Turn back Tuesday

So I copying my old roommate Kemy and posting past pictures because its just so much fun. She calls her posts Flashback Fridays and its a blast from the past! That was totally corny but I admit that I'm a big nerd. Anyway I have so many pictures that I've never gotten on my blog and I just got a scanner so I'm so excited!!!!

This first pictures are from the TREK that I went on this summer with the youth in our Stake. When I got back I didn't blog much because of my mom's condition and trying to get out and see her as much as possible. But now I must revisit my experience before I forget all the heart-stirring moments. ( I think I really like the word heart- use it all the time it seems.)

In order to be a Ma on the TREK you have to have a Pa and I must say that Jeffrey was all that a Pa should be and more (and he's really really cute.) He prepared for this TREK and thought of things that made it even better for the kids. When you look at the pictures notice the American Flag, That was our cart!! He rigged it so that the flag was fastened to a pole that could also be used as a kick stand. He also made our very own button spinners out of apple tree branches. He's like MacGyver I tell ya. He really is, and its amazing to stand back and watch him do his thing. Without him we would've been lost. Our meals went quite smoothly especially with Brother Call's Help. He was our company's captain. Jeff kept us all pretty cozy. I've never seen anyone love rope and knots like he does. I don't know how he remembers all of them but he does. He told me so seriously " You can NEVER have enough rope." ( If I ever have to walk to Zion I want this big Stud with me. ) I'd want my Captain to be Ken Call too.

We had five sons and four daughters. They were the some of the sweetest, most kind teenagers I've ever met. I love them all so much. When we first started Jeff and I had to do a skit to introduce ourselves. We decided to make Fandango Pioneer Puppets. But we put a spin on it and called it Fun-trek-o said just like Fandango. It was cute but it definitely wasn't the best skit. There were some couples that had me rolling.

Our family: The FUNTREKO's

"Because we know that God is our Father, we call each other brothers and sister."

I will never forget each one of my kids and what they each brought to our experience. I was in awe of the their desire to love each other and their concern for the "one". We were only together for 4 days and I wish it could have been longer. Although, maybe we would have gotten on each others nerves after a couple of weeks, just like normal families do. I was really surprised at how well we bonded and how the kids seemed to be who they really are. Everyone was covered in dirt, I've never been so dirty in my life! No one seemed to be better than anyone else. We were all just trekking along, singing, and bonding while we worked shoulder to shoulder. There was nothing to distract us from our work or each other and we really had some good ol' fashioned fun. My boys got some kazoos and played their little hearts out. I would go back in heart beat. I don't miss how dirty I was or how ugly I felt. I had a dirt mustache. The dirt collected so easily right above my upper lip.
The last night before we left we had a testimony meeting as a whole Stake and also with our own families. Dallin was the last to get up and bare his testimony during the Stake mtg. I don't think he really wanted to go on the TREK and I almost stayed home to be with my mom. At that very moment I knew that Heavenly Father wanted us to have this experience together. He told how thankful he was for his MA and Pa and he bore a strong testimony. I think he surprised himself. It wasn't a travel log but a full blown testimony. I was so proud of him.

Then during our own families meeting I took a minute to remind the kids of our first discussion together before we even started walking. I had asked them to tell everyone a couple of things about themselves. They did exactly what I knew they'd do. I like to play football, I like to cook, I like to... on and on. I didn't get even a glimpse of their character or personality with the comments they made. If someone tells me they like to play football they doesn't tell me who they are. I challenged them to think about who they are on the TREK. I warned them that I would ask them again and I wanted some different answers.
So during this family meeting, sitting on our buckets (all of the our belongings except for our bedding had to fit in a 5 gallon bucket) knee to knee, I looked at each one of them and told them how I felt about them, what I saw as in their hearts. They all shared a gift with the their secret sibling and shared some of their own tender feelings. We had a family prayer and that night I went around to my boys, expressed my love to them and kissed them goodnight on their foreheads. I was so proud of my boys. I had good hardworking, well-mannered boys. (I had good girls too, but they're pretty much always good. If this is what teenagers are like, bring it on!! They did tell me however that they're not like this at home. That made me chuckle.
Introducing my kids

Dillon: Dashing darling who does so much for others, especially his MA. He was the BIG brother of our group. Sweet as can be, and very helpful. He likes girls too. Which is good. He was a company favorite with the ladies, giving back rubs and carrying buckets here and there.

Lauran: Lo Lo, Love her laugh. Laughing with her while we sat in the Port-o-lets. Yeah! Yeah! She was the big sister. She kept us entertained as we walked and walked. At night when we were falling asleep she talked to me and she's got a big heart.

Dallin: Debonairly dashing and a little devily. Downright adorable. Didn't want to come but made a difference to our family. Did you know you could play a Kazoo like that, they alone dance while you played it? You've got skill. I say a BEEF HOT LINKS!!!!!!Love you D!

Priscilla: Pleasant, pretty Princess Jasmine, produce and vegie lover friend. So helpful and easy to get along with. She's a girl trying to be her best self. Is a light to others. Sweet as can be. Love you too. I hope my daughters grow up to be like you.

Peter:Pleasing to the eyes and very pleasant. Proper, Plays the Harmonica. He stepped out of his comfort zone and the boy can sing too. He led us in some walking songs, and kept us moving along. Prays with his heart and is sooo eager to please. Love you Peter. How you liking those braises?

Devin: Debonairly down to earth, darling boy, didn't stop pulling our pushing. Didn't know that you would be so kind and sweet. When I first saw you I thought you'd give me trouble. Just that one time when you and your brother Dallin took off and I had to go after you boys with a stick!!! You did came back when I threatened to bend you over my knee though! Love you too, you big ox. Without your ox power we'd still be out there. Heart of a champion that boy!

Brittain: Brave babysitter, Brilliant, SWEETY (She was in charge of holding the baby we were given and she wouldn't let go it) I've never met such a smart girl as she was. Man that girl was like a walking encyclopedia. She didn't give up either. She walked until she nearly gave out and she kept up with her big brothers. I wish I could've taken her home with me. Such an easy girl to have in our family. Love you Brittain.

Ephraim:Easily entreated, ear to ear smiles. Ecstatic to be on the TREK. This boy can chop veges like no body's business and was always eager to help cook. More helpful than I could've hoped for and so kind to his sisters. He's respectful and reverent. Such a sweet sweet boy. Love you so much Ephraim. Thanks for the cinnamon rolls. We gobbled them up.

Olivia:Oh such a lovely lady, Likable, I could go on long walks with her. She opened her heart up to us and let us see a little glimpse of herself. Shy, but very perceptive to others. I think if I'd had her close to me a little longer I could crack her shell and she would discover a little more of who she is. Not too touchy feely like I am but tried it out. And yes, she was sweet too. I love you too Olivia!

The first day we started at 1:00 pm and walked until about 10:00 pm. We did about 12 miles the first day. At about 9:00 some men on horseback came over the hill and told us that they were taking our men for the Mormon Battalion. As our men and boys left our gaze we sang "God be With You till we Meet Again" The tears welled up and fell without constraint. The realization of what we had to do become apparent as we turned our eyes to the trail. It was uphill and it seemed as if no end was in sight. I pulled my girls near me and we huddled in a circle. I offered a prayer. We were asked by the trail boss to be on silent. As we walked I listened to the deep breathing and grunting of the girls. Soft, deep sand made each step more difficult as we made our way up the hill. It was dark and we didn't know when we'd see our men again. I though of Jeff and I thought of those early pioneer women who walked the trail alone. The thought of not having the Priesthood, his strength, his love, his friendship. Not knowing if I would even see him again. My heart couldn't bear the thought. I was fully aware of what I would miss out on without his companionship and in that moment I realized more than ever what a blessing our great honor and privilege our marriage is in my life. He really is a help mate. He's all that I dreamed of and more.

How would I know what to do? I don't even think I could pack the cart like he did, let alone tie everything down with all those fancy ropes. How did those women do it? Do I have that kind of faith? Could I walk one step at a time towards some unknown place without really knowing how long it would take to get there- all while being worn out, dirty, sick, or hungry? During the first day I would glance off to the horizon and think,
" Those pioneers had to walk that far." I was humbled and in awe.

The great and wonderful thing about the TREK was that the kids were all humbled and they were allowed to PONDER and think. It was said in Sunday school this last Sunday, "Will we ever have deep thinkers like Socrates and Plato again? With all the things we are plugged into, when do we have time to think, to ponder? On the TREK there were no I pods or cell-phones. No TV, no radios. We played games, sang, and twisted buttons on string. There was a "Sunday" when the kids were delivered mail from the Pony Express. Letters from their real parents were read in solitude. Letters full of sweet pourings from parent to child. Feelings and thoughts that matter and made all the difference to dirty, tired kids who missed the luxuries and love of home.

We had a whole day to stay at camp and play. We got to shoot guns, throw axes, get our hair washed and braided, ( a personal favorite, my hair was DIRTY), brand leather, make music with kazoos, play ropes coarse games, have a HO-down, and eat a meal fit for Kings. The kids all participated, laughed, and rubbed shoulders. It was a blast. Lots of simple pleasures, lots of fun.

The last day we walked 6 miles. The last stretch was up a long hill, at the top the kids parents waited on either side of the trail. As we left our last prints in the sand we sang "Come Come Ye Saints" and "The Spirit of God". Again, I cried. Parents were touched, kids were proud. It was a sweet reunion but a sad goodbye. My stewardship was done, but you know I still fill like their Ma. I've ran into my kids here and there since the TREK and its different. I want to embrace them in my arms, and I do, but I want to smell the sage brush again, feel the breeze on my face as we walk along with a hardy song. They're a little timid so am I. But I know heart to heart they remember the moments we had together. The common testimony of our experience is felt. Its a different world here. For four days we had a taste of what Zion's like.

This experience will be with me forever. I felt my Heavenly Father's love for me, for my kids, my little kids at home, and for my ancestors. My faith was questioned and strengthened.
I laughed, I cried, I sweat, I played, I danced, I loved, I had the time of my life.

The Herald did a story go here to read more.













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