PIONEER TREK 2013 VIDEO

I've been working on putting a video together of all the pioneer trek pictures I took last week of the LDS VERNON YOUTH STAKE PIONEER TREK 2013 and I'm happy with how it turned out!! It brings back so many memories!   I really was grateful for the opportunity to work with some amazing leaders and youth who made all this possible and I can't thank all the "Mas" and "Pas" enough who were willing to work with 8-10 kids and shape them into a close knit family in 4 days!! They too did an amazing job!! If any of you would like a copy of one of these pictures, just let me know in my comments section! 

This is dedicated to my Rebecca and Mitchell because I couldn't ask for more enthusiastic, fun, loving kids...I'm lucky to be their MOM!!! 

TREK 2013

It was my privilege last week to be a part of our TREK 2013! Our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints puts on a pioneer trek for our youth every 4 years. It gives our youth an opportunity to experience just a little what the early pioneers went through to be here. It is an amazing 4 day journey that involves walking for miles, pulling handcarts, eating rationed food and making new friends. They end up hungry, thirsty, tired, sunburned and blistered but with a new appreciation for their pioneer ancestors. They learn that with the help of the Lord, they can do hard things and triumph over them.

I was involved with the back up crew this year, which was a new endeavour for me as well. I worked with my friend Deanne to provide the food for the trip and so did a lot of shopping, organizing and worrying. I was happy with how things turned out and have to admit, I was especially grateful for all the hard work that each member of our back up crew did. There was a spirit of love and camaraderie that you can't find anywhere else and what a stupendous blessing it was to be a part of it.

I had two of my children involved in this year's trek and they embraced it wholeheartedly...they were enthusiastic and helpful but they learned a lot as well. They were put in different families and were given a wonderful "Ma and Pa!" They had so many stories to tell when it was over...and I know that their testimonies of the experience were strengthened immensely. I love them dearly and was so grateful they had this opportunity. Here are just a few of the many pictures I attempted to capture: