This last week I went on the trek with my stake. I didn’t get to go last time so I decided to go this time even though I knew I would be one of the oldest kids there. I was most nervous with what family I would get put with. I lucked out and got an awesome family! I was put with the Mellor’s, Mama Sue and Pa Kevin! They were the best! I had 5 brothers and 3 sisters. I was the big sis and Sterling was the big bro. We loved it! I didn’t know really what to expect since I didn’t go last time but I sure did find out! Whenever my siblings slacked or needed a break, that’s where I stepped in. I did a whole lot of work! My siblings kind of were lazy, not gonna lie. I had a bro who was a big guy and played football. He was the biggest complainer! Haha I felt he could have done a whole lot more of work. But I flippin loved him! He kept our family laughing and having fun! I called him Bubba! I felt bad cause my parents did everything! They cooked, they cleaned, they packed and my siblings did nothing! But my parents never complained! I loved them! The first day was supposed to be the hardest. We definitely trek the most and all but we had A LOT of breaks! It was tough and dirty and a long day! I got “bit” by a snake that day and was blinded. Holy cow, I was blind folded for 3 hours but it felt like all day! My family put me in the front of the wagon! Haha man was that fun! NOT!
Me and some of my family!!!!
Me my bro Bubba and sister!
That night was the women’s pull. I was expecting it to be hard, but it was a whole lot harder than I thought! The men went to the top of the hill (back then, that’s when they had to go to battle) to watch us. They all kinda laughed and were like oh yeah!!!! So anyways we started. So…… the girls in my family….. lol well let’s just say that basically me, Hanna, and my Ma did all the work. Yes my two other sisters did help but…. Not really. Our wagon was one of the heaviest. Our ma and pa had cots and we had a wood table and all this stuff that other families didn’t have on their load. We started off and we were doing alright. Well after a bit we started to struggle. And then we struggled even more, and then we were dying! We weren’t even half way to the top! We had wagons behind us on our butts and even they helped give us a push all the time! We even had some captains give us a push once in a while. We were STRUGGLING!! I felt like crying but I didn’t have the energy to even do that. I’m pulling with all my might and instead of thinking of how grateful I was for the boys or think about the pioneers and being grateful, I was seriously thinking about just stopping and quitting. I couldn’t take it anymore! I never wanted to quit more than in my entire life! I was really embarrassed because here I was the older sis and I had to have my little sisters give me encouragement and keep me going. We FINALLY made it to the top and I honestly don’t know how we did it. We must have had help from Heavenly Father! But here at the top the guys were all lined up and we had to pull the carts through them. I was embarrassed because I was so out of breath, like needed my inhaler breath, and my face was lobster red! I didn’t want them to see me like that. Because I know that they all saw how my family was struggling! But it was nice to be able to actually finish and show them that we could do it! I was amazed though at how many boys were crying and really felt for us! It touched me! I was proud though to show them how tough I was and that I pulled my family through it! Afterward, my ma was crying. She gave all she had and I loved her for it! That was by far the best and most spiritual thing of the trek!
Us girls on the women's pull, getting a little help.....
The next day, day two, was not to suppose to be as hard, but let me tell you! It was harder than day one!!!! It was hot and just hard, holy cow! They trails were more sandy and crap! We finally made it to camp and my family got together with another family from our company and we got together and made shelter with them. I loved that family! We had a lot of fun! We got our hair washed by our brothers an man did that feel good! The next day was “Sunday” so we didn’t trek at all. It was nice! We had church and played games and read letters from our family. It was a great day! Night times were the best! We slept with the other family and by the boys and we told stories and laughed all night! Favorite part! Sleeping under the stars was beautiful! I saw my first shooting star ever! In fact I saw a total of 9 shooting stars! It was beautiful!
The last day was the hottest and felt the longest! But me and my bros made it seem faster cause we told a never ending story and had some awesome bonding time! We finally made it and holy crap was I glad! I look back at the pictures and my teeth look so white because I didn’t realize how constantly filthy we were! It was gross! When I got home I took the longest shower and man did that feel great! During that week I saw a snake, a rat and a lizard! Didn’t like that at all! Haha and I got eaten alive by bug bites! But that week was one of the best weeks and I wish it still could be going on! Oh, and I might add that me and another guy from my company kinda got close and had fun! ;) But anyways, the pioneers must have really bonded with their families and gotten so close! Cause I did and I was only there for 4 days! My appreciation for the pioneers has grown and i am so glad that my ancestors went through that cause they wanted their future generation, me to have the gospel. I am so blessed!
Me and my brothers just pulling along!
Having a jolly ole' time!
Going up a steep hill!!!!
Relaxing in our shelter!
Me getting carried across "Sweet Waters" by my brother!
