Pioneer Trek River Crossing

This year our Stake is doing a Pioneer Trek. It is a really wonderful experience for the youth, and the adults who have the chance to go. It can be a life-changing event. The journey is meant to help connect those involved to the pioneers, and to come to a greater appreciation of what they endured.

It was so incredibly special for me and Charles, when we had a chance to go as a Ma and Pa, about 4 years ago. We loved every minute of it, we even cried when we got home, because we were sad to leave. There is such a happy spirit that envelopes those involved.

This year trek will be in the summer, for 3 days. Normally, there is a river crossing involved during those 3 days, but this year they wanted to try something different, and do a winter crossing. They wanted it to be a more authentic experience, with the freezing water, and winter temperatures.

The location we were going to go to had to be changed last minute. It was up in the mountains, where there was snow, but we have had so much rain that the river was 4 times the normal level from the week before -- it was not passable. So they found a location not too far away that worked great.

Sammi and Daniel are both able to go this year. They are both so excited about it. I mean, they are REALLY excited. They talk about it all the time. They are energized by our previous experience, because Charles and I talked about it like a piece of heaven, so of course they want to see what that is like. They also got to be involved with us a little last time, because we had our trek family activities together with our trek kids, and our family. They got a little taste of trek back then, and now they are hungry for more.

I also get to go along to head up the photography committee -- my ideal assignment! I am super excited to go along to capture the spirit of trek. What a fantastic opportunity it will be! I had the chance to go along for the river crossing, and it just made me even more excited for the real thing. Not everyone was in pioneer clothing for the crossing, but they will be for trek, and so the pictures will be really fun! And with the summer, and green, and trees... oh, it will be so beautiful.

We had the trek kickoff fireside last night too, which was great. It is a very involved event, and it does take time. But the time is well spent, and just fills me up with a really sweet spirit. It is true it will be what each person makes of it, everyone can choose what attitude they will bring along for the trip. But generally, people are so positive and uplifting, it is a blessing to be involved. I am grateful I get to go again!

Here are some pictures of my kiddos from the river crossing...

Daniel was so funny, he wanted to lead out the pack. (He is in the red suspenders.) They gathered in wards to cross the river, because they have not put the trek families together yet. That is coming soon. The kids can't wait to see what family they will be in.

Here is Sammi and her friend. It was pretty slippery with the wet moss. And they all had very cold feet. 

Just taking a moment to listen to some instruction.

Here is Daniel showing his enthusiasm, and sporting his dad's clothing. He seriously freaks me out sometimes, with how much he is built like Charles right now. When I see him from the back tromping around in Charles' boots and clothes, it causes feelings that I cannot explain with words. But it is so precious to see just how much he loves wearing his clothes, and how much he wants to be like his dad. Charles was, still is, and always will be a hero to us all. 

The kids get to pick any pioneer ancestor to walk for, they do not have to be a handcart-pulling pioneer. Daniel is walking for Charles. 

Oh look, there is our beautiful hero... ahhhh... what a handsome man.

Here is Daniel tromping around in his boots...

Sammi is knee-deep in water. They went around in a big circle and over different islands.

I love this picture of Sammi. She is my beautiful girl. She loved the whole experience. When I looked at this picture, it made me smile thinking that Sammi is a descendant of Mormon pioneers, who crossed with the ill-fated Martin handcart company. Those pioneers must be so happy that their sacrifice was worth it, as their posterity now walks to honor them, and the religion they lived and died for, all these years later. It is an honor to have pioneer blood flowing through our veins. I cannot tell you how powerful I can feel their influence in our lives. And to see my children continuing in their footsteps of faith, makes my heart burst with joy.

Here is Daniel, and his friend Matt, blazing the river trail. 

 Sammi and her friend Katie, just being cute.

And here are some pictures from the batch that I just love... 

This was the deep part of the water, the current was strong, and pulling some people down. Two men were there to help everyone safely across. The theme for trek is "Angels Among Us". If only we could see them, when life's current is pulling us down. They are there to lift us up... sometimes we just have to reach. 

 This is the Stake President waiting on the shore to help, and give high-fives.

 They spent a good amount of time in the water, long enough to really get cold.

 One of the angels standing guard, ready to rescue.

 They had hot coco at the end to warm up.

 There was quite the large group of youth.

 Just hold on...

 I loved that so many were helping each other across. It just touched my heart. We need each other. We are meant to cross the river of life together.

 This boy was so cute.

 She was being helped from both sides.

This is perhaps my favorite picture of them all. This sweet girl was falling in. She had a friend she was helping on one side, and a rescuer on the other. She was barely holding on, only grasping his thumb. But he knew he had her, and he would not let her fall. She held on -- clinging to courage -- and she, and her friend, made it to the end. 

After the river crossing Saturday, I was asked to put together a slideshow for the fireside the next day.  

Here it is... 

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