Monday, June 30, 2008

Youth Coference

What a wonderful opportunity Scott and I had this last weekend to attend the Stake Youth Conference, we had signed up months ago to be a parent couple to a group of children that were assigned to us, thanks to my mom she watched the kids so we could be a part of this great experience. This youth conference was the Pioneer Trek, we were assigned 8 children whom we did not know to be their parents for 3 days, we traveled by foot for about 8-10 miles pulling a handcart full of everything we needed for those 3 days. We had different tasks including me being pregnant, delivering a child on the trek, and a day later the baby died, one of our children broke a leg, and we had to help carry them along the path. The first night we arrived at camp 3 of our boys were taken to join the Mormon Battalion, and left our family, then the next day Scott (the Dad), and one of our son's died as well along the trek, so we were left short handed to pull the cart.

This whole experience with our "children", and the handcarts has given me such an appreciation for what the pioneers did to bring the true gospel of Jesus Christ to Zion and the hardships they faced they could have only done it with Heavenly Father there with them along the way. It was a remarkable experience and the children we had we amazing, strong, dedicated, positive, and were great leaders, I learned so much from each of them. I could not have imagined the difficulty the pioneers experienced we had a glimpse of that just in a few days, and we had much better conditions to travel in, and our carts were in better condition with metal wheels, not wood. When we had family members die along the way it really hit home that you would have had to leave them behind and continue on, how difficult that would have been, as a mother and a wife. Their faith was remarkable, Scott and I would do it again in a heart beat.

We are back to life and leaving again tomorrow to go camping for the 4th of July, I can't believe it's already July.

9 comments:

Mandi A. said...

that sounds perfect for you guys! glad you had fun and got to learn/teach a few things.
miss you tons!

ThE RaSmUsSeN's said...

what a great experience, I heard the girls' testimonies on sunday about it and that was pretty amazing, but it's nice to haer about someone else's experience. thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

That sounds like quite an experience. I can't even imagine what it must have been like for them.

Are you camping at the lake? Too bad you don't have the tent trailer. It's so nice to have everyting all packed and ready to go all of the time. Add fresh food items and clothes and you are off. The pioneers sure would have liked that!!

Have a wonderful 4th. I probably won't even go to bed tonight....too much to do!

I love you all,

Mom Lashmett

Will & Cheyenne said...

We did one of those and found it amazing as well. We are so blessed to have these type of experiences to learn from. The church rocks!

cpcox99 said...

It sounds like a great experience. I did a pioneer trek when I was 14 and I've never forgotten it. I learned a lot too and developed a greater appreciation for the pioneers too. The first thing I did when I got home was go get a burger and root beer. :) Hope you all are having a great July!

Lisa Brown said...

Ahhh! I have so much on my mind lately. Happy belated birthday! Hope you had a fun one! What is new? Are you still visiting CA this summer?

Lisa Brown said...

Where are you? I miss the updates. Are you coming to Cali this summer? How is everything? Anything fun for your bday?

Mandapanda said...

I loved this post - hope Nathan and I get to do that someday. You guys also looked great at the Pioneer Breakfast! I love reading your blog - I want updates :c)

jenae nae said...

AMBER GREY??? I was stocking shaunas blog and found you- how in the world are you? your girls are so cute- my oldest is in gymnastics- every time we go to a meet i always think of you- you look great as always-