17 July 2018 - Tuesday

17 July 2018 - Tuesday

Tuesday dawned early for these two senior missionaries.  We were up at 4:00am and getting ready for the big trekking day.  There were over 1250 trekkers on the trail at the same time.  However, the groups were almost oblivious to the number!  

Mom and I had a good start to our day with our prayers and scripture reading.  I also took the time to walk my three mile warm-up trek prior to our six miler with the Cedar City Stake.  As you well know, the early mornings are addicting.

Just hitting 5:00am this morning

In a matter of minutes the horizon changes

The sun just beginning to clear the mountains at 5:45am

I probably walked too many miles, with the trek, and the early morning adventure.  It was so good to get home and sit down and massage my feet!  But for the six mile trek with the Cedar City Stake, we had a wonderful group to work with.  We met them at 7:30am, this morning, as we were waiting for their arrival from Sixth Crossing.  They were a few minutes early, and we were able to work with their trek leader, and their Stake President, on the details of the days trekking activities.

Their leaders were so receptive to suggestions and recommendations we had during the course of the day.  The thunderhead clouds and the steady breeze were our friends throughout the day.

Our group today numbered about 150.

As we were waiting for the welcome film to end, this is what we saw coming!

A straight-up picture of the clouds ruling the sun today

If you have seen 17 Miracles, you will remember the actor playing Levi Savage.  He lives in this stake!  He gave a fireside for his stake youth, and you can only imagine how incredible that must have been!  Both mom and I enjoyed our time with this well prepared group, and felt the spirit accompany them as they went on these sacred trails.  The stake president offered a blessing on his stake youth, and their leaders, at Dan Jones Cove, and he included a blessing on the senior missionaries!  We were so grateful that they included us in the blessing, and we will meet them Thursday as they camp overnight at Rock Creek!  

Their youth Choir sang :Hallowed Ground" here at Dan W. Jones Cove

An interesting and special reenactment came at the River Crossing.  All the young men carried all the women, one-by-one, across the river.  Then, while the women were watching, they went back and brought the handcarts across.  Tomorrow they will experience Jens and Elsie at Sixth Crossing and participate in the Women's Pull.  I am confident that both experiences will be equally special;

The priesthood in action!

Every young women and their leaders were carried across by the young men

And then they returned for the 15 handcarts

It was certainly a great day for these two tired senior missionaries.  We have been blessed with eight separate, and distinct, trekking groups, and we have learned so much from each of these precious experiences.  Now, we are ready for bed and for another early morning service opportunity with "Wilma".  I wonder, does working with Wilma count as ministering?