Bright and early Monday morning Kaytlyn down through Maria attended Stake Conference. This year we drove out, via Le Bus, to Wyoming. Although it was a very long bus ride, it was so worth it! On the bus we where put into "Families". [[Those where the people we would be sharing a tent with.]] There was about a 7 mile walk with nearly 100lbs worth of clothing, water, etc., on a handcart that we where required to take along the trail to our camp site. It was rough, but such a wonderful experience.
On Tuesday, our second day there. We walked a few miles to reach "Martine's Cove". What a wonderful experience. Sister Santiago and her sister, Sister Harper, sang Hymns, and other pioneer songs the whole way there. As they lead everyone else around us into song, the spirit was so amazing. It was so wonderful. Before walking through the cove we ate lunch, and then got a blessing from our Stake President. It felt amazing.
I walked through the cove with two of my good friends, Alan Barney, and Josh Gootee. I was filled with gratitude to be able to walk through with them. Throughout the time I've known them they have been an insperation, and so kind to me. The spirit that comes with these two young men is just unbelievable.
After everyone was out of the cove, we headed over to the river to hear a story. And have the chance to walk through the river. I didn't go in, and I wish I had. Though, Kaytlyn, Mara, and Joshua went through, along with so many other youth. It was way nice to watch them walk through. A lot of the young men offered to carry across so many of the young women, it was just unbelievable and kind.
The walk back to camp was a real rough one. While not having eaten much in the past two week, I had gotten myself real ill. I tried to hang in there and just go through with it. But being dehydrated, and exposed to too much heat, heading toward heat stroke, it was real hard. We got to a point where all the men where taken to the top of the hill, and us women sat on the grass. The 1st councelor in the Stake Presidency talked with the Women about how big of a roll we play. While the 2nd councelor in the Presidency talked with the men about... men stuff.
The Young Women then took the carts and had to, by ourselves, run up the hill while the men watched us, not being able to help. The feelings, and responses I heard from some of the young men was just so unbelievable touching.
Later that night we had testimony meeting. The stake presidency bore their testimonies then sent us back to our individual camp fires to have smaller testimony meetings. It was nice.
Pretty early Wednesday morning we left for home. The walk back to the buses was cool, then very hot, then for about the last 3 miles it rained so hard. That was one of my favorite moments.
On Tuesday, our second day there. We walked a few miles to reach "Martine's Cove". What a wonderful experience. Sister Santiago and her sister, Sister Harper, sang Hymns, and other pioneer songs the whole way there. As they lead everyone else around us into song, the spirit was so amazing. It was so wonderful. Before walking through the cove we ate lunch, and then got a blessing from our Stake President. It felt amazing.
I walked through the cove with two of my good friends, Alan Barney, and Josh Gootee. I was filled with gratitude to be able to walk through with them. Throughout the time I've known them they have been an insperation, and so kind to me. The spirit that comes with these two young men is just unbelievable.
The Young Women then took the carts and had to, by ourselves, run up the hill while the men watched us, not being able to help. The feelings, and responses I heard from some of the young men was just so unbelievable touching.
Pretty early Wednesday morning we left for home. The walk back to the buses was cool, then very hot, then for about the last 3 miles it rained so hard. That was one of my favorite moments.
While it rained and everyone got soaked I felt the spirit most. As I mentioned before, Josh G. bring a lot of courage, and warmths. He pulled that hand cart the entire way back to the bus. Without any complaint, in a short sleve white shirt. While everyone else moved out of the way so that they wouldn't have to walk through the mud, Josh just took that hard cart straight through. Not even thinking twice. Just thinking that we could get sick if we got stuck out there for too long, he wanted to get us all into warm clothes, and on the bus as soon as possible, without becoming real ill. He was so sweet. It was... incredible.
Youth Conference this year has been my favorite. It is one that I will remember, and cherish forever. I am so glad that I chose to go, instead of going because my parents said. I chose that I would go, and enjoy it.
One last thought, a few days before I went to youth conference I was talking on facebook with my friend Jordan N. (Who is in my stake.) As I told him how I felt about going on the trek and how it just didn't feel right to me. He replied telling me he was in a hurry and had to go. Seconds before he logged off he said "Leah. You will be blessed if you go on the TREK." Those words just hit me so hard. He made my experience at trek amazing by saying those words. It changed my attitude about so many things. I'll always be thankful to him.
One last thought, a few days before I went to youth conference I was talking on facebook with my friend Jordan N. (Who is in my stake.) As I told him how I felt about going on the trek and how it just didn't feel right to me. He replied telling me he was in a hurry and had to go. Seconds before he logged off he said "Leah. You will be blessed if you go on the TREK." Those words just hit me so hard. He made my experience at trek amazing by saying those words. It changed my attitude about so many things. I'll always be thankful to him.
