Pioneer Trek 2010 Youth Conference

Ben and I were lucky enough to be asked to be a Ma & Pa on the Trek this year.  A few years ago we served as Mission Presidents in Youth Conference and loved it, so we were excited to be asked back.  The Trek was up in Northern Virginia at the Marriott Ranch.

   
We were assigned our own little family of 10 kids.  It was great to be with the youth.  We cooked together, walked together, talked together, encouraged each other, solved problems together, joked together, sang together and our testimonies grew together.  

The scenery was beautiful and the weather was perfect.

It was also fun to get to know the other Ma's and Pa's on the trek.  There were some pretty neat people there to work with and play with!

There were even some unplanned hardships that were solved by the group.  A tree had fallen and blocked our path.  The youth and some of the leaders lifted and held it as the handcarts passed under.  It was amazing.

There was also a lot of fun to be had.  The stick pull was a favorite.

At the end the gentlemen in our family wanted to treat the ladies to a ride in the handcart.  It was a heavy pull, but they were so cute to do it.

I had a wonderful experience taking time to appreciate the Pioneers and their trials and struggles that they went through.  It was fun to get to know the youth and to spend time with Ben.  I was glad to be a part of Youth Conference this year. 

** None of this would have been possible without the love and service given by our wonderful friends Kary Young, Megan Schlensker, Mary Thurman, Brittany Anderson and their families.  I am so appreciate of their willingness to care for my sweet children while we were away.  It is amazing how more wonderful and fulfilling our lives can be when we have amazing friends to lean on.