Monday the group attended the temple. Nice!!!!!
And, Arnold had the blessing of being able to give Dustriana her baby’s blessing on Monday evening. Sweet blessing!!
It’s Tuesday morning (May 6) and we’re headed up the mountain to DL&L property. We understand the snow drifts have been removed. If the utilities aren’t all turned on yet, we’re all prepared to dry camp a couple days.
We are off to the Mountains of Ephraim to dwell!!!!
Love & Laughter
Elder & Sister Young
