The Trek Experience

So, it's been two weeks, but Mel, Suzie, and the other teens of the stake are still glowing after their major bonding experience in the wilderness of Wyoming.
To tell all about it would be more words than I use in this once-a-month-or-less recording style; if you talked to them personally, they have an equally hard time putting it into a few meaningful words. Phrases like "a-MAZE-ing," "life-changing," "I want to go back" or "I miss my family/friends from Trek" seem to surface; and why not? The bubble of heavenly and mutual affection, uncluttered by worldly distractions and games, is understandably appealing. (Sounds a little like a mission...)
But this post isn't really to convince anyone that participating in a pioneer trek re-enactment is worthwhile; most anyone who checks in already knows that. It's just to say I'm glad I got to share in the rare and wonderful experience our daughters and youth had, and to have a bit of understanding when they speak with fondness about something that shouldn't, in logical terms, appeal to the tech-saturated, pampered generation that came home humbled, strengthened, and changed - hopefully forever.

Now, some visuals:

Suzie with her trek sibs

Mel pulling with her sibs (both girls were usually pulling - yay for them!)
Sister Fife, and Papa Smurf, the trail boss and camp cook (also YM, YW presidents)





A funeral on the trail - for a plastic baby that really brought the reality of loss home for many youth - including Mel, who represented Great-great grandma Martine Larsen; she lost her dad, sister, and brothers - one a young baby.










Suzie, Mel and all the youth enjoyed the dancing, even though it came at the end of the toughest day.















Suzie and Karla in their pioneer clothes on a sacred hill (Mel was already back down the hill, at the handcart, ready to pull, so we didn't get to have her in the picture with us). I was Mel's "ma", a huge blessing for me in our funny trek family!