1 June 2018 - Friday

1 June 2018 - Friday

This morning allowed us very little time to prepare for this exciting day!  We were up at the usual time and I thought I could take a few minutes to lounge in bed.  Then I realized we needed to be at the campground by 7:30am, and needed to stop at Martin's Cove on the way in.  As you well know, we like to be early!

As we arrived at the campsite, the group was just finishing breakfast and laying down their tents to avoid the strong winds forecasted today.  The camp of 220 was completely alive and working hard!  I took this picture;

Cherry Creek Campground at 7:20am with the Glindive, MT Stake youth

Here they come!  We have an eight mile trek ahead!

As we began the day's events, we got word that the temperatures would be in the high 60's and low 70's, (great news!), but the winds would approach 45 miles per hour (not so good news!).  With the strong winds, we had no bugs or mosquitoes, but the altitude, and the cloudless sky, made mom and I glad we had our sunblock on!    Here are some additional pictures;

Heading to the first river crossing site

Gathered around the river crossing site

This is a young mother with a 6 month old son!

The youth gathered around the rescue monument near the Sweetwater River

Since the Sweetwater River was running so high today, the mission would not authorize a crossing ceremony.  The water was about 5 feet deep, in the middle of the swift moving river.  However, they did discuss the events that took place with the young rescuers, and we proceeded to cross the river over the bridge.  I noticed a young mother who brought her 6 month old son on this trek.  It has proven to be a special addition.  

One can only imagine how many very young emigrants were on this faithful trek across the Nebraska Territory in 1856.  And the crying that must have prevailed from the cold, and the hunger, and the loss of a mother or a father, or both!  At the women's pull this afternoon, this precious sister had the baby strapped to her body, and he was crying and sobbing as they walked by the young men with their hats off watching them struggle up the hill.  I could not bring myself to take a picture because of the spirit and the sacredness that sound gave to each of us watching.

The ravine at Martin's Cove

I heard some bits and pieces from the Elder, I was shadowing, about this area at Martin's Cove.  He was saying that the cove area was formed eons ago, and he felt like Heavenly Father knew what was going to happen here in 1856.  That thought stayed with me as I began to realize that Heavenly Father knows everything about our lives, and gives us experiences to know how to act in a variety of circumstances.  We don't always respond well to His various experiences.  But we are privileged to learn from our varied responses, and then try to do better the next time around.  How precious is this to help facilitate our efforts to "always remember Him"..... Heavenly Father is our biggest cheerleader in helping to to became our best selves.  He has so much that He wants to teach us if we are only willing to listen!

Well, mom and I have our first trek host experience under our belts.  We are feeling pretty confident in our ability to do our own trek hosting next week.  We have been assigned to a group of 150 from South Dakota next Thursday and we are excited!   It promises to be a week filled with wonderful experiences and we are so excited to share them here on the blog.  Thank you for checking in with us tonight!