Leslie's life: Trek

I don't even know where to start. Trek was an amazing experience. I was excited for it, but not for wearing pioneer clothes. I still think that we could have had a great experience without them, but they did complete the picture. We took the youth to the Mosida trek area, on the west side of Utah Lake, and although I was a little skeptical at first of the location, I found that it was perfect. There were places that were grassy with tamarack trees and there were hot, dusty areas with cactus and scrub; in other words, just like the environments that the pioneers would have trekked through. Fortunately for us, trekking the first week of June was also perfect weather-wise. We had one 90 degree day but the rest of our time there the temperature was in the 80s, the weather was beautiful, cooler at night, not a rain cloud to be seen. Honestly, I think that our trek experience was perfect, all the way around.
I was somewhat concerned beforehand about my role, or lack thereof, as I was not a "ma" and not in charge at all. I was "support staff" and found that it was ideal, really doing whatever I wanted. I gravitated to the Robertson's "family" of which Erik was a member and they just considered me to be the widowed aunt of the family. After the first day I got in and pushed and pulled their handcart too, to earn my keep. :) I helped the "food couple" with the meals, cooking and cleaning, and generally just made myself useful.
Our trek coordinators, the Jackmans, definitely relied on inspiration in dividing up the youth into families. All of the youth were exactly where they should have been. Marin was in the Benson's family with sweet Fawn as her "ma" and siblings that were just right for her. Erik was in the Robertson's family with his friends Brennen and Alia and had a great time even though he didn't want to. I was thrilled to watch my kids have great experiences on trek.
As I said, I was excited for this trek, but I had no idea what an incredibly spiritual experience it was going to be. Between the "vignettes" that the families performed periodically along the trail to the impromptu breaking out in hymns while walking, the women's pull and the family greeting us at the end waving white hankies, the Spirit was ever-present. I could see youth being touched and lives changing forever. I have gained a greater appreciation for and love for the pioneers who came across to build up our Father's kingdom on the earth, sacrificing so much for those that came after. The "women's pull" which is always one of the highlights of the trek experience didn't disappoint. It was so difficult and I wept to think of the pioneer women who worked so hard to get their families across the plains and mountains with little ones in tow in conditions far worse than ours. I hope I can be stronger and be able to make my Father in Heaven proud as I "pull my handcart" through this life.
I hope that I will get another opportunity in this life to go on trek again although I don't think that it will ever measure up to this experience. Thank you to the Jackmans for putting together this most amazing experience.