Part One: "I'm not going" "It's going to be boring" "Do I have to?" Those were just some of the comments I made prior to the trek. I was NOT looking forward to it at all, until Thursday night. I got this feeling that I needed to go and it would be fun. Being the procrastinator I am, I didn't pack until about 2:30 on Friday. My mom insisted on taking photos and so we posed for about five minutes then left for our journey!
We arrived at the stake center and oh my there was a ton of people! I was surprised at the turnout.We lined up and got into groups. I was in Company Two! My "Ma and Pa" were Darren and Mindy Leavitt. I had 6 brothers, Justin Hardy, Austin Leavitt, Tanner James, Spencer Baker, Micheal Roberts, and Cody (don't know his last name sorry!) My good sisters were Zadi Crosby, Marissa Hardy, and McKay Wilson. I'm not sure exactly what time we left, my guess is 4pm?
I thought it would be hard and I would get tired. to top it off I have been suffering from a major headcold. I thought it would be awful and I'd be sick (so I packed the drugs!) I was totally wrong!Friday couldn't have any better health wise. The Lord must love me. So we ventured off and started walking. We had several stops to watch little performances and hear storys about real pioneers.
At one point all the men had to sit at the top of the hill while the women had to pull the handcarts up the steep slope. No help was allowed from the boys at all. It was a very neat experience. Before we did that the women gathered and sang "As Sisters In Zion." We then worked together and helped one another up the hill. The boys cheered us on saying " Hurrah For Israel" It was such a wonderful experience that I hold close to my heart.
We then got to the cemetery and payed our respects to those pioneers who had passed on and that were buried there. I even stopped to say hi to my Grandma Payne! After we walked about fifteen more minutes and by then it was dark and cold! Let me tell you
never have I been so excited to use a porta potty! When we stopped for dinner I jumped in that line so fast! Now on to dinner we were given beef stew and a hot roll with fruits and veggies. I went home for the night after dinner. I was sick and sleeping in the cold would have made it worse. As soon as my head hit my pillow I was out!
Part Two: Bright and early (6 AM) I was dropped off at he game farm. People were still waking up. I found my family and got in line for breakfast.We basically had Sausage Mcmuffins. An english muffin with a choice of ham,cheese,sausage,or eggs. I also ate some of the Poptart I brought. Afterwords we all gathered for a devotional. Our speaker was special guest, Brother Jasen Wade(
Levi Savage from 17 Miracles) It was so awesome to hear him speak! He even came with us to St.Thomas! About half a mile down the road we stopped in Kaolin and the Dalley family put on a performance for us.
We headed out again for the last part of our journey.It got hotter and harder. My whole right leg was dead. We got to lunch around 11am and had Chile and Cornbread. We still had a little bit more walking to do to get to St. Tomas.We walked into town singing
"Put Your Shoulder To The Wheel" All the people from town were there and taking pictures.
Each of us had a person assigned to our group. We had Nellie Gentry. She owned a hotel in St. Thomas and as a group we found the remains. It was really neat to see! The stake put on a performance for us and then we headed back. We were all mumbling at this point. Why do we have to go back?! Then a miracle happened! We were told the trail was flooded and the handcarts couldn't go through the mud. So we took the handcarts up this steep hill which was a pain in my backside(and many other body parts) to go up. We parked them and got our stuff out. We then had to walk the four miles back and oh my heck that was a trip! Halfway there we encountered the mud. It soaked through our shoes and up our skirts. But who's complaining?! We finally arrived at around 5 pm. I screamed hallelujah! I got dropped off at home and jumped in the bath and soaked for about 30 minutes. It felt nice! Then I made Mac N' Cheese and ate the whole box by myself! I was hungry to say the least. I fell asleep around 8:30pm and slept all through the night.
I didn't get the chance to share my testimony this morning. There was such a long line (which is a good thing!) So I'm going to share it with anyone reading this.
I wanna express my gratitude. I'm SO glad I decided to go and walk 20 miles instead of sit at home. I didn't wanna go but I loved every moment of this trek. It made me thankful for the pioneers. They did SO much! I'm thankful for their example of faith and courage. They sacrificed so much! I love this church and all it represents. I love my savior with all my heart. I'm thankful for everything I have. I am a very blessed girl and I don't wanna take anything for granted. This church IS true and my testimony grew 1000 percent because of this trek. I love and am very thankful for everyone that made it worthwhile. I leave you with these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
xoxo, Jenni
Meeting Aspen! She is a doll!
Me and miss Addison(:
One of the cute signs!My Aunt was Effie and did the reaping!
