Trek Day 3

Ward Trek family

We took a couple pictures in the morning before we trekked out.

We started out pretty tired and a little apprehensive about going uphill for 2 miles.
As we reached the start of the hill, we stopped and the Stake President asked everyone 16 and older, including Ma's and Pa's, to come up the hill a ways.
The 14 and 15 year olds were told they were responsible to get all the carts to the top of the hill by themselves.

Kaden, from our group said, "We've got this! We can do this!"
Most of the others looked unsure.
We wondered how seven 14 and 15 year olds were going to get 3 handcarts to the top all by themselves.

As I looked towards the bottom of the hill, I began to pray and cry all at the same time.
Thankfully I was wearing sunglasses so no one could tell.
The handcarts from the other wards started up the hill.
The Stake President said once they reached half way up, if we could remember the name of the ancestor they had come for, we could go down and tell them we were there to help them and were representing their ancestor.

Some of the wards struggled to even make it halfway up, so the other 14 and 15 year olds from the end would help them.
Noah and Kaden came and helped many carts in front of them since they were the 2nd to last group.

Finally it was our ward's turn.
They had 2 or 3 kids on each cart.
They lined up at the bottom of the hill, and then, suddenly, all 3 carts started charging up the hill.
It was awe inspiring to see them pushing so hard.

The older boys in our ward were asking all us girls what the names of the boys' ancestors were so they could go help them.
Once they reached the halfway mark, Daddy ran down to Noah and said, "I'm here representing Stillman Pond and I'm here to help you". Then he began pushing the cart up the hill with Noah.
Noah later told us that he felt angels were there helping them, and that Dad looked like Stillman Pond.

After our ward made it up, there were still 3-4 more carts from another ward at the bottom and only a few girls to bring them up.
Other people started to run down to help, but the Stake President reminded them they could only go help if they knew their ancestor's name.
I asked if other 14 and 15 year olds could go help, and when he said yes, I yelled out for any who could to go help.
I was so happy to see Noah run down and help.
He had helped so many all ready and was tired, but he still went.

We met in our trek family afterward and discussed the experience.
When asked if it was hard, our boys said it was actually fun because they decided to have a race to see who could make it to the top first.
No wonder they were charging up the hill.

On and on we trekked.
Daddy, or Pa, told more great stories, making the time pass quickly.

We had to stop a lot so people could go to the bathroom, and so the slower trekkers could catch up.

Bishop and his wife, Cindy
I just love these two!

Noah, completely exhausted.

They're still smiling after now trekking 26 miles.

We made it to camp, but it was soooo windy.
Tents were hard to set up, and some ripped with how hard the wind was blowing.
They had game time.

Our kids were so tired that after 4 games, we let them go back to their tent and rest.

Then we had solo time.
Each of the kids went off on their own to read letters their parents had secretly sent them.
They also took time to pray and read their scriptures and ponder.



Daddy also received a surprise letter from his Dad.
He was so touched by his dad's letter and felt so loved.


Even I had the chance to read and ponder.

We ended the evening with a testimony meeting.


Dinnertime was always looked forward too.
Food never tasted so good after trekking so far.