23 May 2018 - Wednesday

23 May 2018 - Wednesday

My morning walk was so invigorating this morning!  The three plus inches of rain had mostly soaked into the Wyoming high desert, and my three mile path was fresh and clean.  Then I got this picture along the way;

Sunrise over Missionary Village this morning!

Good news today!  We have our first trek assignment, to be the Trek Hosts for the Glendive, MT Stake.  We will be shadowing one of our favorite second year missionaries, Elder and Sister Taylor and we will be with this group for three days beginning Thursday, May 31st.  We are excited to have our trek season begin!  That is what we are here for!  I recall, vividly, three trekkers from our trek  group here, in 2008, that could have used some closer mentoring.  Those will be the ones I hope and pray mom and I will be able to assist in helping to feel the Spirit of this sacred place.

This morning, after our preparation meeting, we had our first interview, as a senior missionary couple, with President and Sister Pace.  It took about 15 minutes and we were able to get a little better acquainted with them.  They meet with each senior couple about every three months, so our next one will be close to our release date.

After our interview I was asked to change my assignment for today, and assist with a school group at Fort Seminoe.  The two Elders that had been assigned got caught up in different projects, so I was happy to help!  This Fort Seminoe was a trading post from 1852 until the Spring of 1856.  It was started by two French Canadians and their wives.  They did a really good business until the Spring of 1856 when the Native Americans became hostile in this area.  The United States Government ordered them to close, and they left the Fort abandoned.  But, in November of 1856, it became a rescue post for upwards of 1100 sick, freezing and starving emigrants.

In November 1856, the rescuers from Salt Lake City led by Captain George Grant had set up this command center and found the Martin Handcart Company, the Hunt Wagon Company, and the Hodgetts Wagon Company within a days ride.  The weary emigrants began gathering at the Fort on November 2nd.  Nearly two thirds of the handcart emigrants could no longer walk.  The wagon companies fared a little better but their work animals were being driven almost to their capacity.

There were about 100 wagons in these two wagon companies, consisting of about 500 people, and there were about 450 handcart emigrants.  The fort had space for about 100 of the weakest emigrants, and they tried to camp at this fort for the next two days.  Then, on November 4th, it was decided to move the rest of the emigrants to a more protected ravine area about 2 miles south and west of the fort.  This ravine area has become known as Martin's Cove.  

It was also determined to store the goods, being carried by the wagon companies, at this fort, for the winter, to help carry those precious emigrants who could no longer walk.  It was also determined that close to another 200 rescue wagons from Salt Lake City were on their way with food and clothing and addition men to help.  However, this help was still a few weeks away.

Now here are some amazing "ministering" facts that I have witnessed from these precious pioneers.  First, with just a few exceptions, the more wealthy wagon emigrants determined that people were more valuable than things.  They agreed to leave their valuable and irreplaceable belongings here for the winter so that the dying emigrants could ride the rest of the way in their wagons.   I love to point this out to the school children and, without hesitation, put them in that group who felt how important people are.  

Next, I find it absolutely amazing that 20 men would stay behind to help guard the goods being stored.  Three of these men were with the rescue party and 17 of the men came from the wagon parties.  I can't help but believe that those 17 men gave up seats for the ailing pioneers, and helped make room for those who could not help themselves any longer.

When we add to the fact that the three men from the rescue party were only planning on being away from their homes and families for a short time, and then ending up spending seven months away from them, is absolutely incredible.  But that is not all!  These 20 men were left with a 20 day supply of food and about 75 head of trail worn cattle.  They even lost part of this herd to the wolves, and further from the spoiling of the meat once it was butchered.  By the time May 1857 rolled around, these men had nothing but rawhide to eat.  However, not one of these men died in this assignment and all made it back to Salt Lake in June 1857.

Letters written to the mission office from school groups this past few weeks.

My final thought and picture tonight is our welcome banners for the last two senior missionary couples coming in today.  Here are the welcome banners, as I saw them early this morning, that are flown along the 1.5 mile gravel driveway to missionary village;

Welcome!  The final two senior missionary couples are coming in from the MTC