Trek: Day 3

 Before we set out for the trail on Day 3, a few of our families had some photos taken.

 The Woodruff's

 The Frazier's

 The Tukuafu's

 After pictures, we started on the trail and trekked our way to the "Women's Pull," where the women/girls separated from the men/boys to represent the sacrifices the women made on the trail of losing husbands due to mission calls, illness and death.  Before we started to pull, Brother White spoke to us about womanhood.  We prayed for strength and the spirit to help us to be able to make it through.  As we pull the carts through the foot-deep sand for the next half mile, we could feel the spirit and were able to think of our pioneer ancestors who sacrificed so much.  At the end of the pull, the men were all lined up reciting the Young Women's theme and cheering us on.  It was a great experience.  

 After a few hours of walking, and the Women's Pull, we stopped for another vignette before we made the journey to the river crossing.

 As we came closer to the river crossing site, we became more reverent and prepared to reenact that special event.

The missionaries spoke to us about the last crossing of the Sweet Water River, where four young pioneers spent most of the day carrying the weary members of the Martin and Willie handcart companies across the icy, frozen river.  These four young men suffered lasting effects from that day.  As we prepared to reenact that heroic act, we felt the spirit from learning about their legacy.

 As Brother White carried Sister White into the river, the tears began to flow.  

We were all exhausted and worn from the wind, sun and dirt.  Thinking about all that the handcart pioneers had to endure, really brought it close to home for us.  We were weak and it took a lot of strength and faith for us to make it through the pull and for these young men to carry us through the river.  I was so proud of our boys and how reverent and respectful, and thoughtful they were.

 

 At the end of the river crossing, we saw this.

 We finally made it!

 We were so happy to be back and so ready to go home!

We said our goodbyes...

 And closed with a message from President Gordon and a prayer.

 Finally back to the buses!

 And just in time, cause the wind got worse and the dust storm blew in.

 To our fabulous little Covenant Keepers, 

You are awesome!  Thank you for being so good for your Ma and Pa!  We hope you always remember the spirit you felt on Trek and draw from the strength of the handcart pioneers.  We loved getting to know you and look forward to seeing you grow into the amazing young adults you'll be!  Love you guys!