Pioneer Children Sang as they walked

Mary Ann has a much anticipated picture of me with as good a beard as I have ever grown. Until that picture arrives, however, this stock photo will have to do.



Yes, we did the Pioneer Trek.

For those of you who don't know, it's all about our Mormon Pioneer heritage and walking in their actual footsteps across the dusty plains of Wyoming, or wherever your Stake has the ability to go. And it is amazing. It's more hard work than natural childbirth (according to my wife) and almost as rewarding. It's 4 days of sweaty tears, no sleep, blistered toes, and strengthened resolve to have more faith in Christ and in yourself. And I think a greater understanding and appreciation of how incredibly strong and faithful those pioneers were.

Up at 5:30 or so every day, walking about 14 miles a day pulling a handcart that weighs 500 pounds or so, falling asleep on the ground around 11:30 or so, doesn't sound like your kind of fun, does it? Not the ideal summer vacation, perhaps.

But I will tell you it will change your life. There are angels around us wanting us to succeed. I can't help but wonder where we would be without them? Too deep for you? Could be. But I will say this: A theme that was repeated many times during those 4 days was one I want to pass along to you and anyone who has been on trek - that is that maybe one of the reasons the pioneers had to experience some of those hardships like Rocky Ridge and Martin's Cove, was so that the youth and adults of today could experience something similar to grow closer to God and have a better understanding of hard work and faith.

That is why I think trek is so powerful. I think putting ourselves in those clothes and those places and pulling those handcarts brings a spirit that can't be duplicated anywhere else. And you think to yourself as you are walking out in the middle of nowhere, "These people had only the Book of Mormon, and faith. That was it. And they sacrificed EVERYTHING for the chance to join the saints." It's enough to move one to tears just thinking about some of those stories.

I haven't mentioned the family yet. All the Ma's and Pa's were given 'children' to be in their family. We had 7 kids; 2 girls and 5 boys. And they couldn't have been more diverse. We had one of everything:
1. A "Jim" from The Office
2. An oriental student body officer
3. An athlete
4. A no-nonsense hard-working spiritual girl
5. A Dancer who was also a butterfly
6. A cowboy who worked harder than anyone, and who was the youngest
7. A Singer who could bring in the spirit in just a few notes
And they all worked their hearts out, and we laughed and laughed and laughed.They had to come and tell us on two nights to be quiet and go to bed.

And that's what it was. All the preparation, the anticipation, and then it was over. And we were changed, just like that.

In closing, let me just say one thing about my wife. I will be riding her coat-tails all the way to heaven. She is the only reason I have a chance. I love her and am grateful for how strong she is. In every sense.