Come, Come, Ye Saints!

Our ward decided it was time to plan a family pioneer trek, up to the hills by Drummond, below Ashton.

We've been talking, and trying to prepare for the last several months. I've exercised regularly, wanting to be sure to stay in shape, so that I wouldn't have any excuse not to go. Our only reservation was with Maycie. How could we drag an almost 2 year old through the mountains for 3 days, and manage naps, eating, and carrying her? I wanted to find someone who might keep her, but we decided to tough it out. So, a few weeks of gathering, and trips to DI; sewing projects, and borrowing items here and there; a couple of days of serious packing and stressing, and we were off.

We all gathered at the church, our cars in precise order of companies...(before we decided to run home for one last thing, as they took off, and got out of line). We headed for the hills, did a little minor handcart assembly, and we were off and walking.

Our kids, and adopted son Cole, were absolute troopers. They pushed and pulled, "as we went marching up the hill" without any complaint! They had their share of blisters and rashes and allergies, but they endured amazingly!

About a month ago, we had a family home evening at the temple, to go on a big walk and practice. Matthew, after a very short time, laid in the grass and said, "I need a rest and a nap" --When we started on our way, he did the exact same thing. As soon as we got going, he laid in the grass on the hill, and said, "I need a rest!" Oh boy! this is going to be a long 3 days!
After another short time, he asked when the trek would start. All he knew was that we'd been collecting pioneer clothing, and packing up all of our fun sleeping bags and gear, and that this walking stuff was not what he'd envisioned our trek being. I didn't even think about that. So, we had plenty of time to talk about how much the pioneers had to walk, and how bad their feet hurt. It was only a after a short time of moaning and whining, that he was lifted into a handcart in our company that had extra room, and he and his friend Neal were sitting pretty, loaded with snacks (from Neal's family - not this Mom), and having a fun little bumpy ride.




Maycie spent a lot of time in the back pack on Bill, (which would quickly put her to sleep), riding in the cart, or being carried. I can't think of her crying or throwing a fit the whole time. It was a little miracle! I couldn't get enough of her -- so half of my 300 pictures are of her. Bill says the other half are of the Tetons! We had awesome families in our company, with plenty of girls, and they were so good with her, playing and singing with, and holding her. That made a huge difference.

We heard rumors that they were going to do the Mormon battallion thing, and take the men away for a time. I just kept thinking, oh brother, I wish they wouldn't do that... I really don't need to push the cart by myself. After lunch on the first day, I was headed for my friend, the port-a-potty, and the kids all started saying excitedly, "There are men on horses" - Bill said "Oh boy, here it is" My heart sank!I was suddenly filled with emotion, and a longing for him not to leave. I went into the restroom, and started to cry. I really had a flood of feelings, mostly feeling what they would have felt back then. How very hard, for whatever the reason, to have a spouse leave you, whether it was the battallion, a mission, or for many, death. I cannot imagine, and cry again, as I think about everything that I thought at that moment.

The kids cried as the men walked away, and then again when they had to stay back as we took the carts down the steepest hill. We helped each other down the steep hill, and then after a short devotional break, were told we needed to push our own cart up the next steep hill alone. Ally, Jaron, Josh and I tried to go, with Maycie in the backpack on Ally. We literally inched our way, I could see that they were sending "angel" boys down the hill to come to our rescue. I was impatient, and called for help, because I felt my stomach straining, just trying to hold the cart and not let it roll back down the hill. One of the brothers ran to us, and then Bill came as soon as he saw us. He said it was hard for him too. It was definitely a moment of reflection, and appreciation for so many who came before.

The kids played lots of games - and had a great time!Bill did a little watermelon seed spitting - and found out he wasn't the sharpest spitter in the ward.
It was a great experience. We were all more tired than we thought, when we got home, with our tired aching bodies. It was something we will remember and appreciate for a long time.