"Shall we not go on in so great a cause?"
"Yes! Go forward, not backward . . . on to victory!"
The theme for the Albuquerque Stake 2008 Handcart Trek was "So Great a Cause" from D&C 128:22. Arthur and I had the privilege of being a Ma & Pa on this 2 1/2 day journey through the desert. It was so much work getting ready for it, and physically exhausting once we actually got there, but totally worth every minute. We are changed for this experience.
We loved our trek family, the Gariety's (aka Gariety gangstas, but just amongst ourselves . . . until Brandon announced it from the pulpit at Testimony meeting. . . thanks Brandon. ;) We had six boys and four girls, and some of the best youth in our stake, I think.
Some of my favorite experiences . . . getting that blasted wagon wheel fixed, FINALLY pulling into camp the first night, singing with our family--our harmony was sweet, mourning Pa's death, (and glad it was temporary, and we got you back for the remainder of trek), giving birth out in the desert (ha-ha boys, FOOLED YOU!), looking at the stars, Jana's awesome buffalo stew with honey & apples in it--a culinary masterpiece!, Quinn's classic response to "Temptation Junction:" "RUN!!!!" Desert sunrises and sunsets, heaven-sent cloud cover, and a tail-wind for the end of a brutally hot day, rattlesnakes with half-eaten rabbits in their mouths (scary beyond all reason--but not really, because although he was really big, he was preoccupied, and couldn't hurt us), missing our son Quinn when death took him, but comforted that he had an angel escort, ice water and watermelon in the valley!, sharing testimonies.
"If you will be faithful, you have nothing to fear from the journey. The Lord will take care of his saints." William Clayton, who penned the words to "Come, Come Ye Saints."
The Lord did take care of us.
This is one of seven rattlesnakes that were found and shot while on our trek. Miraculously, nobody was bitten. (Arthur was the one to discover this beauty. We all got to have a look since it was eating and couldn't do anything to us.)
Some of our great Gariety Family, waiting for our squeaky wheel to be repaired.
There is nothing like a New Mexico sunrise or sunset.
We are so thankful for this sacred experience. It has truly sharpened our perspective on the sacrifices the pioneers made for their faith, and made us contemplate the question, what are we willing to give for this faith of our fathers? The courage, faith and commitment of our pioneer ancestors (whether blood-related or not) is absolutely inspiring. Arthur and I have come away with a deep desire to be totally committed to this beautiful gospel of Christ.
It is true! It is everything!
It is worth giving everything we have, (fears, doubts, bad habits . . .) to be able to return to the Father someday worthy to hear the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
I bear my witness in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
(Dallin's counting down the years until he can go. --Two treks from now . . . 8 years.)
7 comments:
What a cool experience! I'm so glad that you and Arthur got that chance and came out of it feeling stronger physically and spiritually. I think Dad, Reed, Emma & Jacob are on a similar trek in California this week, I'm anxious to see how their's goes. I'm hoping I'll get the opportunity to go on a trek someday it looks like it's a real eye opener. Love you guys!!
What a great experience! Fun and spiritual for sure. That many rattlesnakes would have made me have to ride in the handcart. Where were all your kiddos? I bet you were a great ma and pa.
That looks awesome! I'm kind of jealous. You guys looked like you had an amazing time. I can't believe all those rattle snakes I'm so glad nobody was bitten. What an amazing opportunity. I can't wait to see Sharee soon. Love you guys!
Sharee! Sounds like an amazing time! The photos are great and you and Arthur look like the real thing. I'm super jealous you saw that rattlesnake eating the rabbit. The circle of life right before your eyes! When you say shot, you mean with a camera, not a gun, right?
Nope, sorry. It was with a gun. The Rancher whose land we were "trekking" on requested that any rattlesnakes we found be shot because they kill his cattle and horses. I felt sorry for the rabbit-eater, though, because he couldn't have hurt anybody . . . at least until he was finished eating, by which time we'd have been long gone.
WOW! What a cool experience, Sharee. Thanks for sharing with us!
I love that version of Come, Come Ye Saints. It's so beautiful!
How 'bout that snake! I would have been FREAKING out! It sounds like you guys had a wonderful time...what a neat experience. By the way, did you make your clothing for the trek? I need to call you and get the details. By the way, I have a cell phone now, and we don't have a home phone so...call me...(209)499-7393. Love you guys tons!!!
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