This was one of those awesome weekends that I will always remember. Our ward went on a pioneer trek. We called it "Zion's Camp" and the motto was "We can do hard things." I don't have all of my pictures from it because they're being uploaded to the ward website, but I just couldn't wait to blog about it! I'll try and post a few though... I know this is going to be long and it's mostly for my own benefit. So if you don't want to read it all, I won't be offended. But at least read the last two paragraphs because that's where I'll tell you what I learned! So hang on to your hats and glasses folks, cuz this here was the wildest ride in the wilderness!
We carpooled up to the campsite Thursday after work. It was up by McCall so it took about 2 1/2 hours to get there. Once there, we were separated into our "families" to set up camp and cook dinner. It was already getting dark, so that was quite the task, but we had fun doing it. My family was Jeremy, Joe, Jeff, Jenay, Erin, Erin and Kim. So 4 J's, 2 Erin's and a Kim. ;-) Awesome. Dinner was dutch oven chicken and potatoes. And those darn potatoes just wouldn't cook! So we had rubbery chicken and hard potatoes. But it still tasted good and was way better than what the pioneers had to eat, I'm sure! Then we had a fireside. I sang in a quartet and we started it out. Sis. Ranstrom (the 1st counselor's wife) told us some pioneer stories. Then they gave each family a flour sack baby, lovingly sewed by Sis. Maughn (the 2nd couselor's wife). They even had faces painted on them! Then it was off to bed. Unfortunately, the whole camp was on a slant so most of us spent the night trying to stay in one spot, but that's OK. I got to try out my new mummy bag, which was quite toasty.
Family!
Me, Kyle Roni Jr (the baby, see below for details ;-), Joe, Erin (mama!), Kim, Jeff, Jenay, and Justin
We were awoken at 6:30 in the morning. We dressed in our pioneer garb. After a hasty breakfast of Costco muffins and cleaning up camp, we packed our handcarts and were off! Oh, but before we left, we were each given a ration of flour that was to be our lunch for the day. That is all the Willie and Martin handcart companies had to eat for weeks. We started at the top of a mountain. So we went three miles, downhill all the way. Which is harder on the legs in a lot of ways than going uphill, especially when you're trying to keep a handcart from careening down the hill! We were instructed to hold our babies the whole day, as you would a real baby. So I started out with him. We originally named him Roni (as in Rice-a-roni... ha ha), but decided he needed a "K" name since Kim was the only K. So then he became Kyle Roni Jr. Jr because we called him that most of the time. He also became superbaby at one point, when Joe decided to tie his blanket around his neck. Brothers... *eye roll*. ANYWAY.
After three miles, we stopped and gathered for our first story time. Bishop read a letter calling the men to serve in the battalion and talked about the pioneers and why they decided to leave their families behind. So the men went marching away and the women regrouped. We thought we were going to continue on the logging road we had been on, but no. Straight up the mountainside with us! The first part was the worst. It was almost straight up and rocky and a little muddy. Then we had to keep pushing over rocks and weeds all the way up. We could only have two carts going at a time because of the number of sisters it took to push each one, especially since we were holding babies too. But we did it, gosh darn it! We can do hard things. Unbeknownst to us, the men had also climbed the mountain and were watching us secretly. So they met up with us at the top and we all started down the other side, which was even harder! One handcart rolled over Stephanie's ankle because it was so steep, but luckily she was OK! At the bottom, we talked about what it must have been like for the pioneer women to go on without the men, and what the men must have felt like leaving their families in time of need. The boys were impressed with our organization and unity (as well they should be ;-). Then it was time to move on....
After about three more miles we stopped again. Bishop told a story of a man who had answered Brigham Young's call to go and rescue the handcart companies. He was out ahead of the rescue party and was not prepared for the cold. He also wanted to be able to find some food to bring to the desperate companies. So he prayed that God would send him a buffalo. When he was done praying, he saw a buffalo on a ridge above his camp. He shot it and it rolled right down into his camp! He used the hide for warmth and was able to bring the handcart companies the first meat they'd tasted in weeks. So our Bishop took the brethren out to "hunt" and left the women in the meadow to make butter by shaking cream in little canisters. Apparently the men had a little talk about providing for families... The women just chatted and danced while we shook our butter. Then men returned with jerky and raisins and rolls! They talked to us about how the Lord does provide for His people. So we did have lunch after all. Thank goodness!
Then we hit the trail again. After about 5 more miles (still downhill mostly...) we stopped again for some more stories. They also had a volunteer to reenact Moses smiting a rock to provide water... the rock was smote and Gatorade appeared in the nearby creek. ;-) Then we were off again. This time it was uphill. A bit harder! I was carrying the baby again at this point. Little Jr and I had quite a bond by that time. So the next stop was pretty difficult. We pulled into another little meadow. Bro. Maughn told the story of his ancestors who buried their small son after he was crushed by a wagon. And of the day one of the companies had to bury 13 people in shallow graves who had died of cold and starvation. Two more men died digging the graves. We were then told that our "babies" had died and we would have to leave them behind. I know it sounds weird, but the men solemnly dug a grave and we laid our babies to rest. It was actually quite emotional, just because I think we were all blessed to feel just a tiny bit of the pain those pioneers must have felt as they left loved ones behind. Afterwards we took time to bandage some badly blistered feet and then continued up the hill.
See, we loved them so much that some even tried to feed them. Silly Ammon... ;-)
Eventually we reached a turning point and started downhill again (torture!). At this point it was about 5:30. We had been hiking since 7:30 in the morning. The way was very rocky and we had to dig in so the carts wouldn't go to fast down the hill. After a while we stopped again. Becky told us the story of Sarah, who only had clogs to walk across the plains in. At one point her feet were so bloody that tears streamed down her face and she couldn't go anymore. Luckily, she was allowed to ride in a cart to ease the pain. But we talked about how although we had had a hard day, it was still much easier for us than it was for the pioneers. We had good shoes, clean water, warm clothes and dry tents to sleep in at night. The pioneers didn't have those things. We had perfect weather. It was sunny and 70 the whole day. The handcart companies were weak from hunger and marching through snow in subzero temperatures. We had hiked 16 miles. The pioneers did about 20 a day. Becky told us that we had just over a mile to go and invited us (if we wanted to) to take off our shoes and tie rags to our feet for the last part of the journey, so we could feel just a little more of what they felt. So we did. Mine fell off, so I just walked in my socks. It hurt. But then we finally descended into the beautiful valley and could see our destination, the Ranstrom's ranch.
Just as the handcart companies were welcomed into homes with good meals when they arrived, we had a delicious dinner waiting for us. We stumbled up to set up camp after that and then returned to the campfire for a testimony meeting. Afterwards we fell into bed. And slept very soundly, I might add!!
Bishop and Justin take a well-deserved rest!
The next morning we started with a flag ceremony. Then we had a musical number, "Oh How Lovely Was the Morning." My trek brother, Joe, appeared in the woods behind the singers to reenact the first vision as they sang. It was very touching. Then we separated to do service. Some went to the Ranstrom's neighboring ranch to help split wood. My family went to help clear dead trees off the Ranstrom's land to be burned. Yes, I chopped down a small tree. ;-) Good times. Then we packed up camp (which took a while!). Took some last pictures. Ate lunch. And had closing remarks by the bishop. And that was it!
So before I went on this trek, I told everyone in the office that I was going to dress up as a pioneer and push a handcart 16 miles and they were a little confused. Understandably. ;-) And i didn't know what to say except that we do it so we can feel a little of what our pioneer ancestors felt. But I didn't expect to feel and understand quite so much, especially since we were only trekking one day. I think that we were really blessed to feel a lot in that one day. First of all, I just have to say that I love love LOVE this ward. I love the brethern. They were all helpful and thoughtful. And I especially love the sisters. There are just so many amazing women in this ward. It's overwhelming. And hiking with all this people, feeling their spirits, laughing with them, working beside them... it was just awesome. And the bishopric! They are amazing amazing people. SO supportive and such great examples.
What did I learn and feel? Well, it was
hard to push those carts and carry those babies all day! It got a little hot at times. We got blisters. The uphill and downhill were both hard. Some of us couldn't walk as fast as others. Our legs and knees began to give out on us. And yet the pioneers went through soooo much more. I can only imagine what it must have been like. I am so grateful for them and their sacrifices. I learned that not only can I do hard things (things I didn't think I could do like hiking 16 miles in one day!), but that
we can do hard things. When we help and comfort and lift those around us we truly can do anything. I learned how important and comforting unity is in the church. I also learned that as we trust in the Lord, he will provide. We might have to do hard things, but in the end they will be for our eternal good. I learned that if we are willing to sacrifice our physical and wordly comforts, the Lord will pour out his spirit on us, as he did for all of us as we hiked. And I now know that those pioneers had to have
known that this church was true. That Joseph Smith was a prophet. And that God wanted them to go west. They had to have had perfect faith in Him and in His chosen leaders. That's the only thing that would explain why they willingly suffered what they did. And I felt their testimonies and faith as I walked and it strengthened my testimony and faith. It's hard to explain how one day can strengthen you so much. But I do feel strengthened and so grateful for all that I experienced this weekend!
Gotta love those trick candles...
Old neighbors and new friends all came. It was a great celebration!!
I painted my room an amazing shade of aqua and bought a new bedspread and bookshelf... and rearranged all the furniture. I love my new room!!
Had lots of fun with friends. Here's my good friend Joe making us pizza. It was quite delicious.
We had about a million ward activities. Here is bishop and his wife at the 80's party.
And... more 80's party. In case you couldn't tell.
Spent time with my rather strange sister. She's also rather fun. ;-)
Went to the fair!! I love the fair.
Awesome creation quilt at the fair!
Going down a hill on the rollercoaster... at the fair.
The first night we went rafting on the Snake River
The oven was rather old... and somehow managed to make our german pancakes explode!
The Alpine Slide. So fun.
Who looks more evolved... the deer or the dude with his mouth hanging open...
Bike riding in Yellowstone!
And hiking to a waterfall...
Our resident artist
Gorgeous colors close to sunset
My favorite place in Yellowstone
Playing in the river.
Sitting in the river?
Mesa Falls
So I happened upon a sign announcing that one of my favorite authors, Alexander McCall Smith, was going to be in town! We got put on a waiting list for tickets and got a call the day before the lecture that we were in! For those who don't know, he's written several series of books, but his most famous is probably the No. 1 Ladie's Detective Agency. It's about a woman in Botswana who starts her own detective agency. But it's more about life experiences than the mysteries she solves. Anyway, they're really good. And the author was every bit as charming as his books. He grew up in Africa and started a law school there, but he is currently living in his native Scotland. He talked about the orchestra he and his wife started called "The Really Terrible Orchestra," for musicians who... don't really play an intrusment but want to try. ;-) He also talked quite a bit about his books. He admitted that nothing much really happens in them... but he kinda wanted it that way because they're supposed to be about appreciating the small things in life. He was so cute when he talked about the characters in all his books. He thinks they're charming. And so do I. ;-) He ended by talking about how we need to work to preserve the sense of the local. He's afraid that with "globalization", people are losing touch with the people right around them, and are consequently becoming less and less satisfied with life. He said that if we could preserve a sense of community, people would be happier, they would care for each other, and the world would be a better place. I think he's absolutely right. He ended with a wonderful peom he wrote about appreciating the small things in life, but I can't find it on the web anywhere and I don't remember what book it was in. :-( Oh well. Fact of the matter is that he is a sweet, cute little man who writes beautiful, moral stories. It's good to know that there are still good people out there. Lots of them.
Bad picture, but there's a waterfall with cliff divers.
This was her "scared" face... ugh...
Take two was a little better don't you think?
And here is the well! It looks like there is a screen at the bottom where the face probably used to appear, but it's broken now. :-(
The zoo was one of the best I've been too. Lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, monkeys... good times! And boy was it ever busy! But fun.
Anna's tie-dyed egg
I got ambitious and made myself a skirt this year...
